Sandin
- Steven_Seagull

he looked poised.

but at his size, he's going to have to learn how to make the play without taking the big hit.

he's not muzzin - a big dude who can consistently absorb these hits and make a play.

i still think it's going to be risk to throw a young player like him in the playoffs regularly. i'd prefer to see him as our #7, stepping in as needed.

he looked poised.

but at his size, he's going to have to learn how to make the play without taking the big hit.

he's not muzzin - a big dude who can consistently absorb these hits and make a play.

i still think it's going to be risk to throw a young player like him in the playoffs regularly. i'd prefer to see him as our #7, stepping in as needed.
- Tumbleweed

You guys obviously are in better hands with the experience of Cody Ceci.

After playoffs lots of people will ask for Nylander to be traded.
He's just not a guy that wants to win at all cost.
- MaximusAurelius

There are "Gritty" players with far worse playoff production.

he's being paid 9 mill this season .... but with a cap of 6.9 ish
- zazzle

No one cares the actual $. cap hit is all that counts. That 9 million kept it down. He wanted 8.5 per.

Can't believe Dubas traded down 4 spots and ended up with Sandin+SDA

you fail to understand the difference between a team which consists of players with great individual skills and a team that is able to play to go far in the playoffs.

(and the 'outhitting' of the bruins in the playoffs series is such an awkward remark - everyone that has seen all 7 games of that series has to admit that Leafs were clearly not on the upperhand of the physical department, and leafs were intimidated for sure).
- MaximusAurelius

Don’t try to reason with people on here. It is clear that physical play, intimidation, and team defence matter in the playoffs. The last 100 years of playoffs has proven that. Dubas has put together a highly skilled team, which is great. But every team needs balance. The playoffs is a war, not an all star competition. Every team that has every won has gone through the war. You don’t need goons, but you need soldiers that will pay the price. We have a few of these guys, but not enough. Hyman is one example, imo. Love that guy!

Runs and hides

he looked poised.

but at his size, he's going to have to learn how to make the play without taking the big hit.

he's not muzzin - a big dude who can consistently absorb these hits and make a play.

i still think it's going to be risk to throw a young player like him in the playoffs regularly. i'd prefer to see him as our #7, stepping in as needed.
- Tumbleweed

Call me (frank)ed up but I thought that's what we were praising him for in the Dallas game. Took a hit like it was nothing and made the play. Then there was a bunch of age discrimination. I have never ever ever seen a small player capable of taking hits before what were they thinking when they drafted him
.

Don’t try to reason with people on here. It is clear that physical play, intimidation, and team defence matter in the playoffs. The last 100 years of playoffs has proven that. Dubas has put together a highly skilled team, which is great. But every team needs balance. The playoffs is a war, not an all star competition. Every team that has every won has gone through the war. You don’t need goons, but you need soldiers that will pay the price. We have a few of these guys, but not enough. Hyman is one example, imo. Love that guy!

Runs and hides
- Hockey_Reverend

Tampa is not physical and I can see them winning it all.

Can't believe Dubas traded down 4 spots and ended up with Sandin+SDA
- RogerRoeper

It has worked out well! After the first 15 picks in the 1st round (depending on the year) the more picks the better in the draft imo...

You guys would prefer if Dubas had goons on the 4th line eating up 12+ million in cap.

Tampa is not physical and I can see them winning it all.
- RogerRoeper

Remember last year?

They do seem to have some physical forwards though don’t they? I honestly dont know, haven’t watched them at all. What about on defence? Any big bodies?

Time will tell

Call me (frank)ed up but I thought that's what we were praising him for in the Dallas game. Took a hit like it was nothing and made the play. Then there was a bunch of age discrimination. I have never ever ever seen a small player capable of taking hits before what were they thinking when they drafted him
.
- Drapz

he's a small guy. he's not going to last taking big hits like that.

muzzin is a beast. he can handle it.

You guys obviously are in better hands with the experience of Cody Ceci.
- Scabeh

who was the last SC champ to have a dman under 22 play +20 games?

You guys would prefer if Dubas had goons on the 4th line eating up 12+ million in cap.
- RogerRoeper

Wow, who said anything about goons? Yes, if we only had Probert, Domi, and Orr on our 4th line we would win for sure...

You guys would prefer if Dubas had goons on the 4th line eating up 12+ million in cap.
- RogerRoeper

That was a great side show when there was no chance of playoffs.

Don’t try to reason with people on here. It is clear that physical play, intimidation, and team defence matter in the playoffs. The last 100 years of playoffs has proven that. Dubas has put together a highly skilled team, which is great. But every team needs balance. The playoffs is a war, not an all star competition. Every team that has every won has gone through the war. You don’t need goons, but you need soldiers that will pay the price. We have a few of these guys, but not enough. Hyman is one example, imo. Love that guy!

Runs and hides
- Hockey_Reverend

That was a great side show when there was no chance of playoffs.
- Drapz

Got that right. When you suck a few goons dont hurt... fills the seat! Lol

Remember last year?

They do seem to have some physical forwards though don’t they? I honestly dont know, haven’t watched them at all. What about on defence? Any big bodies?

Time will tell
- Hockey_Reverend

Remember 2 years ago when only a goal post saved Washington from beating them and they would have won the cup? The Nhl can be a game of inches. The Leafs if coached differently may have well gone to the finals last year.

The Pens last 2 cups they won they were built similarly to the Leafs.

he's a small guy. he's not going to last taking big hits like that.

muzzin is a beast. he can handle it.
- Tumbleweed

I agree with this. If he is going to get pounded every game he will eventually get worn down and maybe hurt. We dont want that to happen to a blue chip prospect. What does he weigh anyway?

who was the last SC champ to have a dman under 22 play +20 games?
- Tumbleweed

I have no idea and won't take the time to do the research.

But there are plenty of defensemen under 22 who have contributed positively to their teams in the postseason in the past.

McAvoy, Makar, Subban.....

Is it always ideal? Of course not. But when your young player is better than your sucky veteran, I'd rather have the young guy.

Remember 2 years ago when only a goal post saved Washington from beating them and they would have won the cup?
- RogerRoeper

No I dont.

I not sure how this became a discussion about another team that has not won anything...?

Tampa is a different team then us. Older, more experienced, better defence, etc...

Tampa is not physical and I can see them winning it all.
- RogerRoeper

They are physical.
They are top 10 in hits/game.
They are continually on top the opposing team.
Admittedly there is more to being physical that simply hit stats.
When they are on their game they use their speed, skill and grind.

they just havent done that most of the season. Starting to though.

They are physical.
They are top 10 in hits/game.
They are continually on top the opposing team.
Admittedly there is more to being physical that simply hit stats.
When they are on their game they use their speed, skill and grind.

they just havent done that most of the season. Starting to though.
- Fakepartofme

Well in fairness I was just told hit totals are irrelevant when it came to Leaf/Bruins series.

he's a small guy. he's not going to last taking big hits like that.

muzzin is a beast. he can handle it.
- Tumbleweed

Then he will have to be like Marner, and dodge hits.

Remember 2 years ago when only a goal post saved Washington from beating them and they would have won the cup? The Nhl can be a game of inches. The Leafs if coached differently may have well gone to the finals last year.

The Pens last 2 cups they won they were built similarly to the Leafs.
- RogerRoeper

This is BS

They have some grit grinder forwards that are fearless PLUS Crosby and Malkin... lets not get crazy.... plus a goalie that could stop a beach ball under pressure...