Sabres @ Maple Leafs - Nov. 4th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
Since just before the deadline last year, roughly 50% or more of the roster regulars has changed.
In training camp, Keefe changed their defensive system significantly - more man to man coverage - something like that.
It is not uncommon for that scale of change to take time to get a handle on as a group.
I think that is some of the problem.
I expected more from Bertuzzi and Domi. If they can't put up points with Mathhews-Marner or Tavares-Nylander, it will cost them dearly next summer in the UFA market ... Of course, points are not everything. They have to do more.
Klingberg to me was a puzzling signing. He's pretty much what he's been. Has some offensive skills - not good defensively. I'm not clear why we needed him over a physical dman. I think they're missing Justin Holl/crease clearer in that role on the PK. It is a must have for the playoffs. I hoped McCabe might help there but he seems to have regressed to his playoff form - due to playing with an injury?
If Kampf is their 3rd line center going into the playoffs, their playoffs are probably over before they start. They need to get someone, call someone up or do the Nylander experiment to get more production out of the bottom six. With the talent they have, they should be able to assemble a 3rd line that helps with scoring if they can find a center for it.
Statement of the obvious: the Reaves signing doesn't look very good.
Jury is out for me on Gregor. I probably would have offered him a deal.
Although he's not a UFA, I think Knies is doing just fine. Fair shot that he can be a top six winger in his career.
If one were grading Treliving's UFA signings right now, I too think overall (as others have noted previously in this thread), he'd get a failing grade.
Overall defensively, the skaters have been substandard - worse than the goaltending with the number of quality chances given up. Some of that is probably due to them learning the system changes but not all of it.
I have not been able to see all of the games completely. So take the above impressions with that in mind.
In training camp, Keefe changed their defensive system significantly - more man to man coverage - something like that.
It is not uncommon for that scale of change to take time to get a handle on as a group.
I think that is some of the problem.
I expected more from Bertuzzi and Domi. If they can't put up points with Mathhews-Marner or Tavares-Nylander, it will cost them dearly next summer in the UFA market ... Of course, points are not everything. They have to do more.
Klingberg to me was a puzzling signing. He's pretty much what he's been. Has some offensive skills - not good defensively. I'm not clear why we needed him over a physical dman. I think they're missing Justin Holl/crease clearer in that role on the PK. It is a must have for the playoffs. I hoped McCabe might help there but he seems to have regressed to his playoff form - due to playing with an injury?
If Kampf is their 3rd line center going into the playoffs, their playoffs are probably over before they start. They need to get someone, call someone up or do the Nylander experiment to get more production out of the bottom six. With the talent they have, they should be able to assemble a 3rd line that helps with scoring if they can find a center for it.
Statement of the obvious: the Reaves signing doesn't look very good.
Jury is out for me on Gregor. I probably would have offered him a deal.
Although he's not a UFA, I think Knies is doing just fine. Fair shot that he can be a top six winger in his career.
If one were grading Treliving's UFA signings right now, I too think overall (as others have noted previously in this thread), he'd get a failing grade.
Overall defensively, the skaters have been substandard - worse than the goaltending with the number of quality chances given up. Some of that is probably due to them learning the system changes but not all of it.
I have not been able to see all of the games completely. So take the above impressions with that in mind.
Guilt Trip
Well-known member
I'm not so down on Keefe as others because end of the day, the players need to perform and most haven't. However I do find it puzzling that he says the D looked more tired then they ever have and that lead to many mistakes in the 3rd, but why did he not play Lajoie more. The guy played 5 mins. Yes he made a mistake on the Skinner goal but our D has been taxed lately running with 5 guys a lot.
And as much as I'd like to blame Klingberg for that EN goal, Willy can take some blame as well. He shouldn't be immune for that pathetic effort there.
Leafs better hope McCabe/Timmins gets back soon.
And as much as I'd like to blame Klingberg for that EN goal, Willy can take some blame as well. He shouldn't be immune for that pathetic effort there.
Leafs better hope McCabe/Timmins gets back soon.
azzurri63
Well-known member
Glad I had a party to attend and missed half the game. Sad part of this team is with all the picks thrown away it aint going to get better soon and in my opinion worse. Farm system isn't great no real bonafide stars to look forward to while teams like Montreal, Detroit and Buffalo are building decent teams after some tough years. This team should have been overhauled last year or even 2 years ago when some of us deep down knew that there was something lacking with this core. We'll see what happens in the coming weeks they better figure it out or like ZZBM said the playoffs which were supposed to be a cakewalk to make might be a struggle.
Guru Tugginmypuddah
Well-known member
Zee said:
And an hour earlier too!!!!