“Playing in Toronto doesn’t get you more endorsements”

Zach fricken Hyman is in commercials ffs
- Santo_44

Even Luca Caputi did some TV spots years ago. Luca Who? Lol

That's the post of the day.

I think that is my new location.


- Aetherial

They struggle against physical teams this year, but they haven't in the past, mostly because they'd skate through it and end up getting a lot of calls, along with a potent PP.

This year, PP has been poo-poo and they're getting the fewest calls against in the league, so the opposition feels they can play a bit grittier/dirtier and get away with it.

I'm almost starting to question Babcock and the incessant line changes: for guys who haven't really played together all that much outside of a few (like Matthews and Nylander and at this point, Marner and Tavares), the rest is just a big huge blender.

Compare that to teams like BOS with Marchand and Pasta, Ovi and Backstrom, Kucherov and Stamkos, guys who have played together for years. Only Matthews and Nylander have something even close to that kind of familiarity and not really on the PP at all so far this year.
- gravyface

Babschlong loves shuffling the forward lines when things aren't working, but never touches the defensive pairings when they don't. That's what I don't understand. I'm not a coach though

If the Leafs acquire Ferland, is he really an upgrade? Which line do you play him on?
Mathews or Kadri's line?

11-91-16
79-34-29
12-43-24
26-33-28

Well, I guess if they're a wildcard and start on the road, that may not be a bad thing. Gets away from the media circus in TO for a week.

If the Leafs acquire Ferland, is he really an upgrade? Which line do you play him on?
Mathews or Kadri's line?

11-91-16
79-34-29
12-43-24
26-33-28
- dmnted

I'd absolutely have him on the Matthews line. He can add some sandpaper to the line and has decent hands. Definite upgrade.

This is how I'd line them up:

Johnsson-Tavares-Marner
Ferland-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen
Hyman-Lindholm/Goat-Moore

Brown can sit.

Joking aside,

Something is wrong with Matthews. He doesn't look the same out there as he did to start the last 2 seasons. This isn't a guy doing all the same stuff and hitting a bunch of goal posts. Every aspect of his game is not what we have seen before.

We have all seen him, when he is on his game, he can be the most complete 2 way player in the league. He is just not that guy right now.

Talking to a friend, who would have reason to know some stuff, there are a couple thoughts out there. The whole Babcock thing, and Marner playing with Tavares thing is an issue. and/or he is also injured.

He looks like he is playing injured. That shot is nothing like what we saw earlier this season.
- Aetherial

I think back to Zetterberg's opinion of Babcock. He couldn't wait for him to leave. Babcock is not anyone's favourite coach and I have to wonder if Matthews is letting him get to him. Matthews has seen less ice time and pp time than other stars. Now he's being pushed down to the second unit all because the club overpaid a useless winger even though Matthews was doing just fine with Kap. He had a great battle in the corner against Tampa where his helmet was ripped off but he still got up and stole the puck so I don't think it's injury related.

Leafs can’t play against physical teams, especially teams that have defenseman who take the body. Everyone cries when you say you need to add some toughness but it’s the reason why they can’t beat teams like Boston and Florida. Not saying goons. I’m saying half skilled/hard guys-a Kreider or Jenner would be an example of what leafs need. Maybe even Simmonds. Very unlikely they get someone like those guys. Until then they will be a first or second round exit team for years to come. Oh and our second pairing d sucks ass.
- iTOLDu

Yup. Doesn't help that Leafs d are giveaway machines and hit no one.

I think back to Zetterberg's opinion of Babcock. He couldn't wait for him to leave. Babcock is not anyone's favourite coach and I have to wonder if Matthews is letting him get to him. Matthews has seen less ice time and pp time than other stars. Now he's being pushed down to the second unit all because the club overpaid a useless winger even though Matthews was doing just fine with Kap. He had a great battle in the corner against Tampa where his helmet was ripped off but he still got up and stole the puck so I don't think it's injury related.
- aminnes

Agreed...I think part of the problem here is with Babcock especially with Matthews...seems to always give Matthews the sort end of the stick

Agreed...I think part of the problem here is with Babcock especially with Matthews...seems to always give Matthews the sort end of the stick
- Leafcup

Would also consider trading Hyman and Kadri unless Babcock can get Kadro going again....Hyman...as you can see he is a business man with all the other things he has going on which in my mind will eventually take a toll on his game plus when his contract is up he will want more than what the Leafs will be willing to offer him

I think back to Zetterberg's opinion of Babcock. He couldn't wait for him to leave. Babcock is not anyone's favourite coach and I have to wonder if Matthews is letting him get to him. Matthews has seen less ice time and pp time than other stars. Now he's being pushed down to the second unit all because the club overpaid a useless winger even though Matthews was doing just fine with Kap. He had a great battle in the corner against Tampa where his helmet was ripped off but he still got up and stole the puck so I don't think it's injury related.
- aminnes

I think it’s more on Matthews, he’s gettin the favorable matchups. Babcock might be hard on the players but I don’t think it can be denied they haven’t played well. Babcock has been pretty genrous in the media praising Matthews’ play even though when I watch the games his line looks pretty ordinary compared to othe top lines in the NHL. They get a few chances but they’re not in the zone very often and don’t seem to generate many dangerous scoring chances.

In the end Matthews is still young so he’s going to be streaky. He’s gone through these lulls before, the older he gets the more consistent he’ll get hopefully.

I think back to Zetterberg's opinion of Babcock. He couldn't wait for him to leave. Babcock is not anyone's favourite coach and I have to wonder if Matthews is letting him get to him. Matthews has seen less ice time and pp time than other stars. Now he's being pushed down to the second unit all because the club overpaid a useless winger even though Matthews was doing just fine with Kap. He had a great battle in the corner against Tampa where his helmet was ripped off but he still got up and stole the puck so I don't think it's injury related.
- aminnes

Matthews only trails Tavares and Marner in 5v5 time and his PP/G time doesn't match up with other stars because the Leafs sit last in the league for PP opportunities.

We also have to remember that the Leafs roll three lines pretty much equally - it's the double-edged sword of having 3 potent Cs.

Having said that, would it hurt Babs to double-shift Matthews every so often? Perhaps add him to the Tavares/Marner line - especially when the Leafs are trailing or it's a tight game?

Back from a week long ban for asking Alfie why he hasn't deleted his account yet.
The reffing in this place is as inconsistent as the NHL.

Back from a week long ban for asking Alfie why he hasn't deleted his account yet.
The reffing in this place is as inconsistent as the NHL.
- Kinger34

A man can get banned for asking the right thing, what this world coming to brother?

Matthews only trails Tavares and Marner in 5v5 time and his PP/G time doesn't match up with other stars because the Leafs sit last in the league for PP opportunities.

We also have to remember that the Leafs roll three lines pretty much equally - it's the double-edged sword of having 3 potent Cs.

Having said that, would it hurt Babs to double-shift Matthews every so often? Perhaps add him to the Tavares/Marner line - especially when the Leafs are trailing or it's a tight game?
- mjones242

In comparison to other Leafs perhaps. But he sees less overall ice time than a pile of other centres. Imagine your Matthews and you have shown your the best 5vs5 centre over two years and you get to be 49th in ice time among centres. Meaning he gets less ice time than some second line guys. Babs isn't too generous with anyone in that regard as JT is 31st, but you have to wonder.

Most teams including the best ones focus on one pp unit. Babs thinks he is creating internal competition by giving less to the top unit, when in reality we are seeing he's stifling the top unit. Who gives a poop if Nylander and Gardner aren't getting pp time?

A man can get banned for asking the right thing, what this world coming to brother?
- Zezel

Amen.

The mod message said when the delete your account posts stop so will the bans. This was in EK's thread. Just a heads up.

In comparison to other Leafs perhaps. But he sees less overall ice time than a pile of other centres. Imagine your Matthews and you have shown your the best 5vs5 centre over two years and you get to be 49th in ice time among centres. Meaning he gets less ice time than some second line guys. Babs isn't too generous with anyone in that regard as JT is 31st, but you have to wonder.

Most teams including the best ones focus on one pp unit. Babs thinks he is creating internal competition by giving less to the top unit, when in reality we are seeing he's stifling the top unit. Who gives a poop if Nylander and Gardner aren't getting pp time?
- aminnes

They did have the best forwards on the PP for most of the year (JT, Marner, Kadri, Matthews, Reilly). They started strong but really struggled after a while so Babcock changed things up. Nothing wrong with that.
Honestly Matthews hasn't looked good since the injury, if he's mad about ice time he really should show that he deserves to be out there. Babcock isn't an idiot, he'll play him if he's producing.

They did have the best forwards on the PP for most of the year (JT, Marner, Kadri, Matthews, Reilly). They started strong but really struggled after a while so Babcock changed things up. Nothing wrong with that.
Honestly Matthews hasn't looked good since the injury, if he's mad about ice time he really should show that he deserves to be out there. Babcock isn't an idiot, he'll play him if he's producing.
- 13sundin13

I know they had the best forwards together, but they still limited their ice time. Tampa lets the number one unit stay out until they decide to get off. It's a different style.

Also, anyone else notice that the Leafs play and chemistry started to decline when Nylander came back?

I know they had the best forwards together, but they still limited their ice time. Tampa lets the number one unit stay out until they decide to get off. It's a different style.

Also, anyone else notice that the Leafs play and chemistry started to decline when Nylander came back?
- aminnes

Shhh. He's just getting back up to speed. Team chemistry is quantifiable by any statistics so it doesn't exist. Or something like that.

I know they had the best forwards together, but they still limited their ice time. Tampa lets the number one unit stay out until they decide to get off. It's a different style.

Also, anyone else notice that the Leafs play and chemistry started to decline when Nylander came back?
- aminnes

mhmm..

Babs is a good coach, but not infallible..

Putting brown with Matthews instead of Marner is nothing short of stubborness and its a little worrying.

Gardiner, hainsey, zaitsev, ozhiganov for demko

Gardiner, hainsey, zaitsev, ozhiganov for demko
- TonkaPhaneuf

wtf why? lol

woll, scott, hutch, and sparks all look decent..

wtf why? lol

woll, scott, hutch, and sparks all look decent..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I dont want demko but Van always has the best goalies and we know they're gonna trade him. It's more so to dump our defence.

I could have sworn I've seen Lundqvist play the guitar intro of Sweet Child O' Mine on Letterman or Kimmel one time.
Hyman writes children's books, too.
And Gardiner can recite every colour of the rainbow in perfect order.

It's crazy to think some of these guys have talents outside of hockey.
- UsernameUnknown

Who’s that player the Leafs invited to camp and was a stand-out? And what happened to him?