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Post by hobie on Feb 13, 2024 23:34:00 GMT -5
I felt that Bert has been a fish out of water all year on either of the top 2 lines, I don't know how many times I've heard how difficult it is for certain players to adjust to playing with better players, I'm pretty sure that was Bert's best game. Another thing I can guarantee, the minute JT is back Bert well be back on the JT/Willie line, why?
I think it was probable St.L. had a bad game, maybe like TO has been accused of, playing down to the opposition but in reality not only playing down to but actually being far inferior to that lesser team.
Maybe it's just the elation from watching TO win but I'm happy to see TO having to experiment, the constant health of the core 4 forwards has allowed Keefe to rely on 4 forwards with little actual line mixing, little actual looking to find what might be TO's optimal configuration, it's been blinders on and the same old, same old. I can't understand how good Bert looked tonite with Domi and Robertson yet we the fans and even Keefe had never seen that combo, before. Blinders are for horses, Keefe isn't a horse. Maybe we're seeing a 1 game phenomena, maybe not.
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Post by stugats1 on Feb 14, 2024 7:15:18 GMT -5
One thing I thought stood out was TJ. Brodie. Played much better on his natural side. Maybe he shouldn't be playing RD with Morgan? Just a thought. He had to cover for Lilligren who was shady last night. But I though it was TJ's best game. He ended up a +3 on night.
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Post by kazzie on Feb 14, 2024 7:22:34 GMT -5
Great team effort but I’m not sure how good we were or how bad St. Louis was. I will say we really did a good job clogging up the neutral zone. I’m happy for McMann. Bertuzzi is a waste of $5 million in my opinion.
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Post by TMan on Feb 14, 2024 8:13:16 GMT -5
No prayer for 2 points tonight. Reverse psychology at its finest!!😁😁 Real good win. Now can they repeat?
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Post by kazzie on Feb 14, 2024 9:48:59 GMT -5
I felt that Bert has been a fish out of water all year on either of the top 2 lines, I don't know how many times I've heard how difficult it is for certain players to adjust to playing with better players, I'm pretty sure that was Bert's best game. Another thing I can guarantee, the minute JT is back Bert well be back on the JT/Willie line, why? I think it was probable St.L. had a bad game, maybe like TO has been accused of, playing down to the opposition but in reality not only playing down to but actually being far inferior to that lesser team. Maybe it's just the elation from watching TO win but I'm happy to see TO having to experiment, the constant health of the core 4 forwards has allowed Keefe to rely on 4 forwards with little actual line mixing, little actual looking to find what might be TO's optimal configuration, it's been blinders on and the same old, same old. I can't understand how good Bert looked tonite with Domi and Robertson yet we the fans and even Keefe had never seen that combo, before. Blinders are for horses, Keefe isn't a horse. Maybe we're seeing a 1 game phenomena, maybe not. I get what you are saying hobie but Bertuzzi can’t score. $5 million for that is a total waste of money that could be much better spent. If they sign him again they are out of their minds.
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Post by TMan on Feb 14, 2024 10:21:43 GMT -5
Aside from not burying about 4 quality chances that Bert, Domi, Robertson were buzzing all night. Try leaving that line together perhaps cause Bert hasn’t done much anywhere else in the lineup. Try Holmberg on the 2nd line? With the flu bug circulating Keefe may need to juggle more players around. Can’t hurt. I see flashes of good things from Domi and Bert but just not enough. Still think Tre should see what he could get for these two. Sounds like Phil “The Thrill” Kessel maybe trying out for Canucks?
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Post by finnmccool on Feb 14, 2024 10:27:45 GMT -5
I always thought Bobby McMann was an interesting prospect. I first started following McMann after the leafs first signed him after 4 years playing for Colgate University where he was the captain. McMann right from the beginning was a project but he had tools to work with starting with his size 6’2” and 210 LBS and an excellent skater who though he had a pro shot had been just an average scorer in College. This is what the leafs skills coaches had to work with and McMann proved himself to be excellent and willing student starting in the ECHL for one year and two years in the AHL with the Marlies. Interestingly the higher McMann climbed and the more responsibility he was given the better he got. Then we come to last year with the Marlies McMann really exploded, though he played only 30 games with the Marlies due to injury and a 10 game try out with the leafs he still managed to score 21 goals which equates into 56 goals in a full AHL season. McMann it seems is your classic late bloomer and I’m hoping the leafs give him a chance to really prove this.
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Post by hobie on Feb 14, 2024 11:43:23 GMT -5
It wasn't long ago that Keefe was stating/wining that he still didn't know where the players fit into the lineup, where he trusted them, what job he could expect them to handle. I think that's on him however I'm pleased to see that he is using the stars where practical to PK, a major departure from his past MO.
Kazzie, I agree that Bert isn't worth what he's paid and there's little hope he will be worth his pay anytime this year. I'm just looking for Keefe to maximize his effectiveness , bring him up to a $2 mil. per year quality player rather than leave him where he is totally over his head, on the top 2 lines. He was effective last night, he seemed to fit in with Domi, that line looked credible, TO hasn't had a credible 3rd line for years, leave that line together and let them defend via puck control rather than shot blocking.
I think St.L. laid an egg last night, underestimated the opposition and didn't bring enough game with them to win against pretty well any team in the NHL.
I watched Dangle this morning, he said that TO's record against the Central Division was 8-2-2, those 2 loses were against Chicago?
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Post by kazzie on Feb 14, 2024 12:41:50 GMT -5
It wasn't long ago that Keefe was stating/wining that he still didn't know where the players fit into the lineup, where he trusted them, what job he could expect them to handle. I think that's on him however I'm pleased to see that he is using the stars where practical to PK, a major departure from his past MO. Kazzie, I agree that Bert isn't worth what he's paid and there's little hope he will be worth his pay anytime this year. I'm just looking for Keefe to maximize his effectiveness , bring him up to a $2 mil. per year quality player rather than leave him where he is totally over his head, on the top 2 lines. He was effective last night, he seemed to fit in with Domi, that line looked credible, TO hasn't had a credible 3rd line for years, leave that line together and let them defend via puck control rather than shot blocking. I think St.L. laid an egg last night, underestimated the opposition and didn't bring enough game with them to win against pretty well any team in the NHL. I watched Dangle this morning, he said that TO's record against the Central Division was 8-2-2, those 2 loses were against Chicago? Keefe not knowing where certain players fit in after 50 games tells me he is not the guy to lead this team forward but that’s just my opinion. I get what you are saying about Bert and Domi and I think you hit the nail on the head. 👍
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Post by stugats1 on Feb 14, 2024 13:40:54 GMT -5
Nylander is now sick. They said he can't keep food down. Glad he played last night..
Who knows what type of team we have vs Flyers tomorrow
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Post by TMan on Feb 14, 2024 15:02:04 GMT -5
Well they did ok with 30 mil out of the lineup. Maybe we get to see what 40+ mil looks like tomorrow 😁. Sometimes I think it’s the support players that have to show the stars about defense, effort etc… instead of vice versa.
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Post by kazzie on Feb 14, 2024 15:06:14 GMT -5
Well they did ok with 30 mil out of the lineup. Maybe we get to see what 40+ mil looks like tomorrow 😁. Sometimes I think it’s the support players that have to show the stars about defense, effort etc… instead of vice versa. I think you are right about that TMan. You can’t be expected to show leading by example when you are only making $10-12 million per year.
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