My take on the Foligno hit

Dion came in for a big hit, and Foligno saw it. He went for the hip, and Dion jumped to try missing it, making it look lower than it was and hurting Dion more than it should have. He came down on his neck and that's why he went off-- that's a scary place to land.
- Brian Huddle

2 minute penalty ...they settled it the right way ....Paul MacLean said it best. Foligno's post game bs was the only negative. It's over ...but thank god some of the rivalry is back.

Really, so the crack commando goal review team of the NHL missed that one huh?

Ottawa has never ever had a call go against them. Only the Leafs, thats why the Leafs haven't been able to make the playoffs in the last half dozen years. The refs are against you and Jesus doesn't like the color blue.
- pugnacious.serf

Hey idiot troll....just so you know for the future... The crack commando goal review team can not call a penalty on the play. They have no authority to call back a goal because the goalie was being interfered with. That's up to the refs.

that's what I saw.

However- the embellishment theories come from the fact that he immediately looked up to the ref, like he was going to get up, then went right back down.
- Jordo

Unfortunately that's the "new NHL" where guys have to try sell things a bit to get calls, because teams win and lose on PPs.

I hate it, but there are very few NHL'ers who don't try selling calls.

Speaking of which- I'm sure this wasn't pointed out in the Leafs broadcast-

but every time we play the Leafs this year, it's in the 2nd game of a back to back. And just for the record- the leafs have a full day of rest before playing the sens each time this season.

Man, who did you guys jerk in the scheduling dept to score that kind of set up?

Oh well, doesn't seem to be helping.

Morning all... Here's my rant. Second goal for the Sens shouldn't have counted at all, it's not even questionable. That being said, sometimes luck runs the opposite way.

My big beef is with the fans that say the Leafs got out coached. Maclean is a better coach. People were bashing RW for the PK, it's been great in 2012, but oddly enough, no one comes out here and gives the coach credit for it. The hate on for Wilson is ridiculous. I posted a while back (when the pk was going bad) that the PK was a problem, but average goaltending was even more of one. Well, in my books when you allow under 25 shots a game and maybe 3 to 4 quality scoring chances, you shouldnt lose unless all the shots are quality scoring chances (Then you have a real problem) People complain tha the team played perimeter and there were too many outside shots. Well ya, there may have been, but isn't putting the puck towards the net what you're supposed to do? It seems like perimeter games work for other teams on us our goaltending (Reims and Gus) have both been guilty of allowing bad momentum killing goals. Case in point, last night. They've gotta chase the rebounds down more and head into the tight spots, but, that's not coaching, that's personel IMO. A coach can tell his players to do it, but they've got to do it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Leafs are by no means a cup contender, the team is getting better our young players are developing and I personally think Wilson's doing a good job for the most part with the bulk of our younger players. But what HAS killed the Leafs this year has been average goaltending. So, unless Reimer and Gus are able to clean that part of their games up... We're not going to make the playoffs this year.

I didn't expect the Leafs to be an incredibly defensive team this year. I didn't expect them to be a superpower either. IMO there has been improvement from last year, from the first three years of the Burke era. Obviously there's still more to be done.

Personally, I'd make a move for a goalie and a PF. I think our defence will be alright, but that's just me.

-End Rant-
- PTVinnyMac

Wilson has said himself on occassion that he has missed opportunities to call a timeout or change goalies to help stop the other teams momentum. The PK has got better and they are taking less penalties. I'm not saying he lost the room, nor saying that he's hindering development. I am saying that Wilson's style will not work in the playoffs with a run and gun offense, that relies on quick turn arounds.

The fact that this is now the complaint proves Burke has done his job, and that the system that is exciting to watch, is not going to take the team to the next stage.

That being said I have not coached a day in my life nor played in the NHL. Just an couch potato observation.

Wilson is good with the kids, they have learned a lot. But on paper we have one of the best defense units in the league, but they allow more goals than most teams. While teams with less talent rely on shut down defense systems. Not since the Oilers & Islanders dynasties has a cup been won on pure offense.

My take on the Foligno hit

Dion came in for a big hit, and Foligno saw it. He went for the hip, and Dion jumped to try missing it, making it look lower than it was and hurting Dion more than it should have. He came down on his neck and that's why he went off-- that's a scary place to land.
- Brian Huddle

Agreed, more players get hurt trying to avoid a hit instead of absorbing a hit. Dion is lucky he didn't land on his head. The last thing the Leafs need is another injury to one of their top four D.Also, Gunnarsson was your leader with TOI last night. That should be an obvious problem. Tim Gleason would be a great fit in TO although I know there is a little "history" with Kulemin.

Tough one to stomach.

I'll say it a thousand times... sick of seeing no forwards who will hit. I counted three last night who did-- Brown, Bozak and Lupul. Sad.

They really need some guys with some size to win puck battles at the blue line to get pucks out defensively, and guys who will come back deep and win puck battles to help the D out.
- Brian Huddle

Kulemin is a tank yet he's not cycling and grinding in the corners nor driving the net like he used to. Wonder if he's nursing some pain or injury. Grabo is skating and getting knocked down but not the same as last year.

Speaking of which- I'm sure this wasn't pointed out in the Leafs broadcast-

but every time we play the Leafs this year, it's in the 2nd game of a back to back. And just for the record- the leafs have a full day of rest before playing the sens each time this season.

Man, who did you guys jerk in the scheduling dept to score that kind of set up?

Oh well, doesn't seem to be helping.
- Jordo

Those seem to go against Toronto for some reason. The other teams seem to better have their legs because of it or something...

Morning all... Here's my rant. Second goal for the Sens shouldn't have counted at all, it's not even questionable. That being said, sometimes luck runs the opposite way.

My big beef is with the fans that say the Leafs got out coached. Maclean is a better coach. People were bashing RW for the PK, it's been great in 2012, but oddly enough, no one comes out here and gives the coach credit for it. The hate on for Wilson is ridiculous. I posted a while back (when the pk was going bad) that the PK was a problem, but average goaltending was even more of one. Well, in my books when you allow under 25 shots a game and maybe 3 to 4 quality scoring chances, you shouldnt lose unless all the shots are quality scoring chances (Then you have a real problem) People complain tha the team played perimeter and there were too many outside shots. Well ya, there may have been, but isn't putting the puck towards the net what you're supposed to do? It seems like perimeter games work for other teams on us our goaltending (Reims and Gus) have both been guilty of allowing bad momentum killing goals. Case in point, last night. They've gotta chase the rebounds down more and head into the tight spots, but, that's not coaching, that's personel IMO. A coach can tell his players to do it, but they've got to do it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Leafs are by no means a cup contender, the team is getting better our young players are developing and I personally think Wilson's doing a good job for the most part with the bulk of our younger players. But what HAS killed the Leafs this year has been average goaltending. So, unless Reimer and Gus are able to clean that part of their games up... We're not going to make the playoffs this year.

I didn't expect the Leafs to be an incredibly defensive team this year. I didn't expect them to be a superpower either. IMO there has been improvement from last year, from the first three years of the Burke era. Obviously there's still more to be done.

Personally, I'd make a move for a goalie and a PF. I think our defence will be alright, but that's just me.

-End Rant-
- PTVinnyMac

your 'beef' is with fans that say the Leafs got outcoached, yet you admit Maclean is a better coach.
ummm...okay.

Speaking of which- I'm sure this wasn't pointed out in the Leafs broadcast-

but every time we play the Leafs this year, it's in the 2nd game of a back to back. And just for the record- the leafs have a full day of rest before playing the sens each time this season.

Man, who did you guys jerk in the scheduling dept to score that kind of set up?

Oh well, doesn't seem to be helping.
- Jordo

Oh gawd..whats this kid doing here?
When you beat us in the playoffs then you can start yapping....right now you are 0 -4....hit the road.

Unfortunately that's the "new NHL" where guys have to try sell things a bit to get calls, because teams win and lose on PPs.

I hate it, but there are very few NHL'ers who don't try selling calls.
- Brian Huddle

Probably true ...but if you've ever been in that situation you know that adrenaline dictates your first reaction then pain enters into the equation.

I had a similar thing happen in university soccer. Slide tackled from behind at full speed ...went down and put my arms out to brace the fall ...got up with the intent to start swinging at the a@@clown who did it ....then quickly realized my arm was broken ....back down on the ground.

The fact that he didn't come out for the PP tells me he was feeling it.

Domi was the best/worst at the dramatic performances ...atleast for the Leafs.

That's where you and me disagree, heh. I'm a Burke guy-- because I like the fact that he's willing to do something and make big risk moves, as well as likes hockey played the right way -- rock'em sock'em.

That being said... Where the heck is the rock'em sock'em? The backend has some, but outside of the draft he hasn't added any punch beyond Army and Brown to the forwards.

It'll come, but boy... come faster.
- Brian Huddle

exactly.
rosehill is not the answer.

Agreed, more players get hurt trying to avoid a hit instead of absorbing a hit. Dion is lucky he didn't land on his head. The last thing the Leafs need is another injury to one of their top four D.Also, Gunnarsson was your leader with TOI last night. That should be an obvious problem. Tim Gleason would be a great fit in TO although I know there is a little "history" with Kulemin.
- pugnacious.serf

Gunnar is pretty underrated, but he's a #4 type, not a top pairing guy. The Leafs have a 1 in Dion, and then a bunch of 3-4-5's in Schenn, Gunnar, Gardiner, Liles, Komisarek, Franson.

When people talk about guys like Keith, Weber, etc. they forget that those guys play with Seabrook and Suter.... two solid #2's. In fact, I'd call Suter a 1B.

Kulemin is a tank yet he's not cycling and grinding in the corners nor driving the net like he used to. Wonder if he's nursing some pain or injury. Grabo is skating and getting knocked down but not the same as last year.
- stevecarpetman

People seem to think he isn't the same because of Korolev's death-- who was his mentor here in Toronto. I don't think Kulemin has the mindset to do those things that he has the ability to do.

Speaking of which- I'm sure this wasn't pointed out in the Leafs broadcast-

but every time we play the Leafs this year, it's in the 2nd game of a back to back. And just for the record- the leafs have a full day of rest before playing the sens each time this season.

Man, who did you guys jerk in the scheduling dept to score that kind of set up?

Oh well, doesn't seem to be helping.
- Jordo

yup, Ottawa's bribery of the refs is better than toronto's bribery of the schedule makers.

Forget the fact that we play like half our games in back-to-back situations.

I am sure they were reveiwing if it was kicked in, not the goalie interference.

I am just saying call it what it is, he skated in the crease on his own and stood on reimer


- senstroll

Under"stood". Either way, you can't depend on calls always going your way to win. Leafs are a team on the verge and they need a bounce back win, you need John-Michael Liles back in a big way.

Good luck against Minny...

Gunnar is pretty underrated, but he's a #4 type, not a top pairing guy. The Leafs have a 1 in Dion, and then a bunch of 3-4-5's in Schenn, Gunnar, Gardiner, Liles, Komisarek, Franson.

When people talk about guys like Keith, Weber, etc. they forget that those guys play with Seabrook and Suter.... two solid #2's. In fact, I'd call Suter a 1B.



People seem to think he isn't the same because of Korolev's death-- who was his mentor here in Toronto. I don't think Kulemin has the mindset to do those things that he has the ability to do.
- Brian Huddle

he's a 1a on 75% of the teams in the league.

We've derailed the thread excellent. Let's talk about Grabovski and why we'll miss him when he gets traded at the deadline
- AdamFrench

sigh... i will miss the belarussian tank

exactly.
rosehill is not the answer.
- Barx

Neil was unusually quiet last night ...but yeah more then anything (except maybe g'tending) they need some grit/size that can play in the top 6/9.

Those seem to go against Toronto for some reason. The other teams seem to better have their legs because of it or something...
- Brian Huddle

well to be fair, for last night at least...the sens exerted zero energy in there game the night before against Winnipeg...so they basically didnt really play back to back games..haha

your 'beef' is with fans that say the Leafs got outcoached, yet you admit Maclean is a better coach.
ummm...okay.
- Barx

Edited for grammatical correctness...

My big beef is with the fans that say the Leafs got out coached that Maclean is a better coach.

I worded it wrong. May bad

He tries to block with it, rather than catch. It's fixable. His game is a blocking, battling game. And when he's on he should be a .915 type tender. Nothing great, but passable.
- Brian Huddle

That Allaire in a nut shell. Block and cut off the angles for the percentages. You'll do ok.

Butterfly system is sound for 2.5 goals per night if you play calm and get in position correctly.

Monster is/was a reflex goalie who is being molded. His big body will work for the butterfly but he can't be so jumpy.

Reimer and Scrivens are perfect when they are on their games for his style but Reimer now has a subconcious pause when people are bearing in on him. Fallout from the concussion as his brain is trying to protect him. He has to get over it or his career will be done.

Miller is experiencing similar problem

he's a 1a on 75% of the teams in the league.
- Barx

Either way, he's a guy who can be a #1.

People just seem to forget that a lot of the top guys play in top pairings. Chara has a shot blocking machine in Seidenberg and the best goalie in the world behind him.

Phaneuf has .900% goaltending and Keith Aulie.

Reimer and Scrivens are perfect when they are on their games for his style but Reimer now has a subconcious pause when people are bearing in on him. Fallout from the concussion as his brain is trying to protect him. He has to get over it or his career will be done.
- stevecarpetman

Scrivens has better mobility and reflexes to Reimer. I'm just not sure where things are between the head for him.

I'm legitimately interested to hear what the Leafs fans thought of Foligno's hit on Phaneuf.

To me, it looked like Phaneuf was coming in for the kill shot, and Foligno ducked under him. It didn't appear pre-meditated at all to me. But also to note is that Phaneuf left his feet- looks like he jumped towards him before the hit, which made it look ten times worse.

Given Marchand's recent suspension- I can understand the refs giving him a penalty (although I don't agree with it). I can't see him getting suspended though.
- Jordo

Clean defensive hit. Those types of bailout hip checks are needed to slow things down and prevent concussions. You live by the sword and die by the sword. Phaneuf defended himself but it did nothing for his team, only one who seemed to get it was Burke and Brown.

People seem to think he isn't the same because of Korolev's death-- who was his mentor here in Toronto. I don't think Kulemin has the mindset to do those things that he has the ability to do.
- Brian Huddle

As a person cheering for the otherside last night, I actually thought Kulemin was one of your best forwards. I haven't seen enough TO games but looks like there is actually 3 solid lines, however, that #1 center really is a requirement(Besides goaltending), no offence to Bozak.

Anyway you can pillage Staal and Ward from Carolina?