is he playing or on the bench?
- BorjeFan4Ever

McElhinney?
playing and playing really well.

Zaitsev playing really well as well.

He's what they need, but no cap space.
- aminnes

With 14 forwards and 7 D, they have 186K in cap space.

If they send down the 14th forward, they'll have almost 900K to spend on Boyle.

Might be possible.

With 14 forwards and 7 D, they have 186K in cap space.

If they send down the 14th forward, they'll have almost 900K to spend on Boyle.

Might be possible.
- JohnFergusonJr

don't need Boyle.
the problem isn't the 4th line - Leafs have sufficient options there with Gauthier - Shore - Spezza - Korshkov - Marchment (and even Kapanen).

Problem is #2LW and #3C.

With 14 forwards and 7 D, they have 186K in cap space.

If they send down the 14th forward, they'll have almost 900K to spend on Boyle.

Might be possible.
- JohnFergusonJr

I get what your saying... but you can't look at it that way...

when Hyman returns, the CAP situation changes... they'll need to drop down 2-3 guys at least on the active roster to make it work.

don't need Boyle.
the problem isn't the 4th line - Leafs have sufficient options there with Gauthier - Shore - Spezza - Korshkov - Marchment (and even Kapanen).

Problem is #2LW and #3C.
- MaximusAurelius

It's one of several problems in that 4th lines are traditionally tough and hard nosed so as to provide a level of deterrence on the stars. Right now they are okay but the team overall gets pushed around. Twice Gallagher chicken winged Hutch. Gallagher FFS. Boyle would deal with him.

Go Leafs Go

Red Wings can suck my balls.

Go Leafs Go

Red Wings can suck my balls.
- Zezel

This guy gets it!

It's one of several problems in that 4th lines are traditionally tough and hard nosed so as to provide a level of deterrence on the stars. Right now they are okay but the team overall gets pushed around. Twice Gallagher chicken winged Hutch. Gallagher FFS. Boyle would deal with him.
- aminnes

i get what you are saying... but the group as a whole lacks intensity, there needs to be a bit of a pack mentality... shouldn't matter if its Matthews or Marner quite frankly... if Tavares gets laid out... there needs to be a response - even its minor. Skating away and waiting for someone else to ride to the rescue is pathetic...

and reeks of college hockey

when the Habs had pussiretti as their captain, same nonsense... everyone skating around waiting for Dale Wiese or someone to respond.

Leafs management seems to have made their choice - and hopefully the media donkeys are able to remind them consistently that they made those choices.

Sure trade away Kadri for another soft small third line offensive player and a 1 year of an offensive defenseman.. .makes sense. But not in isolation... team needs a spine...

right now they have none.... and that one come from one player.

Ok, Tampa. Just 2 more!

It's one of several problems in that 4th lines are traditionally tough and hard nosed so as to provide a level of deterrence on the stars. Right now they are okay but the team overall gets pushed around. Twice Gallagher chicken winged Hutch. Gallagher FFS. Boyle would deal with him.
- aminnes

Boyle is big but not at all a physical deterrent..
Leafs need to get tougher overall - apart from Hyman, you hardly see any strong forechecking or physical play by Leafs players.
Honestly hard for me to identify with this Leafs team's build and playing style, since there is no compete.. it's just not a adult mindset that you see on the ice.
Must drive Babcock crazy to see that there are only a few (Rielly, Tavares, Hyman, Muzzin) on this team that are willing to give it all to win games.

Ok, Tampa. Just 2 more!
- GreatGigInTheSky

McElhinney kept Tampa in the game.
Some great saves by him.

i get what you are saying... but the group as a whole lacks intensity, there needs to be a bit of a pack mentality... shouldn't matter if its Matthews or Marner quite frankly... if Tavares gets laid out... there needs to be a response - even its minor. Skating away and waiting for someone else to ride to the rescue is pathetic...

and reeks of college hockey

when the Habs had pussiretti as their captain, same nonsense... everyone skating around waiting for Dale Wiese or someone to respond.

Leafs management seems to have made their choice - and hopefully the media donkeys are able to remind them consistently that they made those choices.

Sure trade away Kadri for another soft small third line offensive player and a 1 year of an offensive defenseman.. .makes sense. But not in isolation... team needs a spine...

right now they have none.... and that one come from one player.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I like what Berube said. Sometimes it's worth taking a penalty to send a message.

Aw they're playing Stadium Love by Metric at the Ottawa game, we should be playing that. Fire game ops.

i get what you are saying... but the group as a whole lacks intensity, there needs to be a bit of a pack mentality... shouldn't matter if its Matthews or Marner quite frankly... if Tavares gets laid out... there needs to be a response - even its minor. Skating away and waiting for someone else to ride to the rescue is pathetic...

and reeks of college hockey

when the Habs had pussiretti as their captain, same nonsense... everyone skating around waiting for Dale Wiese or someone to respond.

Leafs management seems to have made their choice - and hopefully the media donkeys are able to remind them consistently that they made those choices.

Sure trade away Kadri for another soft small third line offensive player and a 1 year of an offensive defenseman.. .makes sense. But not in isolation... team needs a spine...

right now they have none.... and that one come from one player.
- BorjeFan4Ever

100% agree

Boyle is big but not at all a physical deterrent..
Leafs need to get tougher overall - apart from Hyman, you hardly see any strong forechecking or physical play by Leafs players.
Honestly hard for me to identify with this Leafs team's build and playing style, since there is no compete.. it's just not a adult mindset that you see on the ice.
Must drive Babcock crazy to see that there are only a few (Rielly, Tavares, Hyman, Muzzin) on this team that are willing to give it all to win games.
- MaximusAurelius

So there are two philosophies here. One is that the guys currently on the team need to play tougher or they need to bring tougher guys in, and yes, Boyle is a deterrent and physical. If he wasn't he would have been out of work the last 5 years. I just have doubts that these players are all the sudden going to change how they play. I mean really, who gives you the potential tough vibe other than Hymen who started to play more that way last year?

McElhinney kept Tampa in the game.
Some great saves by him.
- MaximusAurelius

For sure.

Ottawa has outplayed Tampa pretty badly in this game.

this is now an arnold quote thread

So there are two philosophies here. One is that the guys currently on the team need to play tougher or they need to bring tougher guys in, and yes, Boyle is a deterrent and physical. If he wasn't he would have been out of work the last 5 years. I just have doubts that these players are all the sudden going to change how they play. I mean really, who gives you the potential tough vibe other than Hymen who started to play more that way last year?
- aminnes

I agree - Leafs need to make some changes by giving up some of the figure skaters and getting in some actual hockey players.

And Boyle I always liked - isn't a 'fighter' though (and Leafs don't need that in any case).

don't need Boyle.
the problem isn't the 4th line - Leafs have sufficient options there with Gauthier - Shore - Spezza - Korshkov - Marchment (and even Kapanen).

Problem is #2LW and #3C.
- MaximusAurelius

Boyle can play #3 or #4 C. He scored 18 goals last year and he's built like a truck.

I get what your saying... but you can't look at it that way...

when Hyman returns, the CAP situation changes... they'll need to drop down 2-3 guys at least on the active roster to make it work.
- BorjeFan4Ever

If it's 900K or less, he should be able to fit.

this is now an arnold quote thread
- daeth

It was on yesterday.

I agree - Leafs need to make some changes by giving up some of the figure skaters and getting in some actual hockey players.

And Boyle I always liked - isn't a 'fighter' though (and Leafs don't need that in any case).
- MaximusAurelius

He's not a fighter but he hits hard, and he will defend his teammates. I'm not talking straight goon level stuff.

Hope that's not goalie interference.

Zaitsev bumped him into the goalie.

Hope that's not goalie interference.
- GreatGigInTheSky

100% is - shoudl be a penalty as well