Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown Joined: 02.19.2009
Tuesday @ 8:48 AM ET
There is a little bit of that - just in that the recurring narrative that the Leafs have to move one member of the core4 in order to improve the D - but that said there have been financial movements that aided it.
If you think about it objectively, Muzzin just came off the books - and while he was in LTIR, it's hampering. Brodie's $5m contract in 2020 dollars just ended and we signed Tanev for less @ $4.5m on a noticeably risen cap. The emergence of Knies and Woll have allowed us a few million in savings as well and this was able to be directed into a solid supporting guy like OEL and when considered with the retained salary of McCabe (@ 50%), there are a lot of financial moves that have helped put together a better D-line.
All of that said, one truth does remain in that if we could get a real #1 stud defenseman (of which there are very, very few and even fewer who are of prime age) then a core-4 member would have to go to move around that type of capital. Since it's exceptionally rare that one is available . . . this is probably as good as the D-line has been since the 90s and certainly in the Matthews-era.
Funny just to get a sense of how good the D-lines were pre-cap . . .I was reminded that even then our 5/6 d-pairings were not very good! Like Lumme-Cross or Pilar-Cross . . . - Monkeypunk
Yeah, I don't see a lot of holes in this D core, outside of possibly upgrading Benoit.
Tanev has been as advertised, but OEL has been better than advertised, so Rielly has someone versatile to play with.
McCabe-Tanev (particularly McCabe on his strong side) have been the shutdown pairing we've needed for years and Timmins looks to be the right choice between Lilybust and him, as he's big and rangy and is as good of a puck mover as Lilly was as far as the eye test is concerned.
Hockey Paw, tough to say in his limited minutes so far.
Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
Tuesday @ 9:01 AM ET
Yeah, I don't see a lot of holes in this D core, outside of possibly upgrading Benoit.
Tanev has been as advertised, but OEL has been better than advertised, so Rielly has someone versatile to play with.
McCabe-Tanev (particularly McCabe on his strong side) have been the shutdown pairing we've needed for years and Timmins looks to be the right choice between Lilybust and him, as he's big and rangy and is as good of a puck mover as Lilly was as far as the eye test is concerned.
Hockey Paw, tough to say in his limited minutes so far. - gravyface
I think with Hakanpaa the key might be to use him enough to keep him in game shape and ready to go while also using sparingly enough to allow his knee to continue to heal. His value will double in the playoffs where being a large physical stay-at-home presence will provide considerable protection - especially against teams like Florida. Looking at his stats against teams in the league over the past couple of years, he's done well against the Rangers, Florida, Tampa and Boston - who do tend to live in the high danger and slot areas - but less well against teams that have feasted off of the rush (like Calgary, Colorado or Edmonton).
Ideally we have that guy we always need to acquire at the TDL already in the fold - and perhaps we just use him accordingly.
Yeah, I don't see a lot of holes in this D core, outside of possibly upgrading Benoit.
Tanev has been as advertised, but OEL has been better than advertised, so Rielly has someone versatile to play with.
McCabe-Tanev (particularly McCabe on his strong side) have been the shutdown pairing we've needed for years and Timmins looks to be the right choice between Lilybust and him, as he's big and rangy and is as good of a puck mover as Lilly was as far as the eye test is concerned.
Hockey Paw, tough to say in his limited minutes so far. - gravyface
There is a little bit of that - just in that the recurring narrative that the Leafs have to move one member of the core4 in order to improve the D - but that said there have been financial movements that aided it.
If you think about it objectively, Muzzin just came off the books - and while he was in LTIR, it's hampering. Brodie's $5m contract in 2020 dollars just ended and we signed Tanev for less @ $4.5m on a noticeably risen cap. The emergence of Knies and Woll have allowed us a few million in savings as well and this was able to be directed into a solid supporting guy like OEL and when considered with the retained salary of McCabe (@ 50%), there are a lot of financial moves that have helped put together a better D-line.
All of that said, one truth does remain in that if we could get a real #1 stud defenseman (of which there are very, very few and even fewer who are of prime age) then a core-4 member would have to go to move around that type of capital. Since it's exceptionally rare that one is available . . . this is probably as good as the D-line has been since the 90s and certainly in the Matthews-era.
Funny just to get a sense of how good the D-lines were pre-cap . . .I was reminded that even then our 5/6 d-pairings were not very good! Like Lumme-Cross or Pilar-Cross . . . - Monkeypunk
No I understand it all to be honest. It's just funny to me the guys who said "the core of this team is trash and we will never be good unless they are broken up" like the deck moving of the chairs.
They also claimed it wasn't due to the flat cap (and if they did they felt one of the 4 needed to be moved for short term relief essentially).
While Woll and Knies have emerged it's contradicting the guys claiming the leafs never develop anyone. On top of at least one of them being a Dubas pick.
It's just funny to see the 180 based on 25% of the season with the same core philosophy.
Also Tanev was a good grab in free agency. Tree didn't trade for him either like Dubas. Absolutely was needed a good grab. His free agency picks this season were better than last (klinger...eww)
Nope.
More like you not understanding what the goal post are. - Fakepartofme
lol the mental gymnastics here is outstanding. It was very cut and dry with you and 50 like posters. It wasn't any grey area. It was strictly Dubas sucks, core 4 doesn't work on forward and had to be changed. End of story. For literal years.
See why 50 hasn't responded to my post? Because he knows he was wrong. It's okay to admit when you're wrong.
EDIT: Since you and others are "realists" you can be real that the core 4 wasn't the problem the whole time
(isn't Keefe either since he's got the devils who missed the playoffs to first in conference)
Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
Tuesday @ 11:45 AM ET
I think they get a decent LHD 3rd pair
Lauzon would be a good fit - Santo_44
I mean . . .
It doesn't seem like a priority at the moment. They may not have the best xG%, but the results are there. You're looking at 13 minutes / night - so while upgrading Benoit might help marginally, I'm not sure it's really a priority.
It's like saying, "You know we really should keep that fax machine dusted." Sure, it's probably nice, but overall it's not going to change things all that much.
It doesn't seem like a priority at the moment. They may not have the best xG%, but the results are there. You're looking at 13 minutes / night - so while upgrading Benoit might help marginally, I'm not sure it's really a priority.
It's like saying, "You know we really should keep that fax machine dusted." Sure, it's probably nice, but overall it's not going to change things all that much. - Monkeypunk
Tre has said many times a cup contending team needs 8-9 NHL D.
I think he for sure sees a hole at the 4LHD spot and someone to challenge Benoit.
Lots of time ahead though so we will see what happens but 100% see a depth LHD add at the TDL if Tre thinks highly of the team at that point.
Location: The centre of the hockey universe Joined: 07.31.2006
Tuesday @ 11:51 AM ET
My next AI blog:
Beer prices around the league:
Arena Team Price for a 12 oz Beer Price for a 24 oz Beer
Scotiabank Arena Toronto Maple Leafs $12.00 $24.00
Rogers Arena Vancouver Canucks $9.49 $18.99
Prudential Center New Jersey Devils $11.00 $22.00
Honda Center Anaheim Ducks $12.50 $25.00
SAP Center San Jose Sharks $10.00 $20.00
Pepsi Center Colorado Avalanche $7.00 $14.00
Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa Senators $8.00 $16.00
MTS Centre Winnipeg Jets $6.00 $12.00
PNC Arena Carolina Hurricanes $10.00 $20.00
United Center Chicago Blackhawks $11.00 $22.00
These prices are approximate and can vary based on the specific event and location within the arena. It's always a good idea to check the official website of the team or arena for the most accurate pricing.
Location: Isn't Cooley 5"11? You know who else is 5"11? Sydney Crosby. - Scabeh Joined: 04.06.2011
Tuesday @ 11:56 AM ET
My next AI blog:
Beer prices around the league:
Arena Team Price for a 12 oz Beer Price for a 24 oz Beer
Scotiabank Arena Toronto Maple Leafs $12.00 $24.00
Rogers Arena Vancouver Canucks $9.49 $18.99
Prudential Center New Jersey Devils $11.00 $22.00
Honda Center Anaheim Ducks $12.50 $25.00
SAP Center San Jose Sharks $10.00 $20.00
Pepsi Center Colorado Avalanche $7.00 $14.00
Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa Senators $8.00 $16.00
MTS Centre Winnipeg Jets $6.00 $12.00
PNC Arena Carolina Hurricanes $10.00 $20.00
United Center Chicago Blackhawks $11.00 $22.00
These prices are approximate and can vary based on the specific event and location within the arena. It's always a good idea to check the official website of the team or arena for the most accurate pricing. - Atomic Wedgie
You'd think they would do a promotion on the 24oz instead of just doubling it.
