Just because he is bald does not mean he is wrong! There is obviously something missing. Can you give up this many goals and have any hope of being a serious contender?
- spatso

I was joking, because you may or may not listen to TSN1200 in the mornings here in Ottawa, but he said practically verbatim what you expressed in that comment.

The fact that the team hasn't gelled has everyone feeding the trolls by the handful.

That said, things aren't right in Leafland. There looks to be an overall lack of commitment. It's also 13 games into the season with a nearly 50% roster turnover. They are also missing a great puck retriever and disturbing presence in Hyman. That affects maybe 18 even strength minutes where Marner and Tavares haven't been playing at their normal level. With Tavares out it puts more emphasis on Matthews - and if it highlights anything, it's his inability to fight through adversity. I don't know if someone needs to punch him in the face before the puck drops, but he needs to learn to play with more emotion.

I don't know what happened with Matthews - in his first year he looked like a guy you could slap a Selke candidate label on, and wait for that cheque to be cashed. Now he looks lost and out of position in the d-zone and completely apathetic about puck retrieval.

The Defense are clearly not aligned, and the defensive message that the D are playing with is not in sync with the message the forwards have received. I heard them talk about using "Shorter passes to break out out of the defensive zone with more speed", but you can't do that when all the forwards have flown the zone.

In the past when I've seen a team showing this lack of commitment, it almost always flows back to the message the coaching staff have been giving them - or that "team identity" that the media likes to call it. They know who they are and how they want to play, but they seem completely confused about how to do it or who is doing what. I hope it's a learning curve with the new assistant coaches, but overall even when they win, they don't look cohesive.

I was joking, because you may or may not listen to TSN1200 in the mornings here in Ottawa, but he said practically verbatim what you expressed in that comment.
- AdamFrench

PM has one trick in his analysis bag.
Spatso is an avid PM follower no doubt

Steve Simmons noted on Twitter this morning that Lou Lamoriello and the NYIslanders are 55-30-7 since he took over as GM. During the same period, the Leafs are 52-32-10.

This does not make much sense to me and I have been shocked by what that simple comparison conjurs up for me.
- spatso

Nice, both teams with good records. Enlightening.

PM has one trick in his analysis bag.
Spatso is an avid PM follower no doubt
- senstroll

I like his inner turmoil over Chayka being a "Analytics" GM and his unwavering loyalty to any person who has touched the Penguins organization in Tocchet.

I was joking, because you may or may not listen to TSN1200 in the mornings here in Ottawa, but he said practically verbatim what you expressed in that comment.
- AdamFrench

Did not hear him, but not surprised.

Kadri has scored more goals than anyone on the Leaf roster, except for Matthews. But, the number is not nearly as important as the type of goals he scores. He creates space and scoring chances for the other guys because he bangs so hard. I believe Kadri is the poster boy that best illustrates the failure analytics as used by the Leafs.

Did not hear him, but not surprised.

Kadri has scored more goals than anyone on the Leaf roster, except for Matthews. But, the number is not nearly as important as the type of goals he scores. He creates space and scoring chances for the other guys because he bangs so hard. I believe Kadri is the poster boy that best illustrates the failure analytics as used by the Leafs.
- spatso

Kadri wasn't traded bc of advanced analytics.

Did not hear him, but not surprised.

Kadri has scored more goals than anyone on the Leaf roster, except for Matthews. But, the number is not nearly as important as the type of goals he scores. He creates space and scoring chances for the other guys because he bangs so hard. I believe Kadri is the poster boy that best illustrates the failure analytics as used by the Leafs.
- spatso

have you watched any Leafs games?
Kerfoot has been one of the better players every game.

they both have 7 points.

we dont have to mention the Leafs got Barrie and a draft pick also...for Kadri

I get the feeling Dubas doesn't think players need, "protection", on the ice. He must feel they'll skate out of scenarios where they might get hit dirty, or the PP will scare the other team, until the PP dries up. The Canucks under AV did the same thing.

No pushback, just expect PP opportunities and to score on the PP. doesn't work against teams like Boston who play dirty and you don't get the PP, and when you do, they kill the penalty. So they play even dirtier and the refs feel they can't call something on them every shift. Eventually your team gets bruised and injured from all the stick work and slows down.

Then you die metaphorically.
- kaptaan

well said man

Did not hear him, but not surprised.

Kadri has scored more goals than anyone on the Leaf roster, except for Matthews. But, the number is not nearly as important as the type of goals he scores. He creates space and scoring chances for the other guys because he bangs so hard. I believe Kadri is the poster boy that best illustrates the failure analytics as used by the Leafs.
- spatso

But he doesn't. This narrative is blown way out of proportion.

Kadri wasn't traded bc of advanced analytics.
- MaximusAurelius

thank Dubas for that

There are no penalties for "attempted" infractions. 2 minutes for attempted roughing. Sounds kind of silly.
- spatso

...
I don't know what happened with Matthews - in his first year he looked like a guy you could slap a Selke candidate label on, and wait for that cheque to be cashed. Now he looks lost and out of position in the d-zone and completely apathetic about puck retrieval.

The Defense are clearly not aligned, and the defensive message that the D are playing with is not in sync with the message the forwards have received. I heard them talk about using "Shorter passes to break out out of the defensive zone with more speed", but you can't do that when all the forwards have flown the zone.

In the past when I've seen a team showing this lack of commitment, it almost always flows back to the message the coaching staff have been giving them - or that "team identity" that the media likes to call it. They know who they are and how they want to play, but they seem completely confused about how to do it or who is doing what. I hope it's a learning curve with the new assistant coaches, but overall even when they win, they don't look cohesive.
- Monkeypunk

I am surprised nobody else seems to have picked up on the Matthews gradual inability to play defense. I am also surprised that the narrative for so long was how Laine was so 1-dimensional.

I don't buy the turnover, learning new systems, or even the injuries excuse. This has simply been going on for too long with ZERO improvement. There is no excuse. Something is certainly wrong with this team. I hate to scream "fire the coach", but I am really wondering at this point.

Kadri wasn't traded bc of advanced analytics.
- MaximusAurelius

I think you are wrong. I believe that because of analytics Kadri was never fully valued in relation to the "character' he brought to the team. I don't know. But, my guess is you will find that the Avs are a lot more happy than the Leafs.

I like his inner turmoil over Chayka being a "Analytics" GM and his unwavering loyalty to any person who has touched the Penguins organization in Tocchet.
- AdamFrench

I think we can scrap the idea of Chayka being an "Analytics" GM unless he's following some sort of formula of his own design that make very little sense.

I couldn’t get through the first page. Yeesh...

Look it could be worse... you could be paying $10.5 million for Toews.

I couldn’t get through the first page. Yeesh...
- Steven_Seagull

That is because Leafs reality hurts you. I am sorry Gull

Look it could be worse... you could be paying $10.5 million for Toews.
- BINGO!

If the Leafs had a few cups within most of our lifetimes, that contract would not hurt so bad.

That is because Leafs reality hurts you. I am sorry Gull
- Aetherial

No, it’s because of spatso and his alt Sandro.

No, it’s because of spatso and his alt Sandro.
- Steven_Seagull

The fact that the team hasn't gelled has everyone feeding the trolls by the handful.

That said, things aren't right in Leafland. There looks to be an overall lack of commitment. It's also 13 games into the season with a nearly 50% roster turnover. They are also missing a great puck retriever and disturbing presence in Hyman. That affects maybe 18 even strength minutes where Marner and Tavares haven't been playing at their normal level. With Tavares out it puts more emphasis on Matthews - and if it highlights anything, it's his inability to fight through adversity. I don't know if someone needs to punch him in the face before the puck drops, but he needs to learn to play with more emotion.

I don't know what happened with Matthews - in his first year he looked like a guy you could slap a Selke candidate label on, and wait for that cheque to be cashed. Now he looks lost and out of position in the d-zone and completely apathetic about puck retrieval.

The Defense are clearly not aligned, and the defensive message that the D are playing with is not in sync with the message the forwards have received. I heard them talk about using "Shorter passes to break out out of the defensive zone with more speed", but you can't do that when all the forwards have flown the zone.

In the past when I've seen a team showing this lack of commitment, it almost always flows back to the message the coaching staff have been giving them - or that "team identity" that the media likes to call it. They know who they are and how they want to play, but they seem completely confused about how to do it or who is doing what. I hope it's a learning curve with the new assistant coaches, but overall even when they win, they don't look cohesive.
- Monkeypunk

Last year they came out flying and then teetered off when they had sealed a playoff spot by Christmas. We all watched Boston go max effort even though they had locked up a spot too. I was worried it'd be a 4 game series ...men against boys. Then the series starts and I can't say either team stood out in terms of a better effort.

I think they're pulling the same poop again. Too much immaturity and inexperience I think. Some of them think by showing up they'll earn the win. We've got to hope that this poopty start (and the last two playoff failures) will put some hunger into the young stars. AM and MM have the ability to 'will' this team to some wins.

If the Leafs had a few cups within most of our lifetimes, that contract would not hurt so bad.
- Aetherial

Sure, but Toews alone doesn't get you there. Or anywhere close, so we're just talking about today.

Analytics will be a major casualty if we continue the current trend with all its multiple sub plots. The idea that the Islanders have a better winning record than the Leafs since Lou made the shift should be a wake up moment for all observers.

I don't know how the numbers justify a Zaitsev for Ceci. And, I have already said far too much about the trading of Kadri.

Did not hear him, but not surprised.

Kadri has scored more goals than anyone on the Leaf roster, except for Matthews. But, the number is not nearly as important as the type of goals he scores. He creates space and scoring chances for the other guys because he bangs so hard. I believe Kadri is the poster boy that best illustrates the failure analytics as used by the Leafs.
- spatso

Kadri was traded b/c he had become the 3rd best centre on the team. He was a great asset. I'm sure management and the coach would have loved to keep him. But, they knew the D needed to get better and he was the asset that the other teams wanted.