Pre-Game Talk: Tuesday - Leafs @ Penguins - 7:00pm

[Amadeus]

Who is in net?

 

[Old and Tired]

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That's great for them but really who was surprised Tampa would turn it on? They always do. They love the regular season. They'll beat the wildcard team this year but will be out in the second round.

Every year we see people going all gaga over Tampa. I'm over them. When they do it in playoffs I'll give them their respect.

Key to their success has been Vasi which comes as no surprise. When your goalie can give you chances to win you games then the team looks that much better.

Insert Toronto where it says Tampa in the above quote.

 

[ToneDog]

The silver lining is it happened on his final elc year. If he was spectacular this year, the leafs probably couldn’t even afford him. Now we’ll get him at a bargain and hope this year was an anomaly.

I'm wondering whether Dermott becomes a trade piece if we resign Muzzin. Package him with forward and/or prospect to get a solid RHD.

 

[Merrrlin]

I'm wondering whether Dermott becomes a trade piece if we resign Muzzin. Package him with forward and/or prospect to get a solid RHD.

I can't see how we keep him unless he permanently moves to RD. He's very clearly already our 4th best LD.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I'm wondering whether Dermott becomes a trade piece if we resign Muzzin. Package him with forward and/or prospect to get a solid RHD.

I would not do that move with a very young defense who can skate, shoot and has a nasty side. He has looked much worse with Barrie past few weeks which every young defender does. People will start to go south on Sandin playing with Barrie too. Basically you are playing defense by yourself. Barrie must be sheltered on 3rd pair with a veteran stay at home guy and play PP.
We have 3 very promising young defenders and we need to give them a few years to learn the ropes. It is very hard to get 3 guys like this and we have it. We need to pair each of them with a veteran solid defender.

Rielly Lily
Muzzy Holl
Sandin Dermy
XXX YYY (2 more depth vet defenders needed)

Unfortunately we got Rielly hurt so we likely keep Barrie past TDL because we need to make playoffs given we lost our 1st rounder next year. Also the kids need playoff experience which is much different than regular season hockey.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I can't see how we keep him unless he permanently moves to RD. He's very clearly already our 4th best LD.

No one has a clue what he will be at this stage. He may become a Norris winner who knows. He has the tool kit. He is learning. It takes 50o games to figure it out.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Clifford has 15 hits and a fight in his 6 games with us, wtf do you expect. He's adjusting to a new team that's been slumping, and sick, while adapting to a smaller roll in a new system.

Those are the least noticeable and impactful 15 hits Ive seen. Honestly, I think he could fill a need, but he has to make himself more visible, fight notwithstanding.

 

[DarkKnight]

Pierre McGwire made an interesting comment on the Lightning. Said the coach won his players the day he benched Kutcherov in December. Since then they have lost 4 games. I remember that because Keefe benched Nylander and Kapanen around the same time and we discussed how the players would respond. The players responded but the Leafs as a team did not respond as well as the Lightning.

Didn’t know that.

 

[DarkKnight]

TB went 10-0-0 from Dec 23 - Jan 11 (all wins in regulation) then went 2-2-1 in their next 5 before rattling off a 11-0-0 stretch.

Only 3 team in NHL history to have 2 X 10 game winning streaks in the same season and TB did essentially 5 games apart.

Pens are 23-5-2 in last 30 games which isn't much different than 24-4-2 of the Lightning during their last 30 games.

Essentially 3 of our next 4 games against the hottest teams in the NHL.

Be interesting if Leafs rise to the level of their competition or if they get blown away playing the way they currently are. These might the worst possible opponents for the Leafs to face right now having lost 10 of their last 20 games.

This being Leafs defense tasked to stop that..

Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Barrie
Marincin-Dermott

Really is a remarkable run.

 

[ToneDog]

I would not do that move with a very young defense who can skate, shoot and has a nasty side. He has looked much worse with Barrie past few weeks which every young defender does. People will start to go south on Sandin playing with Barrie too. Basically you are playing defense by yourself. Barrie must be sheltered on 3rd pair with a veteran stay at home guy and play PP.
We have 3 very promising young defenders and we need to give them a few years to learn the ropes. It is very hard to get 3 guys like this and we have it. We need to pair each of them with a veteran solid defender.

Rielly Lily
Muzzy Holl
Sandin Dermy
XXX YYY (2 more depth vet defenders needed)

Unfortunately we got Rielly hurt so we likely keep Barrie past TDL because we need to make playoffs given we lost our 1st rounder next year. Also the kids need playoff experience which is much different than regular season hockey.

They need a stud #1 RHD. That D is not going to win you a cup next year or possibly ever. I know how some people are high on Lily but I am not sold yet.

 

[ToneDog]

Didn’t know that.

He had some interesting thoughts on the Leafs that some here might not agree. His insight on the 91 Penguins was also cool.

McGuire on Maple Leafs vs. Penguins, defensive zone struggles and which goalie should start

 

[Merrrlin]

They need a stud #1 RHD. That D is not going to win you a cup next year or possibly ever. I know how some people are high on Lily but I am not sold yet.

He looks good for 20 but I don't see anything that screams 1RD either. Going to need to trade for or sign one, I think, if possible.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

They need a stud #1 RHD. That D is not going to win you a cup next year or possibly ever. I know how some people are high on Lily but I am not sold yet.

Maybe not, moreso probably not. But this is team building. You need a veteran defense timed up with our forwards. But we have a very young immature team right now. These are kids. You likely know how it is. Your kid has a huge game next day and there is a major scout coming to watch him and what does the monkey do he plays Fortnight with Mitch at 2 am and looks like crap when he needs to be ready to play. This is what we got a bunch of kids who got $$$ based on talent but do not really get life yet. And it is ok. They need time to learn how life works. But I have learned over the years most eventually get it. Not everyone but most do.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Who is in net?

Andersen.

 

[egd27]

They need a stud #1 RHD. That D is not going to win you a cup next year or possibly ever. I know how some people are high on Lily but I am not sold yet.

Lily will probably be solid, but it’s gonna take at least 3-4 years.

 

[A1LeafNation]

He's actually 4-6-2 in his last 12. Not good, but not as awful as you painted him.

The team is 3-9 in his last 12 starts. Team lossed because of his shitty start and Hutchinson wore the loss.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Sounds just like Babcock

 

[All Mod Cons]

HBD Marincin!

It's nice that Kyle and Sheldon care about the players to play them on their birthdays. Nice touch

 

[DanM]

They need a stud #1 RHD. That D is not going to win you a cup next year or possibly ever. I know how some people are high on Lily but I am not sold yet.

Lily is 20?

He has played a handful of NHL games, and has looked good for most of the time. You know how he won't get better? sitting him out and putting in MM who is a f***ing tire fire useless plug.

I for sure have faith in him, but to each their own.

 

[ACC1224]

It's nice that Kyle and Sheldon care about the players to play them on their birthdays. Nice touch

Someone look up Hutchinson's birthday quick.
Fingers crossed it's in the summer.