I'm a guy that prefers to watch some smash and hit hockey with the skill. But, I didn't see the Leafs getting "pushed and shoved" in the playoffs the last two years. Maybe that first year - Matthews was too quiet with Chara blanketing him. But last year I thought the push and shove was pretty even. And the year before against the Caps I don't recall the Leafs being "intimidated" at all.

I think they elevate the "battle" in the playoffs. They did last year. The kids need ramp it up one more notch. And of course Freddy needs to be good.
- The Law

I think people forget that they lost to a team that was in the top 5 in the league both years in 7 games.

poop sucks but if you want to get technical the results played out exactly as they should of...the slightly higher team in standings edged out the other by a matter of a period or two of hockey.

i'm not complaining about the leafs.

size and experience matters in the playoffs on defense; dubas seems aware of this.

you can have a 1-2 dmen missing one of those things.

but if you going for a long cup run, a guy like sandin who is missing both probably shouldn't be expected to play a big part of it this year.
- Tumbleweed

Generally I agree. But, I think they can insulate him on that 3rd pairing.

And so far what I like best about him is that he has that "compete" intangible in spades. He looks like he hates losing ...he wears it on his face.

Leafs need more of that.

It'll be interesting to see how Keefe/Dubas handle this. They've got 7 guys including him. And may be looking to add.

It's game 1 against Boston, in Boston. Assuming no trades how do you line up the defence?

Marincin is 6' 5" and is soft as slime.

You are really reaching here with this.
- Santo_44

i'm not correlating size and toughness.

size is an advantage, particularly on defense. a lot is the reach advantage to break up plays, be first to a loose puck or win puck battles on the boards. ability to see over players helps.

seems like a there is a benefit to having 1-2 players that combine size with strength/toughness for a balanced defense.

The
@MapleLeafs
have recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the
@TorontoMarlies
(AHL). #LeafsForever

He is on a 1 way...I hope we don't have an injury.

The
@MapleLeafs
have recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the
@TorontoMarlies
(AHL). #LeafsForever

He is on a 1 way...I hope we don't have an injury.
- Santo_44

Gravel adds much needed grit

You really weight size and experience way too much man.

It is a quality asset to have but at the end of the day it is just an asset not what makes a player.

Now you can't have a D group full of 19 year olds but a 19 year old can absolutely be a big part of a playoff run.
- Santo_44

cancel the 2015 hawks cup. defense was too big and no 19 year-olds.
keith 6'1"
seabrook 6'3"
hjalmarsson 6'3"
oduya 6'0"
rozsival 6'1"
timmonen 5'10"

The
@MapleLeafs
have recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the
@TorontoMarlies
(AHL). #LeafsForever

He is on a 1 way...I hope we don't have an injury.
- Santo_44

I believe this continues in line with what Dubas said they were going to do - cycle through guys on the AHL roster to give them a reminder of the day-to-day routines and plans of the Maple Leafs so that in the event that they are called up and needed they aren't coming in cold. Not to mention, it also gives them a 2 day pay bump, so it's good for morale.

i'm not correlating size and toughness.

size is an advantage, particularly on defense. a lot is the reach advantage to break up plays, be first to a loose puck or win puck battles on the boards. ability to see over players helps.

seems like a there is a benefit to having 1-2 players that combine size with strength/toughness for a balanced defense.
- Tumbleweed

Size is an advantage. You are spot on.

Luckily not every player in the NHL has the exact same skill and intelligence...Or we would be seeing 1,000 Chara's in the NHL. Listing someones size means absolutely nothing to me. zilch.

a guy who is 5' 10" who is better than Chara? He is doing better despite his size because he is flat out better.

Listing size is pointless. All it is is an advantage for a player. Just like how speed is an advantage for a player. '

Are we going to start listing how fast each player is to see who is the best player?

Muzzin is slow af but his talent makes him a top 4 D despite his slow feet.

depending on the length of contract obviously, but yes, rather have hintz on a 7.5AAV/6y contract on my team than willie at 6.9aav
- MaximusAurelius

You have to stop drinking alcohol before 11 am

The
@MapleLeafs
have recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the
@TorontoMarlies
(AHL). #LeafsForever

He is on a 1 way...I hope we don't have an injury.
- Santo_44

Gravel up ...Sandin was loaned back to Marlies. Hmmmm?

pooooooooooo

I believe this continues in line with what Dubas said they were going to do - cycle through guys on the AHL roster to give them a reminder of the day-to-day routines and plans of the Maple Leafs so that in the event that they are called up and needed they aren't coming in cold. Not to mention, it also gives them a 2 day pay bump, so it's good for morale.
- Monkeypunk

He is on a one way contract though.

Has to go through waivers...just seems wasteful to lose D depth at this time of year.

Gravel adds much needed grit
- drexel

The
@MapleLeafs
have recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the
@TorontoMarlies
(AHL). #LeafsForever

He is on a 1 way...I hope we don't have an injury.
- Santo_44

i have no idea what the Leafs are doing with these call ups and demotions over and over.

I hope its something smart

i have no idea what the Leafs are doing with these call ups and demotions over and over.

I hope its something smart
- senstroll

Maybe they are giving guys NHL salaries to incentivize players signing and playing on the Marlies.

Gravel up ...Sandin was loaned back to Marlies. Hmmmm?
- The Law

Gravel is 6'4... Does that mean we won the Stanley Cup already?

Generally I agree. But, I think they can insulate him on that 3rd pairing.

And so far what I like best about him is that he has that "compete" intangible in spades. He looks like he hates losing ...he wears it on his face.

Leafs need more of that.

It'll be interesting to see how Keefe/Dubas handle this. They've got 7 guys including him. And may be looking to add.

It's game 1 against Boston, in Boston. Assuming no trades how do you line up the defence?
- The Law

rielly - barrie
muzzin - holl
dermott - ceci
x - sandin

right side is a little messy, but overall defense groups don't need to be perfect. might be good enough.

i pray that we pickup a backup goalie.

I'm a guy that prefers to watch some smash and hit hockey with the skill. But, I didn't see the Leafs getting "pushed and shoved" in the playoffs the last two years. Maybe that first year - Matthews was too quiet with Chara blanketing him. But last year I thought the push and shove was pretty even. And the year before against the Caps I don't recall the Leafs being "intimidated" at all.

I think they elevate the "battle" in the playoffs. They did last year. The kids need ramp it up one more notch. And of course Freddy needs to be good.
- The Law

I don't think they did get pushed around that much in any of the games - although when Boston elevated their physicality, Toronto definitely took exception. Kadri got suspended, but if you look at the team as a whole in that specific game, they were not as engaged, they were distracted, and they were frustrated. Yes, you can argue that much of the physical play was borderline at best, and an out and out penalty realistically - but if it's not being called, you can't lose your focus. Kadri took it the worst, but the whole team was definitely out of sync that game.

When Washington ratcheted up their physical play - albeit it wasn't consistent, it was more shift to shift where they would do it - the Leafs did not play that well with it.

In the regular season when a team comes out and hits Toronto regularly and routinely, they have _started_ to play through it much better under Keefe, but they weren't doing it at all under Babcock - so clearly they can, but we already know they don't like to, and they don't have the ability to respond in kind at the same level - so they will have to be tougher and take it more than the other team will.

That is a tough pill to swallow for 25 games. I believe they have the skill to win, but I think it really has to proven that they have the will to win.

i have no idea what the Leafs are doing with these call ups and demotions over and over.

I hope its something smart
- senstroll

This one just doesn't make sense to me.

his salary is the same wherever he plays. He has NHL experience.

The Marlies are in town so its not like Dubas is saving him from a long bus ride.

Maybe they are giving guys NHL salaries to incentivize players signing and playing on the Marlies.
- AdamFrench

maybe for some

draglikepull
@draglikepull
The Leafs often seem to call up players from the AHL who are on 2-way contracts to give them a couple days of NHL pay, but Gravel is on a 1-way. And the Leafs don't play a road game until Wednesday of next week. I hope there isn't another defenceman injured.

or just for the NHL experience thing I read the other day

Maybe they are giving guys NHL salaries to incentivize players signing and playing on the Marlies.
- AdamFrench

I think that is exactly it...but Gravel doesn't belong to that group. Dude gets paid 700K to eat popcorn in the AHL.

You have to stop drinking alcohol before 11 am
- PatC80

Don't dictate a person's dietary preferences, Pat.

. . . but for love of God, don't post on the internet when you do start drinking before 11!

This one just doesn't make sense to me.

his salary is the same wherever he plays. He has NHL experience.

The Marlies are in town so its not like Dubas is saving him from a long bus ride.
- Santo_44

trade maybe? Or injury?

This one just doesn't make sense to me.

his salary is the same wherever he plays. He has NHL experience.

The Marlies are in town so its not like Dubas is saving him from a long bus ride.
- Santo_44

I assume there is some tiny small print Cap thing that will give the leafs .03 cents more space

trade maybe? Or injury?
- PatC80

Idk maybe they are close to a deal and want a D in the building in case they have to pull Ceci. Now they have an extra F and a 2 D.