I'd put Pens at #3. But I agree with #1 and #2.
- gergeswillems

Agree Pens at #3

What are the chances that if Habs and Hawks win their series that both Pens and Oiler coaches are fired? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

IMO, and I am only speaking on my behalf, I expect more consistency from him. I know he's still really young, but we can't have him making mistakes. All we need from his is a strong defensive game.

I know he's not a physical guy, so no one expects him to be Jake Muzzin. Just someone that consistently is tough to play against, that doesn't get beat easily and doesn't turn the puck over as easy as he does some times.
- PatC80

I think what we need him to be and what we should be able to expect him to be are two different things, especially on a blueline that is about to feature Barrie, Ceci... And Marincin. In a (frank)ing playoff game.

I mean, we can also expect Sandin to be Chabot by now if we wanted to, it doesn't make it a realistic possibility. I look at all the guys drafted around Dermott, and what he has become... And I think he is pretty much exactly where he should be development wise.

This is a big opportunity for him and I hope he steamrolls it. But in the event he has a gaff or two... I don't know how that can be unexpected and we as a fan base should label him as a bust for it.

IMO, and I am only speaking on my behalf, I expect more consistency from him. I know he's still really young, but we can't have him making mistakes. All we need from his is a strong defensive game.

I know he's not a physical guy, so no one expects him to be Jake Muzzin. Just someone that consistently is tough to play against, that doesn't get beat easily and doesn't turn the puck over as easy as he does some times.
- PatC80

I'm still on the side of Dermott. He's 23 and basically has 2 full seasons worth of games under his belt. You don't get a lot of consistency out of 23 year olds.

In the NHL this year, there were just 37 defensemen who were 23 or younger and played more than 40 games. I think the expectations may be a little high.

I think he deserves more time.

I'm still on the side of Dermott. He's 23 and basically has 2 full seasons worth of games under his belt. You don't get a lot of consistency out of 23 year olds.

In the NHL this year, there were just 37 defensemen who were 23 or younger and played more than 40 games. I think the expectations may be a little high.

I think he deserves more time.
- Monkeypunk

*See Gunnarson

I think what we need him to be and what we should be able to expect him to be are two different things, especially on a blueline that is about to feature Barrie, Ceci... And Marincin. In a (frank)ing playoff game.

I mean, we can also expect Sandin to be Chabot by now if we wanted to, it doesn't make it a realistic possibility. I look at all the guys drafted around Dermott, and what he has become... And I think he is pretty much exactly where he should be development wise.

This is a big opportunity for him and I hope he steamrolls it. But in the event he has a gaff or two... I don't know how that can be unexpected and we as a fan base should label him as a bust for it.
- joel878

Don't get me wrong, I don't think he is a bust. I think he can be a good defenseman just needs to be more consistent in his play. Also, if he makes an egregious gaffe or two, I may just start referring to him as Jake Gardiner 2.0

I'm still on the side of Dermott. He's 23 and basically has 2 full seasons worth of games under his belt. You don't get a lot of consistency out of 23 year olds.

In the NHL this year, there were just 37 defensemen who were 23 or younger and played more than 40 games. I think the expectations may be a little high.

I think he deserves more time.
- Monkeypunk

I don't think I have high expectations of Dermott and I don't expect him to be something he's not. I just think based off of what the Leafs need, he has to play a smart, mistake free game.

What is the point of this. How does this, in any way, lead to you being an bumhole everyday?
- Aetherial

Maximum Arseholiness. Just being who he is.

Lol @ NRA

Agree Pens at #3

What are the chances that if Habs and Hawks win their series that both Pens and Oiler coaches are fired? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.
- winsix

Nah. Sully has won 2 Cups so he's essentially bullet proof. Tippett is generally regarded as a head coaching God (like Poile is as a GM).

If the Pens and Oilers lose their fanbases will hop aboard the Laffy hype train. I don't see any changes behind the bench for either team.

Especially Edmonton. Ken Holland had to watch Jeff Blashill coach for 4 years in Detroit. So Dave Tippett must seem like Jesus Christ.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think he is a bust. I think he can be a good defenseman just needs to be more consistent in his play. Also, if he makes an egregious gaffe or two, I may just start referring to him as Jake Gardiner 2.0
- PatC80

See and that's just offside.🤣

I don't think I have high expectations of Dermott and I don't expect him to be something he's not. I just think based off of what the Leafs need, he has to play a smart, mistake free game.
- PatC80

I don't know if any defenseman on the Leafs knows how to play a mistake-free game! I think Dermott is very capable of playing a smart and controlled game. We'll see tonight, I guess. I don't think elevating Dermott into a top 4 position is that bad (although I admit he is prone to error so I certainly agree there); missing Muzzin's physicality is going to be tough. He's the only guy who does make the opposition's rush think twice about where they find their "open" ice.

See and that's just offside.🤣
- joel878

I don't know if any defenseman on the Leafs knows how to play a mistake-free game! I think Dermott is very capable of playing a smart and controlled game. We'll see tonight, I guess. I don't think elevating Dermott into a top 4 position is that bad (although I admit he is prone to error so I certainly agree there); missing Muzzin's physicality is going to be tough. He's the only guy who does make the opposition's rush think twice about where they find their "open" ice.
- Monkeypunk

I am certain he'll get a big boost in ice time tonight.. I think he'll get close to 20 minutes. In Game 2, he had just over 13 minutes, and I wasn't completely comfortable with his play..

Who knows, maybe that changes now that he will be paired with Holl?

I am certain he'll get a big boost in ice time tonight.. I think he'll get close to 20 minutes. In Game 2, he had just over 13 minutes, and I wasn't completely comfortable with his play..

Who knows, maybe that changes now that he will be paired with Holl?
- PatC80

That's probably where we differ. I've been much more uneasy with Barrie than I have been with dermott. Dermott seemed to consistently trying to deal with poop situations Barrie left him in on the fly to me.

I am certain he'll get a big boost in ice time tonight.. I think he'll get close to 20 minutes. In Game 2, he had just over 13 minutes, and I wasn't completely comfortable with his play..

Who knows, maybe that changes now that he will be paired with Holl?
- PatC80

I mean . . . Holl will be more stable or reliable than Barrie? I have to uptalk that sentence because it is such a question.

I like Holl, but I think a large part of his stability came from Muzzin. It's tricky because when you really look at the team defense, you trust Muzzin and Rielly, and then the rest of the guys are all covered in some type of conditional clause. Barrie is usually good when the other team doesn't have the puck. Ceci is good when he's not in a kitchen or on skates. Maybe. You know. Clauses.

At least Gardiner’s not playing.

Any of the advanced stat nerds out there who can let me know how our 6 defenseman have made out so far this series? In terms of positive possession, etc.

Dying to get a feel for how (frank)ed we are with no muzzin, Dermott in an elevated role... And marincin. Even against a team that can't score.

I mean . . . Holl will be more stable or reliable than Barrie? I have to uptalk that sentence because it is such a question.

I like Holl, but I think a large part of his stability came from Muzzin. It's tricky because when you really look at the team defense, you trust Muzzin and Rielly, and then the rest of the guys are all covered in some type of conditional clause. Barrie is usually good when the other team doesn't have the puck. Ceci is good when he's not in a kitchen or on skates. Maybe. You know. Clauses.
- Monkeypunk

Agreed, Ceci is really good for those 40-42 minutes a game when he is not on the ice.
Barrie is good when the Leafs win a faceoff in the offensive zone

Any of the advanced stat nerds out there who can let me know how our 6 defenseman have made out so far this series? In terms of positive possession, etc.

Dying to get a feel for how (frank)ed we are with no muzzin, Dermott in an elevated role... And marincin. Even against a team that can't score.
- joel878

only 2 games...but

all 5v5

CF%
Holl - 63
Barrie - 60
Dermott - 57
Muzzin - 50
Rielly - 48
Ceci - 46

high Danger CF
Barrie 5-2
Ceci 4-2
Rielly 5-3
Holl 11-7
dermott - 4-3
Muzzin - 7-8


hard to really take much away at this point..but Holl surprises a little.

Muzzin probably getting tougher mins

shots with holl on the ice is 21-9

new blog everyone

Well, yes. That goes without saying.

I'm talking about the expectation on dermott in general, because it's far from the first time I've seen negative commentary about his progression in. Hence the question, where should he be? He's a bottom pairing defenseman who can step into the top 4 occasionally with mixed results. Where is he supposed to be after 157 career regular season games?

Yes he came from a monster draft year where Werenski, Provorov, Hanifin, and Chabot were drafted ahead of him.

Jacob Zboril, Noah Juulsen, Jacob Larsson, Gabriel Carlson, and Jeremy Roy... We're also all drafted ahead of Dermott.

You look at the 2014 draft (one year ahead of dermott) and aside from Ekblad... Julius Honka, Travis Sanheim, Tony Deangelo, and Hadyn Fleury are the most reputable NHLers to be taken out of that drafts first round. Brandon Montour out of round 2? I don't even know how many defenseman I'm counting who's name wouldn't even be recognized today...

So what exactly are people expecting Dermott to be right now? Is he supposed to have hit the level of the Werenskis and Provorovs who were top 10 picks in his draft?
- joel878

I guess we’re going to get a pretty definitive answer to that question and to the question of how long he’ll be a Leaf