General Leafs Talk

[Bender]

Just to nikpick, Komisarek not having a point in 5 games is not really 'interesting' and moreso expected.

Sure, some of those are not expected to produce, but it's still pretty crappy that they have a combined 2 points.

I don't disagree that they've been slumping offensively the past few games, but some of them are weird # of games choices.  Like Liles - 1 point in 4 games, but 3 in his last 6 and 7 in his last 11.

I'm mostly worried about the Grabovski line turning their totals around, and hopefully they do so the next few games so we can see those stats in the opposite direction.

Blame TSN That's where I checked. I think that they should split up the Grabovski line. To be honest I think we should try splitting up Kessel and Lupul too, even if they're finding eachother, we need more balanced scoring. I think that we should move Kulemin to the 3rd or 4th line. And I think that Lombardi should get a chance at the 1st or 2nd.

You're asking for more struggles if you break up Lupul and Kessel. Why mess with a scoring formula?

Well we can't have one line that scores only, and I think it would be good with a little shakeup. Kessel will score anyways, Lupul? Hopefully. But the Grabovski line must be split imo, Kulemin is looking crappy, and McArthur is not very consistant.

Lupul hopefully? Do you not think that Kessel's success has something to do with playing with Lupul and vice-versa? Its not a surprise that Lupul and Kessel are top of the team regardless of who the centre is - and Bozak clearly isn't that big a beneficiary. Connolly will be back soon and they've shown enough success to keep them together. If you need to jumble the second and third lines then that's fine, but to jumble up our best scoring line because our second line isn't scoring is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Well the problem is if that other teams shut down our first line, then we are done.

Right, but it's not like we have a whole load of options, our forwards still leave a lot to be desired. What would your forward lines look like?

 

[bustaheims]

I could be completely off, because I have been disconnected from these parts for a while, but of all players not scoring, Kulemin has not looked crappy to me. He's looked snakebit, but solid - a lot more solid than his offensive totals indicate.

Same here. I mean, he hasn't looked dominant or anything, obviously, but, he hasn't made a ton of mistakes either. The puck's not going in for him, so, he's less noticeable, but, that's a far ways from "looking crappy."

 

[Bender]

I could be completely off, because I have been disconnected from these parts for a while, but of all players not scoring, Kulemin has not looked crappy to me. He's looked snakebit, but solid - a lot more solid than his offensive totals indicate.

Same here. I mean, he hasn't looked dominant or anything, obviously, but, he hasn't made a ton of mistakes either. The puck's not going in for him, so, he's less noticeable, but, that's a far ways from "looking crappy."

Yeah, I agree with this.

I still recall a few moves he made where he's looked good. Unfortunately is inability to finish is really frustrating right now, and somewhat hard to explain.

 

[Stebro]

Just to nikpick, Komisarek not having a point in 5 games is not really 'interesting' and moreso expected.

Sure, some of those are not expected to produce, but it's still pretty crappy that they have a combined 2 points.

I don't disagree that they've been slumping offensively the past few games, but some of them are weird # of games choices.  Like Liles - 1 point in 4 games, but 3 in his last 6 and 7 in his last 11.

I'm mostly worried about the Grabovski line turning their totals around, and hopefully they do so the next few games so we can see those stats in the opposite direction.

Blame TSN That's where I checked. I think that they should split up the Grabovski line. To be honest I think we should try splitting up Kessel and Lupul too, even if they're finding eachother, we need more balanced scoring. I think that we should move Kulemin to the 3rd or 4th line. And I think that Lombardi should get a chance at the 1st or 2nd.

You're asking for more struggles if you break up Lupul and Kessel. Why mess with a scoring formula?

Well we can't have one line that scores only, and I think it would be good with a little shakeup. Kessel will score anyways, Lupul? Hopefully. But the Grabovski line must be split imo, Kulemin is looking crappy, and McArthur is not very consistant.

Lupul hopefully? Do you not think that Kessel's success has something to do with playing with Lupul and vice-versa? Its not a surprise that Lupul and Kessel are top of the team regardless of who the centre is - and Bozak clearly isn't that big a beneficiary. Connolly will be back soon and they've shown enough success to keep them together. If you need to jumble the second and third lines then that's fine, but to jumble up our best scoring line because our second line isn't scoring is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Well the problem is if that other teams shut down our first line, then we are done.

Right, but it's not like we have a whole load of options, our forwards still leave a lot to be desired. What would your forward lines look like?

I would try something like this:

McArthur-Lombardi-Kessel
Frattin-Grabovski-Lupul
Kulemin-Bozak-Crabb
Dupuis-Steckel-Brown

 

[bustaheims]

I still recall a few moves he made where he's looked good. Unfortunately is inability to finish is really frustrating right now, and somewhat hard to explain.

Partly due to bad luck, partly due to other teams putting more pressure on him and partly due to his own frustration, I'm sure. He's one of those guys that, once it starts going in for him, he's going to score in bunches.

 

[maplesyrup]

You just have to keep Lupul and Kessel together... It's the only bit of chemistry working right now.

 

[Stebro]

I think that we should trade Bozak and a d-man for another winger who can score. We already have Kadri and Colborne who can play C, and with Tim coming back?! I don't see the need for Bozak.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I think that we should trade Bozak and a d-man for another winger who can score. We already have Kadri and Colborne who can play C, and with Tim coming back?! I don't see the need for Bozak.

What can you get for Bozak? His play away from Kessel has been abysmal. They were many games that I didn't even realize he was playing.

 

[Zee]

3-3 in the second stretch of 10 games so far this season.  4 more games left to have a successful first 20.

First 10: 7-2-1
Second 10: 3-3

Next 4 games:
Ottawa
Phoenix
@Nashville
Washington

I'd be over the moon with a 3-1 record over the next 4, although I suspect 2-2.  We'll see.

Oh how stupid I was, what perspective a few losses gives you.
So by my "let's see each 10 game stretch" talk, we have totally blown it in the 2nd 10 of the season. First 10 games was 7-2-1, second 10 so far 3-5-1 with one left to play.  Under .500 ain't ever good.

Funny I thought we'd go 2-2 over the next 4, tooks like we'll end up losing all 4, yes I know we got a point in the Phoenix game that I missed.  0-3-1 isn't a hell of a lot better than 0-4

 

[Fanatic]

mirtleJames Mirtle
Bit of a different look at Leafs practice... optional skate, meaning nobody on the ice.

I can understand why no one is there. After all, when you are that good why would you need to practice.  ???

 

[maplesyrup]

3 games in 4 nights, right? Lots of bumps and bruises. I think you're reaching for new things to be miserable about, Fanatic... and it's not all rosey right now so there isn't really a need to, you know?

 

[ZBBM]

Well, to be fair they probably got in at 3:00 in the morning.  Game didn't end until near midnight Eastern time.

 

[Fanatic]

3 games in 4 nights, right? Lots of bumps and bruises. I think you're reaching for new things to be miserable about, Fanatic... and it's not all rosey right now so there isn't really a need to, you know?

You are a man without humour. I thought the new Jays logo had you feeling all perky.

 

[maplesyrup]

I thought the new Jays logo had you feeling all perky.

It does... and you are harshing my logo mellow. 

 

[Bender]

I thought the new Jays logo had you feeling all perky.

It does... and you are harshing my logo mellow. 

Probably doesn't belong in this thread but... that is a beautiful logo!

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Joffrey Lupul
Anyone want to venture a guess as to what I said to that dude who kicked the glass into my head last night?

Joffrey Lupul
I can't remember exactly but I feel that the word "toothless" was my initial reaction. He only had 4 of em

lolz

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

Joffrey Lupul
Anyone want to venture a guess as to what I said to that dude who kicked the glass into my head last night?

Joffrey Lupul
I can't remember exactly but I feel that the word "toothless" was my initial reaction. He only had 4 of em

lolz

I love Joffrey Lupul. Lol

 

[leafplasma]

mirtleJames Mirtle
Bit of a different look at Leafs practice... optional skate, meaning nobody on the ice.

I can understand why no one is there. After all, when you are that good why would you need to practice.  ???

So 2 skaters and a goalie along with one coach.  I wonder who was out there???

 

[nutman]

mirtleJames Mirtle
Bit of a different look at Leafs practice... optional skate, meaning nobody on the ice.

I can understand why no one is there. After all, when you are that good why would you need to practice.  ???

So 2 skaters and a goalie along with one coach.  I wonder who was out there???

All the leafs who were not injured. 8)

 

[Bender]

Did anyone hear Wilson's presser today? One of the most entertaining ones I've heard in a while!

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=380840

Click podcast section on the right.