Hadn't paid too much attention to Le Sabres...holy (frank).
- AdamFrench

Do they trade Jack ??

They made some roster changes that seemed small at the time (4th line this, old vet that) which are seemingly paying off in spades. + the bigger one in Brodie.

Simmonds, Jumbo, Bogo in the room, on the ice when it's getting a bit tense or chippy seem to have made a real difference and the typical Leafs panic we are used to seeing in close games hasn't reared it's ugly head (for the most part) this year.

I was really noticing the Leaf's breakouts last night and how effortless they made it look and that was confusing to me as I'm accustomed to seeing one of two things the past few years:

1. D man in a panic ridden state tries to just clear it out side the blue line and Leafs get hemmed in because they have no options / wingers way too high

2. A star player carries to centre and because nobody has speed if they can't dangle past 2 guys they dump and chase and half the time recover the puck, half the time they have given up possession.

The coaching seems to be sinking in as they are being not only much more patient with the puck (possession) but now making much better decisions with the puck as well as buying in as a whole unit. Wingers seem to be coming back much deeper and giving the D good options, they are using those for a couple quick passes and they are out of the zone, with speed and options.

It's catching teams off guard - I just hope they keep it up.

I've seen way too many Leaf games in the past few years where it felt like the mantra of the Leafs D core was "just get it past centre, that's our job - forwards can deal with it from there".

This is the point of a GM and coach having a shared vision.

Whether we loved them or not, Lou & Babs were on the same page. The players Lou liked are the players Babs liked, and they suited one another.

Here we have Dubas plan & vision and Keefe's plan & vision are aligned as well, and it works.

It typically starts with good players! But the point remains that the styles and ideas need to be aligned. I very like the fluid hockey we see. The naysayers will say that when the playoffs come and the game gets hard the Leafs aren't built to respond, but I think we'll see.
- Monkeypunk

Its funny I hear the critics say this, but holding McDavid/Drai scoreless in 2 straight games shows the improvement from the Leafs defensive game this year.
- Archaic

When was the last time that was done. Even by 2 teams.

I think a big part is in how they’re playing. Dubas said he wanted better defensive play, more consistency and mental toughness. A lot of those wins last year and earlier were the offense turning it on in the first or second, building a nice lead with the third turning into white knuckle time as they seemed to lose focus.

I’ve seen way more 60 minute games from this team this year and that has been hugely impressive. I think Nylander is getting less ice time in the third partly to reinforce that message and partly because there are better defenders. But if you’re not seeing a lot of ice with a 4-0 lead, the coach is sending a message
- Canada Cup

Well said.

Finally having an effective 3rd line is a game changer👍

MEH or HEM?

Luckily, I found something about last night’s game to get irrationally pissy about:

They gave Woll #60 to wear.

What a huge show of disrespect.
- Atomic Wedgie

Kosknen chose #19 which is an idiotic number for goalies. He deserved to get shelled.

Coach #26 incoming for Jorts Boy.
- AdamFrench

I'd be inclined to blame Eichel, except it's the entire team, including guys like Hall, who are just absolutely sucking. It's not like it's because of focusing on team defense or a transitional stage in learning something more. They just have no system. I don't know. It seems like Krueger says some peppy stuff and then sends them out to get their ass handed to them time and time again.

Hyman
Mikheyev and Engvall
Marner

Leafs played 3 really solid games so far -- 1st one was first game vs WPG (I still think the best game of the season, since WPG is a better team than Edm) and then the last 2 games vs Edmonton.
Edmonton goaltending is so poopty -- never going to win anything with Koskinen in goal..

Finally having an effective 3rd line is a game changer👍

MEH or HEM?
- mr.sir

MEH when they play like poop.

HEM when they play well?

Kosknen chose #19 which is an idiotic number for goalies. He deserved to get shelled.
- Canada Cup

MEH when they play like poop.

HEM when they play well?
- Cush29

Yes guy

Engvall is playing 1 ft taller with Mikheyev and Hyman out there

Love the size, speed and chemistry that Mikheyev and Engvall have

Do they trade Jack ??
- bixll

He's going to want out eventually. If he doesn't already.

Hadn't paid too much attention to Le Sabres...holy (frank).
- AdamFrench

How much of that is puck luck? It's insane how many donuts they have individually.

On paper, that should be a bubble roster. D is still woof though, same with goaltending... I don't know, maybe they should be bad.

He's going to want out eventually. If he doesn't already.
- AdamFrench

So Leafs are adding both McDavid ánd Eichel??!

How much of that is puck luck? It's insane how many donuts they have individually.

On paper, that should be a bubble roster. D is still woof though, same with goaltending... I don't know, maybe they should be bad.
- gravyface

That's where they should just 2012 Leafs-it. No defense? No goalie? Just float the forwards and play stretch-pass bingo with Hall and Eichel. Sure you'll lose a lot, but you'll also win more than you are - and most importantly, Eichel will get points which will help those unfortunate souls that picked him in their pools.

Actually it wasnt at all.
It was just one route.
FA was another route, we just thought it would cost an arm and a leg. It didnt. Ex. Brodie
A 3rd route was internal improvement. Having our own players take the next steps to become better. Ex. Holl.
- Fakepartofme

The arm and leg cost was only because of the “we need Pietroangelo” mindset. We needed to improve on Ceci and count in internal growth. I think we overestimated Lehtonen (which could still happen) and underestimated Holl and Dermott (which is keeping Lehtonen out)

He's going to want out eventually. If he doesn't already.
- AdamFrench

just dont trade him to Boston

just dont trade him to Boston
- senstroll

What was the rumour last year

Carlo
Debrusk
Beecher
1st

just dont trade him to Boston
- senstroll

Yeah. Heaven forbid he gets Cassidy fired!

How much of that is puck luck? It's insane how many donuts they have individually.

On paper, that should be a bubble roster. D is still woof though, same with goaltending... I don't know, maybe they should be bad.
- gravyface

They are kind of like the Leafs in 2016, they should be fun to watch and electric offensively, but poop defensively. Instead they can't score and also suck defensively.

What was the rumour last year

Carlo
Debrusk
Beecher
1st
- mr.sir

Beecher is the exact type of player Leafs could use.

The narrative going into the season was that the north division was amazing and the leafs were going to have to battle to even make the playoffs.

Leafs dominate the division and it’s now a weak division.

What narrative will the media follow next month?
- Santo_44

Every article I read had writers picking the Leafs to win. 🤷🏻‍♂️

This team has virtually no weaknesses

Vesey- sub in with Simmonds
Kerfoot- trade bait for cap space or depth

Parade pending....
Get your vaccines boys!

I think a big part is in how they’re playing. Dubas said he wanted better defensive play, more consistency and mental toughness. A lot of those wins last year and earlier were the offense turning it on in the first or second, building a nice lead with the third turning into white knuckle time as they seemed to lose focus.

I’ve seen way more 60 minute games from this team this year and that has been hugely impressive. I think Nylander is getting less ice time in the third partly to reinforce that message and partly because there are better defenders. But if you’re not seeing a lot of ice with a 4-0 lead, the coach is sending a message
- Canada Cup

Agreed