Why does everyone blame Carlyle for Gardiner.
Im trying to be impartial because Carlyle gave Gardiner lots and lots of playing time even when he didn't deserve it IMO. This year at least.
I think the media likes poking Kessel because he doesn’t like being interviewed. What was the biggest interview by a Leafs player this yr? Lupul’s awkward answer to the GF question by a kid, and then Kessel asking if he’s at fault. The same cookie cutter answers aren’t what the media wants, and they know if they bug Kessel enough he’ll say something different.
There are plays Gardiner still does that impress me, and it’s his work getting away from defenders. He did a couple of spins last night to go back behind the net to avoid defenders that were very slick. His outlet passing (and his wingers) needs to be crisper. When a d-man passes it up the wing, the winger still needs to get it out. So we can’t 100% blame the d-men for the brake out passes. Wingers need to be accountable too.
Some questionable decisions I noticed were Franson with Phanuef on even strength. Both can’t keep up with speed guys, and it was shown on a couple of plays, the whole Kadri on the top line thing, and the lack of mid-game coaching. But that should come along as time goes on.
12 Team, H2H, Keep 6 (in Bold)
G, A, Pts, PPP, FW, SOG, Hits, Blocks
W, Saves, S%, GAA, Game Started
2C, 2LW, 2RW, 4D, 1Util, 2G, 5BN, 2IR, 1IR+, 1NA
C: Horvat, Trocheck
LW: J. Robertson, Byfield (C), Guenther
RW: Pavelski (C), Giroux (C), Svechnikov (LW)
D: Fox, Makar, Bouchard, Morrissey, Gudas
Util: Meier (LW, RW)
G: Oettinger, Georgiev, Samsonov, Woll
Why does everyone blame Carlyle for Gardiner.
Im trying to be impartial because Carlyle gave Gardiner lots and lots of playing time even when he didn't deserve it IMO. This year at least.
How quickly they turn on their stars in TO
I think it was because during the spiral of last season, Gardiner and Reilly were out performing Gunnerson, Dion, and Franson, yet didn’t get playing time that reflected that. They were stuck on PP2, even when Franson and Dion gave up a lot of shortys. This year, Gardiner hasn’t really shown he can play with the big boys, but it’s the fact he does these flashes of a solid player, and wicked passing, then gives up these little simple plays. Then seen on the bench having his ear filled by Carlyle.
Gardiners play did not show (so far) he deserves 4mill.
12 Team, H2H, Keep 6 (in Bold)
G, A, Pts, PPP, FW, SOG, Hits, Blocks
W, Saves, S%, GAA, Game Started
2C, 2LW, 2RW, 4D, 1Util, 2G, 5BN, 2IR, 1IR+, 1NA
C: Horvat, Trocheck
LW: J. Robertson, Byfield (C), Guenther
RW: Pavelski (C), Giroux (C), Svechnikov (LW)
D: Fox, Makar, Bouchard, Morrissey, Gudas
Util: Meier (LW, RW)
G: Oettinger, Georgiev, Samsonov, Woll
so just for fun, what would it take for the leafs to acquire max domi? man I was hoping the leafs would trade up to draft him, price is probably sky high right now.
I'm thinking they would be more interested in kadri. they have more than enough D, and could use a C once vermette leaves. they could probably use one now too. if kadri is part of the "problem" in Toronto then I'd be fine with that, and besides domi would generate a lot of money for the leafs so the head honchos would like it too. build around nylander, domi and reilly, trade everyone else for pieces that can help this team get back on track.
I dont think getting Domi is realistic at this point
and I still think this season is salvageable
We got rid of the coach, now we need to get a new captain
Doan is apparently available
Get him over here to inject some leadership in this club! I dont care if hes 38 years old
You cant have a captain who isnt respected throughout the league
its embarrassing
Also, am I alone in thinking Eakins should be given his chance with the Leafs??
I don't think Eakins can be blamed at all for Edmontons failures
They went into the year with a horrid defence, the worst goalie duo in the league and they forced an 18 year old to be their 2nd line center
I dont care who the coach is
Eakins was known as some kinda wunderkind coach from his time even before the marlies
I think its unfair to write him off so quickly
From what I read, Taylor Hall was insistent to management that Eakins should not be fired (implying it was the team around him)
And hes already SUCCESSFULLY coached a few leafs with the marlies (kadri, gardiner, rielly, percy, holzer, komarov) so there's already some familiarity
I dont think a professional would tune him out just because he has no previous NHL credentials
Every coach started somewhere in the NHL
I, for one, have turned very, very optimistic at the sight of these last two games. Not crazy, we-don't-need-to-do-anything-anymore optimistic, but optimistic nonetheless. They were great-shots wise, they were great possession-wise, they looked smooth, and I feel pretty good right now. They can make the playoffs. They can sustain their winning. Bold predictions? We shall see. Kessel, yes, Philip Joseph Kessel Jr., was making meaningful defensive plays. Am I crazy?
To thrive in life, you need three bones.
A wishbone.
A backbone.
And a funny bone.
-Reba McEntire
Dubas (on any way Nylander comes up) "not right now. We want to exercise great patience with him & what's best for long-term development"
12 Team, H2H, Keep 6 (in Bold)
G, A, Pts, PPP, FW, SOG, Hits, Blocks
W, Saves, S%, GAA, Game Started
2C, 2LW, 2RW, 4D, 1Util, 2G, 5BN, 2IR, 1IR+, 1NA
C: Horvat, Trocheck
LW: J. Robertson, Byfield (C), Guenther
RW: Pavelski (C), Giroux (C), Svechnikov (LW)
D: Fox, Makar, Bouchard, Morrissey, Gudas
Util: Meier (LW, RW)
G: Oettinger, Georgiev, Samsonov, Woll
He kept mentioning that Nylanders next step was to come to NA and put in a full year with the Marlies. Extreme patience being used on Nylander.
I’m still surprised that the Leafs are taking a lot of time with their rookies. Reilly was a year, Gauthier looks like at least another yr (maybe 2), and now Nylander 1-2yrs.
12 Team, H2H, Keep 6 (in Bold)
G, A, Pts, PPP, FW, SOG, Hits, Blocks
W, Saves, S%, GAA, Game Started
2C, 2LW, 2RW, 4D, 1Util, 2G, 5BN, 2IR, 1IR+, 1NA
C: Horvat, Trocheck
LW: J. Robertson, Byfield (C), Guenther
RW: Pavelski (C), Giroux (C), Svechnikov (LW)
D: Fox, Makar, Bouchard, Morrissey, Gudas
Util: Meier (LW, RW)
G: Oettinger, Georgiev, Samsonov, Woll
Yesterday was the first full game I watched since the firing.
I was really impressed the first period. I was really impressed with the fast, clean breakouts up the middle.
Unfortunately, the rest of the game was garbage.