Preseason: sens @ Leafs - Sept. 26th, 6:00pm - TSN4, TSN5

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Bibeau could have been better and they've been running around a lot in their own zone when the systems they are running break down.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Bibeau could have been better and they've been running around a lot in their own zone when the systems they are running break down.

Yeah, Bibeau has looked fairly ordinary, but the first game of the (pre)season can't be easy. I have been really impressed with Marner so far, although I just picked the game up part way through the 2nd. Connor Brown looks pretty good as well.

BTW, does Brooks look a bit like Dion at all here?

 

[McGarnagle]

I know it's preseason and all, but this is some gawdawful hockey.

 

[jonlleafs]

I know it's preseason and all, but this is some gawdawful hockey.

Yup have to agree.  Some bad passing and possession.  Not many high end plays except for Marner.  If he plays a few more games like this in the pre-season, I think he's earned himself a spot.  He's got the speed and drive to skate and I even saw him check a guy on a powerplay when Ottawa was moving the puck up.

 

[TBLeafer]

[youtube]JIvl8MbK_hQ[/youtube]

If you post a link for these, just post the sub-reddit link. Posting a direct link to the game is apparently what gets these feeds taken down. I'm not scolding you - I just learned this myself last season - but enjoy having the YT feeds at work and want to see them stick around.  8)

Ahhh got it, thanks. 8)

 

[TBLeafer]

I think in this one you had Marner, Kadri, Brown, Nielsen and Gards looking good.

Then you had everyone else.

 

[Redleaf]

I think in this one you had Marner, Kadri, Brown, Nielsen and Gards looking good.

Then you had everyone else.

I think Kadri, Brown, Gardiner and Nielsen looked good. Marner was really on a level all by himself. If he can play like that once the regular season gets going, he's going to surprise a lot of people with how good of hockey player he really is.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Marner making a case for himself...

[youtube]oEs0WhIA30g[/youtube]

 

[herman]

Missed this game as I was busying losing a softball finals, and finally caught some of the highlights (thanks, hockeyfan1!).

Marner is looking more himself this time around; more assertive, more creative, less tentative. He was still a bit deferential to the NHLers 'sheltering' him on his line, but I think he'll quickly get over that and realize when he is the top option on any given opportunity.

As expected, the NHLers stood out among the prospects and Bibeau nerfed any chances we might have had with his inability to protect the net on scramble plays in front. Rychel getting tossed early on a punching up a clean hit... players were probably appreciative, and management probably rolled their eyes.

 

[herman]

Coach's comments on the game:
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/09/26/jim-hiller-post-game-comments-senators-6-vs-leafs-3/

[Marner] sort of catches your breath. You noticed him out there, didn?t you?

Hiller: He did. And did he [ever] want the puck. He came back deep to get the puck. He might have started four or five breakouts on his own and carried through into the offensive zone. Not easy to do. He?s got a special awareness of the ice. He knows where to go to get the puck. That?s kind of what I like about him.

He seemed like he might have inspired others to do the same ? basically to use their speed to attack. Did you like that, or is every player their own sort of guide?

Hiller: That?s not something that most players are going to be able to do. The league is just too tight. There?s not a lot of room. It?s difficult to explain a player like that who can create time and space for himself. It?s a special player. He was able to do it tonight.

Jim Hiller, demonstrating his grasp of Einstein's theories of general and special relativity, knows that speed (and more importantly, change in speed, i.e. acceleration) is what gives a player more space-time to work with.

 

[Nik]

Good golly am I ready for real hockey again.