Is this the turning point???

[nutman]

No big changes needed yet,its just a loss they do happen. although I would love to have our injured back. I think we come out better thur.

Let's hope so.  Losses happen, it's how the team responds after the loss that tells you if they're a legitimate playoff team.  If the Leafs can reel off 2-3 more wins now I'll be a believer.

That should be what is expected, I do for sure.

 

[nutman]

Nice bounce back game.

 

[Corn Flake]

I agree Grabovski in particular should be producing more offense, but his line is playing well.  Grabo was just flying last night.  Had no goals to show for it, but I be willing to wager (without looking it up, which is a major folly on my part) that his line is on the + side of the ledger for the season despite not really scoring.

I'm a little concerned as his defensive game was off last night.  He played the first period vs the Hodgson line and was getting seriously outplayed by them.  Carlyle put Kadri's line up against them the rest of the way and they went from causing havoc in the Leafs zone to being relatively invisible. 

So that's two games now he hasn't been able to shut down the other team nearly as well as he had been for a while now.  Will be watching closely to see if things improve again. 

I'm fine with him not producing a lot of offense while in the role he is in, but if he can't handle the defensive side, then we have a problem.  That said, he needs a winger who can score and he doesn't have that at all right now.  When Lupul is back he will be on that line or JVR will drop to Grabbo's line and things should improve for him.

 

[nutman]

I agree Grabovski in particular should be producing more offense, but his line is playing well.  Grabo was just flying last night.  Had no goals to show for it, but I be willing to wager (without looking it up, which is a major folly on my part) that his line is on the + side of the ledger for the season despite not really scoring.

I'm a little concerned as his defensive game was off last night.  He played the first period vs the Hodgson line and was getting seriously outplayed by them.  Carlyle put Kadri's line up against them the rest of the way and they went from causing havoc in the Leafs zone to being relatively invisible. 

So that's two games now he hasn't been able to shut down the other team nearly as well as he had been for a while now.  Will be watching closely to see if things improve again. 

I'm fine with him not producing a lot of offense while in the role he is in, but if he can't handle the defensive side, then we have a problem.  That said, he needs a winger who can score and he doesn't have that at all right now.  When Lupul is back he will be on that line or JVR will drop to Grabbo's line and things should improve for him.

I cant wait for Lupul to get back, it will balance out our offence for sure.

 

[nutman]

So with almost 20 games in the books, I can say we have turned a corner. this team is looking like it belongs in the top 6, and by what I see its looking like its only going to get better. as soon as our injurys come back we will be even stronger. and as for the extra players, it looks like a move to add to our farm could be in order. there are lots of teams out there that could use some defence, and we have lots of it to spare for the right price. and Connely is looking like he is ready to help some team for the right price. I like this dealing from a position of strength. so ya the Leafs have turned a corner. we are no longer the laughing stock of the NHL.

 

[Champ Kind]

I agree Grabovski in particular should be producing more offense, but his line is playing well.  Grabo was just flying last night.  Had no goals to show for it, but I be willing to wager (without looking it up, which is a major folly on my part) that his line is on the + side of the ledger for the season despite not really scoring.

I'm a little concerned as his defensive game was off last night.  He played the first period vs the Hodgson line and was getting seriously outplayed by them.  Carlyle put Kadri's line up against them the rest of the way and they went from causing havoc in the Leafs zone to being relatively invisible. 

So that's two games now he hasn't been able to shut down the other team nearly as well as he had been for a while now.  Will be watching closely to see if things improve again. 

I'm fine with him not producing a lot of offense while in the role he is in, but if he can't handle the defensive side, then we have a problem.  That said, he needs a winger who can score and he doesn't have that at all right now.  When Lupul is back he will be on that line or JVR will drop to Grabbo's line and things should improve for him.

Kulemin right now is Grabovski's mulligan of sorts.  Really, that 30 goal year by Kulemin is starting to like like the excepetion rather than the rule.  Offensively, what is troubling is that the line isn't even generating many chances.  You're right, Corn, maybe Lupul or JVR can provide a jolt but right now there just isn't much happening.

 

[ZBBM]

I agree Grabovski in particular should be producing more offense, but his line is playing well.  Grabo was just flying last night.  Had no goals to show for it, but I be willing to wager (without looking it up, which is a major folly on my part) that his line is on the + side of the ledger for the season despite not really scoring.

I'm a little concerned as his defensive game was off last night.  He played the first period vs the Hodgson line and was getting seriously outplayed by them.  Carlyle put Kadri's line up against them the rest of the way and they went from causing havoc in the Leafs zone to being relatively invisible. 

So that's two games now he hasn't been able to shut down the other team nearly as well as he had been for a while now.  Will be watching closely to see if things improve again. 

I'm fine with him not producing a lot of offense while in the role he is in, but if he can't handle the defensive side, then we have a problem.  That said, he needs a winger who can score and he doesn't have that at all right now.  When Lupul is back he will be on that line or JVR will drop to Grabbo's line and things should improve for him.

Kulemin right now is Grabovski's mulligan of sorts.  Really, that 30 goal year by Kulemin is starting to like like the excepetion rather than the rule.  Offensively, what is troubling is that the line isn't even generating many chances.  You're right, Corn, maybe Lupul or JVR can provide a jolt but right now there just isn't much happening.

It's time to shake that line up.

And yes, Kule's 30-goal season is very much looking like a real outlier.

 

[leafplasma]

We all love Komarov but sadly it hurts the line offensively as well, they are missing at least Mac.  I just can't see them taking JVR off the first line so I am banking on Lupul playing with Kadri and Frattin.  Komarov, McClement and Brown/Orr become a very good fourth line which should see the ice a bit more than what the fourth line is getting now.  Team will look very good as long as they don't lose the intensity once they get the bodies back which can sometimes happen.

 

[nutman]

I feel since it looks like the leafs are doing it right, and have turned the corner to becoming a respectable team again, we will see the right moves for the most part. when our injured get back we will need to make some moves, and the best part is, Nonis will be dealing from a position of strength, thanks to Burke. I'm glad he started to stock pile the defence from day one. I feel this will get us our #1 center, all we need is the right team to be hungry for some d. as it stands we are looking good, were winning them games that we couldnt win before.

 

[PG]

I feel since it looks like the leafs are doing it right, and have turned the corner to becoming a respectable team again, we will see the right moves for the most part. when our injured get back we will need to make some moves, and the best part is, Nonis will be dealing from a position of strength, thanks to Burke. I'm glad he started to stock pile the defence from day one. I feel this will get us our #1 center, all we need is the right team to be hungry for some d. as it stands we are looking good, were winning them games that we couldnt win before.

The TEAM defense has been really good. But individually they don't have any defenseman that other teams would covet, and definitely not enough that they are going to part with a #1 Centre.

 

[nutman]

I feel since it looks like the leafs are doing it right, and have turned the corner to becoming a respectable team again, we will see the right moves for the most part. when our injured get back we will need to make some moves, and the best part is, Nonis will be dealing from a position of strength, thanks to Burke. I'm glad he started to stock pile the defence from day one. I feel this will get us our #1 center, all we need is the right team to be hungry for some d. as it stands we are looking good, were winning them games that we couldnt win before.

The TEAM defense has been really good. But individually they don't have any defenseman that other teams would covet, and definitely not enough that they are going to part with a #1 Centre.

I think your wrong, we have a very good bunch of spare defence, and the better our main groop does the more eyes will be on them. as for the center your  right, my idea is the spare parts will get parlayed into a center. when a team is down on d and see a good one sitting there you would be suprised on what we could get, in my opinion extra d can get you gold as the season gets on, and i'll bet burke and Nonis have had that in mind for a long time. but that center will no tcome strait up it will take some wheeling and dealing.

 

[Bullfrog]

Spare parts, as you call them, aren't going to get us a no.1 centre. If we acquire one through a trade -- which I think is very doubtful -- the cost will be enormous. It's either through the draft or free agency.

 

[nutman]

Spare parts, as you call them, aren't going to get us a no.1 centre. If we acquire one through a trade -- which I think is very doubtful -- the cost will be enormous. It's either through the draft or free agency.

Yes I agree, this why I said it will take some wheeling and dealing. aka spare parts for picks, and picks packaged for a possable center. we have some spare defence that will get us some solid picks in the second half of this season. the idea is we have an access of defence and there are teams hurting for some, this is a good thing.

 

[bustaheims]

Yes I agree, this why I said it will take some wheeling and dealing. aka spare parts for picks, and picks packaged for a possable center. we have some spare defence that will get us some solid picks in the second half of this season. the idea is we have an access of defence and there are teams hurting for some, this is a good thing.

But, realistically, at best, those picks will be 2nd or 3rd rounders. They're not going to have a significant impact on the team's ability to trade for a 1st line centre. They're nice assets to have to make smaller, depth type moves or to bring in some potentially decent prospects at the draft, but, that's about where their value ends.

 

[nutman]

Yes I agree, this why I said it will take some wheeling and dealing. aka spare parts for picks, and picks packaged for a possable center. we have some spare defence that will get us some solid picks in the second half of this season. the idea is we have an access of defence and there are teams hurting for some, this is a good thing.

But, realistically, at best, those picks will be 2nd or 3rd rounders. They're not going to have a significant impact on the team's ability to trade for a 1st line centre. They're nice assets to have to make smaller, depth type moves or to bring in some potentially decent prospects at the draft, but, that's about where their value ends.

If you put the right package together anythings possable. and we do have defence worth more then a 2nd rounder, to the right team at the right time.

 

[bustaheims]

If you put the right package together anythings possable. and we do have defence worth more then a 2nd rounder, to the right team at the right time.

Not that are available for a trade.

 

[nutman]

I'm just saying as we get better the value of our spare parts goes up up up. kom and Lyles will fetch a good price to a team hurting, and we have lots of young defence comming up.

 

[TML fan]

Lyles? C'mon dude, at least try.

 

[nutman]

Lyles? C'mon dude, at least try.

Lyles would get a second from a team hurting on defence. our defence is strong, and the guys not getting in the lineup, still have value. and I can argue this untill I am blue in the face, but when it comes time to deal you will see.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm just saying as we get better the value of our spare parts goes up up up. kom and Lyles will fetch a good price to a team hurting, and we have lots of young defence comming up.

At best, Komisarek's value goes from untradable to tradable. As for Liles, if he doesn't get back into the lineup soon, his value will start to drop, not go up, and, even best case scenario there right now is a 2nd round pick.