Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Hawks Wednesday 8pm SN

[ACC1224]

On to the next one.
I like their chances here.

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[Daisy Jane]

i always like playing vs. Chicago

 

[DarkKnight]

You want to know how good Dermott has been? People are suddenly praising Carrick again. That good.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

You want to know how good Dermott has been? People are suddenly praising Carrick again. That good.

Carrick was really low on confidence to start the year and playin really limited minutes or sitting in the press box doesn't usually help to boost your confidence.
He is pretty mobile and can make a good first pass. Something we saw last year but was nonexistent this year.

 

[DarkKnight]

Carrick was really low on confidence to start the year and playin really limited minutes or sitting in the press box doesn't usually help to boost your confidence.
He is pretty mobile and can make a good first pass. Something we saw last year but was nonexistent this year.

He can make a good pass, he can skate, no question. However, he is such a liability in our end, it all adds up to a 7th D in my mind.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

He can make a good pass, he can skate, no question. However, he is such a liability in our end, it all adds up to a 7th D in my mind.

Eh he is still only 23. Don't think he is as big a defensive liability as your making out. If you pair him with a big physical partner who can clear the front of the net, Carrick can be a really useful cheap 3rd pairing puck mover

 

[DarkKnight]

Eh he is still only 23. Don't think he is as big a defensive liability as your making out. If you pair him with a big physical partner who can clear the front of the net, Carrick can be a really useful cheap 3rd pairing puck mover

He can’t win battles down low, he can’t clear the front of the net, he can’t handle any forecheck, the nice first pass disappears. As far as I’m concerned when he’s in the lineup and our D is healthy, it means we aren’t good enough. Same with Polak.

 

[ACC1224]

Hawks were shut out last night at home. Have to think they will come out flying for this one.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

He can’t win battles down low, he can’t clear the front of the net, he can’t handle any forecheck, the nice first pass disappears. As far as I’m concerned when he’s in the lineup and our D is healthy, it means we aren’t good enough. Same with Polak.

I mean saying he can't do those things just isn't true as I've seen him do all of them successfully at some point. He may not be able to clear the net well or battle down low but he still does win puck battles behind the net (saw a few last night). If you pair him with a big physical defender who can deal with the majority of clearing the front of the net he will be fine.

Many teams have worse players on their 3rd pairing especially considering his age.

Edit: I do agree he has been bad this year but I put some of that onto low confidence as he was much better last year in more difficult minutes

 

[DarkKnight]

I mean saying he can't do those things just isn't true as I've seen him do all of them successfully at some point. He may not be able to clear the net well or battle down low but he still does win puck battles behind the net (saw a few last night). If you pair him with a big physical defender who can deal with the majority of clearing the front of the net he will be fine.

Many teams have worse players on their 3rd pairing especially considering his age.

Edit: I do agree he has been bad this year but I put some of that onto low confidence as he was much better last year in more difficult minutes

To each his own, I think he isn’t even on the team next year.

 

[Mess]

My 2 favourite teams and my favourite non Leaf NHLer Jonathan Toews is always the games on the schedule I look for most every year.

Love Leaf vs Hawk games.

 

[Cor]

Don’t take Jeff Glass too lightly and we should win this one.

 

[54thecup]

To each his own, I think he isn’t even on the team next year.

I haven't liked Carrick's game but playing with Polak and Gards isn't the best hand you can be dealt!

I luv Bab's comment, ' we don't always know what Gards is doing but...'

Dermott and Carrick look good together as a pair and should stay together for a bit.

Hainsey should stay with Gards to help stabilize him.

A more confident Reilly with Zaits would be a good pairing as well next week.

Maybe Borgy needs some seasoning in the A to get his confidence back and work on the skills and situations (pk?) the Leafs want from him .

 

[Al14]

i always like playing vs. Chicago

Great, will look for you. What number will you be wearing? Hopefully, Babcock will give you at least one shift.

 

[ACC1224]

Did they practice this morning before heading to Chicago? Was Kapanen an extra?

 

[Liminality]

It's happening

 

[ACC1224]

It's happening

Best time to do it is on the road......

 

[Torontonian]

Wow, Martin out and Leo on the 4th line.. Praise the lord, Babcock finally making changes.

 

[ACC1224]

Wow, Martin out and Leo on the 4th line.. Praise the lord, Babcock finally making changes.

Lets see if it happens tomorrow night, easy to do this today.

 

[Cor]

Yooooooo those lines

 

[SprDaVE]

Jesus Mary... it only took 47 games.

 

[Al14]

Lets see if it happens tomorrow night, easy to do this today.

Well, if it sticks for the game tomorrow night, I suspect Lou and Co. might have spoken to Babcock about the situation.

It's easy to remain stubborn until your boss speaks to you about a problem.

Yeah, and maybe I'm reading too much into it too!

 

[Jozay]

It's happening

 

[1specter]

It's happening

I seriously hope the Leafs put up a dominant performance and force Babs' hand so that he doesn't revert back to the old lines. Finally they are utilizing their talent and putting players where they belong.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I really hope the Leafs don't get destroyed or we will never see these lines again

Really excited to see Marner teeing up Naz and Patty with some sweet passes