Leafs @ Panthers - Feb. 27th, 7:30pm - TSN4, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
WhatIfGodWasALeaf
Active member
I really wish they?d grabbed an upgrade on D.
Zaitsev gives me the heebie jeebies, but I think he might be very good on a third pair where he?s encouraged to play more offensively ala the KHL.
Upgrade-Reilly
Gardiner-Hainsey
Dermott-Zaitsev
Also, they only have four games over the next two weeks, lots of time for guys to rest any bumps and bruises.
Zaitsev gives me the heebie jeebies, but I think he might be very good on a third pair where he?s encouraged to play more offensively ala the KHL.
Upgrade-Reilly
Gardiner-Hainsey
Dermott-Zaitsev
Also, they only have four games over the next two weeks, lots of time for guys to rest any bumps and bruises.
Ice-time was a little wacky last night. At 5-on-5 Marleau led all forwards with 17:12. Nylander was at 11:54 and Hyman 11:01. Likely the result of chasing the match-up game, but this is exactly why that's a dangerous game to play. If they were going to shelter and hide that line anyway what was the point of taking Nylander out of the middle?
Kapanen was at 7:57 at 5-on-5, which I get but it's still unfortunate. I actually like the way Kapanen transforms our 4th line in a way Leivo doesn't, but it really would be nice to see him fed more minutes throughout the game when the opportunity presents itself. He got a whooping 4 seconds on the PP.
This was also the 2nd game in a row where Zaitsev a) led the team in ice-time, b) played over 24 minutes, and c) had a multiple-minute lead over the next defenceman.
Kapanen was at 7:57 at 5-on-5, which I get but it's still unfortunate. I actually like the way Kapanen transforms our 4th line in a way Leivo doesn't, but it really would be nice to see him fed more minutes throughout the game when the opportunity presents itself. He got a whooping 4 seconds on the PP.
This was also the 2nd game in a row where Zaitsev a) led the team in ice-time, b) played over 24 minutes, and c) had a multiple-minute lead over the next defenceman.
L K
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
1) Yeah, I really don't get Babcock's insistence on letting the opposition dictate the game. Chasing line matchups results in stuff like this happening way too much and good teams should be directing play, not letting non-playoff teams decide who gets to play. Sitting your best on the bench just doesn't make sense
2) Zaitsev continues to make a lot of poor decisions with the puck. Not sure entirely why Babcock has this much faith in him.
herman
Well-known member
Zaitsev is a weird cat. He has so many obvious tools and skills, but for some reason is coached to play like Polak (who has improved!). CF% is not something this team appears to care a great deal about so I wonder what the non-public microstats are saying that we're not seeing.
More befuddling is why Zaitsev gets so much more leash than Carrick, who is yes, weaker in the DZ, but far stronger in the other two. I understand the different coaching for different players, but he lack of Carriccolades is a frownable offense.
@TempoFreeHockey has started tracking Leaf games. Here's the Tampa one:
https://puckpom.wordpress.com/2018/02/28/tortb-2-26-18-microstats/
More befuddling is why Zaitsev gets so much more leash than Carrick, who is yes, weaker in the DZ, but far stronger in the other two. I understand the different coaching for different players, but he lack of Carriccolades is a frownable offense.
@TempoFreeHockey has started tracking Leaf games. Here's the Tampa one:
https://puckpom.wordpress.com/2018/02/28/tortb-2-26-18-microstats/
This was an article that I pointed to when Zaitsev signed his contract extension: https://mapleleafsnation.com/2017/05/04/the-nikita-zaitsev-contract-is-bad-and-the-leafs-will-probably-regret-signing-it/
My summary of the article at the time was it showed that "Zaitsev was bad at preventing players from crossing the blue line, was bad at getting the puck out of the defensive zone, iced the puck the a lot, was just ok at carrying the puck over the opposing blue line, and doesn't seem to individually create that much in the offensive zone".
So far, 49 games through a season where he hasn't had to face as tough of competition as he did in his first season, none of that has changed from what I've seen.
My summary of the article at the time was it showed that "Zaitsev was bad at preventing players from crossing the blue line, was bad at getting the puck out of the defensive zone, iced the puck the a lot, was just ok at carrying the puck over the opposing blue line, and doesn't seem to individually create that much in the offensive zone".
So far, 49 games through a season where he hasn't had to face as tough of competition as he did in his first season, none of that has changed from what I've seen.
I have a tough time understanding the love Babcock exhibits for certain players. The only thing I can come up with regarding Zaitsev is that he plays a bit more physically in the d-zone than most of the other Leaf defenders. Otherwise, as others have noted...he tends to panic and blindly throw the puck along the boards (ahem, OT) as his go-to play. Is he coached to play it safe or is that just how he is wired? Maybe a bit of both, but he definitely seems to have a low panic point. Compare with someone like Dermot, it's night and day.
herman said:
Yeah, that was a thought I had last night too actually. At the very least he'd be a healthy scratch.
Highlander
Active member
It will be easy to move a RHD if we choose to later on. Lets hope he finds a new level by then.CarltonTheBear said:
Agreed.Strangelove said:
I think Zaitaev is struggling with confidence and a possible lingering injury. Hopefully he gets his head back in the game. They have to support him now considering his contract.
The opposing goalies chest logo seems to be Marleau's target of late. Every shot he takes seems to have zero chance of going in. He needs to chill out and stop trying so damn hard to score. He is taking low percentage shots. Does anyone know how many empty netters he's gotten? I would guess 3 or 4. Stop forcing the issue and let the play come to you.
EDIT: Marleau has 3 empty netters, Grabner leads this season with 7!
Babcock had a rough game in my opinion. Lineup was a mess with so many players mis-casted. He seems to be trying to hard to of late.
Highlander
Active member
Now with Lupul ready to sail off Robidas Island to retirement, there are a few spaces available, perhaps Martin and Marleau (after next year) will get some beach chairs and some tropical drinks with an autographed picture of Lou with his wiry smileChris said:
herman
Well-known member
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm probably the biggest Zaitsev booster on this forum too
His decision making issues really look like someone who is overthinking, i.e. playing outside his instinct. Is he being coached to learn how to play defense a certain way that he hasn't adjusted to? A lot of defensive timing, especially aggressive defensive timing, is about knowing the players coming at you and their tendencies. Without the puck, some of his flubs are more missed executions than bad decisions (see last night's OT pinch). With the puck, I don't know why he doesn't trust his skating (which is above average even on this team) and puck handling (which is average). Does he need glasses?
herman
Well-known member
Zaitsev had some clean cycle breaks and puck retrievals, i.e. his 'engage' is stronger than most of our defense, but no one notices those for the most part. His transition game is hampered by what appears to be lack of vision/creativity. He's fine again once he's umbrella-ing the OZ.
The engage is scouting terminology for how a defender makes the initial play against a puck carrier to kick off the defensive action. Usually it's the beefier player who makes/takes the hit to jar the puck loose to the support partner/forward.
Source: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/evaluating-defensemen/
The engage is scouting terminology for how a defender makes the initial play against a puck carrier to kick off the defensive action. Usually it's the beefier player who makes/takes the hit to jar the puck loose to the support partner/forward.
Source: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/evaluating-defensemen/
Considering his performance in OT vs TB, I blame Babcock for using him in OT again the very next night!herman said:CarltonTheBear said:
I'm probably the biggest Zaitsev booster on this forum too
His decision making issues really look like someone who is overthinking, i.e. playing outside his instinct. Is he being coached to learn how to play defense a certain way that he hasn't adjusted to? A lot of defensive timing, especially aggressive defensive timing, is about knowing the players coming at you and their tendencies. Without the puck, some of his flubs are more missed executions than bad decisions (see last night's OT pinch). With the puck, I don't know why he doesn't trust his skating (which is above average even on this team) and puck handling (which is average). Does he need glasses?