Can the Leafs Fix Their Defensive Issues Before Playoffs?

In my opinion, the Maple Leafs have two main purposes going into the deadline. First up, they really need to find a solid third-line center, and second, the classic veteran defencemen. This may be harder because every team is looking for a dman. As for the centres, there are not too many available. Plus, with cap restrictions, they’ve got some limits to deal with.

My reasoning is simple. The Leafs are still giving up way too many scoring opportunities. Defensively, we have to clean up. To be fair, this is not on all the defence. Our forwards have been a bit lazy getting back into their own zone. They have to work on their entire game. Being a one-cycle player isn’t what the Leafs need. We need complete players who can do it all.

Snagging a defensive-minded third-line center would be ideal. It would be nice if he could fill in the top six in case of injuries and could add some offense. It’d be great to have someone reliable on the ice in those nail-biting moments when we’re trying to protect a lead. Come playoffs, shutting down the opposition will be vital.

The defense is still struggling in the defensive zone. We need a dman to stabilize the the third pairing. There are Way too many gaps in the defensive play. Time to fill in the gaps before the playoffs start.

The saying “defense wins cups” comes to mind. Let’s hope the Leafs adhere to this philosophy. 

Randy

Islanders’ Playoff Hopes

There is a lot of gossip or speculation about what the Islanders might do at the deadline. I had a chat with a source on this exact topic. Here is his answer: “You know Lou, he won’t give up until it’s impossible to win.” He is saying that General Lou has not given up on this team. The first sign of this is the attempt to sign Brock “Broccoli” Nelson. No guarantees here, but Brock wants to stay, and the Isles are definitely keen on keeping him.

The next bit of news on the agenda is Noah Dobson. I have never seen so much talk around Noah. Rumor has it teams are reaching out to the Isles to see if they can snag the defender. “Teams inquiring about Noah does not mean he is on the market.” Any team would have to pay an arm and a leg to persuade Lou to give up Noah. A GM’s job is to explore all his options; if they’re not, they’re not doing their job. This is just a case of a manager doing his due diligence.

If the Islanders decide to add, here are my thoughts: I limit it to two players because I am lazy. :)

Jake Evans Centre

Jake is a terrific jack-of-all-trades player. He is a fast skater who will help out in penalty killing. He will punch in with the odd offensive goal. He has an underrated shot.

Nikolai Ehlers LW

Nikolai is a significant power forward. A talented player with a terrific shot. He is potentially a 25 to 35 goal scorer. I doubt the Jets will put him on the market, but if they do, the Isles might inquire if he is available.

If you presume to know anything Lou is doing, assume you will look like a fool. 

Mapping Out Success: The Key Players Driving Toronto Forward

The Leafs have to play a particular way to win. I know our automatic impulse is to outscore everyone every game, but hear me out. Consistency has got to be the name of the game. Lately, the Leafs have been struggling to play a full 60 minutes. Remember, defense wins games. Sure, offense is important too, but solid defense has to be the foundation of any successful hockey team.

The Leafs have been better lately, coming closer to playing the full 60 minutes. Their core guys are firing on all cylinders! Matthews has been skating like the wind and has his shot back. And let’s not forget about Nylander—he’s absolutely on fire, matching Matthews goal for goal. T Speaking of offensive firepower, Matthew Knies has officially arrived! Wow. Knies is a brilliant young forward with some wheels, smooth stick handling, and a terrific shot. Knies is valuable to the team’s success. And we can’t discuss the core without mentioning Mitch Marner—he’s having a career year! Marner might be one of the best playmaking forwards in the league. Some people are even saying that he deserves a shot at MVP.

The Leafs could use some help with the secondary scoring. The bottom six need to get more involved. Mann has been doing his job lately, and Robertson did get a goal against Tampa. They must continue to hustle and work. The Leafs must continue with the hard work and continue working together. If the core can continue with their play, the Leafs can be one of the best teams in the league. The defense led by Tanev must continue to play more responsibly on their end. Think more responsibly by staying out of the box. 

Conclusion

Having Stolartz return will be a massive part of the team’s success. I have been telling everyone who will listen that he is the the best bargain free agent signing of the offseason. I’m not saying Woll has been terrible, but Stolartz has been outstanding between the pipes. I love how he covers the angles. He is a great standup netminder. He stabilizes the goaltending this season. Here’s hoping the team continues to rack up those wins for the rest of the season!

Randy

Trade Rumors Heat Up as Isles Face Tough Decisions

The Isles are gearing up to make some big decisions, and it’s happening very soon. There is all sorts of speculation about Nelson possibly being on the chopping block. So, what’s the deal with Palms?

Nelson is being speculated to be a UFA soon. The thought is that he is ready to move on. The team is not performing up to expectations. Everyone can see that, including Roy and Lou. To make problems worse, Brock is getting frustrated with his low production.

Brock Nelson’s stats are 11 goals and 12 assists through 41 games. At the writing of this blog, Those numbers work out to 46 points for the full season. Granted, those numbers are not great, but to be fair, he is not the only one struggling out there. While Brock’s been having a rough season overall, I’ve noticed he’s starting to pick up his game a bit and getting more involved. He may not be matching his performance from last year; I think the main issue is that he just doesn’t seem to be skating as much or feeling the same motivation he used to have.

Another player generating some buzz is Kyle Palmieri. As of now, he’s racked up 12 goals and 15 assists, which puts him on pace for a solid 54-point season. Palmieri is a valuable asset who could get two assets in return in the offseason. You would only trade him if you’re entirely out of the race. If the Isles are out of the running, it would be in their best interest to get what they can now.

If they end up getting traded, where might they land? Let’s check in with our buddies over at IslesTalk on YouTube. Don’t miss their awesome show, and make sure to follow them on Twitter @IslesTalk!

It will be interesting. The Isles’ problem isn’t with how many points they’re behind; it is how many teams are involved in the hunt. Jumping over five teams definitely complicates things! I’ve got a feeling it could go either way. I never like to bet against the Isles; I know better. See, really, I am a chicken at heart.

Randy.

The Maple Leafs' Recipe for Success

So why are the Leafs winning? I know the commercial answer: “Duh, they have scored more goals.” Let me help with my analysis of the Maple Leafs’ recipe for success. 

The Chef

Every recipe needs a chef to make it come all together. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Chef is Craig Berube. What makes him such an awesome coach is not just having great players, but also his knack for getting them to gel in a way other coaches can’t. He has built the perfect system for the Leafs to succeed. 

The Main Course 

The main dish is what everyone’s really here for, and right now, that’s the goaltending duo of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. They are like two brothers constantly trying to outdo each other. The combo gives the teams a chance to win every night—exactly what every team hopes their goalies can deliver! 

The Veggies and Salad

We all know that veggies and rabbit food are essential for getting those vitamins to keep us energized. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ veggies and salad are their defense. Chris Tanev leads the defense and won’t stop at anything to ensure victory. He is a stalwart defenceman who does not give up and stops at nothing to win. Morgan Reilly has been the glue holding the defense together. It is about time Morgan got some support on the blue line. Thankfully, Simon Benoit has stepped up big time this season and has been a fantastic surprise addition!

The Dessert 

Every dinner should have a dessert, which brings smiles to our faces. The Maple Leaf’s desserts have to be the offense. We’re talking about the glory of scoring goals, with Marner, Tavares, and, of course, Matthews leading the charge—oh, and can’t forget that guy named Nylander! And let’s not overlook how Kneis is really stepping up this season; he’s been a great support for the team.

There you have it.

Randy

NY Islanders: For the Love of Hockey

For the love of hockey, please teach the Islanders how to defend a penalty kill. With every penalty, the Islanders leave the player in the middle of the ice and let him stand there. You can’t keep giving teams scoring chances right in the slot! As a whole, they keep on missing their assignments. I wonder if this is on the coaching or the players? Can this be a miscommunication problem? They seem to lack confidence about where they should be positioned. Instead of staying calm, they’re panicking and chasing after the puck like chickens with their heads cut off. They can’t afford to be caught out of position like this all the time! The defense really needs to make it more challenging for players to get in front of the net. And those forwards? They’ve got to do a better job shutting down passing lanes and getting their sticks in the way. They are way too loosey-goosey.  

On the bright side, the Islanders have played better in the third period in the last two games. It’s also positive that the Islanders are mostly competitive, even without Barzal. They’ve shown some solid play during this stretch. They must try to stay in the race until the big guns return to the lineup.

Conclusion

Paul Kreischer says, “The young guns are still learning how to play in the NHL, and their offensive numbers were suffering at the beginning of this season. You can find Paul on Twitter @P_Kreischer. It’s an interesting point that these younger players need to get the hang of things in the NHL!

Randy

Leafs: Strong Start but Defensive Woes Persist

So far this season, the Maple Leafs could be sitting at 6-0 if not for a couple of goalies, Sam Montembeault and Igor Shesterkin, who both stoned the Leafs. Especially Montembeault with his 48-save shutout. The Maple Leafs had plenty of chances to pull out wins in both games, but just couldn’t get past those two.

But there are some warning signs here. The Leafs are still are giving up way too many chances. They really need to focus on their zone coverage, skate harder, and cut out those lazy penalties. The defensive play has to improve. If it doesn’t, goaltender Anthony Stolarz will have to sue the team for lack of support.

On a brighter note, there are a couple of players who I have to point out that have been stellar so far this season.

Chris Tanev

Chris has got to be one of the bravest players in the league, if not the bravest. Giving his body up to block shots left and right. I’ll bet Reilly is super grateful for Chris every shift he is on the ice.

Anthony Stolarz 

Did you see that save Monday night? Toronto Maple Leafs fans are totally convinced Anthony channeled his inner Gumby to keep that puck off the goal line. If you don’t believe me, take a look at it. 

It wasn’t just that save. He has been Mr. Steady all season and has been there to answer the calls; has stepped up big time with Joseph Woll injured. 

So far, things are looking good, but the defensive play has to improve. And those lazy minors late in the game? Not a fan of those at all. I’d give it a solid B+ so far!