Why don't teams play a more possesion based game. We're playing one of the most dangerous teams in the league, we survive a rush, finally get the puck and we dump and chase. Skate with the puck, hold on to it and try and enter their zone, if there is no lane turn back pass around create some lanes. This is a more soccer approach but would it not be better puck/time management, especially with the lead. The best defence is when they don't have the puck, clearly we're short on top forwards so quick, skilled breaks will be rare. Why waste the puck by dumping it when we should be controlling it, pass around, get an opening and get a scoring chance.
I think a game like tonight shows how valuable Lupul is to Kessel as a winger, Lupuls big bodied presence and solid skill are big reasons why Kessel was able to take his game to the next level last year
Lupul was a large part of Kessel's success and consistency last year, and Lupl's career year pace was because he was matched with an elite player in Kessel .. It goes both ways
Unless Kule or JVR can step in for that role, Kessel will have a tough year scoring-wise
I have no problem with Lupul being on the team with Kessel; it is true they both make each other better.
However, my problem is with the logistics of it. Lupul has not played more than 70 games since 2008. Can he be a PPG player? Sure. But aren't the chances of him getting injured much higher? Absolutely. So why go 5 years? I mean the dude's career almost ended.
Next you have the amount, which is just okay. It becomes more problematic when you are overpaying secondary players, which affects your chances at signing star players, who should always take precedence.
Then lastly, why do it so soon? It's a short season. There was no rush at all.
For a team with like 10 GM's, I have to wonder sometimes. This being one of those cases.
Quote:
Originally Posted by charliolemieux
We can be if we sell. No reason we can't have our pick a top 2-3 and grab another 3-4 1st round picks thourgh trades.
When have the Leafs ever done this?
Seriously. For whatever reason, it's as if this is not even a thought worth considering.
We can be if we sell. No reason we can't have our pick a top 2-3 and grab another 3-4 1st round picks thourgh trades.
Why wait until it is too late. Even if this team does gel and is good enough to grab the 8th seed, why doo it?
Sell now. Grab draft picks from teams that think they will make it, but may end up missing the playoffs.It would be nice to have 3 or 4 extra balls in the lottery.
Because you want to creative positivity and a winning environment .. The Leafs have overhauled their roster to the point where it's relying on it's young players, that are supposed to be key going forward, to win .. So I want to see that group succeed so it breeds confidence in those already there
Get those picks closer to the deadline for players who you know won't be on the roster going forward, like MacA .. But blowing it up now and giving up on the season is brutal for our younger players development.
Personally, I think our top 9 is nearly set .. And the 4th line has quality depth
Komarov is a good fill in third liner, but I don't know if I want him there long term
They just need some more skill and size in those gaps .. As much as I like Bozak, with Grabo and Kadri already, I don't see him being here going forward .. Same with MacArthur .. Upgrade those blank spots from what's currently there and this forward group is solid
Defensively, I think there is good enough depth to make for a competent above average defense core for the next year or two .. Just need to wait for some of the younger kids like Rielly, Finn, Percy, etc to develop and make the jump which will help the defense as a whole become among the leagues best
Reimer's just got to show he can consistently give this team a chance and be solid like he was tonight .. Can't ask more from him than what he did tonight
I have no problem with Lupul being on the team with Kessel; it is true they both make each other better.
However, my problem is with the logistics of it. Lupul has not played more than 70 games since 2008. Can he be a PPG player? Sure. But aren't the chances of him getting injured much higher? Absolutely. So why go 5 years? I mean the dude's career almost ended.
Next you have the amount, which is just okay. It becomes more problematic when you are overpaying secondary players, which affects your chances at signing star players, who should always take precedence.
Then lastly, why do it so soon? It's a short season. There was no rush at all.
For a team with like 10 GM's, I have to wonder sometimes. This being one of those cases.
I agree I wasn't a huge fan of the term on the contract because of the injury history, but it's a risk I think the Leafs needed to take .. At least he doesn't take up cap space while he's on the IR and with the new CBA buying out a player is much easier
Once Mac went down, we should have brought JVR on to the first line to create some room for Kessel, and bump Kadri up on the wings, Then add McClement to the third line, make use of him. Also, defence should be
Phaneuf-Gunnarsson
Liles-Komisarek
Franson-Kotska
I'm not sure why we keep playing other guys, but Franson in a protected role could do well.
phaneuf is up there for me. Lupul however for me is tradeable IMO.
We are on the right track but our past, present and anger blinds our vision.
I think Phaneuf would get a 1st in return. From a team like EDM who might not make the post season.
Unlike a MacArthur who might get a 1st from a PIT or some other elite team.
Lupul I liked how he worked with KEssel last year.
BUt yes, " our past, present and anger blinds our vision," Step back.
Look at this team and consider....
It is only 1/2 of a season.....We aren't going to win the cup with this team....to fight for the 8th or 9th spot only ruins our draft position.....The draft is deep in centermen....there is an elite D man available....wouldn't it be nice to have multpile 1st round picks?
Once Mac went down, we should have brought JVR on to the first line to create some room for Kessel, and bump Kadri up on the wings, Then add McClement to the third line, make use of him. Also, defence should be
Phaneuf-Gunnarsson
Liles-Komisarek
Franson-Kotska
I'm not sure why we keep playing other guys, but Franson in a protected role could do well.
I agree I wasn't a huge fan of the term on the contract because of the injury history, but it's a risk I think the Leafs needed to take .. At least he doesn't take up cap space while he's on the IR and with the new CBA buying out a player is much easier
For what he can do when healthy his cap hit is pretty good.
If he is getting 50pts playing 60gp on our 2nd line while we are in the Stanley Cup finals 3 years from now, are you really going to care if he is making 5M a year?
It was so nice out too man. I had a friend who lost his helmet in mid-air and died sledding. Not to spoil your fun. Just be safe Schenner!
Always a... er not really. And that sucks, sorry for your loss, bro.
I Think me and a buddy are sledding to Owen Sound for lunch tomorrow, and might sled around that area a bit. About 3 1/2 hour trail ride to Owen Sound.
Looks like my roommates are going out shortly ... Time to crank up the electric guitar
What songs you know? My cousin could play almost every Metallica song.. Heard it plenty of times over at his place.
How far your nearest neighbors? House party at Berts??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schenn
Always a... er not really. And that sucks, sorry for your loss, bro.
I Think me and a buddy are sledding to Owen Sound for lunch tomorrow, and might sled around that area a bit. About 3 1/2 hour trail ride to Owen Sound.
It's all good dude.. That sounds pretty bad ass. I know a girl who lived in Owen Sound. Met her when I was in North Bay for my short stint of university. She had Wayne Simmonds in her gym class and sat beside him in health.. Said he was hardly there but that all the girls dug him
What songs you know? My cousin could play almost every Metallica song.. Heard it plenty of times over at his place.
How far your nearest neighbors? House party at Berts??
It's all good dude.. That sounds pretty bad ass. I know a girl who lived in Owen Sound. Met her when I was in North Bay for my short stint of university. She had Wayne Simmonds in her gym class and sat beside him in health.. Said he was hardly there but that all the girls dug him
I know a girl from Owen Sound to. Maybe we know the same person
Been out since 11:00am 
Heard it plenty of times over at his place. 
