I only know what I’ve read about him - for whatever that’s worth.
If he’s capable, no doubt the depth at that position is important.
- Woderwick

Well playoffs are different. A player like Edmundson is pretty damn good in playoff type games like the EDM one.

You wonder what the kid is like...With how Gio has been playing id almost rather Webber play if it came to it.

McCabe is ok, right?
Puck hit his cheek bone I think?
Just a little bit uglier.

McManus maybe not so much…?

McCabe is ok, right?
Puck hit his cheek bone I think?
Just a little bit uglier.

McManus maybe not so much…?
- Woderwick

Yeah.

With Jarnkrok almost healthy and Robertson proving to be hungry and deserving it really doesn't matter too much.

It was the least you could do for him, after making such a delicious meal for you.
- gravyface

lolololo🤣

I mean I agree with Keefe that it has been a major distraction.

AM played like 24 mins last game which was the most he played in months...You can tell Keefe wanted it so he could go to FLA without this to play for.

It is good for the fans but this 70 chasing isn't helping the team thats for sure.

But losing or winning doesn't matter right now.

1.Be healthy
2.Get AM 70

That is all, find a balance...which means get AM into one of these games
- Santo_44

Keefe can minimize the "distraction" by not playing AM so much. He doesnt need to rest him a full game, but maybe better in game management, less mins, only certain situations etc.

I wonder if there is the slightest chance they would even consider him for playoffs.

I really don't know much about him at all.

But he is making the trip so that means he probably gets in at game 82.
- Santo_44

They put Knies in - and being a big body was a big part of that. I don't think any of us know anything about Webber in terms of his skating, his positioning, his ability to compete at this level - in order to even guess. Ultimately I think the Leafs have enough NHL-calibre defensemen that going with a kid fresh out of University might be a bad decision.

McCabe is ok, right?
Puck hit his cheek bone I think?
Just a little bit uglier.

McManus maybe not so much…?
- Woderwick

We'll know more sometime today apparently

I think McMann could be out for a bit.

I wonder if there is the slightest chance they would even consider him for playoffs.

I really don't know much about him at all.

But he is making the trip so that means he probably gets in at game 82.
- Santo_44

I’m not sure he’s actually been signed or at least that his contract has been registered with the league. CapFriendly has Mattinen listed on the roster but not Webber. They’re going to have to move someone off the roster to get Jarnkrok in so it’s hard to see how they can add Webber.

They put Knies in - and being a big body was a big part of that. I don't think any of us know anything about Webber in terms of his skating, his positioning, his ability to compete at this level - in order to even guess. Ultimately I think the Leafs have enough NHL-calibre defensemen that going with a kid fresh out of University might be a bad decision.
- Monkeypunk

Meh it will come down to scouting and what they think.

Playoffs are a different game, they set up others to succeed(Edmundson) and others to fail(Tatar)

I am not saying he starts game 1 but if they need to put in Gio or Lajoe maybe they choose him? I don't know. The rumour is he is making the trip to Florida and not Rochester for the Marlies last game which means something, not nothing.

Does a NCAA player need to play at least a game to be eligible for playoffs? Maybe thats why. More depth. doesnt hurt to have guys who can PK in case of injury.

Keefe can minimize the "distraction" by not playing AM so much. He doesnt need to rest him a full game, but maybe better in game management, less mins, only certain situations etc.
- Fakepartofme

I think he played him so much after that goal because he wanted to get it over with.

He had some great chances, its a shame he didn't get it.

I mean I agree with Keefe that it has been a major distraction.

AM played like 24 mins last game which was the most he played in months...You can tell Keefe wanted it so he could go to FLA without this to play for.

It is good for the fans but this 70 chasing isn't helping the team thats for sure.

But losing or winning doesn't matter right now.

1.Be healthy
2.Get AM 70

That is all, find a balance...which means get AM into one of these games
- Santo_44

I don't know. Anyone can be hurt at any time in any place. I'd rather keep Matthews going and keep him on this streak. Don't mess with success - he has scored in 8 straight games. It's like riding the shutout - you keep a hot goalie going. Even if he scored 2 tomorrow against Florida and had 71, I'd still be inclined to play him in game 82 against Tampa. The big number wouldn't be a distraction any more and the team could get back to being a team.

Oh we have to rest Matthews! Precious Matthews! And Delicate Marner! And Lil' Will Nylander! What about the rest of the losers on the team? "Oh it's okay if YOU get hurt. You're just a red shirt player."

They are professional athletes in the prime of their careers. If they have a nagging injury or an ailment - then sure, rest up. Otherwise play the game.

I’m not sure he’s actually been signed or at least that his contract has been registered with the league. CapFriendly has Mattinen listed on the roster but not Webber. They’re going to have to move someone off the roster to get Jarnkrok in so it’s hard to see how they can add Webber.
- Canada Cup

That is a misnomer - the Leafs announced the contract starts in '24, so Mattinen is not on the roster.

Meh it will come down to scouting and what they think.

Playoffs are a different game, they set up others to succeed(Edmundson) and others to fail(Tatar)

I am not saying he starts game 1 but if they need to put in Gio or Lajoe maybe they choose him? I don't know. The rumour is he is making the trip to Florida and not Rochester for the Marlies last game which means something, not nothing.

Does a NCAA player need to play at least a game to be eligible for playoffs? Maybe thats why. More depth. doesnt hurt to have guys who can PK in case of injury.
- Santo_44

The kid is listed as 6'7 (6'6 in some places) and anywhere from 195 - 210 lbs. I'll assume he's continued to grow and fill out and is 6'7 / 210 about now. Room for muscle, but needs more if we're being honest with his height. He is reportedly a shot blocking machine and is good at managing the front of the net. How will he fare against men who are stronger and meaner than him? It's a lot to try and figure out in a game or two! But if he knows how to leverage his size to his advantage and battles back . . . of course he's a left-side defender, so I have no bloody clue where that puts him in the depth chart!

I don't know. Anyone can be hurt at any time in any place. I'd rather keep Matthews going and keep him on this streak. Don't mess with success - he has scored in 8 straight games. It's like riding the shutout - you keep a hot goalie going. Even if he scored 2 tomorrow against Florida and had 71, I'd still be inclined to play him in game 82 against Tampa. The big number wouldn't be a distraction any more and the team could get back to being a team.

Oh we have to rest Matthews! Precious Matthews! And Delicate Marner! And Lil' Will Nylander! What about the rest of the losers on the team? "Oh it's okay if YOU get hurt. You're just a red shirt player."

They are professional athletes in the prime of their careers. If they have a nagging injury or an ailment - then sure, rest up. Otherwise play the game.
- Monkeypunk

Maybe I'm crazy but this idea of resting a guy since saturday might throw off his game since the playoffs don't start til this saturday or Sunday.

That is a misnomer - the Leafs announced the contract starts in '24, so Mattinen is not on the roster.
- Monkeypunk

Right. But they haven’t announced signing Webber who CapFriendly lists as on their reserve list and there are still cap issues to get him into a game

I don't know. Anyone can be hurt at any time in any place. I'd rather keep Matthews going and keep him on this streak. Don't mess with success - he has scored in 8 straight games. It's like riding the shutout - you keep a hot goalie going. Even if he scored 2 tomorrow against Florida and had 71, I'd still be inclined to play him in game 82 against Tampa. The big number wouldn't be a distraction any more and the team could get back to being a team.

Oh we have to rest Matthews! Precious Matthews! And Delicate Marner! And Lil' Will Nylander! What about the rest of the losers on the team? "Oh it's okay if YOU get hurt. You're just a red shirt player."

They are professional athletes in the prime of their careers. If they have a nagging injury or an ailment - then sure, rest up. Otherwise play the game.
- Monkeypunk

Letting Bergeron play the last couple of games came back to haunt Bruins last year.

Assuming everybody is healthy on Saturday, what's your Game 1 roster look like?

Here's mine:

Bertuzzi Matthews Domi
Nylander Tavares Marner
Knies Holmberg Robertson
Dewar Kampf Reaves

Rielly Boosh
Benoit McCabe
Edmunston Lilly

Sammy
Woll
- gravyface

Mcmann is likely in there(if healthy)

McCabe is ok, right?
Puck hit his cheek bone I think?
Just a little bit uglier.

McManus maybe not so much…?
- Woderwick

If McCabe isn't forced to wear a cage, holy (frank) that guys face is insane. Rempe's the only guy with more wear on it this year

I get that they need Matthews 1000% healthy to make any noise...but this talk of sitting him the final two games is really anti-competition. MacKinnon is going, Kuch is going. McDavid is apparently legitimately hurt, otherwise he would be going. The Leafs get the "soft" moniker all the time and I can't help but feeling sitting Matthews on the verge of history in fear he gets hurt is the definition of soft and just shows this team has no end game.
- AdamFrench

Let Matthews decide.

Let Matthews decide.
- Atomic Wedgie

70 Goals would be impressive, that said also get sitting him out.

If McCabe isn't forced to wear a cage, holy (frank) that guys face is insane. Rempe's the only guy with more wear on it this year
- AdamFrench

Unbelievable, lol. He leads with his face ffs.

If Jarnkrok is healthy, I have him in over Robertson. On D, I haven't loved Boosh with Rielly, but it's been better than Brodie. Not sold on Lilly against Florida, but he has fared pretty well with Edmundson. As poor as Brodie has been this year, I doubt Keefe sits him - but he should. Florida has shown on a number of occasions that bullying him and physically pressuring him works to completely neutralize him.

You probably don't lose much by leaving Brodie out of the line-up. He's been largely a net neutral presence most of the year.

This was last year's playoffs split by series:

Vs. Tampa:

Rielly: +6
Schenn: +6
Brodie: +1
McCabe: -1
Giordano: -6
Holl: -7

less than 10 minutes:
Gustafsson: -1
Liljegren: even


Vs. Florida:

Rielly: +3
Schenn: +2
Holl: even
Liljegren: -1
Giordano: -1
Brodie: -3
McCabe: -5

12 minutes:
Gustafsson: +1

As much as I recall Brodie being cowed by Florida's physicality, McCabe was probably the worst defenseman against Florida. Holl was terrible against Tampa and so was Gio. I'm not sure what's going on with Cade Webber, not that we should expect him to be ready. He reportedly signed, but his contract hasn't been registered yet that I've seen.
- Monkeypunk

Different year, different personal issues.

Brodie has to sit. Period.
Lily is not 100%, he should sit.

Rielly, Boosh
Beniot, McCabe
Edmunson, Timmins

Seems to be the best of a bad situation.

Edit: sorry meant Edmundson then use Gio/Lily as 7/8

Let Matthews decide.
- Atomic Wedgie

Agreed...we will never hear the end of this though.

It is extremely common for stars to sit out last game.

Id start him vs TB but not Florida.
- Santo_44

Is FLA resting any of their stars for their last game?
Will Reinhart, Tkachuk, Bennett, Forsling or Montour take Florida's last game off to rest vs the Leafs on Tuesday?
I'd play him.

Yeah, Webber was supposed to make the trip to Florida.
- Woderwick

The Leafs need to find a way to get his cap hit in under the cap er something like.
Robertson might be the casualty that is sent to the AHL. I think that's what they said saturday night