Randy Carlyle/Leaf Coach thread

[Zee]

Sure, Bozak plays way too much for what he is, but the Leafs have no other options.  Kadri can't handle the workload defensively, McClement is a checker, and Bolland is out.    I think especially with Bolland, Bozak would have a bit less ice time cause Bolland can kill penalties and take some of that time away from Bozak.

I can partially understand the necessity of it, although I still definitely think his minutes should be a little lower. Kadri should have his spot on the powerplay and the penalty kill doesn't exactly need him with McClement/Smithson taking the important draws and guys like Kulemin, JVR, and Raymond able to contribute as well.

My biggest issue with it is (and this of course isn't a surprise or anything to anyone) that it's just disappointing to see our top line centre up among the names of real top line centres.

Oh I agree, on a team with a real #1C, Bozak would be in the 16-18min/game range.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think that's a fair point and I think there's some evidence of late that he's been de-emphasized on the PK(even though he's still getting tons of ice time) though if the alternative means more ice time for Smithson or McClement or Holland I don't know if it'd be a decision being made to improve the team as opposed to...I don't know, try and get Bozak's ice time more in line with where you think he ranks among the league's centers.

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

 

[Kin]

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

Well, it's an improvement if the theory is that you need your three best offensive players on the first PP unit and the 2nd PP unit is largely unimportant. If the first unit PP has JVR-Kadri-Kessel then the second would have...Raymond-Bozak-Clarkson? That's pretty bad. It gets better with Lupul in the picture but not a ton.

Anyways, I'm probably coming around on the idea that I'd at least like to see Carlyle open to the idea of experimentation when things don't work but I don't look at that shift as a clear improvement so it's not something I'm going to see as a serious flaw in Carlyle's line-up construction.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

And like you say you've seen evidence of that in recent games. Bozak was fifth among forwards on the team in SH ice time against Buffalo and only got 20 seconds of PK duty against the Habs.

So his ice time will probably trend a little downward as the season progresses. It'll probably always be up there among players who are better than he is so long as he remains on the first line but that seems to just be a function of the lousy depth chart on the team.

 

[freer]

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

Well, it's an improvement if the theory is that you need your three best offensive players on the first PP unit and the 2nd PP unit is largely unimportant. If the first unit PP has JVR-Kadri-Kessel then the second would have...Raymond-Bozak-Clarkson? That's pretty bad. It gets better with Lupul in the picture but not a ton.

Anyways, I'm probably coming around on the idea that I'd at least like to see Carlyle open to the idea of experimentation when things don't work but I don't look at that shift as a clear improvement so it's not something I'm going to see as a serious flaw in Carlyle's line-up construction.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

And like you say you've seen evidence of that in recent games. Bozak was fifth among forwards on the team in SH ice time against Buffalo and only got 20 seconds of PK duty against the Habs.

So his ice time will probably trend a little downward as the season progresses. It'll probably always be up there among players who are better than he is so long as he remains on the first line but that seems to just be a function of the lousy depth chart on the team.

Wow, Like I said before Bozak is our first line center. On the team which worth the most in the league, which makes us "a real team". Real first line centers are not coming here ever. THEY cant handle the pressure of playing in the "hockey Mega". They play in lame ass cities like LA or San Jose because they dont get recognized. So we should praise the guys who are willing to play in TO, and stop bad mouthing them because they are not named Richards, Thorton, Cosby or Nash. IMO.

 

[losveratos]

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

Well, it's an improvement if the theory is that you need your three best offensive players on the first PP unit and the 2nd PP unit is largely unimportant. If the first unit PP has JVR-Kadri-Kessel then the second would have...Raymond-Bozak-Clarkson? That's pretty bad. It gets better with Lupul in the picture but not a ton.

Anyways, I'm probably coming around on the idea that I'd at least like to see Carlyle open to the idea of experimentation when things don't work but I don't look at that shift as a clear improvement so it's not something I'm going to see as a serious flaw in Carlyle's line-up construction.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

And like you say you've seen evidence of that in recent games. Bozak was fifth among forwards on the team in SH ice time against Buffalo and only got 20 seconds of PK duty against the Habs.

So his ice time will probably trend a little downward as the season progresses. It'll probably always be up there among players who are better than he is so long as he remains on the first line but that seems to just be a function of the lousy depth chart on the team.

Wow, Like I said before Bozak is our first line center. On the team which worth the most in the league, which makes us "a real team". Real first line centers are not coming here ever. THEY cant handle the pressure of playing in the "hockey Mega". They play in lame ass cities like LA or San Jose because they dont get recognized. So we should praise the guys who are willing to play in TO, and stop bad mouthing them because they are not named Richards, Thorton, Cosby or Nash. IMO.

I'm pretty sure Bill Cosby could handle the pressure here and I'm also pretty sure Nash isn't a center.

I would also like to point out that 3 of the greatest centers ever played here (Sundin/Gilmour/Sittler) and the arguably the greatest center ever (Gretzky) wanted to play here.

I actually lean more towards it just being more and more difficult to get one than it was previously.

When was the last time a team traded for a top 5 center? However almost every year that kind of Defence/Winger gets traded. GM's I believe are more and more reluctant to trade from that position.

 

[nutman]

I was enjoying being up top, but now this slump has even put the Habs up four points on us. Carlyle is imo making way to many bad choices when it comes to this team. Has he lost it??. this fourth line need to be shipped out and we need to toss in some young players that can be a threat to score.

 

[proteus2000]

I was enjoying being up top, but now this slump has even put the Habs up four points on us. Carlyle is imo making way to many bad choices when it comes to this team. Has he lost it??. this fourth line need to be shipped out and we need to toss in some young players that can be a threat to score.

It's just bizarre nutman. Carlyle's lineup decisions aren't controversial, as nobody agrees with him. I read it here, listen to everybody saying the same thing on the radio, at the water cooler at work. I have no idea what he's doing.

The team is lost and other teams smell blood. Even BUF is confident that they can outplay the Leafs. They don't have an identity (other than as a rush team, which essentially means their talented players make pure skill plays), and don't have a system, at least one that the Leafs follow.

How far do they fall before a coaching change is made?

 

[Highlander]

4th line, Ashton  Mclement, Lievo
junk the rest of the trunk

 

[freer]

I think that's a fair point and I think there's some evidence of late that he's been de-emphasized on the PK(even though he's still getting tons of ice time) though if the alternative means more ice time for Smithson or McClement or Holland I don't know if it'd be a decision being made to improve the team as opposed to...I don't know, try and get Bozak's ice time more in line with where you think he ranks among the league's centers.

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think that's a fair point and I think there's some evidence of late that he's been de-emphasized on the PK(even though he's still getting tons of ice time) though if the alternative means more ice time for Smithson or McClement or Holland I don't know if it'd be a decision being made to improve the team as opposed to...I don't know, try and get Bozak's ice time more in line with where you think he ranks among the league's centers.

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

Bozak is 45.4% this season and Kadri is 45% on face-offs this season.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

He has 17 points in 24 games this season, which would put him on pace for a 58-point season. It's not the point per game he had last season but those are still pretty good numbers and you probably can't expect too much more from him.

He's also 2nd on the team in powerplay points despite being 7th in ice-time and never getting time on the top unit.

 

[Zee]

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

He has 17 points in 24 games this season, which would put him on pace for a 58-point season. It's not the point per game he had last season but those are still pretty good numbers and you probably can't expect too much more from him.

He's also 2nd on the team in powerplay points despite being 7th in ice-time and never getting time on the top unit.

Yeah I don't understand why people are ripping Kadri, he hasn't "regressed" that much from last season, and he's had to play with different wingers for different reasons all season.  Lupul is in and out, Clarkson is doing nothing offensively, so Kadri's points are actually more impressive considering he's not getting the winger support most of the time.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

He has 17 points in 24 games this season, which would put him on pace for a 58-point season. It's not the point per game he had last season but those are still pretty good numbers and you probably can't expect too much more from him.

He's also 2nd on the team in powerplay points despite being 7th in ice-time and never getting time on the top unit.

Yeah I don't understand why people are ripping Kadri, he hasn't "regressed" that much from last season, and he's had to play with different wingers for different reasons all season.  Lupul is in and out, Clarkson is doing nothing offensively, so Kadri's points are actually more impressive considering he's not getting the winger support most of the time.

I have less of a problem with Kadri's play and more of a problem with his attitude. I find he can be a bit of a prima donna at times. I think that just may be the dad in me coming out and wanting to tell him to go to the box, shut your mouth, and feel shame.

 

[freer]

I think that's a fair point and I think there's some evidence of late that he's been de-emphasized on the PK(even though he's still getting tons of ice time) though if the alternative means more ice time for Smithson or McClement or Holland I don't know if it'd be a decision being made to improve the team as opposed to...I don't know, try and get Bozak's ice time more in line with where you think he ranks among the league's centers.

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

Bozak is 45.4% this season and Kadri is 45% on face-offs this season.

Bozak has played 9 less games we all know that his percentage improves of the season. And his PPG is right about the same as Kadri's.  Kadri had is chance with the big line, and played one good game that was it.

 

[bustaheims]

He has 17 points in 24 games this season, which would put him on pace for a 58-point season. It's not the point per game he had last season but those are still pretty good numbers and you probably can't expect too much more from him.

He's also 2nd on the team in powerplay points despite being 7th in ice-time and never getting time on the top unit.

You also have to think he'd probably be pretty close to a P/G pace if the Leafs didn't play most of the month of November in the defensive end. Like just about everyone else on the team, his numbers are deflated because of the team's inability to sustain offensive pressure. Kadri is partly to blame for that, sure, but, only partly.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

You also have to think he'd probably be pretty close to a P/G pace if the Leafs didn't play most of the month of November in the defensive end. Like just about everyone else on the team, his numbers are deflated because of the team's inability to sustain offensive pressure. Kadri is partly to blame for that, sure, but, only partly.

Good point. He had 13 points in 14 games in October. Everybody's point totals are a little weird right now because of their complete no-show in November. Even Kessel is below PPG right now.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Kadri had is chance with the big line, and played one good game that was it.

Kessel has scored at a much higher rate playing with Kadri this season than he has with Bozak.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think that's a fair point and I think there's some evidence of late that he's been de-emphasized on the PK(even though he's still getting tons of ice time) though if the alternative means more ice time for Smithson or McClement or Holland I don't know if it'd be a decision being made to improve the team as opposed to...I don't know, try and get Bozak's ice time more in line with where you think he ranks among the league's centers.

Kadri replacing Bozak on the powerplay in an improvement for the team, I think that's pretty clear. At least in theory it is so it's something I feel should at least be tried out.

As for the PK, Smithson has been doing much better on the draw than Bozak has been. And since that was always kind of his primary function on the unit I'd say it's clear Smithson would be an improvement there as well. And to the coaching staffs credit Smithson has been averaging more ice-time on the PK than Bozak has, so with McClement eating ice-time, Smithson taking a lot of important draws and JVR/Raymond/Kulemin rotating in as well there really isn't even a need for Bozak on the penalty kill.

Kadri has proved nothing, He had half a good season, he is worse on the draw then Bozak and he is a defensive liabilty.

Bozak is 45.4% this season and Kadri is 45% on face-offs this season.

Bozak has played 9 less games we all know that his percentage improves of the season. And his PPG is right about the same as Kadri's.  Kadri had is chance with the big line, and played one good game that was it.

I would hope his PPG is around Kadri's considering he's playing 90% of the time with Kessel and 70% of the time with JVR, the team's two best offensive weapons.

 

[moon111]

Player Name	Points/60 Minutes Played
Phil Kessel	2.75
Nazem Kadri	2.49
Dave Bolland	2.47
James van Riemsdyk	2.37
Joffrey Lupul	2.24
Mason Raymond	2.20
Tyler Bozak	1.85
Cody Franson	1.43
Morgan Rielly	1.29
Nikolai Kulemin	1.26
David Clarkson	1.03
Dion Phaneuf	0.92
Paul Ranger	0.87
Jake Gardiner	0.68
Jay McClement	0.27
Carl Gunnarsson	0.11

Bozak has spent time killing penalties which should be considered.

 

[Deebo]

A coaching change during 24/7 would be interesting.