What the leafs desperately need is... desperation. They don't play with enough urgency and consistency. They play down to the level of their opponents, they don't put in a 60 minute effort. The game is played on the ice with the puck, throwing fists or hits don't really matter to me; what matters to me is compete and you don't need to hit and fight to do that.
Is this what the Leafs desperately lack ?
- Thread starter jwalk
- Start date
absolutely, 100% they lack the compete level necessary.
Just wait until April, and you will find out just how lacking they are. They *might* win a round or 2 but they are not equipped to go any deeper when push comes to shove. This team is a bunch of talented, high-skilled p***ycats. That's the problem and it will become very evident very soon.
You said this:
I'm asking you what the hell that means? how is the season they've had an "example" of anything of the sort?
then you said they have repeatedly folded in physical playoff style games this season. I then commented such games couldn't have been all that numerous, since the Leafs are a top 5 NHL team and have been virtually all year.
are we clear on what I've "claimed" now?
HomerJLeafs
i just hope we make the POs
- Dec 27, 2017
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We're the 2015-16 and 2016-17 Penguins the kind of physical cup champions you have in mind?
If so, which players stood out for you on that measure?
CyBorgman
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- Oct 4, 2017
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Umm Crosby, Malkin, Hornqvist, Hagglin, Bonino even Kessel is a thick guy that can handle physical play.
In the National Hockey League you need to hit and not be intimidated by getting hit. Matthews in particular for such a big frame is a master of the fly by
CyBorgman
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2017
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I said the Leaf's play this season has done more to disprove the idea that skill alone can have playoff success than prove it.
You replied "How's that? by putting up a top 3 win total?", that implies that you disagree with what i said and you think them being top 3 in wins is evidence against it. If you don't think their regular season win total is an indicator of post season success, then why bring it up?
Also there is a huge difference between solid regular seasson teams and championship teams. More than half the teams in the NHL make the first round of the playoffs.
Chara really didn't "step up" for this fight. He got jumped and had to defend himself.
So yes if our guys get jumped we do need our guys to defend themselves.
Chara has two fights this year and didn't initiate either. He's getting old. He relies on positioning more than anything these days. Doesn't hit much either because he can't get caught and recover now if he misses.
People really need to stop creating that narrative that the Bruins are big and tough.
They're one of the smallest teams in the league and play an average physical game.
They're extremely skilled and thats how they win games...
So yes if our guys get jumped we do need our guys to defend themselves.
Chara has two fights this year and didn't initiate either. He's getting old. He relies on positioning more than anything these days. Doesn't hit much either because he can't get caught and recover now if he misses.
People really need to stop creating that narrative that the Bruins are big and tough.
They're one of the smallest teams in the league and play an average physical game.
They're extremely skilled and thats how they win games...
- Dec 12, 2017
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The Leafs need more guys like Kane that step up after the cheap shot by Chara. They need guys like Backes that will do anything to win.
- Dec 12, 2017
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Dermott, Freddy, and maybe the best example, McAvoy on Marner.
He elbowed Kane in the head.
I thought the Zaitsev elbow on Matthew Tkachuk was similar and was really disappointed when he didn’t drop the gloves on Zaitsev.
TML Dynasty
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- May 2, 2016
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I don't care if the mitts get dropped but ffs we need some aggression out there. Or compete or whatever u want to call it. Someone makes a dirty hit on our players or bumps the goalie or any number of things that go uncontested now makes me ill. No need to draw a roughing penalty every time but do something. Anything. Take hits to make plays if needed. Take the body when required instead of poke checks. I really miss old hockey.
diceman934
Help is on the way.
No they do not lack physical players. Did you watch them against the Bruins last year.
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Can you imagine if Marner had Crosby’s body and the Leafs had a guy with the skill and size of Malkin that would carve your eyes out?
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diceman934
Help is on the way.
He asked Kane to fight several times after going after a kid. Then he punished him with checks after this until Kane jumped him.
Yes he stepped up he is a old man and still knocked Kane around. To answer the op yes we could use this.
My point was that he wouldn't have fought Kane if he didn't have too. He just doesn't engage anymore. He's had lots of guys want/try to fight him but he wants no part of it these days.
If he did I'm sure he'd still drop a few guys but he only fights when he has no choice now.
- Dec 12, 2017
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Exactly. Heck, they probably won’t even beat the Leafs, but barring major injuries, I can’t see them beating TB.
ottomaddox
Registered User
diceman934
Help is on the way.
Lol you know a timble full of what a past NHL player knows if that.
Teams need to be able to accept physical play and give it back if they are to win in the playoffs. What is called a penalty in the regular season is let go in the playoffs.
Like I have stated many times we can win in the playoffs but only if we do not run away like several of our better players did last year. Hell we had two players visibly slow down for fear that they would get to the puck first many many times against the Bruins and despite getting their second chose to jab at the puck as they skated pass the player.
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We all know that. The point is, Kane didn’t the take the elbow lying down. Maybe Kane should have two handed him in the back of the knee or wrist, but he didn’t because it’s too close playoff style. He stepped up to show his teammates he means business.
TML Dynasty
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- May 2, 2016
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What do you mean? I see other teams get into scrums a lot when dodgy crap happens. Or am I missing your point completely?
moon111
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- Oct 18, 2014
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We had Matt Martin who had a higher points per minute then Nylander does this season.
Fans complain Martin is on the team and is useless or fans complain the team isn't tough enough.
If the Leafs had Gretzky, fans would complain he didn't fight like Tiger Williams.
Right now Moore 3.61 pt/60, Petan 3.40 pt/60, Ennis 2.44 pt/60 are scoring at Evgeni Malkin, Sebastian Aho, Patrik Laine rates.
Maybe if we look at the reality, it's not that someone like Matt Martin wouldn't be nice, but he's getting paid $2.5 million,
while Moore, Petan, and Ennis combine for $2.4.
Reality is, the team isn't losing guys like Komarov and Martin because they couldn't be used for their specialized roles,
it's because we couldn't afford them. Toughness? Defensive shut-down? These are valuable assets that a team like
Islanders cannot only appreciate... but afford. The Leafs are exploiting water-bugs because the market has
overlooked their value.
Fans complain Martin is on the team and is useless or fans complain the team isn't tough enough.
If the Leafs had Gretzky, fans would complain he didn't fight like Tiger Williams.
Right now Moore 3.61 pt/60, Petan 3.40 pt/60, Ennis 2.44 pt/60 are scoring at Evgeni Malkin, Sebastian Aho, Patrik Laine rates.
Maybe if we look at the reality, it's not that someone like Matt Martin wouldn't be nice, but he's getting paid $2.5 million,
while Moore, Petan, and Ennis combine for $2.4.
Reality is, the team isn't losing guys like Komarov and Martin because they couldn't be used for their specialized roles,
it's because we couldn't afford them. Toughness? Defensive shut-down? These are valuable assets that a team like
Islanders cannot only appreciate... but afford. The Leafs are exploiting water-bugs because the market has
overlooked their value.
