I agree with most of this, the outlier for me if the 'should have kept Bunting & saved some money' take.

Bunting was hot garbage in the playoffs for the Leafs year over year & was a suspension risk (due to reputation predominately). It's similar to the Kardi thing, once they had a different jersey on they seemed to get a reputation re-set for whatever reason, sadly.
- Cush29

It's not like Bunting and Kadri didn't deserve their suspensions. The argument is very valid that similar or more egregious acts committed by other players were punished less severely - but as long as George Parros and Colin Campbell are running that show, the Leafs are not going to see equitable judgements.

I find, though, in hindsight that I ask myself: Would I rather have a guy that clearly gave a poop about this team, winning and his teammates - or Captain Milquetoast? Would I rather have a guy that clearly gave a poop about this team, winning and his teammates - or whirling dervish Bertuzzi?

Don't get me wrong on this Bertuzzi vs. Bunting argument - sometimes the answer can be neither and that's a good answer, too. But I just could not warm up to anything in Bertuzzi's game. To me he was all over the ice accomplishing nothing everywhere he went.

I was firmly on the "Kadri had to be traded" team. But in retrospect I wish we'd just kept Kadri; I think we'd have been better for it.

Sign Toews. He still fake retired? 3rd line C. Trade Kampf

It's not like Bunting and Kadri didn't deserve their suspensions. The argument is very valid that similar or more egregious acts committed by other players were punished less severely - but as long as George Parros and Colin Campbell are running that show, the Leafs are not going to see equitable judgements.

I find, though, in hindsight that I ask myself: Would I rather have a guy that clearly gave a poop about this team, winning and his teammates - or Captain Milquetoast? Would I rather have a guy that clearly gave a poop about this team, winning and his teammates - or whirling dervish Bertuzzi?

Don't get me wrong on this Bertuzzi vs. Bunting argument - sometimes the answer can be neither and that's a good answer, too. But I just could not warm up to anything in Bertuzzi's game. To me he was all over the ice accomplishing nothing everywhere he went.

I was firmly on the "Kadri had to be traded" team. But in retrospect I wish we'd just kept Kadri; I think we'd have been better for it.
- Monkeypunk

Kadri and Bunting were selfish.

Always taking stupid penalties at horrible times because (like 8 year olds) they couldn't control their emotions.

I always franking hated playing with guys like that - was slashing a guy really more important than tying the game?

I'm happy Kadri found success elsewhere, but he had to go.

Is there a breakdown of Domi's numbers when he was in the top 6 vs bottom 6?
- mjones242

Specifically that context, not really - but I can say that Max Domi started playing notable minutes with Auston Matthews on March 19 and continued to do so until the end of the season. Prior to that the most Domi had played with Matthews in any game was 3 minutes - after March 19, it was 10+ minutes at 5v5/game.

Using that context, in 66 games Domi had 8 goals and 27 assists for 35 points in the bottom 6.

In 14 games, Domi had 1 goal and 11 assists for 12 points in the top-6.

They did that without really giving Domi any PP time; I believe I count 4 games where Domi was deployed on the top PP unit, but he had 0 points in those assignments.

One of the best stats I find is that when you look at 5v5 scoring in the NHL, Matthews was 4th, Nylander was 20th, Marner was 21st and Domi was 26th. In Goals/60, Matthews was 1st (Robertson was 16th, McMann was 21st, Nylander was 35th); In Assists/60 Domi is 2nd (Marner is 8th, Nylander is 99th). In Primary Assists/60, Domi is 2nd (and Marner is 8th again, Nylander is 67th and Matthews is 70th).

Specifically that context, not really - but I can say that Max Domi started playing notable minutes with Auston Matthews on March 19 and continued to do so until the end of the season. Prior to that the most Domi had played with Matthews in any game was 3 minutes - after March 19, it was 10+ minutes at 5v5/game.

Using that context, in 66 games Domi had 8 goals and 27 assists for 35 points in the bottom 6.

In 14 games, Domi had 1 goal and 11 assists for 12 points in the top-6.

They did that without really giving Domi any PP time; I believe I count 4 games where Domi was deployed on the top PP unit, but he had 0 points in those assignments.

One of the best stats I find is that when you look at 5v5 scoring in the NHL, Matthews was 4th, Nylander was 20th, Marner was 21st and Domi was 26th. In Goals/60, Matthews was 1st (Robertson was 16th, McMann was 21st, Nylander was 35th); In Assists/60 Domi is 2nd (Marner is 8th, Nylander is 99th). In Primary Assists/60, Domi is 2nd (and Marner is 8th again, Nylander is 67th and Matthews is 70th).
- Monkeypunk

Sounds like Matthews really sucks at getting assists. Way less than his linemates.

Why the frank are we paying that guy so much?

Kadri and Bunting were selfish.

Always taking stupid penalties at horrible times because (like 8 year olds) they couldn't control their emotions.

I always franking hated playing with guys like that - was slashing a guy really more important than tying the game?

I'm happy Kadri found success elsewhere, but he had to go.
- Atomic Wedgie

No more selfish than Darcy Tucker or Tie Domi who are legends around these parts. It's not like we didn't see Sundin and Roberts - or Bryan McCabe - taking selfish penalties.

I have never liked it but the more I see this group not stand up for each other the more I begin to appreciate those "selfish" acts as standing up for yourself and your team. This team is soft with too little fight. They need more of it and if it starts with taking some penalties to push back, I think I'm fine with it - as long as they can just learn how to kill a goddamned penalty.

The ones who bother me more are the ones like when Tie did it - because if you're in a bottom 6 role with minimal contribution and limited ice time, your job is to leave the team in as good or better shape than it was when you got on the ice. Taking a dumb penalty is the opposite of that role.

Now I know your feeling, because they were mine as well - I'm just questioning the validity of those feelings when you translate the language from normal human to competitive athlete in a physical sport. Sometimes being the a-hole is required.

Sounds like Matthews really sucks at getting assists. Way less than his linemates.

Why the frank are we paying that guy so much?
- Atomic Wedgie

Because until we acquire Filip Forsberg no one else on this team can grow such a nice pervy 'stache.

Jasper AB on fire

Details are scarce but multiple sources tell me that for unconfirmed draft reasons ,
@JeffMarek
will likely be no longer performing duties at Sportnet hockey. Details to follow. This would appear to include his podcast duties too.

umm wut does that mean

M’OUT!!!!
- Woderwick

No one can convince me otherwise.
- mjones242

Right?

It's not like Bunting and Kadri didn't deserve their suspensions. The argument is very valid that similar or more egregious acts committed by other players were punished less severely - but as long as George Parros and Colin Campbell are running that show, the Leafs are not going to see equitable judgements.

I find, though, in hindsight that I ask myself: Would I rather have a guy that clearly gave a poop about this team, winning and his teammates - or Captain Milquetoast? Would I rather have a guy that clearly gave a poop about this team, winning and his teammates - or whirling dervish Bertuzzi?

Don't get me wrong on this Bertuzzi vs. Bunting argument - sometimes the answer can be neither and that's a good answer, too. But I just could not warm up to anything in Bertuzzi's game. To me he was all over the ice accomplishing nothing everywhere he went.

I was firmly on the "Kadri had to be traded" team. But in retrospect I wish we'd just kept Kadri; I think we'd have been better for it.
- Monkeypunk

Bunting's playoff suspension was a joke and never should have been a suspension at all IMO but Kadri sure however your point about the punishment not fitting the crime is bang on.

I'm not sure how Kadri would have panned out had they kept him, I do have my doubts we would have seen him become the player he became with the Avs though.

A bit like Hyman and what he became vs what he was in Toronto. IMO Hyman showed no real signs he would ever become a 50 goal scorer in Toronto and definitely never showed he would become anything in the playoffs - he had hands of stone come playoff time as a Leaf.

No more selfish than Darcy Tucker or Tie Domi who are legends around these parts. It's not like we didn't see Sundin and Roberts - or Bryan McCabe - taking selfish penalties.

I have never liked it but the more I see this group not stand up for each other the more I begin to appreciate those "selfish" acts as standing up for yourself and your team. This team is soft with too little fight. They need more of it and if it starts with taking some penalties to push back, I think I'm fine with it - as long as they can just learn how to kill a goddamned penalty.

The ones who bother me more are the ones like when Tie did it - because if you're in a bottom 6 role with minimal contribution and limited ice time, your job is to leave the team in as good or better shape than it was when you got on the ice. Taking a dumb penalty is the opposite of that role.

Now I know your feeling, because they were mine as well - I'm just questioning the validity of those feelings when you translate the language from normal human to competitive athlete in a physical sport. Sometimes being the a-hole is required.
- Monkeypunk

I recall Domi being suspended for an elbow on Neidermyer in the playoffs but I don't recall Tucker every being suspended in the playoffs as a Leaf? Maybe I've just blocked it from my memory.

I recall Domi being suspended for an elbow on Neidermyer in the playoffs but I don't recall Tucker every being suspended in the playoffs as a Leaf? Maybe I've just blocked it from my memory.
- Cush29

The context of this one was more about selfish penalties than straight out suspensions. Some guy hits you and you just slash him or punch him in the head - and take an unnecessary retaliation penalty.

I find more and more these days the first guy comes in and does something that's a penalty - like punches you in the head, and then you turn around and punch him back - and they'll take the retaliator and say, "They always get the retaliator," but if you're going to take only one, I beg that they take the guy that started it. He has the retaliation coming. That should be a freebee.

That's a side rant of mine, though. At the end of the day what bugs me is when a guy gives you a clean shot and you retaliate with a punch or a slash or a cheap trip, it's putting your team at a disadvantage because you were petty and selfish - and Wedgie is right about that. But if a guy slashes me, I shouldn't smile and take it - he should get what's coming to him - but harder and in a softer area. The fact that the refs can't do their f'n job has always been the problem with that particular type of exchange (in my opinion).

The context of this one was more about selfish penalties than straight out suspensions. Some guy hits you and you just slash him or punch him in the head - and take an unnecessary retaliation penalty.

I find more and more these days the first guy comes in and does something that's a penalty - like punches you in the head, and then you turn around and punch him back - and they'll take the retaliator and say, "They always get the retaliator," but if you're going to take only one, I beg that they take the guy that started it. He has the retaliation coming. That should be a freebee.

That's a side rant of mine, though. At the end of the day what bugs me is when a guy gives you a clean shot and you retaliate with a punch or a slash or a cheap trip, it's putting your team at a disadvantage because you were petty and selfish - and Wedgie is right about that. But if a guy slashes me, I shouldn't smile and take it - he should get what's coming to him - but harder and in a softer area. The fact that the refs can't do their f'n job has always been the problem with that particular type of exchange (in my opinion).
- Monkeypunk

ah that all makes sense!

New blog everyone

new blog everyone