James Tanner: Observations From the Leafs / Coyotes Game The Coyotes won!

You said yourself that the Leafs were outshot 17-4 in the first half, yet you say it was a bad coaching decision to start Reimer. Reimer was rewarded for his steller work against Chicago, and deservedly so. The team in front of the Toronto goalie is at fault for letting him hang to dry. It's not the coaches fault for the team playing so poorly. If you think this team is going to be a well disciplined, hard working great defensive team by just replacing the coach, then you have a major shock coming.

You said yourself that the Leafs were outshot 17-4 in the first half, yet you say it was a bad coaching decision to start Reimer. Reimer was rewarded for his steller work against Chicago, and deservedly so. The team in front of the Toronto goalie is at fault for letting him hang to dry. It's not the coaches fault for the team playing so poorly. If you think this team is going to be a well disciplined, hard working great defensive team by just replacing the coach, then you have a major shock coming.
- sparky

I expect every NHL team to be disciplined and hard working. What I expect from a coach is to play his number one goalie and not try to outsmart everybody like a meatball and play his back up to start a roadtrip.

I also expect coaches to be able to identify their best players and to play them.

I expect every NHL team to be disciplined and hard working. What I expect from a coach is to play his number one goalie and not try to outsmart everybody like a meatball and play his back up to start a roadtrip.

I also expect coaches to be able to identify their best players and to play them.
- James_Tanner

wouldn't the number one be the guy who beat the better teams, has a better GAA and SV% and fewer losses? If so then the coach played the number one goalie.

wouldn't the number one be the guy who beat the better teams, has a better GAA and SV% and fewer losses? If so then the coach played the number one goalie.
- BlowMonkey

No, a smart coach would know that the #1 is the most talented goalie and that stats during the first ten or eleven games of the season are completely irrelevant.

I dont see how it was the coaches it was the players.

I expect every NHL team to be disciplined and hard working. What I expect from a coach is to play his number one goalie and not try to outsmart everybody like a meatball and play his back up to start a roadtrip.

I also expect coaches to be able to identify their best players and to play them.
- James_Tanner

Wonder if you would have said the same if Toronto would have won the game with Reimer or had lost the game had Bernier played. I am sure Carlyle now that he knows the result would have played the other goalie. But that shouldn't even be the discussion. Had Toronto played well but lost because the goalie sucked is one thing, but they lost because they deserved to lose, Reimer didn't lose this game for them.

What an odd draft year Gagner's draft was.

Either a really good-to-great NHL'er or a total bust. Not a whole lot of guys anywhere in the middle. And one of the 30 is dead.

Nice read.

It's looking like the East is even weaker than it was last year. At least last year Boston was a decent pick for the cup. Now Montreal looks shaky, Boston has lost their edge, TML I expected to pick it up and make the playoffs but they look lost like usual.

Is Tampa really the only solid powerhouse in the East?

Wonder if you would have said the same if Toronto would have won the game with Reimer or had lost the game had Bernier played. I am sure Carlyle now that he knows the result would have played the other goalie. But that shouldn't even be the discussion. Had Toronto played well but lost because the goalie sucked is one thing, but they lost because they deserved to lose, Reimer didn't lose this game for them.
- sparky

I definitely would have said that, because I don't think you can read too much into short term results. If you win or lose a game, ultimately, its a high profile result, but you can't really read too much into it. The fact is, if you consistently rely on your best, the results will be best over the long term.

Where's all the Coyotes fans anyways?

Nice read.

It's looking like the East is even weaker than it was last year. At least last year Boston was a decent pick for the cup. Now Montreal looks shaky, Boston has lost their edge, TML I expected to pick it up and make the playoffs but they look lost like usual.

Is Tampa really the only solid powerhouse in the East?
- jackzack87

I think I agree, although I'd say Pittsburgh is a pretty good team. But imagine Tampa when Drouin hits his stride and Hedman comes back.

I expect every NHL team to be disciplined and hard working. What I expect from a coach is to play his number one goalie and not try to outsmart everybody like a meatball and play his back up to start a roadtrip.

I also expect coaches to be able to identify their best players and to play them.
- James_Tanner

But not 30 minutes a night like Tippett does

I think I agree, although I'd say Pittsburgh is a pretty good team. But imagine Tampa when Drouin hits his stride and Hedman comes back.
- James_Tanner

True, Although when fleury gets into the new year he loses all confidence. They addressed some depth problems but they still look weak in bottom 6. But they probably do end up 2-3 in the conference.

True, Although when fleury gets into the new year he loses all confidence. They addressed some depth problems but they still look weak in bottom 6. But they probably do end up 2-3 in the conference.
- jackzack87

Fear of change?

But not 30 minutes a night like Tippett does
- BlazinMike

Yeah, especially when the likes of Stone, Murphy, Michalek, Summers, and Gormley are all pretty decent players, the 30 mins per night of OEL and Yandle is absurd.

Funny you mention the terrible coaches,

tons of truth.

i have yandle in one pool and OEL in another...points are coming in; as is ridic amount of playing time...these guys are going to be gassed come christmas at this rate!!

randy seems to call timeouts these days, i guess he learned after the game 7 meltdown!

Kadri is not better than Bozak.


He might be someday...but not yet and not this day. IMO

Kadri is not better than Bozak.


He might be someday...but not yet and not this day. IMO
- Garnie

I really disagree with this in every way. Give Kadri Bozaks minutes and he is the one with 12 points.

No, a smart coach would know that the #1 is the most talented goalie and that stats during the first ten or eleven games of the season are completely irrelevant.
- James_Tanner

Bernier is the #1 no question about it , his stats don't reflect that so far this season because his starts early on the team floated a few god awful efforts.

TWO goals last night were the account of Reimer and his poor rebound control and knack for over playing the puck. Even the puck that deflected in of Robidas he was out of position. Had Bernier been in net I have to believe he makes the save.

Anyone who doesn't think Bernier is the true #1 in Toronto doesn't know hockey

I really disagree with this in every way. Give Kadri Bozaks minutes and he is the one with 12 points.
- James_Tanner

tough call on this one , Kadri has more talent no question but he cant win a faceoff to save his life and is poor defensively.

tough call on this one , Kadri has more talent no question but he cant win a faceoff to save his life and is poor defensively.
- Adam_The_Golf

Kadri is the most heartless guy on the team. He's been invisible 3/4's of the season. Don't know what is happening with him this season so far... I figured playing with Kessel might boost his confidence.

Kadri is the most heartless guy on the team. He's been invisible 3/4's of the season. Don't know what is happening with him this season so far... I figured playing with Kessel might boost his confidence.
- GOLEAFS71

I think Kadri only appears invisible because he's never on the ice. Heart is not a real thing. It's something that pumps blood through your body, has zero significance in the NHL. Kadri is talented, plus he's a bit of a banger, so I'd say even though I don't believe in the concept, that he does have heart.

Funny you mention the terrible coaches,

tons of truth.

i have yandle in one pool and OEL in another...points are coming in; as is ridic amount of playing time...these guys are going to be gassed come christmas at this rate!!

randy seems to call timeouts these days, i guess he learned after the game 7 meltdown!
- Lucas Neilson

Yeah I don't know what the deal is with playing them so much. I want to have confidence with this team, and two wins in a row is good, but I am still yet to see them play a totally solid 60 minutes.

I think Kadri only appears invisible because he's never on the ice. Heart is not a real thing. It's something that pumps blood through your body, has zero significance in the NHL. Kadri is talented, plus he's a bit of a banger, so I'd say even though I don't believe in the concept, that he does have heart.
- James_Tanner

You know exactly what I meant... When a guy doesn't work at all in any aspect of the game for three periods he has no heart. Exactly what Kadri showed most games this year. For you to talk that way you're either not watching leafs games or you just choose to believe what Kadri was supposed to be from a few flashes he has shown in the past.

I definitely would have said that, because I don't think you can read too much into short term results. If you win or lose a game, ultimately, its a high profile result, but you can't really read too much into it. The fact is, if you consistently rely on your best, the results will be best over the long term.

Where's all the Coyotes fans anyways?
- James_Tanner

I think you are the fan.