Keefes comments regarding Benoit after the game.....

[Nineteen67]

He and McCabe have been their best D this year. Right when they solidify a bottom guy they decide it’s too good to be true and start messing with him.

Lyubushkin and Liljegren can’t skate.

 

[DarkKnight]

Sounds like favouritism, wait I thought he was constantly held back and singled out? I didn’t think he was good at all last night to be honest, can this guy push anyone off a puck, he will get murdered in the playoffs if he doesn’t figure it out quick.

 

[TMLife17]

Another factor (not sure if it's been brought up already or not) is that if I'm not mistaken, Benoit is a pending UFA. Would have been so easy to just site Brodie and let Benoit play instead of leaving him with the memory of being benched for a game where he really wanted to play, and deserved to play.

Keefe is such a moron. That is all.

Benoit is a RFA after this season.

 

[DarkKnight]

We haven’t signed Benoit either, this slight last night in front of his family and now being benched for no good reason, hope we don’t lose him as a result. He won’t be signing while he’s in the press box that’s for sure. One of the best stories this year derailed, doesn’t sit well at all.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Benoit is a RFA after this season.

Are you sure? If so then I take it back, my mistake. Wait, I don't take it back, Keefe is still a moron, and Benoit still should have played last night.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Benoit is a good soldier; we gave him a solid chance this season. Not to mention before the game, Keefe specified why it is important to get Lily going.

It helps when we have all cylinders firing, rather now versus than in playoffs in my opinion.

 

[Buds17]

I've no problem whatsoever with Liljegren playing. My issue is with Keefe not having played Benoit specifically for last night's game and employing an 11-7 (scratch Reaves?). It's a good thing to have more than six capable d-men and I'm sure a number of them will take a turn in sitting out from time-to-time over the rest of the regular season in order to keep the lot playing, fresh and happy. Regardless, the team won last night and won when Spezza was scratched and neither takeaway from each game should be lost.

 

[TMLAM34]

I've no problem whatsoever with Liljegren playing. My issue is with Keefe not having played Benoit specifically for last night's game and employing an 11-7 (scratch Reaves?). It's a good thing to have more than six capable d-men and I'm sure a number of them will take a turn in sitting out from time-to-time over the rest of the regular season in order to keep the lot playing, fresh and happy.

Completely agree… Should have went 11-7 since it was a game in Benoit’s hometown. Not to mention Reaves was completely useless last night.

 

[DarkKnight]

Completely agree… Should have went 11-7 since it was a game in Benoit’s hometown. Not to mention Reaves was completely useless last night.

That fourth line was good what are you talking about?

 

[kevsh]

I don't mind Benoit sitting a few games just so Edmundson at least gets some time to adjust to a new team, as long as Benoit is in the lineup over Edmundson when the playoffs start. That's the plan right?

 

[57 Years No Cup]

anyone concerned about Keefes post game comments regarding Benoit? looks like he is the odd man out. Keefe doesn't want to hurt Lillys feelings/confidence apparently. Thoughts?

Keefe's an idiot.

 

[Buds17]

Completely agree… Should have went 11-7 since it was a game in Benoit’s hometown. Not to mention Reaves was completely useless last night.

In fairness, that would have been my opinion prior to the game and Reaves and his line did fare rather well during the game. That stated, TOI for Reaves was still the lowest for any Leaf skater.

 

[OddyOh]

I don't mind Benoit sitting a few games just so Edmundson at least gets some time to adjust to a new team, as long as Benoit is in the lineup over Edmundson when the playoffs start. That's the plan right?

Keefe and a plan don't really travel in the same circles.

 

[horner]

Are you sure? If so then I take it back, my mistake. Wait, I don't take it back, Keefe is still a moron, and Benoit still should have played last night.

Yes RFA

 

[horner]

Benoit should be safe. Really unfair to expect him to have 82 perfect (pass / fail) games. Even if he blossomed into a no.1, he'd still have at least 1 bad stretch of games. He's not a no.1, so if Keefe wants 100% perfection ALWAYS, he's the problem and doesn't know how to handle a team.

Except for Reilly and Brodie

 

[ACC1224]

We haven’t signed Benoit either, this slight last night in front of his family and now being benched for no good reason, hope we don’t lose him as a result. He won’t be signing while he’s in the press box that’s for sure. One of the best stories this year derailed, doesn’t sit well at all.

Maybe he’s hurting a bit, so they’ve given him an extended rest?

 

[Menzinger]

Keefe was probably wrong to sit Benoit for a hometown game, always a bad look.

That said, he's also an rfa, his feelings aside, he's a Leaf next season regardless.

 

[aingefan]

We haven’t signed Benoit either, this slight last night in front of his family and now being benched for no good reason, hope we don’t lose him as a result. He won’t be signing while he’s in the press box that’s for sure. One of the best stories this year derailed, doesn’t sit well at all.

I get the optics, and it was an odd choice and timing, but if sitting one game results in losing him, so be it.

 

[aingefan]

It's seems when he feels pressure from big opposing players he gets jittery and gives up the puck to soon.
I hope he can get it out of his mind.
The problem is the 2 teams we need to beat Boston and Florida have big forwards and apply a heavy forcheck.
I think in the summer he will be traded along with our 1st for a dman.

This comment has been made a number of times, so I’ve watched a bit closer.
I’m these game situations against Boston and last night, I’m mostly seeing Lili put the puck where it *should* be safe, along the wall where a forward *should be back* supporting the play. That’s been a big issue that I’ve noticed (particularly when he was playing with the Nylander line against Boston). No one there, or botching the pass up the wall, getting hemmed in.
Not much cohesiveness during breakouts against the forecheck a lot of the time.

 

[AustonMarner]

Why do "Leafs fans" have such huge emo swings after a few bad or good games by individual player's or the team in general?

Last night's game is basically what the team looks like without Marner in the lineup and Tavares back at 2C... it's no wonder McMann was flying again with net positive linemates

Benoit will see action in the playoffs guaranteed

Hopefully Timmins will be over his mono and available for the playoffs as the Leafs Black Ace

If anyone HAS to be waived at some point it will be Noah Gregor

 

[AvroArrow]

Benoit has been one of our better players all year long, Brodie on the other hand has been dog shit since last year. But obviously he's making 5M a year so we'll play him instead.

No f***ing chance Benoit should be sitting while Brodie, Lyubushkin, Edmundson, Lily are playing.

 

[ULF_55]

Benoit should have played in his hometown
The whole bunch has played like crap
Including Reilly since his dumb suspension

I'd say more since Rielly's return from suspension.

 

[DarkKnight]

I get the optics, and it was an odd choice and timing, but if sitting one game results in losing him, so be it.

Who said it's one game.

 

[Stephen]

Benoit should have played in his hometown
The whole bunch has played like crap
Including Reilly since his dumb suspension

Scratching Benoit in a Montreal Saturday game is a little Babcock like. Especially when Benoit’s quality of play hasn’t really been a glaring issue like other defensemen on the team at various times.

 

[Stephen]

I'd say more since Rielly's return from suspension.

It’s ironic that Rielly’s been a bit of a net negative since his return from suspension.