2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[Frank E]

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1592225232034881536
Boneitis is strong. At least it travelled downward instead of to his brain the way it did for Carlo.

This guy should probably just bubble wrap himself and sit on a couch for a year or so... then maybe revisit a hockey career if he can make it through that without injury.

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/APetrielli/status/1592246118049521665

Think I agree with all 5 of Anthony's "5 Things I'd Do" this week:

1) Keep Matthews and Marner split up for now. M&M have proven that they can absolutely dominate together when they're both at playing their A games. Neither have really done that so far this season, and an argument can be made that even if they were it's better for the team to try and get both top lines going which hasn't happened in a pretty long time.

2) Play Liljegren on the powerplay. He might be the best one-timer/shot threat option on PP2. As noted, Sandin can still play on the point while Liljegren lines up on one of the flanks. 2 defencemen on PP2 also makes sense since they usually go on closer to when powerplays end so it avoids having to rush and get a 2nd defencemen out. The Leafs actually did do this for a little bit last season as well.

3) Jarnkrok for 3C. He's only played at centre in 1 game this season, and while he might not have had his best game it's still kinda wild that they're going to give an AHLer in Holmberg more shots in that spot than Jarnkrok (Holmberg lined up at 3C again at practice today). If they genuinely don't trust any of Kerfoot/Jarnkrok/Engvall at 3C then that was a massive blunder in the offseason to not bring in a real one.

4) The 3rd line in generally has probably been one of the biggest problems with the team so far (maybe 2nd to Matthews and Marner not exactly dominating like they did last season). It feels like they've tried like a dozen different trios there and none have clicked. I still think something like Robertson-Jarnkrok/Kerfoot-Malgin, with Engvall back down on the Kampf line, is one that hasn't been attempted at all but has some potential.

5) The defence, even without Muzzin, has potential. Splitting Rielly-Brodie-Giordano on each pair gives them a solid base to work around. I wouldn't rush out to acquire someone else just yet.

[herman]

#MakePontusPermanent

Calle Jarnkrok is Joey Anderson, but older. Smart, skilled, technically reliable, but just a step and a half behind the play to truly make a difference with those skills. Is there time to give there first step a bit of pep?

Robertson is in a similar boat: he has some wheels but he is still figuring out the decision-making side of the game. Some difficulties getting to his spots with a plan, or making plays at NHL game-pace (and lack of space). Some birds-eye view time will not hurt him.

Having cheap plug and play, reliable forwards is great! Unless that's all you have to try to carry the offensive load. Re-igniting Matthews and Marner (separately) will make a world of difference.

[CarltonTheBear]

#MakePontusPermanent

Don't get me wrong, I think he has a future in the NHL. But I think he needs a full season in the AHL before being a permanent centre on a team that has Cup aspirations right now.

Also him being in the line-up means Robertson needs to come out, which is another issue.

[Rick Couchman]

Murray is back and starts tomorrow night.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

[RedLeaf]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

I'm not convinced that they're a weaker team than last year. Their defence feels about the same, but their offence hasn't hit its stride yet. I think Matthews, Marner & Nylander still have lots to give.

That little run against some of the top teams showed they can still pour it on when they want to. As soon as these guys decide it's time to actually play like they can, I'm guessing the results improve by leaps and bounds.

[CarltonTheBear]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

I'm still a little hesitant to go quite that far because if we were getting MVP calibre seasons from both Matthews and Marner like we did last season then as herman sorta said some of the other problems aren't quite as glaring.

And on the flip side if M&M played like they are now last season then things like the below average goaltending for most of the season or the completely useless 4th line would probably have been talked about more.

It's kind of impossible to really judge what this team is without the star players performing at the level we expect them to.

[RedLeaf]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

I'm still a little hesitant to go quite that far because if we were getting MVP calibre seasons from both Matthews and Marner like we did last season then as herman sorta said some of the other problems aren't quite as glaring.

And on the flip side if M&M played like they are now last season then things like the below average goaltending for most of the season or the completely useless 4th line would probably have been talked about more.

It's kind of impossible to really judge what this team is without the star players performing at the level we expect them to.

Yep. They're lacking... CONSISTENT EFFORT.

[herman]

For Matthews/Marner in the early goings, I'd say their effort has been consistent and good, but the execution is hamstringing their results. So a lot of that good consistent effort went into fishing the puck out of their own zone or rolling around the OZ perimeter and then booking it back after Marner forces a yucky pass at the blueline.

Opponents aren't stupid; they've watched the video and know how to funnel the puck to Marner up high and sit on Matthews.

[princedpw]

What are the chances of using Muzzin's cap space and going for broke this year?  It doesn't seem like the fan base (or the player's moral) can really take another first round failure.

So... Patrick Kane at the deadline to play with Matthews or to make the third line a threat?  Who else?  (Screw defense. The leafs need more depth scoring.)

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

#MakePontusPermanent

Don't get me wrong, I think he has a future in the NHL. But I think he needs a full season in the AHL before being a permanent centre on a team that has Cup aspirations right now.

Also him being in the line-up means Robertson needs to come out, which is another issue.

Guy won the Swedish Conn Smythe and isn't exactly young, I'd give him a long look.

[herman]

https://twitter.com/hockeysarsenal/status/1592490694551404550
This is the sort of off-puck play/mentality missing from Robertson at the NHL level. He has looked purposeless at times, but he will get there. It's about anticipating space and making yourself available to teammates. He knows his feet/motor are his true weapon; just needs to put it into practice.

[OldTimeHockey]

This is the sort of off-puck play/mentality missing from Robertson at the NHL level. He has looked purposeless at times, but he will get there. It's about anticipating space and making yourself available to teammates. He knows his feet/motor are his true weapon; just needs to put it into practice.

I actually think it is what's missing from Nylander's game at times. When he's moving, he is one of the best in the league. When he's watching, he looks disengaged.

[herman]

This is the sort of off-puck play/mentality missing from Robertson at the NHL level. He has looked purposeless at times, but he will get there. It's about anticipating space and making yourself available to teammates. He knows his feet/motor are his true weapon; just needs to put it into practice.

I actually think it is what's missing from Nylander's game at times. When he's moving, he is one of the best in the league. When he's watching, he looks disengaged.

I agree, but more on the defensive side of off-puck play; he is far better at defense when moving (see NZ backchecks and cleaning up loose pucks). Once they settle into DZ zone formation, he's borderline non-existent. Offensively, Nylander is our best carrier and give-and-go winger.

Robertson is better at the DZ stuff (really it's just hounding the puck and being annoying).