I don't think you can move Tavares from the crease. He's good there. You need a net front presence with good hands and quick reactions. It was the one thing JVR was good at. And he thrived. Tavares is far more dynamic. It adds another dimension to worry about as well.

Removing Kadri from the first unit doesn't help, because it doesn't improve the second unit. I don't think I'm alone here when I say that Kadri has out and out sucked this year. His defensive play is weak, his offensive play is mediocre, and the chances he's getting are forced and/or obvious. The not scoring is in his mind, and its presently affecting his play.

Anyway, because Marner is less of a threat to shoot, having JT in front makes any Marner pass as good as a shot.
- Monkeypunk

Tavares should be the guy controlling the PP IMO...he's got the heavy shot.

I guess we'll find out tonight.

I don't think you can move Tavares from the crease. He's good there. You need a net front presence with good hands and quick reactions. It was the one thing JVR was good at. And he thrived. Tavares is far more dynamic. It adds another dimension to worry about as well.

Removing Kadri from the first unit doesn't help, because it doesn't improve the second unit. I don't think I'm alone here when I say that Kadri has out and out sucked this year. His defensive play is weak, his offensive play is mediocre, and the chances he's getting are forced and/or obvious. The not scoring is in his mind, and its presently affecting his play.

Anyway, because Marner is less of a threat to shoot, having JT in front makes any Marner pass as good as a shot.
- Monkeypunk

Bang on about Kadri, on a pace to score less than 20 goals this year. Needs a kick in the ass for sure. Calgary has 4 players with over 50 points, Leafs have one. Time to put some big boy pants on for Kadri.

The fact that Andersen got hurt in the first place should be a warning sign to Babcock / Dubas that they need a reliable back-up who can play more often. From now to the playoffs, Andersen should definitely be given more rest, more frequently. The last thing they can afford is for Andersen to get re-injured or be worn out by the playoffs.
- Unholy_Goalie

A reliable back-up like Cal Peterson and his 11 games of NHL experience like you mentioned the other day?

Tavares has scored lik 90% of his goals this year 15 feet from the net....Yeah he is isn't moving anywhere.
- Santo_44

Sure, but most of those were tips, or off the rush. On the powerplay we could really use a different look, the pass down low from Marner/Matthews is being taken away all the time.

I just feel like he is being underutilized in front of the net, and he has more skill that could be a good driver on the PP. He's not just a one dimensional shooter like JVR was, and its very hard to make plays other then shots from the net front position.

Sure, but most of those were tips, or off the rush. On the powerplay we could really use a different look, the pass down low from Marner/Matthews is being taken away all the time.

I just feel like he is being underutilized in front of the net, and he has more skill that could be a good driver on the PP. He's not just a one dimensional shooter like JVR was, and its very hard to make plays other then shots from the net front position.
- Archaic

He told the Leafs he wants to be net front when he signed here.

He is very good there.

It has worked very well and it isn't going to change any time soon.

He told the Leafs he wants to be net front when he signed here.

He is very good there.

It has worked very well and it isn't going to change any time soon.
- Santo_44

has..., I'm sure he'd be open to changing things to see if it works.


He's not Phil Kessel

He told the Leafs he wants to be net front when he signed here.

He is very good there.

It has worked very well and it isn't going to change any time soon.
- Santo_44

He said that to fit into the current PP structure IMO. Id disagree that it has worked very well recently. They have completely taken the down low pass away from Matthews/Marner to JT.

He has a good shot, with good playmaking ability. He played high slot during his time with the NYI. I just think it could ignite things, by having a secondary elite playmaker

He said that to fit into the current PP structure IMO. Id disagree that it has worked very well recently. They have completely taken the down low pass away from Matthews/Marner to JT.

He has a good shot, with good playmaking ability. He played high slot during his time with the NYI. I just think it could ignite things, by having a secondary elite playmaker
- Archaic

The Leafs DESPERATELY need to utilize the fact that teams are collapsing so deep in front of their net on the PK.

I think if Babcock is sticking with the "load it up" strategy then he should have Nylander and Matthews on either dot, Tavares net front, Marner roving high and Rielly on the blue line. Otherwise make your PP pairs like Matthews+Marner and Nylander+Tavares and fill in the rest.

Might not work but they need to try something different at this point because it's so predictable.

The Leafs DESPERATELY need to utilize the fact that teams are collapsing so deep in front of their net on the PK.

I think if Babcock is sticking with the "load it up" strategy then he should have Nylander and Matthews on either dot, Tavares net front, Marner roving high and Rielly on the blue line. Otherwise make your PP pairs like Matthews+Marner and Nylander+Tavares and fill in the rest.

Might not work but they need to try something different at this point because it's so predictable.
- markmark

They need more movement. It goes to Marner and he tries to make the one play. If they passed it around more, then it would be more effective IMO. Also, we have nobody that is using one timers for the most part. Need to work in more plays.

Marner (frank)s up the team if he demands $10m. (frank) Matthews too if he wants McD money.

Trade Matthews for a haul to Arizona now if he won’t sign for JT money.

Marner can go play for the Sens and we’ll take Stone ++


- Garnie

So here's a funny "Wedgie is bored on a Thursday morning" question:

Would you trade Matthews to Arizona right now for their next 4 1st rounders - including the 2019 pick?

The Leafs DESPERATELY need to utilize the fact that teams are collapsing so deep in front of their net on the PK.

I think if Babcock is sticking with the "load it up" strategy then he should have Nylander and Matthews on either dot, Tavares net front, Marner roving high and Rielly on the blue line. Otherwise make your PP pairs like Matthews+Marner and Nylander+Tavares and fill in the rest.

Might not work but they need to try something different at this point because it's so predictable.
- markmark

Get Al McInnis out of retirement, and have him launch a few missiles from the point.

A few broken bones later (hopefully most on the opposition), they will quit crowding the crease.

He told the Leafs he wants to be net front when he signed here.

He is very good there.

It has worked very well and it isn't going to change any time soon.
- Santo_44

https://twitter.com/kpape...tatus/1029191261272649728

So here's a funny "Wedgie is bored on a Thursday morning" question:

Would you trade Matthews to Arizona right now for their next 4 1st rounders - including the 2019 pick?
- Atomic Wedgie

Never

Any trade would need like Keller - OEL - Chychrun picks for starters.

https://twitter.com/kpapetti/status/1029191261272649728
- Atomic Wedgie

I know we love to say JT has scored some easy goals...

but lets not kid ourselves..getting yourself open in front of the net is a skill and JT has it. Bozak and even JVR couldn't get open like JT has in the slot.

They need more movement. It goes to Marner and he tries to make the one play. If they passed it around more, then it would be more effective IMO. Also, we have nobody that is using one timers for the most part. Need to work in more plays.
- Archaic

I agree with this. Having JT on the doorstep creates a distraction for the goalie and 1 PK guy. As Wedgie noted indirectly, if they had a bomb from the point, it changes the entire outlook, because you can distribute to Marner to go back to the point for bomb, in front for a tip, or depending on the placement of the D, cross-seam for a one-timer.

Because there is no bomb from the point, both Rielly and Marner are distributors. Kadri is a disruptor in the middle, but not a threat - because (a) he's not contributing right now, and (b) he's not shooting, screening, or cycling with the puck. This leaves JT and the cross-seam pass as the things you need to worry about. Frankly, if the keep the current setup, they may not see much more success from unit 1. But if Kapanen can move and create more movement in the zone, things will open right up.

So here's a funny "Wedgie is bored on a Thursday morning" question:

Would you trade Matthews to Arizona right now for their next 4 1st rounders - including the 2019 pick?
- Atomic Wedgie

Jesus, Wedgie. How many years of "You can't afford your players, HAHAHAHAHA!" do you want to go through?

I agree with this. Having JT on the doorstep creates a distraction for the goalie and 1 PK guy. As Wedgie noted indirectly, if they had a bomb from the point, it changes the entire outlook, because you can distribute to Marner to go back to the point for bomb, in front for a tip, or depending on the placement of the D, cross-seam for a one-timer.

Because there is no bomb from the point, both Rielly and Marner are distributors. Kadri is a disruptor in the middle, but not a threat - because (a) he's not contributing right now, and (b) he's not shooting, screening, or cycling with the puck. This leaves JT and the cross-seam pass as the things you need to worry about. Frankly, if the keep the current setup, they may not see much more success from unit 1. But if Kapanen can move and create more movement in the zone, things will open right up.
- Monkeypunk

Rielly and Marner just need to start shooting it at the net more and not trying to hit the pass or high tip IMO.

*or bring back Franson

So here's a funny "Wedgie is bored on a Thursday morning" question:

Would you trade Matthews to Arizona right now for their next 4 1st rounders - including the 2019 pick?
- Atomic Wedgie

No.

Picks don't help us win now (or next year, or whatever)

Matthews is the man, franchise player.

For years we cried about no top line centre. Now we have 2.

No.

Picks don't help us win now (or next year, or whatever)

Matthews is the man, franchise player.

For years we cried about no top line centre. Now we have 2.
- Kinger34

I wouldn't trade him either, but hopefully JT/AM/MM/WN don't cost so much we can't keep anybody around to help them.

So here's a funny "Wedgie is bored on a Thursday morning" question:

Would you trade Matthews to Arizona right now for their next 4 1st rounders - including the 2019 pick?
- Atomic Wedgie

No.

But I would trade him for Keller, OEL, Chychrun and their 2019 1st

No.

But I would trade him for Keller, OEL, Chychrun and their 2019 1st
- .OHOH.

Didn't someone already post this exact trade,. where's HOHO when you need him

Didn't someone already post this exact trade,. where's HOHO when you need him
- annoyed

He's busy with his hat!

Interesting stats...only 1 teams has a CF% above 50% when leading...and it's only 51.%

28 teams with CF% above 50% when trailing.


So teams with great CF% must be chasing games a lot?

No.

But I would trade him for Keller, OEL, Chychrun and their 2019 1st
- .OHOH.

I would too - which means there is no way in hell Arizona would. Especially since they're going to offer-sheet Matthews for 1 billion dollars in July, amirite?

Interesting stats...only 1 teams has a CF% above 50% when leading...and it's only 51.%

28 teams with CF% above 50% when trailing.


So teams with great CF% must be chasing games a lot?
- annoyed

yet, the stats loving bloggers seems to forget this...!