2019-2020 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[Kin]

Didn't know where to put this but it's a good little profile of Aberg. We often forget that things like having the AHL team in Toronto can make real differences in the actual lives of some of the players beyond any hockey considerations:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/single-parenthood-prepared-pontus-aberg-maple-leafs-recall/

 

[Highlander]

I wouldn't mind seeing Engvall get a chance on Matthews' left wing during Johnsson's absence. I seams defensively sound, has some muscle to contend with top pairing D, and isn't shy about going to the net. I could see him doing well in that audition.

I'd like to see this as well, Engvall is working himself the conversation in a very big way.  I love his quick acceleration off the boards and then swivel move and shot on net  or pass to the open guy.  Great hockey sense and another 7th round steal. 

 

[Highlander]

Didn't know where to put this but it's a good little profile of Aberg. We often forget that things like having the AHL team in Toronto can make real differences in the actual lives of some of the players beyond any hockey considerations:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/single-parenthood-prepared-pontus-aberg-maple-leafs-recall/

Great article and touching, would be nice if Barb Underhill could give the kid a few pointers. LOL

 

[herman]

John Tavares missed practice to attend to the passing of his grandmother 4 days ago.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/MollyBozak/status/1203132811504476160

 

[ZBBM]

https://twitter.com/MollyBozak/status/1203132811504476160

In the olden days such fraternization would never have been allowed.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

https://twitter.com/MollyBozak/status/1203132811504476160

In the olden days such fraternization would never have been allowed.

Damn right! Time to make some lists.

 

[L K]

Tampa got blown out at home again.  The absolute worst case standings after 31 games would now be:

Absolute worst case scenario standings:

BOS - 31 GP - 46 points - 18 RW - 20 ROW - 1 game left
FLA - 31 GP - 39 points - 12 RW - 14 ROW - 4 games left
TBL - 31 GP - 37 points - 14 RW - 16 ROW - 3 games left
BUF - 31 GP - 34 points - 10 RW - 13 ROW - 2 games left
MON - 31 GP - 34 points - 10 RW - 11 ROW - 2 games left
TOR - 31 GP - 32 points - 10 RW - 13 ROW - N/A games left
OTT - 31 GP - 27 points - 11 RW - 13 ROW - 3 games left
DET - 31 GP - 17 points - 6 RW - 7 ROW - 2 games left

Not where the team wants to be but the Atlantic is really a garbage division this year.  Plenty of time to make a move up the standings.  Right now they sit 2 points out of a playoff spot and in a worst case scenario are 5 points out.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/jeffveillette/status/1204383569000509446

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/jeffveillette/status/1204383569000509446

I enjoyed that article thanks

 

[hockeyfan1]

Remember Spain?s Tiki-Taka possession/passing/movement style? (See also FC Barcelona (Forsa Bar?a!).  So, what does this have to do with the Leafs?  Something similar specifically under Keefe:

One of the most crucial components of Tiki Taka is movement off the ball. If you watch the top possession clubs in the world, you?ll notice that players without the ball are constantly running into open space. The goal is to create as many ?triangles? as possible.

Similar to Tiki Taka, the objective is to pass and move.

This is where we start talking about ?total hockey,? a concept derived from ?total football,? in which players are constantly interchanging roles and positions. When a forward finds himself in a position to cover for the defenceman, the two can ?switch? positions temporarily, with the D jumping up in the play and taking advantage of the open space. This happens all the time in soccer and it?s a key component of maintaining possession; you need your speedy players making runs off the ball to open up space for the next pass.

In other words, motion creates the opportunities to pass & move in order to best take advantage of whatever situation presents itself.  Preparation, awareness, and keen vision are essential.  When you have the skill set which the Leafs possess, it isn?t difficult to see why this system suits them well.  Not perfectly, but fittingly well.

[twitter]1204609782155563009[/twitter]

 

[Highlander]

Aberg seems to be another Petan, too good for the AHL and not good enough for the NHL.  He seems like a nice guy and father to his daughter, but he better step it up or he will be playing in the KHL sooner than later. I want my Johnsson back :'(

 

[Guilt Trip]

Aberg seems to be another Petan, too good for the AHL and not good enough for the NHL.  He seems like a nice guy and father to his daughter, but he better step it up or he will be playing in the KHL sooner than later. I want my Johnsson back :'(

He needs to show something soon. He did have a part in Matthews' goal in St Louis. He's def not flashy and isn't standing out positively or negatively. I don't miss Johnsson though. I don't think he's a fit with Matthews/Nylander. Would like to see someone else get a shot if Aberg doesn't work out. Maybe they could try Mikheyev.

 

[herman]

https://theathletic.com/1415622/2019/12/11/scratched-to-prime-time-justin-holls-rise-with-the-leafs-is-a-study-in-perseverance/

Just need to develop these freebie guys all the time and give them NHL opportunities at the leading edge of their peaks while they're cheap and spin them off for assets. Even if they only last a year or two.

Dubas and Keefe (and Marlies coaching staff) had been clamouring for Holl to get a crack at the lineup for years now.

 

[ZBBM]

Not trying to twit you or anything, but what's Ceci's chart compared to Zaitsev's?

And I wonder how Zaitsev would fare under Keefe.  You'll recall he could kind of do that playstyle.

 

[herman]

what's Ceci's chart compared to Zaitsev's?

All just this season at even strength

 

[Zee]

what's Ceci's chart compared to Zaitsev's?

All just this season at even strength

Ceci; less bad

 

[princedpw]

what's Ceci's chart compared to Zaitsev's?

All just this season at even strength

Ceci; less bad

My understanding is that last year on the Sens, Ceci's charts were astronomically bad.  I'm not sure how much I can learn by comparing a Leaf to a Sen (and who knows the deployment?) using such a chart.

 

[Zee]

what's Ceci's chart compared to Zaitsev's?

All just this season at even strength

Ceci; less bad

My understanding is that last year on the Sens, Ceci's charts were astronomically bad.  I'm not sure how much I can learn by comparing a Leaf to a Sen (and who knows the deployment?) using such a chart.

That's ok, it works for my narrative

 

[CarltonTheBear]

FWIW, this is what their charts looked like last season:

So Zaitsev as a sen is doing worse than what Ceci as a sen did, and Ceci as a Leaf is doing better (but obviously still not well) than what Zaitsev did in his last season here.