Mike Augello: Podcast Sunday - The Leafs Convo And Off The Post Radio

Yup

Reblogged

He still looks and plays small, while the rest of the team has somehow grown up around him.

People used to say Willy was a wuss and dude is one of the hardest forwards we have to play against, so much so that Patches is trying to learn how to protect the puck like Willy does, telling his kids to watch him play.
- gravyface

I think the Leafs have obviously kicked the tires on an extension and probably have the number that Mitch is looking for. The fact that nothing's been done suggests that they don't like the number.

Mitch probably has this year to prove that he's an invaluable piece that deserves that much, or he's going to find a new address and new fans to piss off on July 1st.

I've said before you can be undersized as long as you don't play like it - and I agree that he is playing like it. He's still a great passer, has nice hands and moves and reads offensive plays well. He will get his points, but the finer points of his game seem to have eroded a little and I think that's where we're frustrated.

In the earlier days, before other players really knew him, he exploited his quick stick and relatively high hockey IQ to great benefit - picking off passes, intercepting plays and so on - but they've adapted to move the puck in safe lanes and Mitch's picks aren't as effective because he hasn't adapted himself. Players know the passes he can make and will try so they're looking for those now, while they weren't before - so some of that magic fades as well. While being bigger or stronger would certainly not hurt him, it's not really the reason Mitch has been struggling - it's, I think, the failure to adapt to the adaptations made around him.

Reblogged



I think the Leafs have obviously kicked the tires on an extension and probably have the number that Mitch is looking for. The fact that nothing's been done suggests that they don't like the number.

Mitch probably has this year to prove that he's an invaluable piece that deserves that much, or he's going to find a new address and new fans to piss off on July 1st.

I've said before you can be undersized as long as you don't play like it - and I agree that he is playing like it. He's still a great passer, has nice hands and moves and reads offensive plays well. He will get his points, but the finer points of his game seem to have eroded a little and I think that's where we're frustrated.

In the earlier days, before other players really knew him, he exploited his quick stick and relatively high hockey IQ to great benefit - picking off passes, intercepting plays and so on - but they've adapted to move the puck in safe lanes and Mitch's picks aren't as effective because he hasn't adapted himself. Players know the passes he can make and will try so they're looking for those now, while they weren't before - so some of that magic fades as well. While being bigger or stronger would certainly not hurt him, it's not really the reason Mitch has been struggling - it's, I think, the failure to adapt to the adaptations made around him.
- Monkeypunk

Yep, and I look at him and Domi, and while Marner is elite defensively, particularly using that IQ to read plays and be in the right place, Domi wouldn't be the worst replacement on Matthews' line; I mean, him and Bertuzzi looked great there when Marner was hurt last year, because Matthews is a force.

If Marner wants something insane like 12 or 13M, I just don't see how that makes this team better in the long run.

We could take a run at another stud defenseman and still have cap space leftover to sign guys like Knies and/or McMann, JT as a 3C, etc.

Mike Augello: Podcast Sunday - The Leafs Convo And Off The Post Radio
- mikeinbuffalo

from last thread:

Skalapy
Today @ 9:44 AM ET
Marner isn’t even worth $10M.

Come at me bro.
- .HOHO.

(frank) greedy big hat pencil neck female dog🤦‍♂️🤬

he can get paid to cry on the bench and change room in Columbus👊🏿

we’ll take poone jenner and badbranssen and play gud smash mouth hockey all the way to a cup parade 👊

what a (frank)ing joke 🤦🏿‍♂️

edit:nice alliteration 👍

So on a different note . . . in the third period yesterday, there's a play on the Power Play where the Leafs gain the zone and JT gets the puck high left side moving to his right by the blue line. The Rangers are deployed strong side right and JT has support behind at the left point (OEL) and down the left wall (I think it was likely Matthews), both of whom are uncovered.

JT proceeds to hold the puck and skate into the crowd of Rangers - actually pulling a couple of the guys situated in the middle to him, but he completely fails to use the guys open behind him and just turns the puck over for an easy clear.

So here are the questions and it's totally honest because I don't think I really noticed this before - was he always this myopic? It really felt like he had no idea where the guys behind him were. Decisions like his yesterday absolutely kill a power play. I don't think that was recovering from the illness.

Reblogged



I think the Leafs have obviously kicked the tires on an extension and probably have the number that Mitch is looking for. The fact that nothing's been done suggests that they don't like the number.

Mitch probably has this year to prove that he's an invaluable piece that deserves that much, or he's going to find a new address and new fans to piss off on July 1st.

I've said before you can be undersized as long as you don't play like it - and I agree that he is playing like it. He's still a great passer, has nice hands and moves and reads offensive plays well. He will get his points, but the finer points of his game seem to have eroded a little and I think that's where we're frustrated.

In the earlier days, before other players really knew him, he exploited his quick stick and relatively high hockey IQ to great benefit - picking off passes, intercepting plays and so on - but they've adapted to move the puck in safe lanes and Mitch's picks aren't as effective because he hasn't adapted himself. Players know the passes he can make and will try so they're looking for those now, while they weren't before - so some of that magic fades as well. While being bigger or stronger would certainly not hurt him, it's not really the reason Mitch has been struggling - it's, I think, the failure to adapt to the adaptations made around him.
- Monkeypunk

Marner still tries to force the pretty or cute pass when it’s not there or very low percentage and teams play him to and those passes are getting picked off more often it seems so far this season.

He needs to adapt to the opposition having adapted - sure hope he can or his effectiveness will suffer.

At this point I think it’s fair to say Willy’s game has matured more than Marner’s. Out of the blocks Marner’s game was more effective but he hasn’t changed much at all where Willy has.

IMO If Marner performs under the pressure of this being his “show me what your worth” year the same way he performs it seems when the chips are down in a game 7 then he shouldn’t. Be looking for more than Willy on his next deal and expecting to get it.

At least not from the Leafs.

Maybe the thick necked oracle is right and they should trade him to CBJ for Poon + 🤷‍♂️

So on a different note . . . in the third period yesterday, there's a play on the Power Play where the Leafs gain the zone and JT gets the puck high left side moving to his right by the blue line. The Rangers are deployed strong side right and JT has support behind at the left point (OEL) and down the left wall (I think it was likely Matthews), both of whom are uncovered.

JT proceeds to hold the puck and skate into the crowd of Rangers - actually pulling a couple of the guys situated in the middle to him, but he completely fails to use the guys open behind him and just turns the puck over for an easy clear.

So here are the questions and it's totally honest because I don't think I really noticed this before - was he always this myopic? It really felt like he had no idea where the guys behind him were. Decisions like his yesterday absolutely kill a power play. I don't think that was recovering from the illness.
- Monkeypunk

JT net front is still one of our better options, but I don't like him carrying it in (and he usually doesn't) or setting it up through him...

I think they need to completely rethink the PP.

Pair up 34/16 88/91 as PP1 and PP2 and fill in the rest with whomever is playing best. Need to break up the "dynasty" as they're so slow and predictable.

I thought Timmins had a good enough game to make Lilli expendable. Bottom six needs to be upgraded. Need to see what things look like with Jarnkrok and Dewar back and make decisions from there. Some combo of Holmberg, Kampf, Robertson out?

JT net front is still one of our better options, but I don't like him carrying it in (and he usually doesn't) or setting it up through him...

I think they need to completely rethink the PP.

Pair up 34/16 88/91 as PP1 and PP2 and fill in the rest with whomever is playing best. Need to break up the "dynasty" as they're so slow and predictable.
- gravyface

I think it’s less the personnel and more the approach. They need to be less orchestrated and more impromptu. Get shots on net and use extra body and skills to take advantage of getting rebounds and making quick plays.

I think it’s less the personnel and more the approach. They need to be less orchestrated and more impromptu. Get shots on net and use extra body and skills to take advantage of getting rebounds and making quick plays.
- Canada Cup

Yeah, but with the same dance partners, they'll likely fall back to the same tendencies...

Feels like it is a matter of when for Lily getting traded to Utah.

4-1-1 start for them, good for them.

Sergachev-Kesserling
Villimaki-Cole
Kolychanook-Bortuzzo

That D core will not get through 2-3 months.

Cover song of the week. Legendary recording at Muscle Shoals by Wilson Pickett. The guitar solo at the end of this song convinced Eric Clapton to recruit Duane Allman for his Derrick and the Dominoes production of Layla.

I think it’s less the personnel and more the approach. They need to be less orchestrated and more impromptu. Get shots on net and use extra body and skills to take advantage of getting rebounds and making quick plays.
- Canada Cup

Agree. More shots on net required. Domi and Marner are particularly guilty of not shooting the puck. The PP needs improvement. It was a very close game. I thought Rangers approach to run the goalie (three times without a call) was effective. It may have been worth the penalty to respond in kind.

BOO YEAH! Laffs lose to a “pretender “ ! Fact is you lost to a better team with a better goaltender!

BOO YEAH! Laffs lose to a “pretender “ ! Fact is you lost to a better team with a better goaltender!
- Bobd62

Well 50% right is probably pretty good for you so congrats.

BOO YEAH! Laffs lose to a “pretender “ ! Fact is you lost to a better team with a better goaltender!
- Bobd62

Both are really good teams.

But yeah Shesterkin will get 12M.

Love how he is putting his foot down and getting paid.

I think it’s less the personnel and more the approach. They need to be less orchestrated and more impromptu. Get shots on net and use extra body and skills to take advantage of getting rebounds and making quick plays.
- Canada Cup

The best power-play I’ve seen this year is Utah’s.

Simple, direct and quick. Keller doing his thing & Guenther & Crouse out front causing chaos …

Both are really good teams.

But yeah Shesterkin will get 12M.

Love how he is putting his foot down and getting paid.
- Santo_44

It’s the exact approach 16 should be taking -

Well 50% right is probably pretty good for you so congrats.
- jribout

Just curious what part did I get right!

JT net front is still one of our better options, but I don't like him carrying it in (and he usually doesn't) or setting it up through him...

I think they need to completely rethink the PP.

Pair up 34/16 88/91 as PP1 and PP2 and fill in the rest with whomever is playing best. Need to break up the "dynasty" as they're so slow and predictable.
- gravyface

I'd like to see Knies in that JT spot. He's strong as an ox and has incredible hands in tight.

JT net front is still one of our better options, but I don't like him carrying it in (and he usually doesn't) or setting it up through him...

I think they need to completely rethink the PP.

Pair up 34/16 88/91 as PP1 and PP2 and fill in the rest with whomever is playing best. Need to break up the "dynasty" as they're so slow and predictable.
- gravyface

I still like the idea of loading up the 1st PP. The most predictable thing about the 1st Leaf PP unit is that Marner will pass rather than shoot. Add Knies to that mix, let him park his ass in front of the goalie and remove Marner from the first PP unit.

I still like the idea of loading up the 1st PP. The most predictable thing about the 1st Leaf PP unit is that Marner will pass rather than shoot. Add Knies to that mix, let him park his ass in front of the goalie and remove Marner from the first PP unit.
- winsix

A lot of it is their entry, and once they get in the zone they never seem to get set up well.

When they have set up they have gotten chances, I don't know how you fix that but with the talent they have it should not even be an issue.

A lot of it is their entry, and once they get in the zone they never seem to get set up well.

When they have set up they have gotten chances, I don't know how you fix that but with the talent they have it should not even be an issue.
- Santo_44

For me it starts with driving the net. Willingness to go to the slot and closer. Very few PP this season have resulted in more than 2 shots on goal. Get it on the net and start shoveling. (frank) the 15 passes for the tap in highlight reel goal. A good team will pick off one of those passes.

Just curious what part did I get right!
- Bobd62

Coming up with Laffs which sounds like Leafs but is derogatory was a stroke of genius