Toronto Maple Leafs... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Martian · 12-28-2005, 02:25 AM

I am pumped.

Are there any other Leafs fans here? Their recent play has been nothing less than phenomenal. Tight defence, great pk, solid offence and a killer powerplay. I have mixed feelings regarding Pat Quinn, but the recent shake-up in the lines certainly seems to have been a good decision on his part.

The game tonight against Pittsburgh was absolutely phenomenal, as was last nights match vs. New Jersey. My only quibble with tonight's game was the three minors they took in quick succession with six minutes left in the third, but it was less bad play and more circumstance (Kaberle's delay of game was unfortunate but accidental, the other two while not exactly good I can live with; nobody's perfect, after all) and the pk on all three was phenomenal. When the third period ended in a tie I was sure it was going to go to a shootout, but Kaberle came up big with the game winner.

My criticisms... well, there's not many. The third period saw a lot of penalties, mainly Khavanov, who really needs to control his stick much better. Defensively there were a couple of minor slip-ups and the puck handling wasn't the best I've ever seen, particularly in the first period. However, it's also worth noting that the Leafs did play New Jersey last night and were clearly quite exhausted. Given that, I'd say they turned in a pretty stellar performance.

Tellqvist was simply amazing. I could definitely see him stealing the spotlight after Eddie retires.

On Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby definitely lived up to his hype, Gonchar's goal in the first was simply an incredible shot and Fleury (as always) played a great game. The Penguins did a good job of staying out of the sin bin and generally giving the Leafs a lot of grief on the offensive, but they were definitely flagging. The problem with a club who's been having a slump like theirs is that they tend to become slightly self-defeating; I know for a fact that team is capable of much better play than they put out there tonight. They also seem to be relying on Crosby a bit too much; whether the kid is the next Gretzky or not, he can't take on the opposition single-handedly.

Or that's my amateur opinion anyway.

Anyone else catch the game and care to provide a different perspective? Any Pittsburgh fans want to stick up for their team here?

Temporary_User · 12-28-2005, 10:17 PM

phenomenal!
End The Season, why go on with it
Send the cup to the Leafs right now!!!

Martian · 12-28-2005, 10:51 PM

Yeah, so I was a little uncreative in my selection of adjectives. Any thoughts on the team itself?

I'm trying to decide whether you're being sarcastic or not.

silent_jay · 01-02-2006, 08:54 AM

The Leafs look alright some nights, then like bags of shit the next, not consistent at all, makes them a tough team to watch some nights.

I think a change of coach would do them great, get rid of Quinn who has done well but the team isn't reacting to him anymore, and they aren't playing for him. My choice of coach would be Ted Nolan, but I'm a bit biased, I want Nolan coaching in the NHL again (fucking Hasek screwing him by pissing and moaning). The guy deserves to be an NHL coach.

Trade Berg and Antropov, as they both do nothing. They won't bring much back in a trade but at least they won't be Torontos problem anymore.

Thats my short not putting much thought into it soloution.

Martian · 01-02-2006, 08:35 PM

When it comes to Berg I can sort of see your point, but I think Antropov fills a good role on the team. He's posted a +/- of 5 so far this season with 10 points; hardly stellar performance, but solid. And due to his size, he works well on a checking line.

Now Berg... well, he's on the third defensive line for a reason. He's not a star player, but the jersey has to be filled. I do like Quinn's decision to pair up Colaiacovo with McCabe. McCabe and Kaberle just weren't getting it done and putting the two best defensemen on the same line was clearly a poor decision; it left the Leafs fielding one strong line that didn't work and two weak lines that didn't work either. Pairing them the way he did allows Colaiacovo to learn from a more experienced defensemen while getting things done. The kid has talent, there's no doubting that. Give him another season or two to come into his own and he'll be a big asset.

I've always had sort of mixed feelings when it comes to Pat Quinn. I was very relieved when he handed GM duties over to Ferguson. On the bench, Quinn does know his stuff but he occasionally makes decisions that cause me to wonder just what's going on behind that immovable scowl.

Overall there's a lot of good talent in there and I like what I've been seeing of late. The boys in blue are getting goals and winning games; it hasen't always been pretty, but then Toronto was never all that big on finesse anyway. I reckon, don't knock it if it works.

My only concern is that Lindros is going to come in and mess up the chemistry. Same thing happened a couple years ago when Sundin went out with an injury - the Leafs played their best games when he was on the bench, then he came in again and broke up the big scoring line.

feelgood · 01-02-2006, 10:34 PM

To be honest, as a Flames fan, I think the Leafs has a long way to go with the amount of star players they have. They need to work on leadership especially, one player may rise as a team leader but there's other players that wants to be the leader of the team wether (sp) it'll be sundan, lindos, etc They have tremedeous players and I have no doubt that they can make it to the cup finals but to work out their bugs, they need to figure out what roles each players plays and who is the ultimate leader.

12-28-2005, 02:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Toronto Maple Leafs... I am pumped. Are there any other Leafs fans here? Their recent play has been nothing less than phenomenal. Tight defence, great pk, solid offence and a killer powerplay. I have mixed feelings regarding Pat Quinn, but the recent shake-up in the lines certainly seems to have been a good decision on his part. The game tonight against Pittsburgh was absolutely phenomenal, as was last nights match vs. New Jersey. My only quibble with tonight's game was the three minors they took in quick succession with six minutes left in the third, but it was less bad play and more circumstance (Kaberle's delay of game was unfortunate but accidental, the other two while not exactly good I can live with; nobody's perfect, after all) and the pk on all three was phenomenal. When the third period ended in a tie I was sure it was going to go to a shootout, but Kaberle came up big with the game winner. My criticisms... well, there's not many. The third period saw a lot of penalties, mainly Khavanov, who really needs to control his stick much better. Defensively there were a couple of minor slip-ups and the puck handling wasn't the best I've ever seen, particularly in the first period. However, it's also worth noting that the Leafs did play New Jersey last night and were clearly quite exhausted. Given that, I'd say they turned in a pretty stellar performance. Tellqvist was simply amazing. I could definitely see him stealing the spotlight after Eddie retires. On Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby definitely lived up to his hype, Gonchar's goal in the first was simply an incredible shot and Fleury (as always) played a great game. The Penguins did a good job of staying out of the sin bin and generally giving the Leafs a lot of grief on the offensive, but they were definitely flagging. The problem with a club who's been having a slump like theirs is that they tend to become slightly self-defeating; I know for a fact that team is capable of much better play than they put out there tonight. They also seem to be relying on Crosby a bit too much; whether the kid is the next Gretzky or not, he can't take on the opposition single-handedly. Or that's my amateur opinion anyway. Anyone else catch the game and care to provide a different perspective? Any Pittsburgh fans want to stick up for their team here? __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

12-28-2005, 10:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Yeah, so I was a little uncreative in my selection of adjectives. Any thoughts on the team itself? I'm trying to decide whether you're being sarcastic or not. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

01-02-2006, 08:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	The Leafs look alright some nights, then like bags of shit the next, not consistent at all, makes them a tough team to watch some nights. I think a change of coach would do them great, get rid of Quinn who has done well but the team isn't reacting to him anymore, and they aren't playing for him. My choice of coach would be Ted Nolan, but I'm a bit biased, I want Nolan coaching in the NHL again (fucking Hasek screwing him by pissing and moaning). The guy deserves to be an NHL coach. Trade Berg and Antropov, as they both do nothing. They won't bring much back in a trade but at least they won't be Torontos problem anymore. Thats my short not putting much thought into it soloution. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

01-02-2006, 08:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	When it comes to Berg I can sort of see your point, but I think Antropov fills a good role on the team. He's posted a +/- of 5 so far this season with 10 points; hardly stellar performance, but solid. And due to his size, he works well on a checking line. Now Berg... well, he's on the third defensive line for a reason. He's not a star player, but the jersey has to be filled. I do like Quinn's decision to pair up Colaiacovo with McCabe. McCabe and Kaberle just weren't getting it done and putting the two best defensemen on the same line was clearly a poor decision; it left the Leafs fielding one strong line that didn't work and two weak lines that didn't work either. Pairing them the way he did allows Colaiacovo to learn from a more experienced defensemen while getting things done. The kid has talent, there's no doubting that. Give him another season or two to come into his own and he'll be a big asset. I've always had sort of mixed feelings when it comes to Pat Quinn. I was very relieved when he handed GM duties over to Ferguson. On the bench, Quinn does know his stuff but he occasionally makes decisions that cause me to wonder just what's going on behind that immovable scowl. Overall there's a lot of good talent in there and I like what I've been seeing of late. The boys in blue are getting goals and winning games; it hasen't always been pretty, but then Toronto was never all that big on finesse anyway. I reckon, don't knock it if it works. My only concern is that Lindros is going to come in and mess up the chemistry. Same thing happened a couple years ago when Sundin went out with an injury - the Leafs played their best games when he was on the bench, then he came in again and broke up the big scoring line. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

12-28-2005, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Temporary_User Psycho	phenomenal! End The Season, why go on with it Send the cup to the Leafs right now!!!

01-02-2006, 10:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	To be honest, as a Flames fan, I think the Leafs has a long way to go with the amount of star players they have. They need to work on leadership especially, one player may rise as a team leader but there's other players that wants to be the leader of the team wether (sp) it'll be sundan, lindos, etc They have tremedeous players and I have no doubt that they can make it to the cup finals but to work out their bugs, they need to figure out what roles each players plays and who is the ultimate leader.