The Leafs experienced their first 2 game losing streak, which was bound to happen eventually during an 82 game season. The defensive play and net minding have been suspect as of late and is the cause of the 2 game losing streak. It has not solely been the defense and goaltenders fault for the poor play. The has also been blown back checking assignments by some key forwards. The reason for the loses are pretty clear and can easily be remedied. But the work has to be put in, there are no easy games in the NHL, every team will compete hard against the Leafs. Especially with all the hype that surrounds them.
Next up is a 4 game west coast swing, involving the top 2 teams in the west. The Kings and the Blues with 19 points each. The Ducks and the Sharks are the other 2 opponents on the road trip and cannot be taken lightly either. The way the Leafs are playing defensively there is no team that they should be taking lightly at this point in the season.
The Leafs have been off to a decent start, record wise. All those early season points will be helpful in the long run, but any losing streak can eat away at those early gains very quickly. The road trip may be a good thing at this point in the season. A lot of people are pointing their finger at Freddy, and some of that may be warranted. But if you look at the numbers the problem is team play. The Leafs quite simply are just not playing well in front of their own net, or anywhere in their own half of the ice.
This should drive home a point that the Leafs are still in the building process. I know that we as fans want our team to win right now, and everything has to happen so quickly. But that's not the reality of the NHL. This is only year 2 of the rebuild, these young forwards are still developing. Which is hard to believe seeing how good they already are, but there are still areas of their game that need work, just like any second year player. The defensive group is not overwhelming by any means, but if they follow the structure given to them by the coaching staff and get support from the forwards, this team can definitely play better than they are at the moment and win with this group.
This road trip will be an interesting test in this early part of the season. The Leafs will either come together as a team and steam roll their opponents, or it will be more of the same. I predict a 3-1 road trip and 1 shutout from Freddy. Some time away from Toronto and the media will help him clear his head and hopefully some adjustments in his timing can be worked on away from the centre of the hockey universe.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Cheese steak in town aka Philly
I'm sure we'd all love to forget the last game against the Canes. What looked like a comeback ended up being the worst game for the Leafs in this early season. They were simple outworked, outplayed and out skated. Babcock was not a happy camper with the team performance and i hope the players were not either. Freddy made some good saves, one really great save that will be a highlight of the year candidate I'm sure.
Today is a new day, its Saturday. And that means hokey night in Canada. Tonight's opponent is the Flyers. The Flyers are just 5-5-0 this year so far. Things to note about the Flyers is their number of shots on goal, which is 9th in the league with 33.3. This is something to watch for because the Leafs allow 33 shots against per game. On those 33 shots the Flyers score 3.4 goals per game while the Leafs allow 3.6 goals per game. So if you are expecting a tight, low scoring game to calm your nerves after the Carolina game, i would skip this game.
I do expect this game to be a better overall team game, especially by Freddy. His numbers are not very promising this year so far. But i am not one of those fans who jump all over Freddy because this team has been terrible in front of him, and the only reason they have been in some of these games is because Freddy has made some good stops. Can he be better yes. But the Leafs can be a lot better in front of him. If you are trying your best and you see the team in front of you playing well below the effort level you know they can play at, of course your own game is going to drop a level. Players feed off of each other, the team playing poorly in front of his net surely effects his game as well.
So put your beer in the fridge now and stock up on some snack, i believe to nights game will be exciting and a closely battled match.
#standwitness
Today is a new day, its Saturday. And that means hokey night in Canada. Tonight's opponent is the Flyers. The Flyers are just 5-5-0 this year so far. Things to note about the Flyers is their number of shots on goal, which is 9th in the league with 33.3. This is something to watch for because the Leafs allow 33 shots against per game. On those 33 shots the Flyers score 3.4 goals per game while the Leafs allow 3.6 goals per game. So if you are expecting a tight, low scoring game to calm your nerves after the Carolina game, i would skip this game.
I do expect this game to be a better overall team game, especially by Freddy. His numbers are not very promising this year so far. But i am not one of those fans who jump all over Freddy because this team has been terrible in front of him, and the only reason they have been in some of these games is because Freddy has made some good stops. Can he be better yes. But the Leafs can be a lot better in front of him. If you are trying your best and you see the team in front of you playing well below the effort level you know they can play at, of course your own game is going to drop a level. Players feed off of each other, the team playing poorly in front of his net surely effects his game as well.
So as far as tonight goes i expect a 4-3 result, going either way, but of course I'm rooting for the boys in blue. Expect lots of shots on goal, battles in the face off circles with both teams at or a little better than 50%. The Leafs should hold the physical advantage with 22 hits per game while Philly is at 17 per game. Michal Neuvirth has a good SV% of .925 so that will be the test for the Leafs this game. Can they score, yes we know they can. But can they hold their opposition to less than 3 goal is going to be a key stat for this game. If they cannot i expect Philly to win.
So put your beer in the fridge now and stock up on some snack, i believe to nights game will be exciting and a closely battled match.
#standwitness
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Lost Leivo
You have to feel bad for a guy like Leivo. You have all the talent and hockey smarts to make a roster spot on an NHL team. But there's only problem that is holding you back. You are in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, arguably the franchise with the deepest pool of forwards. But what is this, there an expansion draft. Maybe you'll get picked up by the expansion team and get lots of playing time with a new team. Oh but the Leafs protect you from the draft, they must have plans. Then the season starts and what's this, you again have season tickets in the press box.
I understand why the Leafs have kept Leivo, eventually there will be injuries or there will be a trade of some sort. And in either case he's a good asset to have on the shelf.
JVR took an awkward fall last game and I'm sure Leivo was anxious to see if that would mean a spot for him. At practise today it looks like he just may get a game in, but they could also be giving JVR a day to rest. Either way that's why you have Leivo. He is that box of canned goods you keep in the pantry for an emergence. Hopefully he has a good game and makes good use to the minutes he gets. That will give Babcock the trust he needs and it will also help management if other teams start knocking on the trade door.
But what could you get for a Leivo? I think that in order to get anything of value in return youl have to give him game time. That way other teams can see what he has to offer. Which leaves me to believe that the Leafs have very little desire to trade him, but are content to keep him to use as needed and to potentially use if they trade another forward, maybe one of the UFAs in house. Time will tell.
I understand why the Leafs have kept Leivo, eventually there will be injuries or there will be a trade of some sort. And in either case he's a good asset to have on the shelf.
JVR took an awkward fall last game and I'm sure Leivo was anxious to see if that would mean a spot for him. At practise today it looks like he just may get a game in, but they could also be giving JVR a day to rest. Either way that's why you have Leivo. He is that box of canned goods you keep in the pantry for an emergence. Hopefully he has a good game and makes good use to the minutes he gets. That will give Babcock the trust he needs and it will also help management if other teams start knocking on the trade door.
But what could you get for a Leivo? I think that in order to get anything of value in return youl have to give him game time. That way other teams can see what he has to offer. Which leaves me to believe that the Leafs have very little desire to trade him, but are content to keep him to use as needed and to potentially use if they trade another forward, maybe one of the UFAs in house. Time will tell.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Defensive issues
I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that the leafs are having issues keeping control of play in their defensive zone. It was an issue last season and without any real changes in the defense group in the off-season, it was bound to be an issue again.
There was 2 changes that did take place, I don't want anyone to think I don't like Hainsey or Borgman. Hainsey is reliable stay at home defensemen and Borgman has a lot of upside. The same can be said for Rosen.
But that's not really much change from last year. Hainsey is comparable to Hunwick and the 2 youngsters are is an improvement over Marincin, it's just not enough of an improvement.
Now the leafs have Mr.Polak back under contract, which had sent Rosen to the AHL. Which is only good news for Rosen because now he will have real playing time to develop. Which leaves me to think that either Borgman/Polak/Carrick will split the bottom pairing or that Borgman will be sent down to the AHL shortly as well.
If Borgman follows Rosen down to the AHL my only concern will be that we now have a logjam of young defensemen fighting for playing time with the Marlies. While competition for playing time is good, you need to have minutes for these talented kids to play and to become the NHL defensemen we hope they become. It is a good problem to have that will help fill holes in the future.
That leaves me to think we will not see the leafs make a trade for a "stud" dman. The leafs brass know they have a lot of young talent that will make their way to th NHL. This is a process to build a winning team that I think management knows takes more than 2 years. The media and some fans are hyped about the team, which is great and we should be. But don't let the excitement shadow the fact that this is a team still building and in no hurry to give away the assets they have just because it's what people want them to do. Follow the plan, build the team slowly and have a competitive team for years to come.
#standwitness
There was 2 changes that did take place, I don't want anyone to think I don't like Hainsey or Borgman. Hainsey is reliable stay at home defensemen and Borgman has a lot of upside. The same can be said for Rosen.
But that's not really much change from last year. Hainsey is comparable to Hunwick and the 2 youngsters are is an improvement over Marincin, it's just not enough of an improvement.
Now the leafs have Mr.Polak back under contract, which had sent Rosen to the AHL. Which is only good news for Rosen because now he will have real playing time to develop. Which leaves me to think that either Borgman/Polak/Carrick will split the bottom pairing or that Borgman will be sent down to the AHL shortly as well.
If Borgman follows Rosen down to the AHL my only concern will be that we now have a logjam of young defensemen fighting for playing time with the Marlies. While competition for playing time is good, you need to have minutes for these talented kids to play and to become the NHL defensemen we hope they become. It is a good problem to have that will help fill holes in the future.
That leaves me to think we will not see the leafs make a trade for a "stud" dman. The leafs brass know they have a lot of young talent that will make their way to th NHL. This is a process to build a winning team that I think management knows takes more than 2 years. The media and some fans are hyped about the team, which is great and we should be. But don't let the excitement shadow the fact that this is a team still building and in no hurry to give away the assets they have just because it's what people want them to do. Follow the plan, build the team slowly and have a competitive team for years to come.
#standwitness
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Maple Leafs UFAs
We all know that some tough decisions are coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs after this season. They have 3 keys players coming up to the end of their contracts. Bozak, Komarov and JVR who have all played for the leafs for a number of years are in their final years.
JVR is a very skilled winger who posted 29 goals and 62 points while playing all 82 games last year. James is currently making 4.5 mil per season.
Komarov is a gritty forward who posted 14 goals and 32 points in 82 games last year. He is currently making 2.9 mil per season.
Bozak is a talented face-off man who posted 18 goals and 55 points in 78 games last year. He is making 4.2 mill this year.
My opinion is that there is no way to bring back all 3 of them, and with the winger depth the leafs have there is no reason to bring them back. I don't see anyone who can immediately step into JVRs spot and put up 30 goals. Yes Kapanen, Soshnikov, Johnsson, and Bracco are all talented wingers but they are a few years away from being at the same level as JVR. On the other hand Komarov can be easily replaced with any one of those young forwards. They may not bring the grit and physical presence that Komarov plays with. But with Komarov aging, how much longer can he play the physical game we expect from him. By letting Komarov walk away at the end of the season it opens up a spot for a young forward to move up. Maybe a Leivo?
The only one of the three UFAs that makes sense for the leafs to resign is Bozak in my opinion. The leafs are not very deep up the middle. I read a lot of comments about moving Nylander down to be the second line center. But who wants to tear one of the best lines in hockey apart? I believe if you can keep Nylander and Matthews together that is the best possible situation. By doing that you have Kadri as your second line center and i can't think of any reason why that is not a good thing. Then you can resign Bozak for the third line and depending on how long you sign him you can move him down to the forth line in a couple of years once Moore and Fehr are gone. By then Aaltonen or Gauthier should be knocking on the door to be placed in as the third or fourth line centers.
By only signing Bozak you open 2 forward spots for prospects sitting in the minors while freeing up cap room and keeping the center of the lineup in solid shape.
This being only year 2 of the Shanaplan, and the leafs putting up numbers like they are, i cannot see management making any trades during the season. They want to stay the course and see what they can do with the talent they already have. The only way anyone gets traded is if the team takes a nosedive and is out of contention. Otherwise you keep all 3 until the end of the season and use them for the playoff push then sort things out in the summer. Whatever happens the leafs are on the rise and this journey is fun to be on.
JVR is a very skilled winger who posted 29 goals and 62 points while playing all 82 games last year. James is currently making 4.5 mil per season.
Komarov is a gritty forward who posted 14 goals and 32 points in 82 games last year. He is currently making 2.9 mil per season.
Bozak is a talented face-off man who posted 18 goals and 55 points in 78 games last year. He is making 4.2 mill this year.
My opinion is that there is no way to bring back all 3 of them, and with the winger depth the leafs have there is no reason to bring them back. I don't see anyone who can immediately step into JVRs spot and put up 30 goals. Yes Kapanen, Soshnikov, Johnsson, and Bracco are all talented wingers but they are a few years away from being at the same level as JVR. On the other hand Komarov can be easily replaced with any one of those young forwards. They may not bring the grit and physical presence that Komarov plays with. But with Komarov aging, how much longer can he play the physical game we expect from him. By letting Komarov walk away at the end of the season it opens up a spot for a young forward to move up. Maybe a Leivo?
The only one of the three UFAs that makes sense for the leafs to resign is Bozak in my opinion. The leafs are not very deep up the middle. I read a lot of comments about moving Nylander down to be the second line center. But who wants to tear one of the best lines in hockey apart? I believe if you can keep Nylander and Matthews together that is the best possible situation. By doing that you have Kadri as your second line center and i can't think of any reason why that is not a good thing. Then you can resign Bozak for the third line and depending on how long you sign him you can move him down to the forth line in a couple of years once Moore and Fehr are gone. By then Aaltonen or Gauthier should be knocking on the door to be placed in as the third or fourth line centers.
By only signing Bozak you open 2 forward spots for prospects sitting in the minors while freeing up cap room and keeping the center of the lineup in solid shape.
This being only year 2 of the Shanaplan, and the leafs putting up numbers like they are, i cannot see management making any trades during the season. They want to stay the course and see what they can do with the talent they already have. The only way anyone gets traded is if the team takes a nosedive and is out of contention. Otherwise you keep all 3 until the end of the season and use them for the playoff push then sort things out in the summer. Whatever happens the leafs are on the rise and this journey is fun to be on.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Cautiously optimistic
Here i sit, 33 years old, a lifelong leaf fan. Technically that's not true, i did not come out of the womb a leafs fan. It was in 93' that i became a leafs fan and i was 9. My father was rooting for Montreal and i wanted to be difficult and go against him, so i picked the leafs to cheer for. When i actually paid attention and saw Clark, Gilmour and Sundin with the rest of the cast play. That's when i became a lifelong fan.
I've loved hockey ever since, cheered for the leafs ever since. There have been years where i watched every minute of every game. And other years where i watch only a handful of games. Some say to be a true fan of any sports team you have to know every stat and detail of the teams history. I'll admit there have been times throughout the 24 years of being a leaf fan than i have completely zoned out and stopped paying attention to the team. I have never cheered for another team, i don't jump on bandwagons. But if you've been a leaf fan for any length of time, you know that feeling. The bad years, they were bad. Real bad.
So like any leaf fan who has lived through those dark times i find myself so happy with the direction of the team. But in the back of my head i think back to the leaf teams who have given us promise in the past. Some people say you cannot draw comparisons to past leaf teams and players. And maybe they're right. Can you compare Matthews to a Sundin? Anderson to a Potvin? Nylander to an Andreychuk? No you cant. But you can compare that feeling of excitement to previous leaf teams. That's what make me cautiously optimistic. We have felt this thrill of being good before.
This is not the best team in Maple Leafs history. But it is the best one in recent memory. We cannot get ahead of ourselves, lets not rush this opportunity with the depth of talent we have. I say "we" but in reality none of us have any say on what the team does with its assets. This management has pulled us from the valley floor and pushed us up this mountain. We are not at the peak just yet, but i believe it is within sight.
Don't let the overwhelming force that is the Toronto sports media make you delusional to the path ahead. This is a long journey and we are only at the beginning of year 2. After being a fan for so many years of bad leafs teams. We can wait a year or 2 more to reach that peak. Because when we do, that will be the greatest view in all the land. So let's stop with the "let's trade this guy" or "we need to trade for a defenseman" talk. Let's watch these kids grow, let's see what our prospects will grow into. This is a marathon not a sprint.
I am very excited about the team we have, and these are just my thoughts and opinions. I've never written anything before, so this is all trial and error.
#GOLEAFSGO
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