Series Talk: Which Leaf has the most to prove in the postseason?

[ShaneFalco]

Got this idea from mapleleafshotstove.com

They suggested:
Matthews
Rielly
Nylander

I also think Marner needs to show more. But if they falter again, it's going to be Nylander who is moved, and possibly Rielly I would think

Click to read more...

 

[BertCorbeau]

Marner for sure has the most to prove out of the big guns.

 

[Madap]

Andersen, probably. Hopefully Campbell is god enough that Andersen doesn’t get a shot though. I feel for the guy, but we’ve got to win this year.

 

[ToneDog]

Marner and Nylander have to prove they can be impact players in the playoffs. Matthews did vs CBJ last year. JT needs to show how much he wants to win. Afterall it was one of the two reasons he signed with the Leafs.

Honourable mentions go to Rielly, Campbell and Andersen if he is called on.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Andersen/Campbell, then Marner.

 

[TheScandal89]

All of them, they should be hungry to win. Montreal is not as bad as their record looks and can upset us, but there is no denying this is the best team we had with the best chance to win due to format in my life.

Either way if the team disappoints again, Nylander is most likely the odd man out IF one of the big 4 forwards get moved.

 

[DarkKnight]

Marner for sure has the most to prove out of the big guns.

Marner 21 points in 25 playoff games, Matthews 19 in 25 playoff games, Nylander 15 in 25 playoff games.

Just for context.

 

[ToneDog]

Marner 21 points in 25 playoff games, Matthews 19 in 25 playoff games, Nylander 15 in 25 playoff games.

Just for context.

Out of curiosity how many of those 25 games were each held off the scoresheet? Of the 3, I think the order is Willie, Mitch, and Matty. Willie has left me the most wanting (sorry Nylanderthals).

 

[BertCorbeau]

Marner 21 points in 25 playoff games, Matthews 19 in 25 playoff games, Nylander 15 in 25 playoff games.

Just for context.

Matthews' has 7 goals an 12 points in his last two series (12 games) .. He's been good.

Marner has has 2 goals and 8 points in his last two series, which is underwhelming considering what he's being paid to do.

Nylander's production is similar to Marner, and he also needs to show that he can engage more in playoff hockey .. He's probably next to Marner in terms of most to improve.

For me, Marner got the biggest bucks on his contract which means bigger expectations. If he wants elite salary, he needs to produce more in the playoffs.

 

[fahad203]

Hands down Foligno and Simmonds

We brought in Foligno just for playoffs. Nothing else
Everyone defended Simmonds throughout the year, I was never a fan of his game. There were few games here and there he looked ok, he looked better but really doesn't it bring it night in night out

I would like to see what he has to offer in playoffs.

 

[Buds17]

A case could be made for any player in a prominent role that has been here from the beginning of this run of playoff appearances for the team.

 

[Trapper]

The core:
Matthews, Marner, JT, Nylander and Rielly.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

I actually think its everyone. The whole team. All these 1st round exits are not on individuals but us as a team, we have yet to be in a post season and lay it all on the ice.

Even our big guns haven't even gone ppg, goaltending may have been decent statistically but heart breakers on letting in floaters and at the worst times.

I mean this when i say this is the best leaf team i have ever seen in my life. Timecto live up to the potential as a TEAM like we did im the regular season.

We have some weight and toughness now, the core is now in their prime. Its go time.

They make it to the stanley cup final or it's a disappointment in my eyes after all those 1st round exits.

 

[Mess]

Sheldon Keefe

Leafs have a deep and talented team that have the potential to go deep, so for me its the coach that has the most to prove that he can adjust and adapt and make the right systemic moves, roster & lineup decisions.

Expectations are high and this is a results oriented business.

 

[ACC1224]

Keefe.

He had a rough go in the play ins, hopefully he learned from it and will have a strong go in his first playoff.

 

[On-the-Fly]

A case could be made for any player in a prominent role that has been here from the beginning of this run of playoff appearances for the team.

The core:
Matthews, Marner, JT, Nylander and Rielly.

Gotta agree. and I'd throw 31 in there too. Perhaps even especially.

These past years have been a practice of patience for the fans. This patience would wear thin if they go out in the first again. There is no reason to think that they should, but if 34, 16, 88, 44 shrivel and die under the pressure of the first round, it won't be the beginning of the future but the beginning of the end.

I'm excited and fully believe that they will massacre this first round. 34 especially.

 

[kevsh]

Tavares - Can he lead this team (as the captain) for a deep playoff run?
Keefe - Shoulders some responsibility for last year's quick exit. He was a rookie coach so fairly he gets some slack, but not this year.
Foligno - He was brought in at the cost of a first to solidify the team's top 9, provide some leadership, grit and solid defensive play. He doesn't have to score a PPG or get 10 hits per game but he has to prove the price was worth it.
Reilly - At some point in the near future he's going to be talking extension (I assume at least), what better way to increase his leverage than a Norris-calibre performance in the post-season?
Marner/Matthews - The team's best players have to be the best players on the ice, period, more nights than not. This team will not win unless they deliver big goals, and plenty of them.

 

[hockeynorth]

IMO Marner

 

[Garthinater]

Definitely matthews.

He's the 3rd highest paid player in the league.

He is below marner in playoff production.

He has never won a playoff series going back to even before the nhl, that I know of.

Many leaf fans seem to think he is a top 2 player in the league so he needs to have a post season worthy of that title.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I'm not sure why some think Keefe was "out-coached" or needs to be better. I don't think he had the horses last year as our 3rd and 4th lines were sub-par

 

[Chief keefe]

Hands down Foligno and Simmonds

We brought in Foligno just for playoffs. Nothing else
Everyone defended Simmonds throughout the year, I was never a fan of his game. There were few games here and there he looked ok, he looked better but really doesn't it bring it night in night out

I would like to see what he has to offer in playoffs.

Simmonds is here for these playoffs. We will see the boys unleased. Those hits MTL leads us in won't happen in the playoffs.

 

[TorontoTrades]

Morgan Rielly.

He was just okay last year and this year has been borderline bad IMO.

 

[MapleLeafs77]

Would have been andersen number 1 but he isnt playing.

Behind andersen it would be:
Marner
Rielly
Nylander

Matthews had one bad playoff round. The rest he has been our best player by a landside. Marner and nylander are borderline ghosts. Dont care about nothing assists for marner. Rielly is just average across the board for a number 1 defenceman

 

[Dekes For Days]

Keefe.
He had a rough go in the play ins, hopefully he learned from it and will have a strong go in his first playoff.

It's his 2nd playoffs, and he was fine in his first last year.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

I think it would be Tavares and Nylander