2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[L K]

I like that they have been using the flip pass/high clear a little more too.  Gets the defenders moving backwards and still lets the forwards attack with speed.  We have enough players who are good at winning open ice puck battles because of their stick handling ability so those neutral zone "forecheck" situations are going to end up in the Leafs favour overall.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/930106772072919040

4 days with no games, so it's not really a huge deal.

Today's practice was missing Matthews, Nylander (who got stapled pretty hard to the boards by Chara), and Bozak (who has had back/pelvis problems all of last season).

 

[LuncheonMeat]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/930106772072919040

4 days with no games, so it's not really a huge deal.

Today's practice was missing Matthews, Nylander (who got stapled pretty hard to the boards by Chara), and Bozak (who has had back/pelvis problems all of last season).

I'm dying to get a look at Polak on Kadri's wing. 

 

[ZBBM]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/930106772072919040

4 days with no games, so it's not really a huge deal.

Today's practice was missing Matthews, Nylander (who got stapled pretty hard to the boards by Chara), and Bozak (who has had back/pelvis problems all of last season).

I'm dying to get a look at Polak on Kadri's wing. 

Me too, especially given how well Kaberle played when they converted him to forward.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Me too, especially given how well Kaberle played when they converted him to forward.

Obviously the "let's convert this guy to another position" stuff is silly and we always have fun with it, but I do legitimately think Polak would probably make for a better 4th line forward than defenceman (which isn't exactly saying much).

 

[dappleganger]

Me too, especially given how well Kaberle played when they converted him to forward.

Obviously the "let's convert this guy to another position" stuff is silly and we always have fun with it, but I do legitimately think Polak would probably make for a better 4th line forward than defenceman (which isn't exactly saying much).

Everyone knows, if you're a good defenseman, you'll be an even better forward. Forward is easier to play, right?

 

[bustaheims]

Obviously the "let's convert this guy to another position" stuff is silly and we always have fun with it, but I do legitimately think Polak would probably make for a better 4th line forward than defenceman (which isn't exactly saying much).

I'm not so sure. Being a forward requires more skating/playing with the puck - and he's no good at that.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm not so sure. Being a forward requires more skating/playing with the puck - and he's no good at that.

Pre-injury, he wasn't the worst skater. He could go in a straight line pretty good, at least for somebody of his size. I'd see him as a poor (poor, poor, poor) man's Zach Hyman. I'd imagine he could forecheck well and cause some loose puck opportunities for his better linemates to pick up on.

I mean I sure wouldn't want him on my teams 4th line, but if you were looking for somebody with size for a 4th line I'm sure some teams have worse players out there.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/930123412785295361

Babcock also said Matthews skated before practice today, will skate again tomorrow, and the plan is to have him practice with the team on Wednesday.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I'm not so sure. Being a forward requires more skating/playing with the puck - and he's no good at that.

Pre-injury, he wasn't the worst skater. He could go in a straight line pretty good, at least for somebody of his size. I'd see him as a poor (poor, poor, poor) man's Zach Hyman. I'd imagine he could forecheck well and cause some loose puck opportunities for his better linemates to pick up on.

I mean I sure wouldn't want him on my teams 4th line, but if you were looking for somebody with size for a 4th line I'm sure some teams have worse players out there.

I would be a little frightened as a defender on a dump-in knowing that Polak was coming in to retrieve it. But other than his ability to separate your head from your body, his skill level isn't very intimidating.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/930127023493677056
I'm going to miss Leo.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

November 14th ladies and gentlemen! It's officially SOSHNIKOV day!

... although even if the Leafs don't call him up my money is on him staying anyway.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/930436057652482048

For what it's worth, his agent has said on record that they are not pursuing any KHL deals and that Soshnikov wants to be in the NHL with the Leafs.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

https://twitter.com/LeafsPR/status/930447163355668480

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/930447658166075393

This is what I was curious about because nobody really expanded on it before. I thought it would have been weird if all the Leafs had to do was call him up and then send him back down the next day to void that clause.

Sosh is 3 games played away from being waiver-eligible too.

 

[cabber24]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2017/11/13/maple-leafs-less-fun-post-burke-in-a-good-way-cox.html
Geez... reminds me of a line from my daughters favorite movie, "let it go, let it gooo!". Finishing second last with no 1st or 2nd round picks in the current draft and no 1st round pick in the following draft is all on him. I don't believe the media wanted him to fail. Quit the whining.

 

[Can8899]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/930447658166075393

The wording is weird here.  He can "request" a loan but do the Leafs have to comply?  I would assume so if they were forced to call him up.

 

[Zee]

It's weird not having a Leafs game on my schedule for a few days.  I feel...so.............empty.

 

[cabber24]

It's weird not having a Leafs game on my schedule for a few days.  I feel...so.............empty.

Considering Matthews health it's perfect timing for a break. I do wish it was in stone Tues, Thurs, Saturday.

 

[herman]

If Matthews returns (he will), it'll put both Josh and Sosh in the pressbox, i.e. two players on the roster that are better options than Matt Martin, rather than just one.