Official 2012-2013 Thread

[grits207]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Yea him. Just a player going through the motions.

If he is one of the league leaders in hits while just going through the motions then I'd love to see what he would do if he was actually trying...

He hasn't done a whole lot of agitating yet but that will come. He still leads the team in hits by a mile, leads all forwards on the team in blocked shots and has helped improved the PK from last season. I really don't see the comparison to Wallin at all.

[Cat Smasher]

I wonder if we can keep McLaren up and send down Kostka or Komarov when Brown comes back.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Man, Kessel can't buy a goal.

Frattin rules.

[Cat Smasher]

I'm really disappointed that Orr didn't beat the living **** out of Erskine regardless.

Start of the game Erskine takes a run, a clean one, at Kessel and flattens him, just barely catching him. Next shift Orr is out he challenges Erskine but Erskine doesn't want anything to do with it. I know the points are valuable, and it was clean and Kessel wasn't hurt, but still would have like to seen something other than just a challenge.

[The Dougler]

I like Komarov. Like grits said he hits everything that moves and is one of the Leafs better penalty killers. He played a big role on Frattins game winner last night and I saw him chirping Ovi and he's drawn a few calls while being a dick. This is his first 7-8 games in the NHL so let's go easy on him.

I really wish Orr pushed the envelope with Erskine more but in all honestly that guy has lost his balls completely. He was an animal in junior but he's been clipped somewhere along the way. He was even getting pushed around by JVR in front of the net all game. I'd rather have Fraser.

I am not liking the Liles/Gunnarsson pairing at all. Every time they're on the ice my hearts beating a little faster. Constant turnovers and dumb little flip passes behind the red line are brutal. They can't withstand a forecheck at all. Liles to me has been the worst and the guy who looks like he's suffered the most from the layoff. And I really don't get the Gunnarsson hype that so many have. Maybe I see things other don't but the guy gets praised for doing what he's supposed to do. When Millen broke down a play last game about Gunnar bracing himself for a hit and then moving the puck, I'm like "well duh, that's what he's supposed to do" and then he puts the pass into Frasers skates. Every time he lines up for a point shot he blows his load and puts it into the forwards shin pads.

I'd still be content with trading those two as well as Kulemin and MacArthur and giving some of the Marlies a shot. Just my take though

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Hamilton sent down and Holzer called up. With injuries I think that leaves us with 2 extra defenseman and no extra forwards right now. If I'm right (someone confirm?) that means McLaren and Orr will be regulars for a bit.

Terrible line change decision Saturday against the Bruins on what would be the game winning goal. It was 3rd line against 3rd line on the ice before a faceoff. Carlyle made a late change and out the 4th line one. Ten seconds later it was in the net. It was the first goal the 4th line has been on for so far this season, but it figures it would be the game winner in a 1-0 game.

[grits207]

I didn't like McLaren's game against the Bruins but it's understandable that he would struggle a bit since he barely even had a chance to skate with the team before the game. I'm guessing he will be quite a bit better tonight.

Originally Posted by BROKEN*ORBITAL

Hamilton sent down and Holzer called up. With injuries I think that leaves us with 2 extra defenseman and no extra forwards right now. If I'm right (someone confirm?) that means McLaren and Orr will be regulars for a bit.

Supposedly MacArthur is coming back tonight so that means somebody will have to come out of the lineup. I don't think it will be Orr or McLaren though.

[I_am_Belak_2]

I think Steckel comes out and McClement moves back to 4th line center between McLaren and Orr.

Btw, Mike Brown showed up at practice today sans 'stache. It's all gone.

[Cat Smasher]

What a thing of beauty that game was. Best Leaf game I have seen since Orr went running wild on the Flyers.

[grits207]

Man, I haven't had this much fun watching a Leafs game in a long, looooong ****ing time. Really just a picture perfect game from start to finish.

So many great moments. Orr running around and one punching Bourque, Fraser beating Prust, McLaren laughing at Gorges while beating him, Kessel getting a goal for the 2nd straight game, Komarov getting his 1st goal and stirring sh*t up, Grabovski continuing to be a lunatic, Kadri nailing that piece of sh*t Emelin, Reimer getting a shutout...best of all the Leafs winning 6-0, passing Montreal in the standings and shutting up every Habs fan in the arena.

The only thing that would have made tonight better would be if Reimer had channelled his inner Felix Potvin and beat up Carey Price.

Edit- Oh and I didn't even mention Orr getting an assist. Too much awesomeness to remember it all.

[Cat Smasher]

and knock on wood, tied for first in the league in fights.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Sure is great to be a Leafs fan this year after suffering through last year. I knew Carlyle liked fighting and was a good coach, but I didn't think I'd like him this much lol. And Komarov has for sure grown on me. Congrats on his 1st goal. I hope someone has a pic of McLaren laughing at Gorges lol.

But what happens now? Brown should be ready for the Philly game on Monday. Will they just waive the relatively useless Steckel and keep McLaren as the extra forward?

[grits207]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

But what happens now? Brown should be ready for the Philly game on Monday. Will they just waive the relatively useless Steckel and keep McLaren as the extra forward?

I don't think they will waive Steckel since I think they could still get a mid to late round pick for him in a trade. I know he hasn't looked too good so far but he still has value because of his faceoff ability.

IMO McLaren will be the one to get waived since it's much less likely that he will get claimed than Steckel. I love having multiple heavyweight enforcers on the roster but it's more of a luxury than a necessity as long as Orr, Fraser and Brown are in the lineup.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Oh shít, Reimer is hurt.

[grits207]

Scrivens played well but we are in trouble without Reimer. I just hope Nonis doesn't panic and trade for Luongo. I'm ok with bringing in another veteran goalie to help out until Reimer is back but it should be a veteran on an expiring contract. Khabibulin maybe? FWIW Carlyle is saying he doesn't think Reimer's injury is too serious. Let's hope he's right.

Anyway, here's a gif of JvR walking around Luke Schenn: