Toronto Maple Leafs

[R.J]

Hasn't helped that Andersen is playing poorly, and that teams have figured out he's struggling glove side.

[Will]

Hasn't helped that Andersen is playing poorly, and that teams have figured out he's struggling glove side.

Definitely, but it's a delicate balance with goalies. Admittedly, the Leafs defence sucks, but when Andersen is letting in 5 a night then it is a problem. Now he played pretty well yesterday and the Leafs won 3-2 over Florida.

Marner also showing that he belongs in the NHL with 3 assists. I think the Leafs top 3 scorers are Matthews, Nylander and Marner who are all rookies.

[R.J]

Definitely, but it's a delicate balance with goalies. Admittedly, the Leafs defence sucks, but when Andersen is letting in 5 a night then it is a problem. Now he played pretty well yesterday and the Leafs won 3-2 over Florida.

Marner also showing that he belongs in the NHL with 3 assists. I think the Leafs top 3 scorers are Matthews, Nylander and Marner who are all rookies.

Yeah the 3 kids are playing very well for rookies. As for Andersen, I'm not overly surprised that he's struggling out of the gate (new team), but I don't recall him having such a weak glove side while in Anaheim. I think he's a good goalie, so hopefully he figure it out, because the Leafs haven't had a real #1 in a while.

[AngeloV]

Yeah the 3 kids are playing very well for rookies. As for Andersen, I'm not overly surprised that he's struggling out of the gate (new team), but I don't recall him having such a weak glove side while in Anaheim. I think he's a good goalie, so hopefully he figure it out, because the Leafs haven't had a real #1 in a while.

I hope Anderson turns it around just to piss off that idiot Don Cherry. Haven't watched coaches corner in years, but read that he ripped Anderson and said the Leafs should have kept Reimer. I like Reimer, but is he really better than Anderson? How Cherry is still allowed to be on the air just blows me away.

[R.J]

I hope Anderson turns it around just to piss off that idiot Don Cherry. Haven't watched coaches corner in years, but read that he ripped Anderson and said the Leafs should have kept Reimer. I like Reimer, but is he really better than Anderson? How Cherry is still allowed to be on the air just blows me away.

Reims has one of the worst glove hands I've seen in a long time. Andersen IMO is better than Reimer, but playing in Anaheim may have made him look better than what he actually is - time will tell I suppose.

[Will]

Andersen has been much, much better over the last 5-6 games and coincidentally the Maple Leafs are 4-2 over their last six games.

[Argo57]

Andersen has been much, much better over the last 5-6 games and coincidentally the Maple Leafs are 4-2 over their last six games.

The guy was hurt for the World Cup, probably put him a month behind everyone else.

[Will]

Is it any wonder sometimes why players cannot succeed in this market? Much of the talk lately in the media has been about Auston Matthews' scoring drought. Yes, he hasn't scored in a number of games, but let the kid breathe a little bit. It isn't my sense that he's playing particularly badly, it's just that he hasn't had much luck with the scoring %. Mitch Marner is producing right now, but how much of that has to do with the fact that he's playing with two veterans in Bozak and Van Riemsdyk as opposed to Matthews who is playing with Nylander (who's also cooled down) and Hyman?

[AngeloV]

Is it any wonder sometimes why players cannot succeed in this market? Much of the talk lately in the media has been about Auston Matthews' scoring drought. Yes, he hasn't scored in a number of games, but let the kid breathe a little bit. It isn't my sense that he's playing particularly badly, it's just that he hasn't had much luck with the scoring %. Mitch Marner is producing right now, but how much of that has to do with the fact that he's playing with two veterans in Bozak and Van Riemsdyk as opposed to Matthews who is playing with Nylander (who's also cooled down) and Hyman?

Should have drafted Laine.

[R.J]

Is it any wonder sometimes why players cannot succeed in this market? Much of the talk lately in the media has been about Auston Matthews' scoring drought. Yes, he hasn't scored in a number of games, but let the kid breathe a little bit. It isn't my sense that he's playing particularly badly, it's just that he hasn't had much luck with the scoring %. Mitch Marner is producing right now, but how much of that has to do with the fact that he's playing with two veterans in Bozak and Van Riemsdyk as opposed to Matthews who is playing with Nylander (who's also cooled down) and Hyman?

Marner is looking really good, but I agree, he has a bit of an advantage (Bozak and Van Riemsdyk). Matthews is a good 200 ft player though, and given time he'll be an elite centre IMO.

Matthew Tkachuk is also looking real good in Calgary, I was surprised he was taken so late - I thought at worst 4th, but that's the way she goes with the draft sometimes. Dubois going 3rd was a huge surprise.

[Will]

Marner is looking really good, but I agree, he has a bit of an advantage (Bozak and Van Riemsdyk). Matthews is a good 200 ft player though, and given time he'll be an elite centre IMO.

Matthew Tkachuk is also looking real good in Calgary, I was surprised he was taken so late - I thought at worst 4th, but that's the way she goes with the draft sometimes. Dubois going 3rd was a huge surprise.

Exactly, Matthews might not be producing on the scoreboard, but Babcock cited that he feels his play in other areas has improved.

[Will]

Matthews has really come out of his "slump" and leads the team with 16 goals. All these rookies are going through ebbs and flows as Marner struggled for awhile too. Andersen's play in net has greatly improved too.

[Argo57]

Matthews has really come out of his "slump" and leads the team with 16 goals. All these rookies are going through ebbs and flows as Marner struggled for awhile too. Andersen's play in net has greatly improved too.

They finally have good management that realizes that there are no shortcuts to building a winning team, of course winning the lottery and getting Matthews sure helped!
Another solid draft or two and they will be in even better shape!

[Will]

They finally have good management that realizes that there are no shortcuts to building a winning team, of course winning the lottery and getting Matthews sure helped!
Another solid draft or two and they will be in even better shape!

Agreed!

Going to see Leafs play Florida tomorrow. Crowd should be partisan to Maple Leafs as it usually is this time of year down here.

[Argo57]

Agreed!

Going to see Leafs play Florida tomorrow. Crowd should be partisan to Maple Leafs as it usually is this time of year down here.

Lucky guy!
Enjoy the game.

[Will]

This was my first time seeing the "kids" in person. Mitch Marner could have scored 2-3 tonight, but Roberto Luongo is still a world-class goaltender. Florida outshot the Leafs, however the quality of chances against Andersen (who's solid after the slow start to the year) were not as good. Auston Matthews is also impressive up close with his size. He also got a goal tonight.

The game was not a sellout here in Florida, and, the crowd was partisan to the Leafs.

[Will]

As an Argo fan I can appreciate what Florida Panther fans go through.

— Argofans.com (@Argofans) December 30, 2016

Even though I was cheering for the Maple Leafs, I get the frustration with having significant amount of away fans at your games.

— Argofans.com (@Argofans) December 30, 2016

After all, Argo fans experience this when playing several teams in the CFL at home.

— Argofans.com (@Argofans) December 30, 2016

[Will]

Auston Matthews is now ahead of Patrik Laine in the goal scoring race.

Take that Gary Lawless

[Will]

The Leafs may actually be good.

[Deerkeeper]

The Leafs may actually be good.

Has anyone check the temperature in hell lately? Is it anywhere close to freezing over?