ZBBM
Well-known member
This is a huge loss if he's out for any length of time. The whole D fell apart last year when he went down.
2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion | Official: Sundin & Chayka to lead front office
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herman
Well-known member
They’ve been doing the same thing for Tavares, for years, but sometimes JT just wants to drag the puck into a 1v3.
Bender
Well-known member
Can we stop with guys like Myers and Rifai? Bring up Danford.
YYZ
Well-known member
Danford is hurt.
Rifai's only played 3 NHL games. I'm curious to see what he can do after a decent string of games together before writing him off. Coaches and teammates always seemed to talk him up nicely.
dappleganger
Well-known member
Really missing Emil Andrae.
herman
Well-known member
As I've mentioned before, he helped Danford significantly as his partner in the Calder Cup playoffs. They've been paired in the AHL games I've watched again this season. Between the two of them, I thought he was the better of the two in the playoffs. As Danford has progressed, I'm not sure I'd have the same conclusion this season. Need to see them more.
He's only been up for 3GP, 10 mins TOI/game.
Missed a big hunk of last year with a wrist injury.
He's kind of bland in that there is nothing outstanding in his game but nothing very bad. He's a Harvard grad so he's not stupid. He doesn't score a lot but he's sound defensively - always a positive +/- near the top of his team. He's a little physical but won't put anyone through the boards. He's not a bad skater.
With McCabe, Rielly and OEL on the left side, the most he could probably be is a 7th on this roster.
If Danford wasn't dinged he probably would have got the call. His game has changed. He's more assertive and taking charge.
With OEL only taking a maintenance day, we probably won't see him play.
He's cleared waivers three times so the league isn't falling over themselves to grab him. I think I've seen some worse dmen in the league. I'm glad he's on our team. I don't mind him. I hope he makes it someday.
The Leafs didn't send him back to Toronto
Hiller refused to say what it was - like he knew but wouldn't say.
Report was an 'upper body' injury
Doesn't look like a concussion to me
Hit/bump didn't seem to go near his shoulder.
Light contact doubled over a guy reputed to have high pain tolerance.
Hard to have a good feeling about this.
dappleganger
Well-known member
Rib or wrist? Got to bubble wrap that guy. He's too important.
herman
Well-known member
That’s good, but know what he was dealing with last year, it’s hard to not be less bad than traumatic brain injury and long core muscle ripped off the pelvic girdle.
Even if this particular injury turns out to be minor/short-lived, it's tough to feel confident about him making it through the season. Guy takes a ton of big hits (couple in that Vegas game where I felt the pain lol) and has some serious injury history already. Seems like a ticking time bomb. Hope they have a plan in place.
YYZ
Well-known member
Here's the plan; They haven't got one.
We discussed Tanev's lengthy injury history when they signed him. Well known risk.
As well, 28 yr old Blankenburg is the only Leafs dman under 30. Raddysh is the only other Leafs dman under 32. More known risk due to an aging bunch.
Danford, Rifai & Mermis provide some depth. Myers appears to be off to a slow start. But they cannot have ignored the obvious risks while their cap for this year and next present challenges to address it.
rjd
Well-known member
I think he's an unknown at this point. I think if he was around, they would try him, see what it looks like and go from there. If he can't hack it, then you look to explore a trade, but Tanev might not be out all that long anyways.
The Leafs need to play to their strengths, which isn't defence. Roll 4 lines, wear the other team down, and let the offensive talent take over. On top of that they have to hope the goalies remain strong. That's going to have to be the plan with or without Tanev.
If the plan is to outscore their defensive deficiencies, that might work...until it doesn't later in the year when things tighten up. Relying on the goalies might work...until it doesn't when Stolarz gets hurt, and Bob can't handle the workload. Or maybe he can (or maybe Stolarz stays healthy). I'd love to see Danford get a chance...have had more than enough of Myers over the years. Also wouldn't mind seeing if Rifai can be decent if he gets some playing time. If Tanev goes out long term and they have to look to bring someone in...not sure how they're going to do that with the assets they have. It'll be interesting and at least they're fun to watch again. I've come around to the point of view that they won't be winning a Cup any time soon so they may as well be entertaining.
Even with fire wagon hockey, you get up and it is natural to try to protect the lead. Guys like Yushkevich were handy for run and gun defense.
Might not be so bad if they can get the 4th line to play better and they solve the 2nd line. The 95% PK is going to come down to earth.
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