r/leafs • u/AutoModerator • 22h ago

Discussion Daily Free Talk / Armchair GM Thread

Please use this thread to post ANYTHING you want! Memes, photoshops, anything that would normally be removed for breaking the low-effort content rule, is totally, 100% welcome here!

This thread can also be used for Armchair GM ideas that may not require a standalone post. Is there a free agent you want to see on this team? Is there a player that's rumoured to be on the move that you think the Leafs should go after? Are there players on this team you want to trade away? Feel free to post about it here!

Normal moderation will occur, such as watching for personal insults, racism, and things of that nature.

Otherwise, feel free to use this thread to chat about your random Leafs thoughts, or share things like a photoshop of a Habs logo on fire or a reaction gif to something going on in Leafs Nation right now!

The use of this thread is not necessary on "Anything Goes Sundays," and this thread will not be posted.

Downvotes are discouraged for the most part, everyone's opinion is fair game in this thread. If you see rule breaking content, report it!

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

217 comments sorted by

View all comments

13

u/whosoulie 19h ago

I feel this iteration of the team is still 2 players short. A number 2C and a top 4 D. 

Addressing those two concerns turn this team from a bubble team to a contender. 

9

u/shadowpenguin29 19h ago

I think the top 4 D can be sorted out by fiddling with deployment. I think if McCabe and Raddysh are playing more time together at even strength as a minute eating pair (~20-22 mins), with Rielly and Tanev acting as the second pair (18-20 mins), they can be a fairly decent dcore.

The 2C issue just needs to be sorted out by Willy and McKenna building enough chemistry to drive the line. While he’s lost a step, JT is not as bad as his past 3 games, and is perfectly capable of playing with two play driving wingers in a more sheltered role. Actually playing Cowan’s line for more than 14 minutes a night would also help. I still believe that the team has the pieces internally to at least get them to the deadline in a decent spot, then we can evaluate for an upgrade.

3

u/Sirrebral99 Knies 19h ago

With two high end play driving wingers beside him, JT should be able to continue finding success this year. As long as he can win draws (which he's uncharacteristically struggled with so far), be in the right place at the right time - something he's built his career on - and finish the chances they create he'll be able to put up another 60+ point season. He's not a play driver anymore but still can be a strong contributor and finisher from someone else setting him up.

That line has struggled because Gavin is still adjusting to the NHL and Nylander has whiffed on some obvious tap ins. Easily could have 2 or 3 goals if Willy finished those chances, no one is complaining and they probably pick up at least another W in these first 3 games.

2

u/Tarquin11 18h ago

Willy has had some weirdly bad luck considering he has 3 pts in 3 games.

Missed open net tap in, 3 posts, a few miscues. He could easily have 6-7 pts right now.

I think he was even robbed by Dobes a few times in the game he got 2 goals.