Pre-Game Talk: Devils vs Leafs

[Gary Nylund]

I haven't heard him say anything himself, but sounds like he might have said it in a press conference according to the post above

I think the money part is a reality of life though, if it were me in the same position and I was looking at the difference between a $19m/3 contract or a $5-8M/2 contract I know it would matter to me. And SJ didn't need him at center so maybe that request considers the team too, who knows

And yes for sure, there's a factor of the media pandering to the audience for clicks and listens. I like Miller but you don't get to that level without knowing how to keep people on the hook

Yeah it might all just be fluff, wouldn't surprise me at all.

As far as the contract thing - sure I get that and I did think of that. On the other hand, at the time he's already a seasoned veteran who already has a contract and is being paid a lot of money. At that point, doesn't he have an obligation to do whatever he can to help the team win? Unless they agreed before signing that he wouldn't be asked to play centre, that's another thing but that sounds like a reach.

Maybe I'm just too much of an idealist, definitely possible as I do have that tendency.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I miss Awesome Auston when watching my Leafs, hope he returns soon to action.

Understandable. TBH though, I didn't miss him at all, was great to see us win without him.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Understandable. TBH though, I didn't miss him at all, was great to see us win without him.

Our team actually looked terrible without him statswise

 

[Gary Nylund]

Our team actually looked terrible without him statswise

True. It was still fun to win a few games though.

To expand on that a bit - there were some people saying they wouldn't watch when Matthews was out and that I just don't get. There are a ton of exciting players to watch on this team, we're a lot more than just Matthews and a bunch of random guys.

 

[Budsfan]

 

[member 262271]

True. It was still fun to win a few games though.

To expand on that a bit - there were some people saying they wouldn't watch when Matthews was out and that I just don't get. There are a ton of exciting players to watch on this team, we're a lot more than just Matthews and a bunch of random guys.

I was one of those people originally, though it didn't stick and I watched anyways. For me it was just hard to imagine a team playing the way we were (focusing a little too much on the disastrous road trip) without Auston.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

If I were him I'd have said yeah and have you watched Bozak play this year.

 

[Kiwi]

Our team actually looked terrible without him statswise

We didn't give up anywhere near as many quality chances though, that helps to win games

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

We didn't give up anywhere near as many quality chances though, that helps to win games

I suggest you check the stats because this isn't true

 

[Menzinger]

Leafs sports science guys are going to be super cautious with Matthews so I honestly won't be surprised if he misses the Devils game

 

[Kiwi]

I suggest you check the stats because this isn't true

Babcock said how happy he was about how boring the games without Matthews were, that's because we weren't a complete tyre fire defensively

 

[Gary Nylund]

I was one of those people originally, though it didn't stick and I watched anyways. For me it was just hard to imagine a team playing the way we were (focusing a little too much on the disastrous road trip) without Auston.

Haha OK, I imagine you're glad you did watch.

Anyhow, to each his own. I always watch no matter what because it's in my blood. There were many years where I sort of had the TV on but wasn't paying close attention but still, I had it on. Maybe it's just that I've suffered through so many rough times that today, even without Matthews this is still probably the most talented team I've seen here (I've been watching since the early 70's) so hell yeah, I'll watch every game I can.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Babcock said how happy he was about how boring the games without Matthews were, that's because we weren't a complete tyre fire defensively

Well he's mistaken then. We were out chanced badly in every game including high quality chances

 

[MJ65]

Mark Masters‏Verified account @markhmasters 2h2 hours ago

Babcock on Matthews: "He's fine, but he wasn't like he normally is. Just the power, explosiveness & fitness ... anyone who knows, you get too many days off in hockey it takes a while to get it back, but he's a good player, he's determined so I don't think there'll be any issues."

 

[Kiwi]

Well he's mistaken then. We were out chanced badly in every game including high quality chances

And how was high danger chances against in comparison to how we were playing beforehand? Significantly lower because it certainly looked like it

 

[Pi]

Babcock said how happy he was about how boring the games without Matthews were, that's because we weren't a complete tyre fire defensively

I hate how often Babcock mentions he wants the Leafs to be a boring team.

If he wants to be boring, why doesn't he just get the team to play like the Sens?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

And how was high danger chances against in comparison to how we were playing beforehand? Significantly lower because it certainly looked like it

Feel free to check yourself
Naturalstattrick.com

 

[Kiwi]

I hate how often Babcock mentions he wants the Leafs to be a boring team.

If he wants to be boring, why doesn't he just get the team to play like the Sens?

I think he wants them to be "boring" in there own zone, let's be honest when were in our own zone it's an adventure most of the time, I don't think he wants them Sens boring though

 

[stickty111]

The Marner line only goes when Marner goes. Other than that, we are pretty much back to being a one line team again. Don't like Kadri with Marleau and the 4th line is the 4th line.

How are we a one line team? Just because you dont like a player on a certain line? Also what do you mean again? As if we have ever been a one line team this season.
I dont like Hyman with Matthews. I guess we are pretty much back to being 0 line team again.

 

[stickty111]

I hate how often Babcock mentions he wants the Leafs to be a boring team.

If he wants to be boring, why doesn't he just get the team to play like the Sens?

You do realize there is a difference between boring in own zone and boring overall?
I love how often Babcock mentions he wants us to be boring. I completely agree with Babcock. I would much rather be boring when defending.

 

[Kiwi]

Feel free to check yourself
Naturalstattrick.com

Babcock thinks they were better and the games looked that way, I'm sure the Leafs have got numbers to back what he's saying and he's not pulling stuff out of his ass

 

[MJ65]

I am pretty sure that Matthews is going to dress tomorrow night and this should give a boost to the team. I am also speculating Soshnikov to be in the line up - not sure what's Leivo future is with this club

I am speculating some kind of a move(s) sooner then later

 

[Daisy Jane]

Well he's mistaken then. We were out chanced badly in every game including high quality chances

okay so are you saying Natural Hat Trick dot com is better than the Leafs statistical department?

 

[Daisy Jane]

I hate how often Babcock mentions he wants the Leafs to be a boring team.

If he wants to be boring, why doesn't he just get the team to play like the Sens?

i think he wants them to be boring in their end. he said it last year.

Fun Zone, Speed Zone, Work Zone. be boring in work zone, and do your damage in the fun zone.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

okay so are you saying Natural Hat Trick dot com is better than the Leafs statistical department?

I don't think the leafs stats department has some revolutionary way of measuring high quality chances that nobody knows about but feel free to correct me