A couple of bigger bodies like giraffe and Mikheyev are, only they are unwilling to hit. It is on the coach and GM to get the third liners to play the roles they are there for. Neither of these two were scoring so hit the snot out of opponents or ride the bench or go to the (frank)en AHL.
- winsix

Coach needs to stop benching guys for little mistakes and playing ring around the Rosie with 15 bottom 6 guys. Maybe we’ll get more out of them.

Engvall did everything but score when he was on the ice in the playoffs, even after being benched for Nash coming off 4 goals in 5 games.

I could care less about Mikey, he’s speed doesn’t make up for his zero hockey sense. And if we replace the Giraffe with someone better I’m game.

I like players who score lots of points in the post-season. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Digressing every so slightly, it would be neat to have a statistic that actually assessed the value of each hit. Not only are hits highly subjective (and outrageously counted in the playoffs) but many of them don't actually have any real impact(!) on the play.

I'm willing to bet some players (no, not Willie) who throw few hits actually have a higher ratio of "useful" hits to those who just crash and bang in an attempt to cause some kind of mayhem.
- mjones242

Willie is scoring but he’s pretty much even 5v5 over the last 3 playoff seasons. Gotta bring it both ways...I want him to score and keep the other team at bay. Especially when he’s getting the weaker assignments.

The giraffe

Forwards in the playoffs:

Cf% #1
Shots for % #1
Expected goals for% #1
High danger chances for% #5 behind Spezza - MM - AM - Hyman

i don't get why everyone is hating on TVR, he is one of the better bottom pairing defenders in the NHL and his current contract is a bargain. Possibly the best value player in the league

I like players who score lots of points in the post-season. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Digressing every so slightly, it would be neat to have a statistic that actually assessed the value of each hit. Not only are hits highly subjective (and outrageously counted in the playoffs) but many of them don't actually have any real impact(!) on the play.

I'm willing to bet some players (no, not Willie) who throw few hits actually have a higher ratio of "useful" hits to those who just crash and bang in an attempt to cause some kind of mayhem.
- mjones242

From my understanding, hits are only counted if the cause a possession change....thought that was the rule of counting for the stat.

Could be wrong. Anyone?

Coach needs to stop benching guys for little mistakes and playing ring around the Rosie with 15 bottom 6 guys. Maybe we’ll get more out of them.

Engvall did everything but score when he was on the ice in the playoffs, even after being benched for Nash coming off 4 goals in 5 games.

I could care less about Mikey, he’s speed doesn’t make up for his zero hockey sense. And if we replace the Giraffe with someone better I’m game.
- Garnie

When did this coach bench anyone? I agree on Nash, he did nothing for the Leafs. Sick of gentle giants on this team. Started with Gauthier but Engvall and Mikeyev are in the same category. Hit hard every (frank)en shift, you will improve the team and earn more trust and ice time. You can also wear down opposing dmen so that they are less able to goon it up against Matthews. Bottom six except for Spezza and Kerfoot were awful and did not hit. Simmonds was injured and quite ineffective as well.

The giraffe

Forwards in the playoffs:

Cf% #1
Shots for % #1
Expected goals for% #1
High danger chances for% #5 behind Spezza - MM - AM - Hyman
- Garnie

Engvall 10 playoff games, 1 assist, zero goals, -1

Until he takes advantage of his size and starts hitting, he's a waste of skin.

From my understanding, hits are only counted if the cause a possession change....thought that was the rule of counting for the stat.

Could be wrong. Anyone?
- underhill14

For a valid "Hit" to be registered on the stat sheet, the player to be credited with the hit must a) intentionally initiate physical contact with the player possessing the puck, and b) the player sustaining the contact must lose possession of the puck as a result of the contact. If the contact results in a penalty, no hit can be awarded. The intensity of the contact does not enter into the equation, nor does the loss of possession necessarily involve a turnover. If the puck is retrieved by a teammate -- or even the player himself -- a hit is still earned. So, virtually all of those devastating "hits" that make the NHL Top Ten videos shown around the league are not "hits" in the statistical sense, as the puck is usually gone.

When did this coach bench anyone? I agree on Nash, he did nothing for the Leafs. Sick of gentle giants on this team. Started with Gauthier but Engvall and Mikeyev are in the same category. Hit hard every (frank)en shift, you will improve the team and earn more trust and ice time. You can also wear down opposing dmen so that they are less able to goon it up against Matthews. Bottom six except for Spezza and Kerfoot were awful and did not hit. Simmonds was injured and quite ineffective as well.
- winsix

I didn’t write down the date and times but the bottom 6 revolved every time one of them made a little error, they sat during the game for a few shifts and then would be replaced the next game.

Anyways, we do need to be tougher. The problem is our top ice time players are all soft except Marner.
















Matthews, I meant Matthews. 🤣

i don't get why everyone is hating on TVR, he is one of the better bottom pairing defenders in the NHL and his current contract is a bargain. Possibly the best value player in the league
- TVR.MapleLeafs

We have Dermott for that.

Engvall 10 playoff games, 1 assist, zero goals, -1

Until he takes advantage of his size and starts hitting, he's a waste of skin.
- winsix

Now do the guys making 11mill

We have Dermott for that.
- Garnie

i thought he plays for Seattle

Engvall 10 playoff games, 1 assist, zero goals, -1

Until he takes advantage of his size and starts hitting, he's a waste of skin.
- winsix

He seems to be creating, maybe put him with a finisher instead of Mikey Stone Hands and Wayne “I’m always offside” Simmonds.

i thought he plays for Seattle
- TVR.MapleLeafs

Then we’ll talk

tyler bertuzzi to Toronto (e3)

Engvall 10 playoff games, 1 assist, zero goals, -1

Until he takes advantage of his size and starts hitting, he's a waste of skin.
- winsix

This...all fu3king day.

Don't get how any Leaf fan can tolerate a big body that doesn't hit after all the years of soft players. WTF is wrong with this fan base.

Engvall and Micheyev, just to pick two should be equal parts hitter/hitting forecheckers, defensively sound, 12-15 goal guys. That's their job, or what I expect to be good 3rd liner's job.

Easier to find guys like that than Marner's balls but when you don't have them, it matters and hurts the line up.

They can both GTFO.

Don't get me started on the D, just note what Tampa did to Gallagher....after game 1 he was neutered. Completely done. Didn't even go near Vas after the first game.

Hitting matters. Playing gritty matters. Sorry Leafs fans.

tyler bertuzzi to Toronto (e3)
- wingz4life

26 yr old LW RFA on IR

Kerfoot and Hollowell

For a valid "Hit" to be registered on the stat sheet, the player to be credited with the hit must a) intentionally initiate physical contact with the player possessing the puck, and b) the player sustaining the contact must lose possession of the puck as a result of the contact. If the contact results in a penalty, no hit can be awarded. The intensity of the contact does not enter into the equation, nor does the loss of possession necessarily involve a turnover. If the puck is retrieved by a teammate -- or even the player himself -- a hit is still earned. So, virtually all of those devastating "hits" that make the NHL Top Ten videos shown around the league are not "hits" in the statistical sense, as the puck is usually gone.
- TVR.MapleLeafs

So either the Leafs are the BEST at selective hitting or the worst at the physical game of hockey....pretty sure the Leafs were very low on team hits stat.

26 yr old LW RFA on IR

Kerfoot and Hollowell
- mr.sir

Frans Nielsen for Matthews. Get him now before he's bought out in a few hours. Frans not Stacheton.

tyler bertuzzi to Toronto (e3)
- wingz4life

I'm in. Kinda guy this team needs.

Frans Nielsen for Matthews. Get him now before he's bought out in a few hours. Frans not Stacheton.
- gergeswillems

How many bags of TruTaste is he bringing with him?

new blog everyone

How many bags of TruTaste is he bringing with him?
- AdamFrench

That stuff is good. 🙂

Now do the guys making 11mill
- Garnie

Mathews was 12 times better but he doesn't make 12 times the money.
Marner was 8 times better and makes 9 times the money.

He had multiple grade A scoring chances that he failed to finish. That isn't Marner's fault.

You can blame Marner for dragging the line down. You can blame Marner for being predictable. You can blame Marner for reducing the number of scoring chances Matthews got. You can blame Marner for being a giveaway machine. You can't blame him for Matthews failing to finish on any of his grade A scoring chances.
- Leafs43

I don't think you're wrong, I'm just saying there's another side to the argument.

One could also say Matthews would have had more/better quality scoring chances if not for Marner. More opportunity to cash on those chances definitely doesn't hurt the odds he does.

But mostly my point is that Matthews could probably say (frank) I tried my hardest, there was a couple I could have buried and didn't... But Jesus why does it always have to be me...