Toronto Maple Leafs

[Axeman33]

Very true. Maybe they can just squeak into the playoffs and win a round or two. Probably just wishful thinking since I just don’t see this squad getting to round 2. Plus teams tend to tighten up in the second half of the season.

You probably could have just ended that second sentence at "Maybe they can just squeak into the playoffs".

[2014olympicgold]

If they squeak into the playoffs, they don't play the Panthers

[Daydream Nation]

If they squeak into the playoffs, they don't play the Panthers

Those Panthers are a wagon!!

[Axeman33]

Those Panthers are a wagon!!

Remember when many were hating on Paul Maurice. Good times.

[2014olympicgold]

Remember when many were hating on Paul Maurice. Good times.

Oh I hate Maurice, but he's a guy you hate if he's not your coach. I want Keefe to do more of what Maurice does. Which is asking why his player got a penalty for murdering someone, then going to the press after calling it ridiculous. Or going "we murdered 8 people out there, and they call 5 penalties on us, but only 2 on the other team? Ridiculous".

[Axeman33]

Keefe's too busy loving the Avalanche lineup to be doing that. LOL!

[2014olympicgold]

Keefe's too busy loving the Avalanche lineup to be doing that. LOL!

He refuses to hard core call out his own team, so he pumps up the other team to make his players jealous? I didn't understand that. I was wondering if this was some new "gentle parenting" tactic he was using, but I don't think that's even a good thing to do lol.

The current run right now makes the extension for Keefe in the summer that much more confusing. I still think they should have explored Roy much harder, but it could have been the new boss didn't have enough time to focus that much on a head coach.

I can't stand how the league isn't calling things vs the stars across the league, but I've noticed it more on the Leafs recently, but part of a coaches roll is to work the refs. However, it's not like it would help much for them lol, flaws are deep. But they've invested in the flaws and you need to work with it, and Keefe doesn't seem to be working.

[Feenom]

You probably could have just ended that second sentence at "Maybe they can just squeak into the playoffs".

lol, kind of quit while your ahead thing for them. Can't wait for the upcoming drama.

[Daydream Nation]

Remember when many were hating on Paul Maurice. Good times.

Maurice was a GREAT interview with Jeff Marek a few weeks ago. And from what we've seen now, Maurice likely wasn't the problem in Winnipeg. That room was the problem.

[Axeman33]

Maurice was a GREAT interview with Jeff Marek a few weeks ago. And from what we've seen now, Maurice likely wasn't the problem in Winnipeg. That room was the problem.

I said that back at that point. One of the few who was defending Maurice if I remember correctly. I still think he's a solid coach even if others don't agree.

[felix.potvin29]

These guys need a new coach, last straw should be if they lose to Calgary. They need someone to light a fire under these guys, there is way too much elite talent to keep finding ways to lose games. That and the obvious trade for a defenseman. Team needs a shake-up, ton of bad mojo in that locker room right now.

[Axeman33]

These guys need a new coach, last straw should be if they lose to Calgary. They need someone to light a fire under these guys, there is way too much elite talent to keep finding ways to lose games. That and the obvious trade for a defenseman. Team needs a shake-up, ton of bad mojo in that locker room right now.

I dont think coaching is the issue in Toronto. It's their defense and goaltending. I'll give Jones credit because he played well last night vs Edmonton. That first period he was outstanding, but he's not good enough to hold it together when he's playing behind a defense that's basically made up of guys who are a 5-7 D group at best. Outside of Morgan Rielly, they are not good at all and dont give their goalie much help. That isn't on the coach, that's on the GM, both current and previous. Brodie is a low end 3-4 Dman. Benoit and McCabe are playing 3/4 minutes and are nothing more than a 6/7 at best most nights. Giordano is cooked. Great contract, poor play. Liljegren is improving but still learning. It's a poor man's stew on the back end for Toronto and I dont see much help in sight.

Woll reminds me a lot of Skinner. Came up through the system and probably wasn't seen as the future coming through but is earning his stripes. Woll is still at least a year behind Skinner in development and we are seeing Skinner flourish. I like Woll and think he's got a bright future but until they can improve that backend, this team is not going to be a contender, no matter how much they score.

[2014olympicgold]

The D-core was held up last yr by strong defensive forwards. This yr, those guys are gone and now they're being stretched thin. Any second there's an extended shift now in the defensive zone causes massive chaos.

Brodie's foot speed is gone. Gio can't keep up. McCabe is good but he's being dragged down by his partner. Benoit is a 7th Dman being relied on too much.

The teams defense is built this yr off having the puck in the offensive zone (hiding their D). And when you have a group of forwards who seem to not want to step on throats when they can, that's poor. I think the system gets too scared once they're up and play defensive too much. This team is built (right now) to win 4-3, but they go up 2-0 and turtle.

Side note, there was 2 penalties called. No way is that accurate. I saw 2 by each team in the first. And the NHL not having that game nationally televised is insane. It wasn't even broadcast on the NHL Network lol. NHLs TV deal is awful if that's the thing holding them back from promoting a McDavid vs Matthews game on a Tuesday night.

[notch4077]

Toronto is in tough if they want to make the playoffs.

Using Dobber’s Frozen Tools Schedule Planner, they have the toughest schedule that remains in the league with their opponents having a combined .585 win percentage. They also face teams with the second lowest combined GA/game.

Only Boston, Vancouver and Colorado have had an easier schedule thus far based off of opponents win percentage.

Things could get worse before they get better.

[ross10019]

Toronto is in tough if they want to make the playoffs.

Using Dobber’s Frozen Tools Schedule Planner, they have the toughest schedule that remains in the league with their opponents having a combined .585 win percentage. They also face teams with the second lowest combined GA/game.

Only Boston, Vancouver and Colorado have had an easier schedule thus far based off of opponents win percentage.

Things could get worse before they get better.

That and they look really mediocre out there. Last night only Reilly really stood out, he’s been great, and Tavares had a good bounceback game. Marner / Matthews, other than that first beauty goal, meh. And Nylander, oof, super lazy night.