Who Is The Toughest Team 2013

[cookie monster]

Originally Posted by slashtrey

Boston does not compare to Toronto's current lineup. The two teams don't play until March 7, but I expect Toronto will make an indisputable case for toughest team on that day, if not before.

Are you sure?

Say you got Orr vs Thornton...in all honesty a wash. Could go other way.
Draw.

McQuaid vs McLaren
Win Leafs

Brown vs Campbell
Win Leafs


Ok, that I see, but now what? The Bruins still have Lucic, Chara, Horton, Boychuck and Ference vs Komiserak, Phanuef and Fraser?

The toughest line in hockey is easily that awesome Maple Leafs fourth line of Orr, Brown and McClaren, but after that their line up is pretty soft.

Plus come playoff time how much ice time you think Orr, Brown and McClaren will see? All the guys in Boston will get the same ice time they do now.

I don't like the Bruins particularly, there roster (except McQuaid and Seguin, I like them) or especially their fan base, but I do admire how they've put together a roster with toughness in players that can actually play.

[brawls16]

Originally Posted by cookie monster

Plus come playoff time how much ice time you think Orr, Brown and McClaren will see? All the guys in Boston will get the same ice time they do now.

Orr has played in every game, Brown has only missed the games he was on the IR for, while McLaren was only scratched his first game when claimed off waivers. So really, they've been playing every single game.

Heck, Brown came back and there was talks of McLaren getting the shaft, but instead Carlyle bumped Orr up to the 3rd line to make room for both Brown and McLaren on the 4th line.

I don't see why it would be different come playoff time.

Leafs are winning with their 4 tough guys playing every game, Randy isn't going to mess with a winning formula.

Steckel is the one in the press boxes this year, since he's not man enough to play with that solid 4the line....or 3rd line for that matter!

.Chara doesn't fight, and when he does, he goes for the ragdoll take down.
.Horton has the Lindros mellon, he won't be fighting anymore.
.Ference isn't much of a threat either, McClement can handle him for christ sakes.
.Lucic, as we all know won't fart in Orr's direction so he won't touch any other Leafs players.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally Posted by cookie monster

Are you sure?

Say you got Orr vs Thornton...in all honesty a wash. Could go other way.
Draw.

McQuaid vs McLaren
Win Leafs

Brown vs Campbell
Win Leafs


Ok, that I see, but now what? The Bruins still have Lucic, Chara, Horton, Boychuck and Ference vs Komiserak, Phanuef and Fraser?

The toughest line in hockey is easily that awesome Maple Leafs fourth line of Orr, Brown and McClaren, but after that their line up is pretty soft.

Plus come playoff time how much ice time you think Orr, Brown and McClaren will see? All the guys in Boston will get the same ice time they do now.

I don't like the Bruins particularly, there roster (except McQuaid and Seguin, I like them) or especially their fan base, but I do admire how they've put together a roster with toughness in players that can actually play.

I don't put much stock in these on-paper hypothetical matchups. The leafs have shown to play tough this year, the Bruins have not. Once you get past the top 4 or so guys on the roster it's really a moot point anyway.

[I_am_Belak_2]

For the West, I guess Chicago is fine. And (gasp!) Vancouver? Columbus has a high fight total but I wouldn't say they're tough. I'm sure they're fighting only to keep the 100 fans interested.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by cookie monster

Ok, that I see, but now what? The Bruins still have Lucic, Chara, Horton, Boychuck and Ference vs Komiserak, Phanuef and Fraser?

You new guys have to stop saying names like Ference for **** sake, and Phanuef and Komi...?? My retarded puppy is tougher.

Orr/McLaren = Thornton/Lucic
Fraser = McQuaid
Brown = I dunno, certainly not Ference or Campbell.

I still think it's about even now, last week I said Boston had it for now...but with Brown being back and actually playing, ties it up imo.

[cookie monster]

Originally Posted by Jack Schitt

I don't put much stock in these on-paper hypothetical matchups. The leafs have shown to play tough this year, the Bruins have not. Once you get past the top 4 or so guys on the roster it's really a moot point anyway.

My point was a supposed line brawl matching up fourth lines, the Bruins have more left if it continued.

[cookie monster]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

You new guys have to stop saying names like Ference for **** sake, and Phanuef and Komi...?? My retarded puppy is tougher.

Orr/McLaren = Thornton/Lucic
Fraser = McQuaid
Brown = I dunno, certainly not Ference or Campbell.

I still think it's about even now, last week I said Boston had it for now...but with Brown being back and actually playing, ties it up imo.

I would like to meet this puppy. Sounds badass.

The reason I listed guys like Ference, Komiserak and Phauef is because if a line brawl or something happens they will drop the gloves. Does it make them tough or intimidating? No. But want it does mean is that the willingness to drop the gloves did does give your team an advantage against guys like Seguin and Kessel who will not drop the gloves at all.


Guys like Boychuck and Campbell look like world beaters against guys like Hamerlik and Pyatt.

[slashtrey]

Originally Posted by cookie monster

My point was a supposed line brawl matching up fourth lines, the Bruins have more left if it continued.

Incredibly stupid and pointless thing to bring up in this thread. A hypothetical line brawl is how you're deciding who the toughest team is? How many line brawls do we even see nowadays? I'm really surprised you would judge toughness on that instead of actual play that has actually happened. In which case Toronto > Boston and it isn't close.

Main point of this post:

Hypothetical line brawls are pointless discussion for the toughest team.

[Golden Gloves22]

Originally Posted by brawls16

Orr has played in every game, Brown has only missed the games he was on the IR for, while McLaren was only scratched his first game when claimed off waivers. So really, they've been playing every single game.

Heck, Brown came back and there was talks of McLaren getting the shaft, but instead Carlyle bumped Orr up to the 3rd line to make room for both Brown and McLaren on the 4th line.

I don't see why it would be different come playoff time.

Leafs are winning with their 4 tough guys playing every game, Randy isn't going to mess with a winning formula.

Steckel is the one in the press boxes this year, since he's not man enough to play with that solid 4the line....or 3rd line for that matter!

.Chara doesn't fight, and when he does, he goes for the ragdoll take down.
.Horton has the Lindros mellon, he won't be fighting anymore.
.Ference isn't much of a threat either, McClement can handle him for christ sakes.
.Lucic, as we all know won't fart in Orr's direction so he won't touch any other Leafs players.

Lucic wont fart in Orr's direction yet he has already fought him, Yes he lost..but youre delusional to think he is scared, He's a tough hockey player who will go with anyone if he HAS to, I dont think he's gonna look forward to fight Orr but if he had to he would fight him, hes done it before. And you wil bring up how Orr kicked Lucics ass, its all good.
With all that said, I think the Leafs have are the toughest team at the moment, with the Bruins slightly behind, for the simple fact that Toronto has two legit heavies,and one is probably the best fighter around.

[ThrowdownSJ408]

Originally Posted by brawls16

Gotta go with the Leafs now.

Colton Orr, Mike Brown, Frazer McLaren and Mark Fraser?

All dressing with Colt on the 3rd line?

No one beats that.

Exactly all 4 of those guys are playing each game. The Bruins have Thornton injured (still damn) and have Macdermid in and out.

Originally Posted by Jack Schitt

IMO it's not just the lineup, it's if they have been playing a physical, punishing and intimidating style, and the Bruins just haven't done that this season. Not a slam, not trolling, it's just a fact.

Exactly. The Bruins are tough on paper when comparing fighters in theory but lets look how they play, leafs have shown it on the rink not on a computer screen.


Bruin fans its okay to not be the toughest right now, you are still easily top 5 most likely top 3. Settle with that, I wish my team was even mentioned! It is only a matter of time before the big bad Bruins step their game up again.

[I_am_Belak_2]

In a linebrawl, anyone and everyone will drop the gloves. Look at Ottawa/Philly, Anaheim/Calgary for examples.

[cookie monster]

Originally Posted by slashtrey

Incredibly stupid and pointless thing to bring up in this thread. A hypothetical line brawl is how you're deciding who the toughest team is? How many line brawls do we even see nowadays? I'm really surprised you would judge toughness on that instead of actual play that has actually happened. In which case Toronto > Boston and it isn't close.

Main point of this post:

Hypothetical line brawls are pointless discussion for the toughest team.

What are you babbling about?

When comparing things, you take the things that are equal, you cross them off the list and see what left. It's pretty simple.

The teams are playing. Orr fights Thornton and some pushing and shoving breaks out. McClaren roughs up Paille (or possibly fights MCDermid) , Brown Campbell push and shove and drop the gloves. All six guys pick up penalties and are off the ice for the next few shift.

It's that so unthinkable? That really is such an unrealistic hypothetical?

Just please humor me and use your imagination and pretend that it happened, as far fetched as this crazy scenario is.

Now, look at each roster, players left and tell me which team has the tougher line up. In my opinion, it would be Boston. If you want to think differently that fine, but say it's "stupid and pointless" is pretty stupid and pointless. It makes perfect sense to make a comparison this way.

Especially now that McDermid has been called up, he probably would be in the up vs Toronto, like Julien did with Buffalo.

[ThrowdownSJ408]

Originally Posted by Golden Gloves22

Lucic wont fart in Orr's direction yet he has already fought him, Yes he lost..but youre delusional to think he is scared, He's a tough hockey player who will go with anyone if he HAS to, I dont think he's gonna look forward to fight Orr but if he had to he would fight him, hes done it before. And you wil bring up how Orr kicked Lucics ass, its all good.
With all that said, I think the Leafs have are the toughest team at the moment, with the Bruins slightly behind, for the simple fact that Toronto has two legit heavies,and one is probably the best fighter around.

I honestly think neither one of them are afraid of each other and think both of them could KO each other any day of the week.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally Posted by Golden Gloves22

Lucic wont fart in Orr's direction yet he has already fought him, Yes he lost..but youre delusional to think he is scared, He's a tough hockey player who will go with anyone if he HAS to, I dont think he's gonna look forward to fight Orr but if he had to he would fight him, hes done it before. And you wil bring up how Orr kicked Lucics ass, its all good.
With all that said, I think the Leafs have are the toughest team at the moment, with the Bruins slightly behind, for the simple fact that Toronto has two legit heavies,and one is probably the best fighter around.

If we all agree that the Leafs at this point are probably the toughest team based on consistency of lineup and actual rough play/ fights, to nobody's surprise I disagree that the Bruins are "slightly behind" at number 2. I would make the case that based on actual events thus far THIS SEASON, the Sabres are playing tougher than the Bruins.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by cookie monster

The reason I listed guys like Ference, Komiserak and Phauef is because if a line brawl or something happens they will drop the gloves. Does it make them tough or intimidating? No. But want it does mean is that the willingness to drop the gloves did does give your team an advantage against guys like Seguin and Kessel who will not drop the gloves at all.

.

I like your positive thinking about a potential line brawl for sure, but for the point of this thread, since the answer is no, they do not belong in it.