Bruins @ Maple Leafs - Feb. 1st, 7:30pm - SN, TSN 1050

[dekedastardly]

No D. What I see is one team who plays a well structured game and supports eachother and the other team who still can't do this with any kind of consistency. We saw it a little bit in the month of November but they've been shit now for far too long.

Let Dufas use the break to swing a deal for some player with a spine.

They get exposed in games like this too often.  I think you are overstating things a little, but my rant about trading Rielly a few posts back essentially agrees with you.  I don't like the character of our defense corps.

Agreed. Too much of the same type in our back end group. I think more than Muzzin, they miss a Bogosian, Lyubushkin, Polak type. Something similar is missing up front also.

[L K]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

I hope we can acquire a 1st line Center

[Guilt Trip]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

He doesn't need a message. He's not stupid, he knows what they need.

[L K]

Refs don't call a thing.  Player gets upset.  NHL commentary blames player for being upset instead of officiating for not doing their job.  I really don't get the NHL.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

No D. What I see is one team who plays a well structured game and supports eachother and the other team who still can't do this with any kind of consistency. We saw it a little bit in the month of November but they've been shit now for far too long.

Let Dufas use the break to swing a deal for some player with a spine.

They get exposed in games like this too often.  I think you are overstating things a little, but my rant about trading Rielly a few posts back essentially agrees with you.  I don't like the character of our defense corps.

Agreed. Too much of the same type in our back end group. I think more than Muzzin, they miss a Bogosian, Lyubushkin, Polak type. Something similar is missing up front also.

I think you are pretty much right. 

[Guilt Trip]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

I hope we can acquire a 1st line Center

Matthews will be back...if you're expecting one in a trade you're going to be disappointed.

[L K]

Does someone want to send Sportsnet the advanced metrics on Sandin-Liljegren at 59on5 on the season?

I really hate how awful their commentary is on a home broadcast

[L K]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

I hope we can acquire a 1st line Center

Matthews will be back...if you're expecting one in a trade you're going to be disappointed.

It was a joke.  I was referring to Matthews.  This older Boston team is also getting horseshoe luck with injuries this year.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

He doesn't need a message. He's not stupid, he knows what they need.

I wonder if he really does, though.  I worry that he's unwilling to move out some people because, you know, the team is 3rd best in the league or whatever the standings say.

[Zee]

Here are a couple of things I think need to happen:

Trade Rielly.  Paid too much for what he brings.

Put Tavares on the wing.  In a high-pace series he can't keep up.

Rielly has a NMC

[azzurri63]

Pierre Engvall - the best Leaf at shooting into opposition goalies crests.... The best since Jonas Hoglund.

I have a lot of patience with Pierre but his game will not get it done in the playoffs.  He's another guy I'd move if the return is good.

He disappeared in the playoffs last year. I don't expect any different this year. There are players that have that drive, nastiness, grit stuff you need to some extent come playoffs. Then there are players who don't have that element in their game and some will never have it. That's Dubas' job to find guys that have that in their game. We don't have many of them players. We'll see come playoff time if anything has changed.

[dekedastardly]

Refs don't call a thing.  Player gets upset.  NHL commentary blames player for being upset instead of officiating for not doing their job.  I really don't get the NHL.

It's super frustrating to watch. They preach player safety and yet let a butt end headshot go. I really hate comments you sometimes see from the conspiracy theorists out there, but when you watch stuff like this, in important games, it makes me wonder.

[Guilt Trip]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

He doesn't need a message. He's not stupid, he knows what they need.

I wonder if he really does, though.  I worry that he's unwilling to move out some people because, you know, the team is 3rd best in the league or whatever the standings say.

Almost every team going for it rarely trades a player off their roster. They add players. I would love for him to grab a guy like Crouse.
Who's he going to move out?

[dekedastardly]

I hope Dubas gets the message that was sent tonight — this team won't compete with Boston without some significant changes.

He doesn't need a message. He's not stupid, he knows what they need.

I wonder if he really does, though.  I worry that he's unwilling to move out some people because, you know, the team is 3rd best in the league or whatever the standings say.

Almost every team going for it rarely trades a player off their roster. They add players. I would love for him to grab a guy like Crouse.
Who's he going to move out?

I've wanted to see Crouse in blue and white for a while. Probably couldn't afford it but I would be fine if they just swang for the fences, got Chychrun too and called it a day.

[Guilt Trip]

Love that Samsonov spoke to the media...He didn't look to pleased but glad he didn't hide away. Quality guy.