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Pens were the best
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Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsDec. 15, 2020 at 6:14 p.m.
Thread: My Hot Take On The Leafs This Season
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Subbanator7667</b></div><div>I get that leaf fans want them to be this vastly improved team but I just dont see it. Brodie is a better fit then Barrie, whether or not we find out ho much of a product of Giordano he was or not though will be the question. Simmonds and Clifford are pretty much a wash in the same position, difference is their age and how Simmonds will hold up in a compressed schedule. Adding Thorton is kind of useless, he will make the second wave pp better, where he fits in the line up every night is where I question it, they're gonna have to alternate between him, Spezza and kerfoot in those bottom 6 center positions. Bogosian on defence toughens them up a bit but still just a depth dman that isnt gonna play every game.

The biggest thing is that they are still easy to play against. The big 4 will put up points, that's guaranteed, beyond that though Toronto will be in tough in this new division. Their stars will be targeted every game like always, but playing the same tough competition every game will wear on them. Add in injuries to any of the big names, with no depth skill to replace them and Toronto will struggle. Playing 3-4 games a week, with more back to backs and no breaks against easy teams (except Ottawa) will test this team more then they have been in the past.

Think they finish in the top half of this division, but they wont be able to pull away from any one team and if they suffer injuries to multiple star players then they are likely battling for a playoff spot. This season will be unpredictable though so will be fun to watch.</div></div>

Yeah I think it's definitely possible that the stars will get overwhelmed and shut down from having to play a physically intimidating style that on a nightly basis which they're not used to. A lot of people say that the Canadian division is easy, it's certainly not the best but competition will be tight, giving the Leafs plenty of adversity to face.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 14, 2020 at 5:11 p.m.
Thread: Whos Better Matthews Kane or Eichel
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>aadoyle</b></div><div>you cant compare a wing to a center. The roles are not the same. If Matthews or Eichel were RW's then yes you could make that comparison but they dont so its invalid.

Eichel and Matthews can be compared but Kane is a RW so the comparison goes no where

The real comparison should be Matthews vs. Eichel</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Silkysmooth42</b></div><div>Kane obviously had an amazing career but the other two are better now.
As far as them two: Leafs fans will certainly argue Eichel and Sabres fans will kill you if you dont say Matthews,
but from an unbiased and realistic perspective: It is Eichel

Look at the teams they have played on and their stats overall... Stats are very similar overall with very minor differences, but the teams? MY GOD is it clear!!
Lets see how Eichel plays with year with good linemates like Matthews has had.

Eichel for now, but if he still doesnt outshine Matthews this year with a better team than previous years, Matthews may get the edge</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Skyraider112</b></div><div>As stated, it's really hard to compare players that don't play the same position. Obviously Kane has the best career so far and I'd be dubious to say either Eichel or Matthews will win more Cups than him. If you factor in the kind of talent surrounding Eichel and Matthws then I think you'd have to say Eichel is more talented. He is the only offensive weapon the Sabres have and doesn't have elite supporting cast like Matthews does with Tavares, Nylander, and Marner. Eichel's GAR for the season was 13.6, Matthews was 15.2. While Matthews is higher, is that due to the talent around him or is he really better. I'll say that Eichel is a better skater, has better speed, and is a better passer. Matthews is better at faceoffs, defense, and shooting/scoring. It's honestly a tight race</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>leafs101</b></div><div>Eichel had 40 goal Skinner, Reinhart, Olofsson, Evander Kane, etc. over the years, I hate when people say that he hasn't played with good players. Sure Matthews has a better team around him but keep in mind the guys he has consistently played with are like Hyman, Brown, Johnsson, Kapanen, Nylander, and only a couple months of Marner this year. Sounds to me like Matthews' line mates haven't been a whole heck of a lot better than Eichel's, and he has consistently outproduced (in goals and points) Eichel throughout their entire careers.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>mapleleafs_queen9434</b></div><div><a href="/users/MitchMarnerElite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@MitchMarnerElite</a></div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>ZiggyPalffy</b></div><div>I wasn't aware that Kane is actually a good player, especially at that time lol. Skinner had 1 good year with Eichel and Reinhart has barely gotten more than 50 points playing with Eichel. Olofsson was good for a rookie, but not great yet.

Matthews has had Nylander and Marner, none of the Buffalo wings are as good as those guys so bad argument.

Give Eichel Marner or Nylander and he's easily a 90-100 point player...

Keep in mind the defense Eichel had to play with, not just the wings.</div></div>

I think a better comparison would be prime John Tavares vs Jack Eichel cuz they both had to carry their stinking teams. Tavares during his 9 seasons in NYI averaged 35 goals &amp; 77 points per 82 games. His most common linemates were Moulson &amp; Okposo. Eichel so far has averaged 32 goals and 78 points every 82 games in Buffalo. So I would say those 2 are on the same level.

As for Matthews, I think he’s on the same level as MacKinnon. He’s just a generational goal scorer. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone as dominant at even strength since Pavel Datsyuk.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 13, 2020 at 7:36 p.m.
Thread: Going All In
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>palhal</b></div><div>Of course not. Pretty weak LW. Foligno's nice but he's not even a LW top winger on a middling to poor Minnesota team. Yep, Olesiak is OK, but to flip to the right side, and to trade the dependable Holl isn't really an advantage to the Leafs. Really don't you think it's a kinda ridiculous post to think adding Foligno and Olesiak minus Holl makes that much of difference to the Leafs changes this season (and to give up a 1st and 2nd too):shakehead</div></div>

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah it’s not ideal to give up all those assets for rentals. I do think Oleksiak makes a difference though, he conceded shot attempts and chances at some of the lowest rates in the league last season. Holl is good &amp; I’d keep him if there was cap space, but I feel Oleksiak can push Toronto’s blue line to be one of the better ones in the league.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 13, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
Thread: Going All In
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>yikes</b></div><div>I didn’t realize how good statistically Marcus <a href="https://public.tableau.com/shared/KQNXJ4TDR?:display_count=y&amp;:origin=viz_share_link" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://public.tableau.com/shared/KQNXJ4TDR?:display_count=y&amp;:origin=viz_share_link</a></div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>jnowariak</b></div><div>He’s a 4th liner but he’s fantastic in that role, not to mention his leadership. This is why MIN fans really value him and one of the reasons I think the Wild could surprise people in 2021-2022. (I’m fully writing next year off)</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>ConnorMcHellebucyk</b></div><div>Goodrow fetched a first. Foligno is better imo. Certainly possible</div></div>

Yeah Foligno’s a beast. I definitely think he could fetch a first.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsDec. 13, 2020 at 11:57 a.m.
Thread: My Hot Take On The Leafs This Season
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Hedman77</b></div><div>Please stop pinging me with massive text blocks.

Most of what you said is a repeat of the last few years. Bogosian is not going to be carried by Hedman anymore, and I’m assuming Lehtonen will be the annual “cheap FA defenseman that might exceed expectations but never does” for Toronto.

Leafs fans can blame Marner or Tavares or Marincin or Dubas or whomever, as always. The defense is still not defensive enough.</div></div>

IDK man, last year the Leafs were a middle of the pack defensive team in terms of conceded shot attempts &amp; scoring chances with guys like Ceci, Barrie &amp; Marincin playing big minutes. This year with Holl &amp; Brodie in their top 4 (two guys who had solid defensive results last season in big roles), I expect them to be better.

I really don’t see the defence being a problem this season. It’s a lack of heart and effort from their top guys like Marner that will hold them back.