Opening Forward Lines

[Highlander]

Yes we overpaid for him, but I think he can be moved in 2 or 3 years or the salary cap will peak enough that it will not hurt so much. But the intangibles he brings are hard play that will pay off in the playoffs, if we should be so fortunate to reach them. I have said this several times but every time the Devils played the Leafs, Clarkson stood out and not a little but a lot, and he still has some gas in the tank.
It could be worse, it could be better.

 

[Bullfrog]

Jonas Siegel ‏@jonasTSN1050  9m9 minutes ago
Interesting look to Leafs power-play today: Kadri on the point of first unit alongside Kessel, Bozak, van Riemsdyk and Phaneuf.

Could just be a practice thing, but that's one way to get Kadri on the top unit.

I like the looks of that, though I'm not optimistic it'll stay. I'm good with splitting up Phaneuf and Franson, but I'm actually fine with keeping Franson on the right side. He seems to have success there.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Could we see more of a diamond? Two guys screening, Kadri and Phil at either half board and Dion up top?

 

[ZBBM]

I really don't know what Nonis was thinking.  And his deal has 5 more seasons after this at a $5.25 M hit.

?I'm not worried about [year] six or seven right now?.

Well, hopefully, he's at least worried about years two through five like the rest of us.

He's not worried because he knows it won't be his problem well before then.

What was Nonis thinking?  Whatever it was, it's evidence that his thinking is none too solid.  You have to wonder if he'll get another GM gig post-TO or whether he'll go the way of JFJ and disappear from the known universe.

 

[bustaheims]

What was Nonis thinking?  Whatever it was, it's evidence that his thinking is none too solid.  You have to wonder if he'll get another GM gig post-TO or whether he'll go the way of JFJ and disappear from the known universe.

My hope is this was a combination of the coaching staff misidentifying a need combined with the new ownership group and president of MLSE wanting to make a splash in free agency. It was sort of a perfect storm of stupid, and I want to believe that Nonis is smarter than that. I really want to believe that, for his sake.

 

[herman]

What was Nonis thinking?  Whatever it was, it's evidence that his thinking is none too solid.  You have to wonder if he'll get another GM gig post-TO or whether he'll go the way of JFJ and disappear from the known universe.

My hope is this was a combination of the coaching staff misidentifying a need combined with the new ownership group and president of MLSE wanting to make a splash in free agency. It was sort of a perfect storm of stupid, and I want to believe that Nonis is smarter than that. I really want to believe that, for his sake.

That's pretty much what it looks like; coming off that playoff series loss in the final 10 minutes, moves were made to splash that sour taste out of our collective mouths. Clarkson's deal was market value though, if the rumours were true that he took a bit less to play here than Edmonton. When Nonis goes, I think Burke will pick him up again anyway.

Could we see more of a diamond? Two guys screening, Kadri and Phil at either half board and Dion up top?

I like the cut of your jib. You know the shot's coming when Bozak and JvR move to cross in front of the goalie. And you know the shot's going into the glass and then ric-o-chet into Lupul's forearm on the bench.

 

[freer]

After reading this tread, people state that Bozak has had no criticism in the press compared to Kadri. Although I am a Bozak fan and I am not a fan of Kadri.

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

He is arogant to the press, He draws penalty yes, by flopping all over the ice. (I dont like that in hockey) And lastly he doesn't come out to play ever game.  Yes kadri does have talent. And" when" he is on his game he is very good.  IMO Bozak is a hard working player who has improved every season since he has been here. Very likely guy, who does not come across as arogant. BTW he in the top 10 in the NHL for Faceoff percentage and he never costs us a pick. Rant done thank you

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

If you're going to say his own words and use quotes you could actually use the correct quote: ?I think talent-wise there?s not too much difference, to be honest."

Yes he was a 7th overall pick.  Of players picked in the 2009 draft only Tavares and Duchene have 100+ points and a higher PPG than Kadri has so far.  And that's as a 2nd liner, not getting 1st line even strength or PP minutes.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Easy:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/11/27/is_tyler_bozak_allstar_material.html

 

[freer]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

If you're going to say his own words and use quotes you could actually use the correct quote: ?I think talent-wise there?s not too much difference, to be honest."

Yes he was a 7th overall pick.  Of players picked in the 2009 draft only Tavares and Duchene have 100+ points and a higher PPG than Kadri has so far.  And that's as a 2nd liner, not getting 1st line even strength or PP minutes.

He played 20 games on the first line while Bozak was injured and did nothing. IMO that was his chance to prove to the coach that he was meant to be there.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

If you're going to say his own words and use quotes you could actually use the correct quote: ?I think talent-wise there?s not too much difference, to be honest."

Yes he was a 7th overall pick.  Of players picked in the 2009 draft only Tavares and Duchene have 100+ points and a higher PPG than Kadri has so far.  And that's as a 2nd liner, not getting 1st line even strength or PP minutes.

He played 20 games on the first line while Bozak was injured and did nothing. IMO that was his chance to prove to the coach that he was meant to be there.

That's not remotely true and even if it was 20 games is a ridiculously small sample size of games to prove or disprove anything long-term.

 

[bustaheims]

That's not remotely true and even if it was 20 games is a ridiculously small sample size of games to prove or disprove anything long-term.

Yeah. I mean, if we're going to use small sample sizes, the 1st line's ES production rates with Kadri this season are significantly better than with Bozak, while, last season, the difference was pretty slim.

 

[freer]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

If you're going to say his own words and use quotes you could actually use the correct quote: ?I think talent-wise there?s not too much difference, to be honest."

Yes he was a 7th overall pick.  Of players picked in the 2009 draft only Tavares and Duchene have 100+ points and a higher PPG than Kadri has so far.  And that's as a 2nd liner, not getting 1st line even strength or PP minutes.

He played 20 games on the first line while Bozak was injured and did nothing. IMO that was his chance to prove to the coach that he was meant to be there.

That's not remotely true and even if it was 20 games is a ridiculously small sample size of games to prove or disprove anything long-term.

It was a quarter of the season. That is what he had. He has proven nothing this season to even give Randy and excuse to move him to the top line. BTW why if he is working well with Kom-Sant would we want to move him . Better to have to scoring line anyways.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

If you're going to say his own words and use quotes you could actually use the correct quote: ?I think talent-wise there?s not too much difference, to be honest."

Yes he was a 7th overall pick.  Of players picked in the 2009 draft only Tavares and Duchene have 100+ points and a higher PPG than Kadri has so far.  And that's as a 2nd liner, not getting 1st line even strength or PP minutes.

He played 20 games on the first line while Bozak was injured and did nothing. IMO that was his chance to prove to the coach that he was meant to be there.

That's not remotely true and even if it was 20 games is a ridiculously small sample size of games to prove or disprove anything long-term.

It was a quarter of the season. That is what he had. He has proven nothing this season to even give Randy and excuse to move him to the top line. BTW why if he is working well with Kom-Sant would we want to move him . Better to have to scoring line anyways.

This is what I mean when it comes to Kadri.  You say he had 20 games with Kessel and "did nothing."  Where's your proof of that?  What are you basing that on?  What were Kadri's stats with Kessel during that time?

I could do that too if you prefer.  Bozak's had 4 years with Kessel and done nothing.  Doesn't make it true just because I wrote it.

 

[freer]

First of all there has been a story each and every week in the TO paper criticizing him because he is not a #1 C.  (This is IMO cristicism against Bozak)

Could you link to one?  If there's one every week it shouldn't be too much to ask.

Kadri was drafted 7th pick... So yes he should be criticized especially when in his own words he says "I am  just as good as John Travias". He is no where the player as John Travias. (spelling)

If you're going to say his own words and use quotes you could actually use the correct quote: ?I think talent-wise there?s not too much difference, to be honest."

Yes he was a 7th overall pick.  Of players picked in the 2009 draft only Tavares and Duchene have 100+ points and a higher PPG than Kadri has so far.  And that's as a 2nd liner, not getting 1st line even strength or PP minutes.

He played 20 games on the first line while Bozak was injured and did nothing. IMO that was his chance to prove to the coach that he was meant to be there.

That's not remotely true and even if it was 20 games is a ridiculously small sample size of games to prove or disprove anything long-term.

It was a quarter of the season. That is what he had. He has proven nothing this season to even give Randy and excuse to move him to the top line. BTW why if he is working well with Kom-Sant would we want to move him . Better to have to scoring line anyways.

This is what I mean when it comes to Kadri.  You say he had 20 games with Kessel and "did nothing."  Where's your proof of that?  What are you basing that on?  What were Kadri's stats with Kessel during that time?

I could do that too if you prefer.  Bozak's had 4 years with Kessel and done nothing.  Doesn't make it true just because I wrote it.

When he first came to the team. Everyone thought he was an improvement over Stajan. Which he was. It is pretty split down the middle now whether kadri is better then Bozak.  We are allowed to disagree. IMO don't think Kadri is better then Bozak. Bozak has also proven that he does not need Kessel to score points. As more then half of his point have come without Kessel.

 

[bustaheims]

Bozak has also proven that he does not need Kessel to score points. As more then half of his point have come without Kessel.

And, has been shown to you, even though Kessel may not have been directly involved in all the scoring plays Bozak put up points in, he was on the ice for the overwhelming majority - meaning, he definitely contributed in some way. Without Kessel or JvR on the ice with him, Bozak does not produce on the power play or at even strength when there's a goalie in net. It's less about who gets credited with the points, but, who contributed, and, having Kessel on the ice contributes in a significant way even if he doesn't touch the puck. When he's out there, he's the primary focus of the other team's defence. That impacts everything his line mates are able to accomplish.

 

[TML fan]

Kadri is a decent player. That's it. He's nothing special.

 

[freer]

Bozak has also proven that he does not need Kessel to score points. As more then half of his point have come without Kessel.

And, has been shown to you, even though Kessel may not have been directly involved in all the scoring plays Bozak put up points in, he was on the ice for the overwhelming majority - meaning, he definitely contributed in some way. Without Kessel or JvR on the ice with him, Bozak does not produce on the power play or at even strength when there's a goalie in net. It's less about who gets credited with the points, but, who contributed, and, having Kessel on the ice contributes in a significant way even if he doesn't touch the puck. When he's out there, he's the primary focus of the other team's defence. That impacts everything his line mates are able to accomplish.

11 of 20 his points were without Kessel or JVR on the ice.

 

[bustaheims]

11 of 20 his points were without Kessel or JVR on the ice.

Nice try, but, no. 12 of his points come from scoring plays where Kessel or JvR either scored the goal or were credited with an assist. Of the remaining 8, Kessel or JvR were on the ice for 2 others. 2 others came short-handed and 2 with an empty net. So, he has a total 2 PP or ES point without JvR or Kessel on the ice with him, and a goalie in the net for the other team.

 

[freer]

11 of 20 his points were without Kessel or JVR on the ice.

Nice try, but, no. 12 of his points come from scoring plays where Kessel or JvR either scored the goal or were credited with an assist. Of the remaining 8, Kessel or JvR were on the ice for 2 others. 2 others came short-handed and 2 with an empty net. So, he has a total 2 PP or ES point without JvR or Kessel on the ice with him, and a goalie in the net for the other team.

Not saying you're wrong but where did you read that?

It's true. These are the situations Bozak scored his points in and whether Kessel was involved in the scoring play (most recent at the top):

SH
EN
EV
EN
EV KES
PP
PP
PP
PP KES
PP KES
EV
EV
EV KES
EV KES
EV KES
PP KES
EV KES
PP
PP


Just saying