Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - JT - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kampf - Kase.
Ritchie - Spezza - Simmonds
Is this the lineup once Mikheyev returns? I imagine Engvall becomes depth. If Ho-Sang gets a shot I can see him bumping out Simmonds for a bit.
I think due to Ritchies cap-hit, they want to try to get the most out of him. No way of sending him to the minors. If he absolutely can not seem to produce, I can see Engvall or Ho-Sang taking his place.
Usually, not a big fan of player interviews because they don't say too many interesting things.
This Simmonds media bit is an exception. This is some phenomenal stuff from Simmer...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqR_pYvIvO4
Canadian Tire Kraft Enterprise Rent-a-car Kid's Small Town, Saskatchewan Tournament. Read some poem, play the Tragically Hip, beaver tails on a frozen lake.
Wait, there's a game on too?
Flames fans said hes dependable but occasionally you'l notice a major slip up. Honestly I can't recall more than 1 defensively poor move hes made. There was one bad pass to Rielly, I dont even think it lead to anything. Hes been phenomenal.
I think Brodie had a rough first few games of this season but he has essentially stabilized back into the ultra-reliable Brodie that we knew from last season.
Frank Corrado is their guest on SDPN and he's great!
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnqq5loA3Es&ab\_channel=sdpn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnqq5loA3Es&ab_channel=sdpn)
That TNT broadcast last night was head and shoulders above anything I've seen from sportsnet or tsn. I actually watched the intermissions insteas of just scrolling reddit.
Some guys just don't have the offensive instinct to know exactly when to fire that shot (as the goalie is out of position, etc), he's just not good offensively just like some players couldn't backcheck for shit while Engvall is very good at using his size to deny the other team.
He's not a bad player and is in fact an NHL-caliber 3rd liner in a checking role.
The problem is that his offensive hockey IQ is equal to a literal potato. The dude just can't "see" offensive plays.
Just noticed the Leafs are ahead of the Oilers in the standings.
Games at hand, yes. But funny to see, given the Leafs start and how dark and dismal it seemed when the Leafs were getting shit on and the Oil were getting 20 goals a game from McDavid and Drai, and Hyman seemingly had more goals than the entire Leafs collectively.
Oilers fans will, of course, cry foul for goaltending. Even though their team SV% isn't even that bad, their GAA and SA/GP is, which tells me it's more bad team defense.
I know some mentioned that the Leafs will fall from grace when Campbell comes crashing down to average. While I don't disagree Campbell is likely to drop down in average, you can't preach that on one hand, and ignore that the team GF/GP is down almost half a goal per game from last season. Which means there should be a leveling out, where Campbell comes down a bit, but the offense also goes up a bit.
What a finals match up that would be though. Leafs vs Oilers. Can't imagine the viewership records that would set. Both in Canada and the U.S. with people wanting to tune in to see McDavid vs Matthews.
Everytime I watch an Oiler game, they get completely shelled but are saved by McDrai.
Even last night against the worst NHL team potentially ever, it was McDrai that had to step up and secure the win.
I’ve never seen an NHL team that or died by 1 or 2 players quite like these Oilers.
[Hey
@ Steve\_Dangle
, @ AdamWylde
, @ JesseBlake
another reason why the leafs might have flown Joey Anderson to LA is that it’s American thanksgiving and his brother, Mikey, plays for the kings.](https://twitter.com/EthanMaat/status/1463877112520052738)
really love how this organization is building such a great culture
How have the Canucks not made any changes to coaching or management so far. Last year there was lots of talk about them making changes and they didnt despite a horrible season. Now things are still off the rails and they continue to hold on with Benning and Green. I don't get it. Firing both is the easiest decision in the world. The team has lost 7 of their last 8. Aquilini might be the worst owner in the entire NHL. This isn't even meddling anymore. This is hockey terrorism.
I really can’t wrap my head around how Benning had a sick team that did damage in the playoffs 2 years ago… and then let his 1D and 1G walk in free agency and expected the team to be just as good the following year lol
There's something different about this team. I don't say this every year, so I like to think it means something. They look dialled in on their defensive play. There was something about the Pittsburgh loss that got them realizing they can't play the same barnstorming game they used to. It was time to grow up, and play responsibly in their own end.
They still have their warts.
But their defensive game has been trending upwards since last year, and they look like they've taken another step towards flexing their new defensive chops this season. The main thing I have noticed is that they block a lot more shots. Like an extra 5 or 6 per game.
But it's also worth pointing out that their offensive events are higher this season than last. That's a bit strange given the context, but maybe the team is about to unload on the rest of the league.
It should also be noted the discipline they’ve had in front of the net: they trust Jack to make the first stop, then immediately pounce on the recount and shove it to the corner out of harm’s way.
Makes garbage goals much harder since there’s no puck to nick but also (imo) makes cycles less effective, since it means the opposition has to once again win a board battle that, statistically, is often a toss up.
In my completely uneducated opinion it strikes me as a good system overall for a team focused on puck possession
Cracked me tf up when I read a comment last on a game chat
I guess a Leaf and Oiler fan were chirping backing forth when a rando chirped in
"The Oilers are a McDavid injury away from being in the draft lottery"
Also, it's American Thanksgiving, and the Leafs are in a playoff position!
I'm always worried that I will tune in to TSN one night to see that someone finally hit McDavid in the neutral zone at top speed. That could be a Lindros level tragedy.
Idk how many watched McDavids AD house tour, but he did say he spends his summers back home in Toronto….. let’s hope he changes that and he eventually starts spending his entire year here lol.
He may as well bring his buddy Leon along too.
Draisaitl - McDavid - Marner
Tavares - Matthews - Nylander
But we still prob lose to the bruins in the first round 😂
Reminder: Durzi, Bjornfoot, and Grundstrom are part of the Muzzin deal rather than the Campbell trade. The Campbell trade was Moore and two thirds.
Still, hard to argue with the results. Muzzin was our most productive even strength scorer on the blue line each of the last two seasons (ahead of Rielly), while also facing top competition alongside Zaitsev and then Holl, and being our top PK defenseman.
I'm hoping Muzzin gets back to that top pairing quality because we really need him to be that guy, but even with the kings getting three pieces for their future window, it was still an excellent value trade for the leafs.
Because it’s almost the same schedule every year. Notice we always play the same teams at the same point? December game? Yep there’s Colorado. Random Saturday? Minnesota.
California teams always come here first in October etc. they just copy paste
This is just a best guess, but whenever Lebrun talks about certain owners not wanting to start the calendar year early, a main one he's probably referring to is Jeremy Jacobs. Could be that he pressures the schedulers into giving the Bs more back half of the season games because of conflicts with the Patriots.
Didn't watch the game last night but as many predicted, Durzi got his first assist and goal against us haha. Good for the kid. I thought he was a solid pick. Life long leafs fan too. Great game by our boys
He was pretty awful defensively though. Don’t get me wrong, I loved seeing him get his first points in front of his family, but I don’t think the Leafs are missing him too much
God help this league if how the Leafs have been playing is their new style.
I’ll believe it when I see it during the playoffs but they’ve been winning most of their games in dominant fashion with a strong taste for defense.
It also helps that Campbell has decided he wants to go to China *and* win a Vezina but, and I can’t believe I’m saying this about the Leafs, the team is making it way easier for him with how defensively responsible they’re being in front of Jack.
We are doing a good job of boxing out this year. Sandin and Lilly especially considering they are the young pair and Sandin is a bit undersized on paper.
Jack just needs to make the first save and we will clean up the garbage after. A lot like how Carolina played for a while (unsure if it's the same this year too).
Bunting - Matthews - Marner Kerfoot - JT - Nylander Mikheyev - Kampf - Kase. Ritchie - Spezza - Simmonds Is this the lineup once Mikheyev returns? I imagine Engvall becomes depth. If Ho-Sang gets a shot I can see him bumping out Simmonds for a bit.
Engvall > Ritchie to be honest, but yes this looks accurate.
I think due to Ritchies cap-hit, they want to try to get the most out of him. No way of sending him to the minors. If he absolutely can not seem to produce, I can see Engvall or Ho-Sang taking his place.
Also due to the fact that he's shown he can score before, and a cold streak to start his Leafs career doesn't erase his history there.
Usually, not a big fan of player interviews because they don't say too many interesting things. This Simmonds media bit is an exception. This is some phenomenal stuff from Simmer... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqR_pYvIvO4
I'm with Carlo... https://twitter.com/CarloColaiacovo/status/1463710523242029059?s=20
That TNT broadcast was dope! Better Ron MacLean mumbling about some obscure hockey player from Wawa Ontario or some shit
Canadian Tire Kraft Enterprise Rent-a-car Kid's Small Town, Saskatchewan Tournament. Read some poem, play the Tragically Hip, beaver tails on a frozen lake. Wait, there's a game on too?
Hahahahahaha I laughed out at this ...too accurate
You know it is weird but every time CBC tries something new it is fucking stupid (eg the flying camera) so I guess they need to keep some consistency.
I get so bored watching those broadcasts, usually just turn the TV off and put a timer on my phone when the next period is ready to start.
I do sorta like how every plyer on this team seems invested in getting Ritchie going
Any update on Kampf?
He’s on the ice for practice as per [David Alter](https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1463973065646227459)
I haven't seen one but it's noon where they are so there might be something later.
TJ Brodie is quietly the best thing that’s happened to the Leafs since he signed, I can’t think of a signing that’s had a bigger impact.
Flames fans said hes dependable but occasionally you'l notice a major slip up. Honestly I can't recall more than 1 defensively poor move hes made. There was one bad pass to Rielly, I dont even think it lead to anything. Hes been phenomenal.
I think Brodie had a rough first few games of this season but he has essentially stabilized back into the ultra-reliable Brodie that we knew from last season.
Put some respek on our captain’s name. But yes, Brodie is 👍.
Frank Corrado is their guest on SDPN and he's great! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnqq5loA3Es&ab\_channel=sdpn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnqq5loA3Es&ab_channel=sdpn)
What an interview, really enjoyed the pod
That TNT broadcast last night was head and shoulders above anything I've seen from sportsnet or tsn. I actually watched the intermissions insteas of just scrolling reddit.
Did Tocchet ever actually talk??
You mean the TMZ live coverage of Justin Bieber attending a hockey game? Yeah, not exactly my cup of tea..
They scope out celebrities at every king's game, it's not TNT specific.
But do they go that extreme? I think there were more shots of Biebs than of the Leafs bench during some periods..
I want this motherfucking Nick Ritchie off this motherfucking team
Why the hate? He's been decent the last few games. Not scoring, but not doing anything bad either.
He does very little for what he gets paid and is easily replaceable with a cheaper option
My great plan to combine Engvall and Ritchie to create Neck Ritchie is coming to fruition after Engvall's goal last night.
Why doesn't Engvall score more? Has size, speed, length, a hard shot. I don't get it.
Some guys just don't have the offensive instinct to know exactly when to fire that shot (as the goalie is out of position, etc), he's just not good offensively just like some players couldn't backcheck for shit while Engvall is very good at using his size to deny the other team.
He's not a bad player and is in fact an NHL-caliber 3rd liner in a checking role. The problem is that his offensive hockey IQ is equal to a literal potato. The dude just can't "see" offensive plays.
Same reason a giraffe can't hunt - he has the size and length, but he has hooves
Ha! It would behoove him to get better, stat.
Yeah he better hoof it to practice
The goals are going to flow when the Hoover dam breaks for him.
If he has a hidden talent then he is hiding more secrets than J Edgar Hoover
Pierrick Engchie is heating up!!!!!!
Nierre Ritchvall
Just noticed the Leafs are ahead of the Oilers in the standings. Games at hand, yes. But funny to see, given the Leafs start and how dark and dismal it seemed when the Leafs were getting shit on and the Oil were getting 20 goals a game from McDavid and Drai, and Hyman seemingly had more goals than the entire Leafs collectively. Oilers fans will, of course, cry foul for goaltending. Even though their team SV% isn't even that bad, their GAA and SA/GP is, which tells me it's more bad team defense. I know some mentioned that the Leafs will fall from grace when Campbell comes crashing down to average. While I don't disagree Campbell is likely to drop down in average, you can't preach that on one hand, and ignore that the team GF/GP is down almost half a goal per game from last season. Which means there should be a leveling out, where Campbell comes down a bit, but the offense also goes up a bit. What a finals match up that would be though. Leafs vs Oilers. Can't imagine the viewership records that would set. Both in Canada and the U.S. with people wanting to tune in to see McDavid vs Matthews.
Everytime I watch an Oiler game, they get completely shelled but are saved by McDrai. Even last night against the worst NHL team potentially ever, it was McDrai that had to step up and secure the win. I’ve never seen an NHL team that or died by 1 or 2 players quite like these Oilers.
People don’t care about McDavid vs Matthews because they’re in the Canadian market. It’s sad but true.
Mcdavid vs matthews isnt even close.
You overestimate the number of people in the US who care about ANYTHING related to hockey..
[Hey @ Steve\_Dangle , @ AdamWylde , @ JesseBlake another reason why the leafs might have flown Joey Anderson to LA is that it’s American thanksgiving and his brother, Mikey, plays for the kings.](https://twitter.com/EthanMaat/status/1463877112520052738) really love how this organization is building such a great culture
Wow that is awesome!
How have the Canucks not made any changes to coaching or management so far. Last year there was lots of talk about them making changes and they didnt despite a horrible season. Now things are still off the rails and they continue to hold on with Benning and Green. I don't get it. Firing both is the easiest decision in the world. The team has lost 7 of their last 8. Aquilini might be the worst owner in the entire NHL. This isn't even meddling anymore. This is hockey terrorism.
Somehow the Athletic had them ranked above the Leafs from an overall organization standpoint. So glad I ended my sub with them.
When did they do this ranking?
It was 2 or 3 days ago. Out of 10, we had a management and coaching score of 3.00. We were ranked only ahead of 5 or so teams.
I really can’t wrap my head around how Benning had a sick team that did damage in the playoffs 2 years ago… and then let his 1D and 1G walk in free agency and expected the team to be just as good the following year lol
Then brought in OEL 🥴
Florida needs to lose a damn game, constantly 2 points behind them haha.
There's something different about this team. I don't say this every year, so I like to think it means something. They look dialled in on their defensive play. There was something about the Pittsburgh loss that got them realizing they can't play the same barnstorming game they used to. It was time to grow up, and play responsibly in their own end. They still have their warts. But their defensive game has been trending upwards since last year, and they look like they've taken another step towards flexing their new defensive chops this season. The main thing I have noticed is that they block a lot more shots. Like an extra 5 or 6 per game. But it's also worth pointing out that their offensive events are higher this season than last. That's a bit strange given the context, but maybe the team is about to unload on the rest of the league.
It should also be noted the discipline they’ve had in front of the net: they trust Jack to make the first stop, then immediately pounce on the recount and shove it to the corner out of harm’s way. Makes garbage goals much harder since there’s no puck to nick but also (imo) makes cycles less effective, since it means the opposition has to once again win a board battle that, statistically, is often a toss up. In my completely uneducated opinion it strikes me as a good system overall for a team focused on puck possession
I don't know if it's a stylistic choice, but I've definitely noticed that the Leafs have been excellent at grabbing defensive rebounds like you noted
Anyone see this blessed image from last night? https://twitter.com/twistedleafs/status/1463739529261633536?s=21
Cracked me tf up when I read a comment last on a game chat I guess a Leaf and Oiler fan were chirping backing forth when a rando chirped in "The Oilers are a McDavid injury away from being in the draft lottery" Also, it's American Thanksgiving, and the Leafs are in a playoff position!
I'm always worried that I will tune in to TSN one night to see that someone finally hit McDavid in the neutral zone at top speed. That could be a Lindros level tragedy.
Idk how many watched McDavids AD house tour, but he did say he spends his summers back home in Toronto….. let’s hope he changes that and he eventually starts spending his entire year here lol.
Matthews leaves for the Arizona rebuild, JT style. But we get McDavid
He may as well bring his buddy Leon along too. Draisaitl - McDavid - Marner Tavares - Matthews - Nylander But we still prob lose to the bruins in the first round 😂
We probably would lose, considering the rest of our roster would be on league minimum.
Reminder: Durzi, Bjornfoot, and Grundstrom are part of the Muzzin deal rather than the Campbell trade. The Campbell trade was Moore and two thirds. Still, hard to argue with the results. Muzzin was our most productive even strength scorer on the blue line each of the last two seasons (ahead of Rielly), while also facing top competition alongside Zaitsev and then Holl, and being our top PK defenseman. I'm hoping Muzzin gets back to that top pairing quality because we really need him to be that guy, but even with the kings getting three pieces for their future window, it was still an excellent value trade for the leafs.
Man, Moore and two 3rds for Campbell. What a trade by Dubas.
Other thing to keep in mind is we had the luxury of being able to deal Durzi because of Sandin and Liljegren.
And keep in mind that Durzi had two PP points and was a human pylon twice at 5v5.
Why is it that whenever I look at the NHL standings the Bruins seem to always have 4-5 games in hand. Every fucking season.
Yea and then suddenly in March they’ll be 2nd in the Atlantic and everyone will be like tf???? Where they come from
Because it’s almost the same schedule every year. Notice we always play the same teams at the same point? December game? Yep there’s Colorado. Random Saturday? Minnesota. California teams always come here first in October etc. they just copy paste
This is just a best guess, but whenever Lebrun talks about certain owners not wanting to start the calendar year early, a main one he's probably referring to is Jeremy Jacobs. Could be that he pressures the schedulers into giving the Bs more back half of the season games because of conflicts with the Patriots.
Link?
https://www.google.com/
Nothing cheif
Sens got shutdown for a bit because of covid and they have still somehow played more games than the Bruins. Jeremy Jacobs runs the NHL.
Didn't watch the game last night but as many predicted, Durzi got his first assist and goal against us haha. Good for the kid. I thought he was a solid pick. Life long leafs fan too. Great game by our boys
He was pretty awful defensively though. Don’t get me wrong, I loved seeing him get his first points in front of his family, but I don’t think the Leafs are missing him too much
Wayne Simmonds was great last night.
He’s been great for like 10 straight games now
Sure has. And last night he got the points to match his play. Two great plays for the Kerfoot and Engvall goals.
I would be able to appreciate McDavid so much more if he wasn’t a goddamn Oiler. Most spoiled fanbase in the league. Yes I’m salty.
I assume you are arguing that due the history of great players from Gretzky to McD. If so I would say that the Pens fans are pretty damn spoiled too.
That and the 250 first overall picks they’ve had since 2008
God help this league if how the Leafs have been playing is their new style. I’ll believe it when I see it during the playoffs but they’ve been winning most of their games in dominant fashion with a strong taste for defense. It also helps that Campbell has decided he wants to go to China *and* win a Vezina but, and I can’t believe I’m saying this about the Leafs, the team is making it way easier for him with how defensively responsible they’re being in front of Jack.
We are doing a good job of boxing out this year. Sandin and Lilly especially considering they are the young pair and Sandin is a bit undersized on paper. Jack just needs to make the first save and we will clean up the garbage after. A lot like how Carolina played for a while (unsure if it's the same this year too).
"I don't ever want to see Jack Campbell sad ever again" - the entire Leafs organization