Leafs @ Penguins - Feb. 18th, 7:00pm - SN, Fan 590

[hockeyfan1]

Looking a little too familiar...

[tweet]1229932115485085696[/tweet]

 

[wnc096]

Does Dubas have the guts to do what needs to be done at the deadline ? even if the Leafs are technically in a playoff spot?

And play Liljegren, for God's sake.

What would you like him to do?

I agree with playing Sandin and Lilegren as much as possible. Maybe trade Barrie if the return is good enough. Not sure what else should be done. The Leafs secondary scorers like Kapanen, Engvall, Kerfoot aren't producing and trading one of them will probably not get enough in return (presumably on defense) to make it worthwhile. I think we largely have to ride this out.

You maybe right although Kappy who has struggled did score a big OT goal on Friday. Still not enough though from him. I say Dubas trades Barrie if the right deal comes along. He is our biggest trade chip and we're not signing him. I can actually see Dubas trade anyone not named Matthews, Marner, JT, Sandin, Liljegren, Muzz.

This team is so flawed. Coach was fired and rightfully so the way he handled most players. Team has no defence and compete and grit completely non existent. Freddy has been poor lately but he's not the problem. The team hasn't for years played a good structured defensive game. They are so easy to play against. Trying to make some changes now and trade away more picks or prospects is a big mistake. Dubas has already done a good job at that. Get rid of all the FA's and recoup some picks or young prospects. Big 4 contracts are hurting and will for years to come so maybe look at getting rid of Nylander and fill an area of need. Stock the cupboards for next year and start fresh. Team isn't going to go anywhere this year so might as well recoup something.

Obviously bigger problems with this team than Babcock who I despised but this group doesn't cut it and part of that blame is on Dubas and his assessment of players.
Team has tons of skill but is definitely lacking compete.

What else can you do?  They fired the coach...they rebuilt the defence (I think Reilly and dermott are the only regulars from last year).  They?ve turned over half their roster and they still play the same. It?s strange.  Even stranger are that Matthews, Nylander and Marner are having career years...yet they still don?t improve

 

[hockeyfan1]

Does Dubas have the guts to do what needs to be done at the deadline ? even if the Leafs are technically in a playoff spot?

And play Liljegren, for God's sake.

What would you like him to do?

I agree with playing Sandin and Lilegren as much as possible. Maybe trade Barrie if the return is good enough. Not sure what else should be done. The Leafs secondary scorers like Kapanen, Engvall, Kerfoot aren't producing and trading one of them will probably not get enough in return (presumably on defense) to make it worthwhile. I think we largely have to ride this out.

You maybe right although Kappy who has struggled did score a big OT goal on Friday. Still not enough though from him. I say Dubas trades Barrie if the right deal comes along. He is our biggest trade chip and we're not signing him. I can actually see Dubas trade anyone not named Matthews, Marner, JT, Sandin, Liljegren, Muzz.

This team is so flawed. Coach was fired and rightfully so the way he handled most players. Team has no defence and compete and grit completely non existent. Freddy has been poor lately but he's not the problem. The team hasn't for years played a good structured defensive game. They are so easy to play against. Trying to make some changes now and trade away more picks or prospects is a big mistake. Dubas has already done a good job at that. Get rid of all the FA's and recoup some picks or young prospects. Big 4 contracts are hurting and will for years to come so maybe look at getting rid of Nylander and fill an area of need. Stock the cupboards for next year and start fresh. Team isn't going to go anywhere this year so might as well recoup something.

Obviously bigger problems with this team than Babcock who I despised but this group doesn't cut it and part of that blame is on Dubas and his assessment of players.
Team has tons of skill but is definitely lacking compete.

What else can you do?  They fired the coach...they rebuilt the defence (I think Reilly and dermott are the only regulars from last year).  They?ve turned over half their roster and they still play the same. It?s strange.  Even stranger are that Matthews, Nylander and Marner are having career years...yet they still don?t improve

They?ve been stricken by the February blahs.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

So, has this Leafs team(9-8-3 since January 1st) tuned out the coach? I'm asking for a friend.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So, has this Leafs team(9-8-3 since January 1st) tuned out the coach? I'm asking for a friend.

Kind of a weird period to use since it makes it look like the Leafs have been mediocre for 2 months. They were 6-3-2 in the first 11 games of that stretch, which would be a 104-point season pace. They also did that while getting .893 goaltending from Andersen. I dunno, I call that impressive.

February is of course another story.

 

[herman]

February has been flu season. Marner and Tavares have played at Nylander levels, which is normally awesome but the former two make 4M more each, so...

On top of the goaltender struggles (Andersen has cratered), the Kerfoot, Johnsson, Kapanen, Dermott (missed camp and kind of over his head with Rielly out) layer of depth has fallen off a cliff.

Keefe has been riding the top 2 lines, as a lot of people wanted, but I think that?s catching up with them, especially in illness and injury stretches like this. I?d rebalance the lines as even with injury the point of our build was two 1st lines and a 2nd for the top 9.

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Engvall - Matthews - Nylander
Korshkov - Kerfoot - Kapanen
Clifford - Spezza - Timashov

Flip Engvall and Kerfoot/Spezza as needed

 

[Guilt Trip]

February has been flu season. Marner and Tavares have played at Nylander levels, which is normally awesome but the former two make 4M more each, so...

On top of the goaltender struggles (Andersen has cratered), the Kerfoot, Johnsson, Kapanen, Dermott (missed camp and kind of over his head with Rielly out) layer of depth has fallen off a cliff.

Keefe has been riding the top 2 lines, as a lot of people wanted, but I think that?s catching up with them, especially in illness and injury stretches like this. I?d rebalance the lines as even with injury the point of our build was two 1st lines and a 2nd for the top 9.

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Engvall - Matthews - Nylander
Korshkov - Kerfoot - Kapanen
Clifford - Spezza - Timashov

Flip Engvall and Kerfoot/Spezza as needed

I like the lines. Willy hasn't been himself since getting sick. Only 2 consistent guys for me are Spezza and Matthews. 21 to go so we'll see what happens.

 

[Highlander]

February has been flu season. Marner and Tavares have played at Nylander levels, which is normally awesome but the former two make 4M more each, so...

On top of the goaltender struggles (Andersen has cratered), the Kerfoot, Johnsson, Kapanen, Dermott (missed camp and kind of over his head with Rielly out) layer of depth has fallen off a cliff.

Keefe has been riding the top 2 lines, as a lot of people wanted, but I think that?s catching up with them, especially in illness and injury stretches like this. I?d rebalance the lines as even with injury the point of our build was two 1st lines and a 2nd for the top 9.

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Engvall - Matthews - Nylander
Korshkov - Kerfoot - Kapanen
Clifford - Spezza - Timashov

Flip Engvall and Kerfoot/Spezza as needed

My name is Highlander and I approve of this message.  (why the frik do they say this on political commercials, the stupid politicians are saying it, then they have to say they approve of what they just said).

 

[Highlander]

Does Dubas have the guts to do what needs to be done at the deadline ? even if the Leafs are technically in a playoff spot?

And play Liljegren, for God's sake.

What would you like him to do?

I agree with playing Sandin and Lilegren as much as possible. Maybe trade Barrie if the return is good enough. Not sure what else should be done. The Leafs secondary scorers like Kapanen, Engvall, Kerfoot aren't producing and trading one of them will probably not get enough in return (presumably on defense) to make it worthwhile. I think we largely have to ride this out.

Trade Barrie for sure.  He was the wrong acquisition in the first place.

And much as I hate to see him go I would dangle Kappy.  He's definitely got value and will be attractive the right team.  Beyond that there's not much they can do right now. 

The focus going forward should be revamping the defense (obviously).  I think we've seen enough of the team under Keefe/Dubas that you can't out-possess a defense with too many holes in it.

And sure, let Campbell roll for awhile.  Andersen has been bad for weeks now.

With Mango out for the season, I think Kappi needs to stay

 

[OldTimeHockey]

So, has this Leafs team(9-8-3 since January 1st) tuned out the coach? I'm asking for a friend.

Kind of a weird period to use since it makes it look like the Leafs have been mediocre for 2 months. They were 6-3-2 in the first 11 games of that stretch, which would be a 104-point season pace. They also did that while getting .893 goaltending from Andersen. I dunno, I call that impressive.

February is of course another story.

I'm cherry picking of course. Just trying to make myself feel better