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blowing_the_zone

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Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 9, 2019 at 1:13 a.m.
Thread: Radical
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>oneX</b></div><div>Picks can be added to make such a deal more fair but I think a big addition for CBJ would be Marner and he's locked in on a deal...so he wouldn't be leaving any time soon. The exciting thing for CBJ in such a deal is Marner would be the best talent at forwards.

About Andersen: so and <a href="/users/Random2152" target="_blank">@Random2152</a> would ride out his contract and not bring him back...and I understand the decision is still at least a year away but I'd like to hear both your plans going forward regarding goaltending.

Wait...Random mentioned Crawford? Hmm...what about his injury history? Doesn't scare you?</div></div>

Well, I think everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.. or something like that . ;)

I guess what I'm trying to say is that context always trumps planning in a vacuum. I honestly think that the leafs plan is that they're counting on a substantial bump in the salary cap with the new tv deal, which will allow them to deal with Andersen and Rielly, and will justify the overpays to Marner and AM. That, and they're probably thinking that they might have a bridge in place with one of Woll or Scott.

But if neither or none of those things happen then they'll need to readjust their cap structure. Which means one of the top paid players will likely need to go.

I like what Dubas and company are doing. They're going against conventional wisdom and betting on where the puck is going to be instead of where it's at.. Of course, they could be wrong. And in that case it will very likely cost Dubas and co. their jobs.. but you gotta like their guts in placing the bet that they have.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 8, 2019 at 9:15 a.m.
Thread: Radical
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>BurgerBoss</b></div><div>I think CBJ is going to decline this. The thought is something certainly new and different and I kinda like it, but the biggest problem for CBJ in this move is that they're not a contender, and most likely not going to be a contender for the several years to come. This is where Andersen's age makes an issue. Assuming that he re-signs with the Jackets, he's turning 32 that year. Now assuming more that the team might reach a contending status in just about 5 years...Andersen might is well out of his prime, and maybe declining. At that point also Marner has long moved from Columbus, making a Panarin in a sense. The value is good, but the team you're trading the assets is just wrong...

Also Holland is never going to pay that much for a mid-6 winger. That's a big-time overpayment.</div></div>

5 stars for the idea, the out of the box thinking, and the debate that was generated from Tircksters AGM.

After reading through the thread over coffee this morning (which was a good way to start the day, btw) I think your post, Burger Boss, hits the nail on the head. I agree, the value seems good, but I'm not sure it's a fit given where each team is at and because of the recent history of Columbus not being able to retain pending ufas.

I could see how Seth Jones might be offered up if Columbus decides to hit a full rebuild, but if they do I'd imagine that it'd be a deal for a bucket full of picks and some top tier prospects of the Sandin variety. I think if Jones is ever traded it's to set the stage for something similar to what Ottawa is doing. The Sens take alot of flack but I think they're in a good spot to turn the team around in a couple years with guys like Chabot/Tkachuk, the picks they have now, plus the ones they're likely to get when they unload this years ufas.

If the leafs are seriously interested in trying to land Jones the best approach might be to unload Muzzin/Barrie and whatever Ceci can bring for every pick they can get and package that this summer with Sandin and/or Lily/Roberston to try and pry Jones free. Of course, that doesn't resolve what needs to be done to resign Andersen, but I agree with Random, it makes sense to keep a goalie like Freddy as long as you can even if that means that he walks at the end.

The other side of the coin here is that if the leafs try to unload Muzzin/Barrie for hopefully a first each then that's a pretty clear indication that they're folding up the tent on this season in order to retool a bit for next year. I'm not opposed to that approach at all if the leafs are on the outside looking in at the TDL.

Anyways, great atm idea by Trickster. And solid post in your response, BB. The idea of looking ahead to what needs to done given that Andersen and Rielly are coming up is something Toronto must be thinking about now. Increasingly, Ithough, I'm thinking one of the high priced forwards might need to go at some point to rebalance thier cap structure (which Trickster did here with Marner). Either that, or the Leafs better hope that the cap takes a huge jump in the next couple years. Otherwise somethings gotta give.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 5, 2019 at 7:59 p.m.
Thread: Thoughts On Mitch Marner Last Night
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>MikeyThePensFan</b></div><div>Yeah I think all that contract talk and Babcock situation impacted Mitch negatively. Hopefully he plays like his old self moving forward. Him on a line with Auston and Willy would be lethal. Not too much forecheck but a lot of possession and creativity.</div></div>

Yup. That's what that line would be - a high possession creative line. It'd also put the load on the shoulders of the three young stars to produce and carry the team.

Nothing wrong with two lines of AM/Nylander and JT/Marner either. I don't think we've actually seen that for any sustained period of time between injuries, hold outs and getting up to speed since JT showed up. Either way, as much as people talk about the leafs defense being a problem, their offense has been like a pop gun lately. They're having problems scoring goals lately despite all the skill.
Forum: Armchair-GMDec. 5, 2019 at 6:02 p.m.
Thread: Thoughts On Mitch Marner Last Night
I think the guy looked like he was having fun again , and for a guy like Marner that's probably key. Did you see him play goalie during the final minute? Lol. That was pretty awesome.

The season could be on a razor's edge given the pace that they'll need to keep to secure a playoff spot. But considering a coaching change and new approaches I'm happy if what they need to do this year is to set the foundation so that their good moving forward. Worst case scenario unload all the ufas at the tdl and let's have some looks at some Marlies while refilling the cupboard at the draft.

I dunno, I liked the game last night minus the very leafy short handed goal against. And I see it as a real positive that we got a look at Marner/AM/Nylander, plus I'm liking what I see with both Dermott and Holl.
It might take a bit still for this team to realize what they can be but I think the leafs are set up pretty good for the next few years.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 29, 2019 at 1:52 p.m.
Thread: Can A Healthy Leafs Team Beat The Bruins
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>pharrow</b></div><div>If TOR had forwards who weren't afraid to hit people they would have a much better chance.
The way to beat Boston is to pound on the 1st line game after game and not give an inch. The rat is small, the old man is prone to injury, and pasta ain't much bigger than the rat.
If you had a player in AM who was willing to use that 6'3 220lb frame to beat on them, with say Hyman and Mikhevev TOR would stand a chance. But TOR forwards are hit adverse.
You make the 1st line slow down by looking over it's shoulder and constantly picking itself off the ice, and you disrupt the vast majority of their offense.</div></div>

Man, I'd love to see AM play with an edge. He did it in one game this year and it was really something to see. He seemed generally more engaged in his overall game and he was still dangerous offensively. I don't know if he has the temperament to sustain that kind of game, but I'd like to see more of it.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 29, 2019 at 1:48 p.m.
Thread: Can A Healthy Leafs Team Beat The Bruins
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>newballcoach</b></div><div>I would be interested to see what some lineups moves look like to help stop the B's.

Match Mikheyev-Tavares-Hyman against the top line as much as possible. You can't shut them down fully, but those guys are defensively responsible and will make it tough for them to get extended zone time. The ideal D pairing here is maybe Muzzin-Holl?

Have Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander up next with Reilly and Ceci. Should be able to overpower Boston's 2nd line and gain an advantage.

Then Marner-Kerfoot-Kappy with Derms and Barrie. Lots of offence for a third group would hopefully be able to take advantage of their slower/heavier third group.

I would play my fourth line as little as possible,.

Does that do the job? Who knows, lots can change, injuries on either side could change things. Would be another very tight fun series, too bad it won't be in the conference final.</div></div>

Interesting. I like this approach lots.

Would only counter with a top line of Nylander/AM/Mitch, cause I'm not sure if Mitch gets enough ice otherwise. But I like the idea of Mikheyev/ JT/Hyman trying to contain Boston's top line and then force Boston to try to contain Toronto's 3 young guns. I'd imagine that both teams would trade punches on that type of matchup with each teams bottom six being the difference maker.. along with whoever has the hot goalie.

I hope they meet up again this year. The last two years have been fun, even if we came up short both times.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 29, 2019 at 12:12 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 29, 2019 at 10:56 a.m.
Thread: FINALLY THE LEAFS TO START HUTCHINSON IN FIRST GAME OF A BACK TO BACK
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>palhal</b></div><div>IMO, the only trait that other (reasonable) coaches admire in Babcock is how he suckered the Leafs into a eight year, front loaded, expensive contract.

Bill Peters. Yep, he seems to be a jerk. But years ago when Hawks and Rockford executives knew about the "slur" situation, their solution was to send the player to the ECHL. To me the lack of corrective action and "defending your own" is the most repulsive aspect of the situation.</div></div>

This is spot on.

It blows my mind how when situations like this find the light of day there's so many apologies that happen with a rush for management and executives to say these types of actions aren't acceptable. They know what's gone on and for the most part they got each other's backs, imo.

I bet the NHL is taking its time with the Peters investigation cause they need to get it right - they know there's several more situations just like Aliu's, or worse, that could come to light at any time.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 29, 2019 at 10:28 a.m.
Thread: Trades Dubus will make this season
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>I4evrblue</b></div><div>I was thinking the same thing.
If I'm Keefe I'd be tempted to try one of Nylander or Marner on the left when Marner comes back and put Matthews in the middle of them. Keep the JT match-up line together, had the youngsters as a potent scoring line, and bounce Johnsson down the lineup to help with depth scoring. Worst case scenario it doesn't work and you try something else</div></div>

Yep. I'd love to see that.

Nylander/ AM/Marner
Mikheyev/ JT/Hyman
Johnson/ Kerfoot/ Kap
Moore/Engval/Spezza (sorry Goat.. the Giraffe looks better)

With the style that Keefe is playing the Babcock rule of a grinder/shooter/passer isn't relevant. I think Nylander/AM/Mitch could play catch all day in the ozone. Besides, JT has made a career out of playing with less skilled wingers. And he seems like the kinda guy who'd be open to pulling an Yzerman and changing his role for the benefit of the team.

Regardless, it's just nice to know that there's lots of options moving forward and things aren't so rigid now.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 28, 2019 at 1:33 p.m.
Thread: hockey is for everyone
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Jamiepo</b></div><div>If you have to ask, you probably aren’t included.</div></div>

Lol! What??

It's not rolling back to the 1970s. I love this back in my day, give "us" our game back, get off my lawn crap.

Everything has a shelf life including a way of doing things. The Don Cherry's, the Peters', the Babcock's way of doing things isn't tolerated anymore. They can sit back and sulk about how back in their day things were better until "you people" started doing things differently. That's fine they can be sensitive about their stuff all they want. But they'll get passed by like all dinosaurs do.

Brindamour said it best the other day. The gap in the power structure between a player/coach/ gm has been too large, that this dynamic is changing, players have more power, and more stories will come out - because fans and society doesn't tolerate this stuff.

It's simple, don't be an assh*le and there's nothing to worry about. Treat someone like sh*t and there's accountability now. That's a bad thing for "us"? .. lol. F'ing ridiculous take, Po.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 27, 2019 at 1:56 p.m.
Thread: Leafs at tdl
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>LoganOllivier</b></div><div>I think too much is made about the defence and the backup goalie. The biggest issue facing the team was they were playing a style that didn't suit their skillset. That doesn't mean the team isn't good enough, it means they were poorly coached. Now that Keefe is in place, the first step is to see how the team plays under his leadership. Perhaps the current roster excels and quashes all these "Known facts" about the team like they have a terrible backup or bad defence. If the new system, increases offensive zone time and scoring and cuts down high danger chances against, the whole discussion about the terrible defence will go away.</div></div>

Right. That's kind of exactly what I posted in my second paragraph.

We're making the same point - it's almost impossible to know what this team is based on how they were coached to date and that Keefe has only been at the helm for two games.. and with Marner and Moore out. A bit of time and Trevorchef's idea of where the leafs can maximize some efficiencies starts to become more clear.

Regardless, two things stand out as true right now. They're tight against the cap and the back up goalie sitch isn't ideal.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 27, 2019 at 1:31 p.m.
Thread: Leafs at tdl
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Jack_</b></div><div>thanks. yours was good to. i think keefe will be trying so many different things that will include 11 forwards and 7 defenseman. in the playoffs I see no need to even run a 4th line (unless its a blowout and you dont want to risk injuries and fatigue). Gauthier isnt a good penalty killer and the defenseman they currently have on the pk isnt the best. mikeyev, hyman, tavares, marner, johnsson, kappy, moore and kerfoot can all kill. dressing the goat or shore for that main reason is a wast of a lineup slot. the only reason they could need shore is for a right handed faceoff specialist but spezza can be a part of the faceoff get off. rielly isnt good on the pk, Dermott, holl and muzzin are good, so is ceci but i think he will be traded. marty is a top 40 penalty killer in the league, keefe used him a ton in the AHL, I see no reason to dress him and only use him in a PK role and the last couple minutes in a game when the other team is pushing to limit the number of shifts rielly and barrie end up getting in the DZ</div></div>

Yup. It's that experimentation piece I'm looking forward to seeing. It still kills me that we never got a chance to see Naz line up on the left with either JT/Marner or with AM/Nylander, cause I think either of those options would have been pretty awesome.

The thing that I'm really happy to hear coming from the players and Keefe is that he wants to play to their strengths and put guys, and therefore the team, in a position to succeed. There's alot of options on the table now that each line isn't bound to the rule of grinder/shooter/passer or d pairings of puck mover/stand in the right spot guy. We could get 11/F 7/D or even simple stuff like a stacked top line, a cycle line, and a speed/rush line. Or a d pairing of Rielly/ Barrie.

We might even start to see an approach that looks alot like the Russian 5 with the Red Wings... I kinda think that's what Shanahan/ Dubas/Keefe are aiming for.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 27, 2019 at 1:02 p.m.
Thread: Leafs at tdl
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Jack_</b></div><div>you could go out and get a player with playoff experience for league minimum tho. the leafs will want to run a 23 man roster and get a competent backup and having ceci making 4.5 isnt good. holl is better overall and marincin is a better penalty killer. they could go out tomorrow and sign say jeol ward or brian bickle to 1 year 700k contracts for the playoff experience. its not like his experience will cancel out his bad play. they could trade for hainsey who would be good on the 3rd pair and now babcock wont get to run him out there against top competition for 23 minutes a night</div></div>

I just posted my last comment, trying to state what you just did, but I think you did it better. Your take is what I was trying to get at.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 27, 2019 at 12:59 p.m.
Thread: Leafs at tdl
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Trevorchef</b></div><div>I have nothing against Ceci playing in a bottom pairing roll. I have said that repeatedly on this site. I do have an issue with him making 4.5 million dollars to play on the bottom pair. That is just piss poor resource management.

That cap space is the backup goalie that the Leafs desperately need. It would also give them the freedom to add a player like Savard without gutting the forward depth.

Ceci is the first player that needs to go IMO so that the Leafs can maximize their efficiency in the areas that they are currently lacking.</div></div>

I think that the bit that you wrote about maximizing efficiencies doesn't get enough airtime in discussions re: constructing a roster within a hard cap. I haven't minded Ceci at all either, but his cap hit is what should make him the first out the door. Like you said, Ceci's cap space becomes the back goalie the leafs need. That makes the leafs a better team, imo, even if that thins out the blue line.

I think it's going to be interesting to see this team under Keefe. Because, to be honest, I don't think we've really seen where the efficiencies can really be gained given how the team has been coached upto this point. It's been more narrative than facts ie. Juston Holl is a solid rhd - not press box fodder.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 25, 2019 at 8:02 p.m.
Thread: Babcock marner list
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Jamiepo</b></div><div>Wow... that is a pretty messed up psychological thing to do to a kid. I wonder if any of this affected contract negotiations...</div></div>

Alot of things make sense to me now. The team underperforming for the calendar year, pretty low looking morale, Babcocks annual trips to Arizona to smooth things over with AM, Holl in the press box for the year, Josh Lievo,, crazy contract demands, Dubas acquiring players that Babcock wouldnt play in a way that made sense, strange ice time allocation, players looking disinterested/lost this season, half vieled digs by Babcock at certain players, playing favorites with others.. and likely more.

Really glad Keefe is coaching now. And looking forward to what this team can do moving forward.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 24, 2019 at 4:14 p.m.
Thread: Moves
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>LoganOllivier</b></div><div>Parayko is not worth 3 NHL regulars, 2 being young guys with high up side and a top prospect as well and an above average bottom pair defenceman. It's like he won the Norris or something. He didn't, he's great but let's calm down on thinking he's the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr</div></div>

Part of the reason that I'm excited to see what Keefe brings to the leafs is his conitunual hinting at playing 5 man units to their strengths. The hope here is that by approaching the game as a team game and coaching to the strength of a team it can bring results and takes things away from the misplaced importance of how the name on the back of the sweater changes everything .

Also, the islanders after they lost JT but gained Trotz