Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Leafs' Defensive Woes: Deadline Dilemma



Has Samsonov turned it around?

Ilya has turned it around in his last three starts. A goalie's ego is fragile, but a goalie can turn it around as fast as he lost it. Samsonov is finding the puck. He is making the big saves now that he wasn't making before. One source commented, "Samsonov not being waived was a wake-up call for him." Ilya knows the Leafs will not put up with bad goals; he is highly motivated to prove himself. It's a feel-good story that no one wants to see end.


Matthews on a 70-goal pace


Matthews has been on a roll of late. His shot might be the best in the game. He is focused. He's really taken on a leadership role for the team. What makes Matthews so dangerous is that he can score from nowhere. And having Marner, one of the best playmakers in the game, on his side certainly doesn't hurt.


Defense still needs to improve


Do not let this winning streak fool you; Samsonov has been Superman. There are many things that need to improve in the defensive zone. The Leafs are in dire need of a stay-at-home dman. I am not sure it is worth the future to make the playoffs only to get steamrolled again. Defensemen will be at a premium at the deadline, and just having the money to buy one doesn't guarantee success.


I am not giving up Nick Robertson in the stay-at-home man trade—either he or Topi Niemela, a brilliant young defenseman with all the potential in the world. The Maple Leafs have not been able to compete with the big boys consistently. They are too fragile and struggle to overcome mistakes. Yes, they're on a roll right now, but relying solely on Samsonov to carry the team isn't a winning formula.


Randy

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The All-Star Break, It's Game On for Managers


Going into the All-Star break, the only people who will have the luxury of taking a break from hockey are the players themselves. The All-Star break is the busy season for managers and team officials; this is what they thrive on. While the players may be taking a break from the physical demands of the sport, Conroy ensures that their paycheques continue to roll in. 

The legwork is probably already done. This week, Conroy will check in on the progress of what teams need. He will discuss the compatibility of Calgary Flames players, such as Lindholm, Tanev, and the player I consider their most crucial asset, Hanifin, with other teams. 


Noah Hanifin


Noah is the best dman on the market. He is a terrific all-around defender. He is very good at pinching in the offensive zone and capitalizing on scoring chances for his team. Teams that could be looking to bolster their defensive lineup with Hanifin's presence include the Isles, Bruins, Leafs, and possibly Canucks. 


Elias Lindholm


In all honesty, Elias has been struggling all season, and the Flames will try to sell him in his previous history. However, Lindholm is a valuable asset for any team needing a solid second-line center. The teams I see as being interested are Sens, Oilers, Canucks, Avs, and Bruins.


Chris Tanev 


Chris is a rock in the defensive zone. He is the picture-perfect stay-at-home defenceman. He is a diehard shot blocker. He is fearless in his performance. Tanev's leadership qualities make him a valuable asset in any dressing room. Teams that might be interested in bringing Tanev's strengths to their defensive lineups are the Leafs, Canucks, and Isles.


Interesting tidbit: The Calgary Flames will be trying to clean up the dressing room, potentially resulting in a few surprise trades. I have no idea what will happen, but a few players could be traded who will surprise us.


Randy 

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Islanders: It's Go Time!

As you have no doubt heard, Lou Lamoriello made the decision to dismiss Lambert from the New York Islanders. He did what he had to do. While it may come across as harsh, he had to cover his butt. Now, before you go hyperventilating, it would be unfair to solely attribute the firing solely to Lamoriello covering his own interests, I believe it was a big part of the rationale for Lambert's termination.

Let's turn to what the hiring of Patrick Roy does for the team. Hiring Patrick Roy as the head coach of the New York Islanders brings several significant benefits to the team. These reasons, listed in no particular order, come to my mind.

1. Winning tradition

No matter where Roy is coached, he has brought success. He has the attitude that losing is not an option. He tells the players not just through words, but also by setting an example himself that there is no time for excuses, only time to do. To steal from the wise words of Yoda, "There is no try, there is only do."

2. Great motivator to get things done

Roy is one of the best motivators in the world of hockey. He's one of the best communicators — he effectively communicates to the players what his expectations are. The coach's main job is to put players in a position to succeed. Through trial and error, Roy has honed his ability to identify and capitalize on his players' strengths. There's no time like the present; Roy will adapt and make quick decisions on the fly. His experience as a player will bring out the best of the players. He can draw upon his experience of winning the Stanley Cup to share valuable insights with his players to inspire and motivate his team.

3. Heart of a Lion

Roy has the heart of a lion. He never quits, constantly pushing forward. Roy will do what it takes to win. His heart will not allow quitters. It's either his way or the highway. You're all in, or you're out. Players will follow him. Roy's innate ability to win people over is unparalleled. He has a heart of a lion. 

Overall, the hiring of Patrick Roy as the head coach of the New York Islanders brings a wealth of leadership, experience, and motivational skills to the Islanders. I will be eagerly watching to see how it works out.


Randy

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Leafs Still Have Room to Grow


Right now, it's pretty clear that the Leafs are struggling. Defensively, they need to be almost flawless, but let's face it, they're not quite there. We made a mistake; the puck was in the net. The truth is, our defense is just average, maybe even a bit below average. They will make mistakes. 

Martin Jones to the Rescue

Yes, I'm being facetious, but you getting the point. He really stepped up and played a fantastic game. If Jones can see the puck, chances are he will stop it. But you know what? The Leafs could still have played better. 

Work Ethic

The Maple Leafs never gave up on plays. When the Maple Leafs don't get outworked, they win. It just makes sense that if you have control of the puck, you're more likely to score. There were fewer blind passes—those passes where someone was supposed to be there but didn't get the memo.

Players positioning

The Leafs were on top of their game and never caught out of position. The Leafs played defense first, offense second, and pounced on the King's mistakes. They played near-perfect defense. This is exactly how the Leafs can achieve success!

Samsonov on Waivers

Samsonov has lost all confidence in himself, and the team has no intention of finding another goalie right now. They are playing the waiting game, hoping they hang on until Woll returns. Here's hoping they can.


Randy



Thursday, December 28, 2023

Islanders Defensive Disarray


The Islanders experienced their most disastrous period ever when facing the Pens, allowing a staggering six goals in a single period. What was even more alarming was the astonishing shots on goal. 

It is easy to blame the defense, but I am here to let people know this is not just the defense. The forwards failed to grasp an essential lesson in this game: the importance of being a complete player. They just threw Sorokin to the wolves; if they were parents, they would have been charged with abandonment of their children.  

The good news is this has not been their habit. Up until the fiasco of the Penguins game, the Isles were on a roll, led by Horvat and Barzal, who have been the players they are paid to be. The forwards were buying into the system to help out on the defensive system. For the most part, they diligently covered their man in the defensive zone. 

The defense was fine. Considering that they did not have Pelech, Polock, or Mayfield, they were on the verge of being spectacular. Dobson emerged as the clear leader of this makeshift group of dmen, effectively plugging up the leaks. Mike Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo have filled in admirably in the absence of Mayfield, Polock, and Pelech.

The Isles just have to work on these breakdowns, expecting to win without playing a full sixty minutes. Yes, they are a solid team, but they need to be better. They must put in a consistent effort.

What needs to put this team into a contender? The team needs to address two key areas: acquiring a scoring forward and another dman to fill in the top six. Whether the Isles make these steps depends on where they are in the standings. If the Islanders are in a wildcard spot, Lou may consider making a trade to improve their chances. However, if they are at least in third place, the team may be willing to trade some future assets to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

Randy


Saturday, December 2, 2023

The Flames' Dilemma


You can bet the Calgary Flames will be one of the busiest teams in the league over the next little while as they potentially transition from contenders to rebuilders. The team must determine their direction for this season, which will be consistently evaluated based on their performance.

The main decision that has to be made is what they will do with the defensive core. Following the Zordorv trade, only Hanifin and Tanav remained. Naturally, the initial inclination is to trade both of them. The problem is, can the Flames make the playoffs? It begs the question: Can you trade your defense if the Flames are aiming for the playoffs? Only time will tell.

The next question is whether the Flames will promote Wolf. Vladar was outstanding in the last game against the Knights. Without him, the Flames had no chance of winning. His consistent performance proved crucial for the team's victories. Meanwhile, Wolf continues to be an All-Star in the AHL. The Flames will have another issue to deal with as the Flame's depth continues to be a story this year. 

The Flames have seen a resurgence in their leaders, with Huberdeau and Kadri stepping up their game of late. Huby played his best game of the year against the Stars. If the kids can continue to bring out the best in Kadri and Huberdeau, the team could be in for a fun couple of months ahead.

All of this goes to say that the Flames have been fun to watch so far this season. I wonder when or if the plug gets pulled on the season. Will the next trade focus on future prospects, or will the team persist in their efforts to enhance their performance this season? So far, it would appear that the Flames have no intention of giving up this season. 

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Helter-Skelter Hockey


One word describes the Toronto Maple Leafs team this season: "helter-skelter." Each game feels like a fast-paced track meet with non-stop action. The fans undoubtedly get their money's worth; it's exciting to watch. For the coaches, not so much. They may need antacids and medication to manage their high blood pressure while watching the game.


The defensive zone play is a disaster. It's like watching the Keystone Cops running around with their heads cut off in the defensive zone. Morgan Reilly is in dire need of assistance as he cannot carry the entire burden alone. Klingberg is helping out offensively. Gio is doing his part. What the Leafs need is two defensemen who can stabilize the back end. The defensive blunders have to stop. We can't continue to win this way. The age-old adage of defense wins holds true, but ours wins us ulcers. 


Auston Matthews


The guy is on a tear, with three hat tricks and counting. He has 13 goals; every shot he fires seems to be going in. His performance is nothing short of extraordinary, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the league this season. He is *the* best player in the league right now by the way he's playing. He's on pace to score 70 goals and potentially even more. Can he do it? The way he's playing, I would not bet against him. I am glad he is on our team.


Players are Struggling


Ilya Samsonov has been struggling of late. He was pulled from Monday's game after letting four goals in the first period. Granted, it was not all his fault, as the defense in front of him was not exactly stellar. Still, I am worried. We will need him down the stretch. Woll has been outstanding, but I don't want to put that much pressure on him going into the playoffs.


As for Bertuzzi and Domi, they need to find their niche in this lineup. I still think Bertuzzi is a good player; he needs to go to the net and get his share of the garbage goals. Domi is a third-liner. He needs to get his confidence back. The Leafs need these two, as the scoring support is thin. This team is in trouble if Marner, Tavares, Matthews, and Reilly get shut down.


The drama of the Leafs continues.


Randy