2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[herman]

https://twitter.com/_nickrichard/status/1509529967792586766
Alright GMAM

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1509549376645046275

6 weeks for Mrazek. Yikes. At least we don't have to worry about cap issues once Campbell and Muzzin return.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Campbell has also been cleared medically, but will still sit out tonight as an extra precaution.

 

[herman]

I like our Baby Buds a lot and it's very nice to see how they've grown this year into expanded roles, but for the playoffs, I kind of want the steadier hand, especially with Muzzin being a question mark (even if he comes back and gets sufficient warm up games). The built-in chemistry with Brodie means getting a strong top-4 LD gives us back a solid RD (Brodie is better on the right side). Lyubushkin working well as Rielly's safety blanket for non-shutdown matchups opens the door for something like this.

I've said again and again the teams defence group, if healthy, is nowhere near as bad as some of the talking heads or fans make it out to be. But with no real clear and reasonably priced targets to go after at forward or goaltending if the Leafs make a move going after Giordano makes the most sense. He a) wouldn't cost a 1st or top prospect, b) has built-in chemistry with Brodie already, and c) has reportedly expressed an interest in coming here.

Rielly-Lyubushkin
Giordano-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl

Assuming Muzzin is healthy and ready to go, that's six 20-minute NHL defencemen there. Any one of those pairings could reasonably go up against any teams top line in the league. None of those pairs would need sheltering or comfy zone starts to succeed. It'd especially be a massive luxury to have since our path to the Finals goes through Florida and Tampa, both of whom would absolutely need at least two shutdown pairings. The two bottom pairings would be the primary match-up guys there, which would take a lot of pressure off Rielly. With those 6 and Sandin and Liljegren next up in line (Dermott gone for cap space) the team also isn't at risk of crumbling if anyone struggles or goes down with an injury like they did with Muzzin last playoffs.

If Muzzin still looks off when he returns, you could switch to Muzzin-Sandin and have them play in more of a sheltered role, which while obviously a non-100% Muzzin is far from ideal but that still wouldn't be a bad 3rd line.

Look how smart we are

 

[Guilt Trip]

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1509549376645046275

6 weeks for Mrazek. Yikes. At least we don't have to worry about cap issues once Campbell and Muzzin return.

It's really unfortunate that he got hurt so early in the season and now again just when he seemed to be getting back into form. I think it was Hrudey that said groins are one of those things that can just happen to a goalie regardless of previous injuries. I think Freddie had a few here and even last year but so far for him, nothing this season. Good thing Jack is coming back and hopefully he can regain his form or it's going to be the kid.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1509553115632123904

Muzzin's been practicing in a red no-contact jersey with the team for just over 2 weeks now.

 

[herman]

Oh yeah, they do there. Not sure why in the Matthews clip it looks different. Now it just comes down to do I want to pay whatever ridiculous mark-up comes with the Bieber association.

200 - 280 oof

Went to realsports to look, and two observations:

1) The Women?s Nylander jersey is sold out, lol, the dude is popular with the ladies.

2) When worn in reverse mode, the fight strap is out there just dangling.

I did the thing and I got this (guess which one lol)

I've never owned a jersey before and I have no idea how to go about styling this in the day to day, but at least I got something now for free skates and shinny.

The crest is pretty thick (doubled up on the Drew House portion), as are all the other stitched on elements, so I feel a bit like the innards of a sandwich. Details and execution are nice and consistent. The Leafs logo lettering and leafy lines are all embroidered as seen in the photos. The skyline on the sleeves is pretty subtle even in front of my face.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/TheLeafsIMO/status/1509598068827688962

 

[bustaheims]

Like many have said, all the Leafs really need is average goaltending, and they're in good shape. Better than that, and they're awfully difficult to defeat.

That being said, I imagine the splits are similar for many teams.

 

[Joe S.]

https://twitter.com/TheLeafsIMO/status/1509598068827688962

How does that compare across the league though? I bet you that leafs record with sub .900 goaltending will actually look impressive compared to other teams around the league.

Just guessing.

 

[princedpw]

https://twitter.com/TheLeafsIMO/status/1509598068827688962

How does that compare across the league though? I bet you that leafs record with sub .900 goaltending will actually look impressive compared to other teams around the league.

Just guessing.

I dunno.  .900 is a pretty low bar and the leafs record is through the roof

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

https://twitter.com/TheLeafsIMO/status/1509598068827688962

That certainly is a stark contrast. That said, they had so many games this year with well above .900 goaltending, so it's not like we're comparing .901 to .899. The average save % across the .900 games is certainly way higher than the sub .900 games.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1509945995341307910

Lyubushkin also seems like he'll play, he skated with Rielly at practice today.

Muzzin was out of his red no-contact jersey for the first time but still skated on the 4th pairing. He'll go with the team on the road trip but not clear yet when he'll play.

Abruzzese will make his NHL debut on Saturday, likely on a line with Blackwell and Simmonds.

 

[Kaberle15]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1509945995341307910

Lyubushkin also seems like he'll play, he skated with Rielly at practice today.

Muzzin was out of his red no-contact jersey for the first time but still skated on the 4th pairing. He'll go with the team on the road trip but not clear yet when he'll play.

Abruzzese will make his NHL debut on Saturday, likely on a line with Blackwell and Simmonds.

That is great news.

My ideal playoff run Leafs is:

December's Campbell +
Auston hitting 20 playoffs goals (at least) +
Marner on fire as he is now

D as solid as it looks, Liljgreen-Giordano has been amazing, they played like 1 minute together yesterday and both scored. Holl also have been playing like Shutdown McDavid Holl, so tought to see were Muzzin fits in. (and he nees to be in).

 

[Frank E]

Question:  With Abruzzese having played one game, does this burn a year off his ELC?

EDIT:  He's played 2 games!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Question:  With Abruzzese having played one game, does this burn a year off his ELC?

EDIT:  He's played 2 games!

The "burning a year" thing only applies to 18/19 year olds. Abruzzese is 22, so this year will count as the first of his contract regardless of if he played a single NHL game or not.

 

[Frank E]

Question:  With Abruzzese having played one game, does this burn a year off his ELC?

EDIT:  He's played 2 games!

The "burning a year" thing only applies to 18/19 year olds. Abruzzese is 22, so this year will count as the first of his contract regardless of if he played a single NHL game or not.

Thank you, Carlton...I was wondering if there was a minimum games played thing or something, and if he didn't meet that the contract just slides a year...but I now know better, so thank you.

 

[Bender]

I was just thinking... you know what's wild? Auston Matthews will likely crack the top 40 goal scorers for American Born players this year before he turns 25.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Tampa lost 4-3 in regulation to Washington tonight. [emoji846]

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/grantmccagg/status/1512127829198229504
Welp, I guess he loses the bid now.  ;D