Leafs 2016-17 Season Thread

LLJ · Post #41 » by **LLJ** » Sun Nov 6, 2016 2:16 am

This is an entertaining game. This is a pretty special group of rookies imo. We're almost ready to start trying to win again. Just need an elite D man and betetr goaltending. Anderson has been better lately though.

Some people here thought Marner had high bust potential. Honestly, if he stays healthy, I can't see him totally busting. His puckhandling, speed, and vision is too good to totally bust. At least as an offensive player, he's extremely gifted.

ATLTimekeeper · Post #42 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Sun Nov 6, 2016 4:48 pm

They're trying to win now. I still maintain this isn't a bad team, but they might fall off if their rookies all hit the wall at the same time.

No suspension for Kadri :nod:

LLJ · Post #43 » by **LLJ** » Sun Nov 6, 2016 5:32 pm

Yeah, they might battle for a low seed this season anyway. But I'd still like one more high lottery pick.

By God do the Canucks look tired and slow though. It seemed like the Leafs had the puck 90% of the time and were skating circles around them.

whysoserious · Post #44 » by **whysoserious** » Sun Nov 6, 2016 7:02 pm

Whether they make the playoffs or not doesn't matter much to most of us. The fact that they are playing with speed and creativity, much better defensive zone play (though it could be better) is important. The fact they have rookies with elite skill is nice to see.

Nylander and Marner have a great ability to avoid getting hit and move with the puck. Matthews is so strong with the puck. I've never seen the Leafs live in Toronto till last night. Totally different crowd/fan experience than basketball but a great game to make my first Leafs game here.

LLJ · Post #45 » by **LLJ** » Sun Nov 6, 2016 7:13 pm

whysoserious wrote:Whether they make the playoffs or not doesn't matter much to most of us. The fact that they are playing with speed and creativity, much better defensive zone play (though it could be better) is important. The fact they have rookies with elite skill is nice to see.

Nylander and Marner have a great ability to avoid getting hit and move with the puck. Matthews is so strong with the puck. I've never seen the Leafs live in Toronto till last night. Totally different crowd/fan experience than basketball but a great game to make my first Leafs game here.

Wow, you picked a great game to go see the Leafs live. That was probably the most entertaining Leafs game in years. The amount of speed and skill, tons of scoring, and the numerous fights. It had it all. :lol:

Post #46 » by **Crowned** » Mon Nov 7, 2016 7:06 am

Our young guys in the NHL are playing well, but it doesn't stop there. Some of our prospects have been impressive to start the year so far.

* Kasperi Kapanen has been an absolute stud with the Marlies. He'll be up at some point with the Leafs if he keeps it up. Keep an eye on him

* Leipsic despite his size, has been real, real good. I'm not sure how much of a look he'll get because of his size, but the talent is certainly there.

* Korshkov has been lighting it up overseas.

* Andrew Nielsen has been on a PPG-type pace with the Marlies. This kid looks like a stud on the blueline with the Marlies

...then you have guys like Woll, Grundstrom, Dermott with hot starts to their seasons as well.

The future looks bright, finally.

whysoserious · Post #47 » by **whysoserious** » Mon Nov 7, 2016 12:57 pm

LLJ wrote:
Wow, you picked a great game to go see the Leafs live. That was probably the most entertaining Leafs game in years. The amount of speed and skill, tons of scoring, and the numerous fights. It had it all.

Ya, I was debating buying tix on secondary market but then my niece was in town (she's dating one of the Canucks players) and had an extra ticket to watch so joined her. Had to sit with three Canucks fans which made the win even better. lol

Leafs crowd in general sucked though. They sit and watch, cheer only for goals of fights and never really seem to get behind the team throughout the game. It could be a result of all the losing but I've gone to games in Calgary and no matter what it's crazy support from start to the end.

LLJ · Post #48 » by **LLJ** » Mon Nov 7, 2016 4:32 pm

Crowned wrote:Our young guys in the NHL are playing well, but it doesn't stop there. Some of our prospects have been impressive to start the year so far.

* Kasperi Kapanen has been an absolute stud with the Marlies. He'll be up at some point with the Leafs if he keeps it up. Keep an eye on him

* Leipsic despite his size, has been real, real good. I'm not sure how much of a look he'll get because of his size, but the talent is certainly there.

* Korshkov has been lighting it up overseas.

* Andrew Nielsen has been on a PPG-type pace with the Marlies. This kid looks like a stud on the blueline with the Marlies

...then you have guys like Woll, Grundstrom, Dermott with hot starts to their seasons as well.

The future looks bright, finally.

MLSE seems to finally have gotten their **** together regarding their sports teams. Raptors and TFC now are well run, and the Leafs are on the right path, finally. When was the last time you had other NHL teams' fans actually envy our upside? Almost never in my lifetime!

whysoserious wrote:
Leafs crowd in general sucked though. They sit and watch, cheer only for goals of fights and never really seem to get behind the team throughout the game. It could be a result of all the losing but I've gone to games in Calgary and no matter what it's crazy support from start to the end.

That's always been the case most of my lifetime. Even in the peak Sundin years they sucked. I do recall them being better in the pre-ACC years though.

Westside Gunn · Post #49 » by **Westside Gunn** » Mon Nov 7, 2016 4:39 pm

I went to the Leafs game in Buffalo. Screw paying 300 bucks for a seat when you can get one for 60 US. The gas, the food,the ticket, and the parking still ended up being a lot cheaper than watching hockey at the ACC.

Fans were awesome, which is rare at the lower bowl at the ACC.

Post #50 » by **Crowned** » Tue Nov 8, 2016 2:10 am

Games at the ACC are horrible, especially in the lowerbowl.

Nobody cheers, and when you have the odd drunk fan yelling the whole time it becomes even more obnoxious because he's the only one doing it.

GoRapstheoriginal · Post #51 » by **GoRapstheoriginal** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 3:19 am

Nice win over the Flyers tonight!

LLJ · Post #52 » by **LLJ** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 3:40 am

Kadri is rolling right now.

Westside Gunn · Post #53 » by **Westside Gunn** » Sat Nov 12, 2016 5:21 pm

Good recovery from that 7-0 loss. Don't know what happened there.

GoRapstheoriginal · Post #54 » by **GoRapstheoriginal** » Sun Nov 13, 2016 3:32 am

And they(the Leafs) follow it up with a stinker tonight, imo.

BramptonYute · Post #55 » by **BramptonYute** » Sun Nov 13, 2016 7:56 pm

The team desperately needs some good defensemen.

And some strong dmen that can do a good job clearing the front of the net.

Team defense has been bad too, but having more than 1 good dman would help. Gardiner cant handle being in his own zone at all.

Post #56 » by **Crowned** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 3:36 am

Improving the blueline should definitely be a priority at this point, both through the draft and transactions (i.e- FA, trade).

whysoserious · Post #57 » by **whysoserious** » Tue Nov 15, 2016 12:44 am

Here's hoping Matthews can break out of this mini-slump and get going again.

Westside Gunn · Post #58 » by **Westside Gunn** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 4:38 am

JVR with the hatrick. Solid win.

Bozak probably was the most expendable Leaf now to the most underrated. 4 points with JVrs 4. He's been quietly contributing.

Post #59 » by **Crowned** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 5:32 am

Another strong game from Marner, the kid is getting better and better as time goes on.

LLJ · Post #60 » by **LLJ** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 4:01 pm

Every time people talk about trading the vets in Leafland, they start playing better. Wouldn't you WANT to go somewhere else if you're a veteran in win-now mode right now?