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2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

https://twitter.com/x/status/1849192779462692900
They’ve become an elite breakout team

People notice Tanev blocking shots, but I’m not sure they see how often he goes back on a contested puck and then get it heading up ice the other way without incident. Save for his bad night against Columbus, Ekman-Larsson has been elite in this way, too.

The Leafs are the second-best team in the league when it comes to defensive zone exits that are followed by a successful play (like a clean pass, or a zone entry, or a dump-in, etc.), and they’ve been the best team in the league in carry-out exits that are followed by a successful play.

Last year they were 10th in exits that were followed by successful plays, and 13th in the carry-out department.

That’s part of what’s made the Leafs feel more solid this season, up until peeing down their collective leg in Columbus. They’ve transported the puck from zone to zone well, and without much incident.
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Under Keefe, practices typically stretched on for well over an hour (even later in the regular season). That didn’t include the skill development sessions that took place across multiple pads beforehand.

Berube likes his practices to be short and sweet — or short and intense, rather. These days, the Leafs practise for around 30 minutes most days, never coming close to sniffing the hour mark. Skill development sessions appear less frequent too.

“I think he likes those short, intense practices, get more out of it (rather) than just get us mentally tired,” said Benoit. “We just get out there, we know what we have to do — in and out, in and out — and that’s it. I think it’s a good way to approach it.”
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Shorter practices seem like a good idea that everyone will like. Hopefully it will help keep guys fresh.

I'd also like to see the Leafs start to roll 4 lines more evenly. Preservation for the playoffs and hopefully prepare for potential injures.
 
Honestly, I don't know what Treliving/Berube are thinking regarding Liljegren and Kampf. It's clear they don't see those players ending the season with the Leafs, and it's also pretty clear their replacements are on LTIR right now. Shelving them is not making it easier to trade them without having to give up assets. Unless they've Lamoriello'd an agreement made in principle already and are just preserving their health...
 
Although the Leafs are showing the same patterns as past seasons ..... trying to out talent the other team to win..... starting late or not at all, particularly when playing 'down' to competition, I am seeing some positives with the new additions.

First, within 10 games we have already seen 2 professionally executed games under Berube.....Tampa and Winnipeg. I don't think under Keefe we saw such execution during the first part of the season.

Stolarz is a treat to watch. He's probably getting a bit tired from playing most of the games but he gives the team (and fans) a lot of confidence on every shot.
 
Ozzie said:
Although the Leafs are showing the same patterns as past seasons ..... trying to out talent the other team to win..... starting late or not at all, particularly when playing 'down' to competition, I am seeing some positives with the new additions.

First, within 10 games we have already seen 2 professionally executed games under Berube.....Tampa and Winnipeg. I don't think under Keefe we saw such execution during the first part of the season.

Stolarz is a treat to watch. He's probably getting a bit tired from playing most of the games but he gives the team (and fans) a lot of confidence on every shot.
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Welcome to the forum!

I see much of the same. And when the going gets tough, some of them are defaulting to those old habits. Granted it's like 5 years vs 8-10 games, so that's natural. It will probably take half a season if Florida's program was anything to go by.
 
herman said:
Welcome to the forum!

I see much of the same. And when the going gets tough, some of them are defaulting to those old habits. Granted it's like 5 years vs 8-10 games, so that's natural. It will probably take half a season if Florida's program was anything to go by.
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Thanks Herman!

Actually it took major Core changes for Florida (they got rid of their version of Marner for a less talented player with mega heart) plus Maurice berating them on the bench in March 23 for their underachieving to unleash the beast in the Panthers. And within 17 months Maurice was kissing the Cup!

But Leaf ownership will NEVER do what Florida (and Tampa and LV) ownership did. That is, they moved on from fan favorite elite players and took risks to win in the playoffs. This will never happen with the Leafs.... so in terms of Playoff succeess...... it doesn't matter what Berube does IMHO. It starts with Ownership and Management breaking eggs to make the omelette.

But DEFINITELY as a hockey fan I love watching these well executed games, strong defense, depth scoring, top notch goaltending. The subtleties of execution are joyful in themselves.
 
herman said:
Honestly, I don't know what Treliving/Berube are thinking regarding Liljegren and Kampf. It's clear they don't see those players ending the season with the Leafs, and it's also pretty clear their replacements are on LTIR right now. Shelving them is not making it easier to trade them without having to give up assets. Unless they've Lamoriello'd an agreement made in principle already and are just preserving their health...
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1851657135735619913
Okay, but this guy also said some other stuff previously that didn't come to pass
 
In terms of comparisons to Florida, and Edmonton, I'm wondering if the Leafs could use those players that are mean and nasty. More specifically, guys like Perry and Nurse and Kane...Florida had Tkachuk and Bennett, maybe Ekblad, and they lost Cousins but picked up Greer.

None are Reaves level tough, but they're meaner than what the Leafs have in terms of guys that can play a semi-regular playoff shift. Guys like Lorentz and Knies and McMann can bang a bit, but they're not nasty edge guys. I don't think the Leafs have a player on the roster that's going to intimidate like some of those Oilers and Panthers. If they're looking at moving a Liljegren or Robertson, I'd target a jerk...and see if you can include Kampf in the deal somehow.

I remember a couple of years ago when Thornton went after Ehlers in a game, and it was widely seen as awesome and preparing for playoff hockey...I'd like to see a little more of that in the top-9.
 
Frank E said:
In terms of comparisons to Florida, and Edmonton, I'm wondering if the Leafs could use those players that are mean and nasty. More specifically, guys like Perry and Nurse and Kane...Florida had Tkachuk and Bennett, maybe Ekblad, and they lost Cousins but picked up Greer.

None are Reaves level tough, but they're meaner than what the Leafs have in terms of guys that can play a semi-regular playoff shift. Guys like Lorentz and Knies and McMann can bang a bit, but they're not nasty edge guys. I don't think the Leafs have a player on the roster that's going to intimidate like some of those Oilers and Panthers. If they're looking at moving a Liljegren or Robertson, I'd target a jerk...and see if you can include Kampf in the deal somehow.

I remember a couple of years ago when Thornton went after Ehlers in a game, and it was widely seen as awesome and preparing for playoff hockey...I'd like to see a little more of that in the top-9.
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Domi can play ugly and I think Knies can too! Knies has great pest potential... the duche factor is there and I mean that is the best way.
 
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