Daisy Jane
everything is gonna be okay!
- Jul 2, 2009
- 70,279
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Loose-Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs At A Glance
14-8-1 - Tied 2nd for the Atlantic, Tied 3rd for the Conference
(we are exactly tied with Tampa in every way. 14 wins, 8 losses, 1 OT loss, 11 wins in regulation, etc, they beat us by 1 goal for, but we've got less goals against - so I think because of that one goal they'd win the tie breaker?)
Abbreviated Stats
Goals per Game: 2.7 (11th)
Goals Against: 2.3 (10th)
Powerplay: 24.7% (2nd!)
Penalty Kill: 83.0% (14th)
Our Defense In a Nutshell:
Is not scoring. There are more defensemen out there that have more goals than our entire back end. (as of today's loose-leaf - the Leafs have 3 goals. I think 2 are from Dion Phaneuf). What gives? Randy said in his presser last night that the coaching staff has been pleading with the defensemen to take more shots, and not just the huge howitzers from the point - just take two more seconds, avoid the clogged shooting lane and find another one. Or just wrist it. (But they've got thick heads,
- quote/unquote, Randy Carlyle). During the morning skate yesterday, David Clarkson & Jake Gardiner were practicing wristers and tap ins from the point. Last night it directly led to the only Leafs regulation goal (which was an awesome goal).
You can tell that Dion is working on his big slapper, by not 'doing it' as much , (he's getting closer to the net, guys!) Franson, mostly gets his to the net - and Rielly mostly just rushes towards the net!) but the boys need to stop being cute, and start getting more pucks to the net. Not just for shooting sake - but for simply getting the second/third/fourth chance for the forwards who live at the net (Lupul, Clarkson, Raymond, JVR).
I really hope this gets better as the season goes on.
We also aren't physical enough. If you were in the corner trying to dig out the puck and you knew that Phaneuf was on the bench - who is the next defenseman who is going to make your life miserable? Or if you were parked at the front of the net, trying to sit on James Reimer's head (M.O. for most teams
) - who is trying to shove you out of the way?Take a minute...
I'll wait.
[hums Jeopardy theme song].
Most likely Franson. Fraser if he's in the lineup. Possibly Gunnarson?
No, buneo! Especially because Franson - who is picking up his physical play
has seem to leave his defensive play behind (most times). 
I'm sure that this is all a new learning curve and it will work together sooner than later (because to have a guy like Franny be physical as well will speak volumes). But it is hard to argue that we have a lot of the same type of defense on the back end:Offensive and mostly puck moving. (where were you guys 6 years ago... oh right, some of you were still teenagers
) I've been arguing that it's not that big of a deal that we have a Rielly, a Gardiner and a Franson, this would be actually a very big boon for our club. (because, ideally, you could play Rielly - who after one game really seems that he can play the right side - a hell of a lot better than Gardiner that's for sure).
Which means - I honestly feel that the new secret deal/trade that Nonis is working on is getting a smacker defenseman. I honestly think with the centres we have, we'll be okay because our winger strength is very strong - if one comes up, then of course we'll go for it - but I am very happy with a
Tyler Bozak
Dave Bolland
Peter Holland
Nazem (Nathan) Kadri
Jerred Smithson
Jay McClement
centre core because the strength of our wingers is that good. We've got centres by committee (win some faceoffs, and just get the puck to the wingers. so it might not be the most 'ideal' situations if you simply go by 'history' or whatever, but - it works for us).
(It also wouldn't shock me too much - if NOTHING happens - and we wait say another year? to see what our glut of defensemen prospects can do).
Coloured me shocked when Rielly got to play yesterday and Ranger did not. you could have knocked me over with a feather. And Rielly really turned the jets on yesterday. I honestly don't have a problem with him sitting out (Kaberle in his rookie year sat out 15, in 5 block stretches. I don't know the stats for Schenn). I also don't even think burning a year off Rielly's UFA eligibility is flitting through Management's mind (because I honestly think their thought process is - he's our franchise defenseman - we'll sign him up regardless).
If we keep playing Fraser - I honestly think we're going to either be
A: playing with seven defensemen (which we did against Buffalo, and it didn't look horrid)
B: do a cycle of Ranger, Rielly, Franson(?) sitting out (Fraser, despite his slow foot speed, does do a number of cleaning out players from our crease).
C: ???
And - Ric Nattress brought this up and I agree: last year - we were very, very good at the tic-tac-toe passing. This year - not so much - but he said as players you get in your head that it worked last year - so if you keep doing it, it will eventually get back to where it is, which is why they aren't really making some adjustments. (stubborn gits). I don't really care about that pass - my massive irritation is the stupid no look drop pass. (GHURRR stop doing it!)
Team > Line > Player
As I said in my season preview -
Most of you guys are awesome - even if we all don't agree on the same things at times. But what really is interesting is that most times people do this:
Player > Line > Team
which shouldn't be the case. it should always, always be:
Team > Line > Player
For weeks Clarkson has been getting dumped on because of his contract. Let's just all admit it right now: Guy is never, ever, ever going to live up to it if you think he's going to be scoring 30 goals, get 15++ assists and is a + whatever will make you happy. That is gravy. You can say (scream, shout, wave hands) that this makes it poor cap management - but!
If we go back to say the New Jersey Devil (HoFG) Game - Clarkson was flying. and I think ever since he started getting powerplay time, he really has started getting a little bit more geared up offensively. Then came his first goal, and his 2nd last night. But what I'm noticing is his work ethic: he can get the puck into the zone. He can really keep the puck IN the zone.
and can channel Darcy Tucker better than anyone else I've ever seen. Right down to the crazyeyes. But he's also got a lot of Gary Roberts in him (in terms of leadership, and his on ice play). And I've said in his player thread: if he can do what Roberts did - be very good in regular season - but turn into a BEAST in the playoffs: that will be money very well spent). I think we have to start thinking for some players - we're paying them for what they'll do in the playoffs - not necessarily what they do in the regular season. [and seriously - just watch the Lupul/Kadri/Clarkson line they were magic last night].
Also - I like how if a player (using Kadri for an example) is used in a trade, all of a sudden it's
why can't we have nice things! or Why isn't Kadri on the first line! BOZAK SUCKS!!! Again: look at the Lupul/Kadri/Clarkson line: that is why. having Kadri on the 'second' line makes it very hard to shut down our offense. Also - no one ever said that that 'second' line has to BE the 'second line'. if it simply boils down to minutes, and the LKC plays more than the JVR/B/K line - doesn't that make the LKC line our #1 line?
wait for it... wait for it....
Also - the mind set that I have is that the
will always trump the player - so if Moving Kadri (Bernier, whomever) = getting THE PIECE that puts us over the top - then don't you make that move? And I say this as a girl who gets very attached to whomever dons the . (I miss Cory Cross... I may or may not be joking )Player of the Week
I said it two weeks ago - Clarkson needs to step up and channel his inner Gary Roberts. You can totally tell the guy is getting more and more comfortable in the role he is put in (he's finally up to speed with the team mentally and whatever else there is to be). He scored his first goal as a Leaf on Tuesday and smacked the body around and he was a pesky little firecracker Saturday night and scored again. (and almost scored a shootout goal, if not for the post).
But a huge. massive. honourable mention also has to go to:
ohhh yeahh baby!
I still don't see where Washington got 50 shots (because if you ask me - shots allowed or whatever) - i'd say that last night was our first complete game. Yes we were hemmed in the zone a bit in the third - but that's to be expected in a 1-0 game, and you have firepower like washington. and it would have ended in regulation if not for the Luck of the Ovie. Phaneuf also gets an honour mention: shutting down Taveres and Ovie except for 15 seconds - but 9x10 no one makes that shot but Ovechkin).
But Reimer - 6-2. (and one of those games, we totally forgot to show up (Vancouver), and we were in there against Boston). and a sv% of .947. Reimer = awesome. (Bernier = awesome too, I totally hear that deep breath of whatever is coming my way).
Leafs At A Glance
Busy busy busy! We have 4 games this week, including a divisional back to back (the Loose-Leaflet for December will come out the minute after the Montreal game). December also gives us a crapload of play against some really tough teams, so if we can somehow get a sweep this week - that would be amazing, but I'd rather just ensure that we get a point in every game) - beating Montreal outright.
November 25th 2013
@ - 7:00 start, Sportsnet-O/Fan 590 (GDT AVAILABLE, find a stream!). November 27th 2013
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- 7:30 start, TSN/Fan 590 (GDT AVAILABLE)November 29th, 2013
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- 7:30 start, LeafsTV/TSN1050 (yes we know LTV sucks, GDT AVAILABLE)November 30th, 2013
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- 7:00 start, HNIC/TSN1050 (gdt by of MiceandKadri).As always - Believe in our Boys & See you next week!
