I say no to having Knies in the line up this year. Sign him to an AHL tryout contract and also sign him to NHL contract that start next season.
- dmnted

The AHL Marlies have to do that.
So why would Knies do that anyways?
To save the Leafs an elc year is pretty underhanded on their part.

Insane. Especially since they always talk about the injury factor. Just look at Hoffman's face. He got (frank)ing annihilated.

Parros has proven time and time again that he not only has no idea what he's doing, but also has absolutely no consistency in doing it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Parros is simply preparing himself for the upcoming playoffs... where the officiating will of course be perfectly aligned with what happens during the regular season... we know (?) that the DoPS will be stepping things up to managing situations fully


prepare yourself for the Shyte Show

no real risk to putting him into a couple of games and giving him a few shifts with the top guys...

can't expect him to displace Matthews, Marner, Nylander or Tavares offensively.... but can he compliment then better than Kerfoot has proven? simply question - is he better than Kerfoot?
- BorjeFan4Ever

The real question is whether he’s better than ZAR who is at the bottom of the depth chart of guys playing. If Keefe thinks he can trust him defensively, he could add him to a line with ROR. There’s also no reason he has to play a lot. He might be out there in protected situations. First two games are at home so that helps.

He doesn’t have to be a star. Can he improve the lineup? Is he better than the bottom guy and can he be trusted under the right conditions. You have to think the Leafs have been monitoring him pretty carefully and have a fairly good idea. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of runway from Frizen Four to game 1.

Another loss by Tampa. Another win by Boston.

Tampa really competed though and played a fine road game. So, if anyone thinks they'll roll over and be easy pickings in the 1st round, you'd better check that idea.

They'll be a very difficult challenge just like any other year.

and AJ Grier only getting 1 game for the vicious crosscheck to the face of Hoffman
- dmnted

He's so terrible at his job, it's actually insane.

Another loss by Tampa. Another win by Boston.

Tampa really competed though and played a fine road game. So, if anyone thinks they'll roll over and be easy pickings in the 1st round, you'd better check that idea.

They'll be a very difficult challenge just like any other year.
- Leaffrog

They’ll be there for the playoffs but they aren’t as good as last year

Parros is simply preparing himself for the upcoming playoffs... where the officiating will of course be perfectly aligned with what happens during the regular season... we know (?) that the DoPS will be stepping things up to managing situations fully


prepare yourself for the Shyte Show
- BorjeFan4Ever

Leafs players get more games suspension in the playoffs (which they've said count as more/more important) for lesser things, than other guys get in the regular season, for more egregious things.

Parros hates the Leafs so (frank)ing much. But he's straight up terrible all around.

They’ll be there for the playoffs but they aren’t as good as last year
- Canada Cup

I think that remains to be seen. I'm not saying the Leafs can't beat them, but until they fail, you have to believe they'll be exactly who they've been.

You never bet against the proven, playoff hardened teams.

Same goes for the Leafs. Until they get over the hump....

The best way to predict the future is to study the past.

I do believe there's a real opportunity here for The Leafs. All things point towards beating them finally. And there are a lot of hurdles to overcome to make that happen.

The real question is whether he’s better than ZAR who is at the bottom of the depth chart of guys playing. If Keefe thinks he can trust him defensively, he could add him to a line with ROR. There’s also no reason he has to play a lot. He might be out there in protected situations. First two games are at home so that helps.

He doesn’t have to be a star. Can he improve the lineup? Is he better than the bottom guy and can he be trusted under the right conditions. You have to think the Leafs have been monitoring him pretty carefully and have a fairly good idea.
- Canada Cup

A lot of people like to point to Aston-Reese as a plausible player to be supplanted by Knies - I mean ZAR has 23 career playoff games and has actually been to the 2nd round. Lafferty has 1 career playoff game. Did you know that in his last 19 playoff games with Florida, Noel Acciari has exactly 0 points?

There are players that Knies could plausibly replace - but all of the players I just mentioned have already proven that they are viable NHL players, despite having little success on the world's most competitive stage. So a kid with no NHL experience is going to make the lineup better than them?

It is a big hill to climb! Can he learn the system, learn his linemates, learn his responsibilities, read the play, keep up with the play and still make an impact without being a liabilIty? The other day I cited some of the NCAA kids to jump up - Caulfield being a prime example. He was -2 against Toronto, +1 against the Jets, even against Vegas and -4 against Tampa.

Makar DID come in and play an important role and play it well. Knies is not Makar. Let's not even.

Kreider, often considered the poster child for NCAA success, played an opening round against the Sens, had 1 goal and 0 assists in 5 games - but was +1. I guess that's
moderately successful. He was, then, held to 2 points and was -4 in 7 games against the Caps. He finally got up to speed against the Devils, getting 3 goals in 6 games - although 2 were on the power play. He was also -1 in the series.

People will argue that plus/minus is a useless stat but in a head-to-head series where goals matter that stat is an indicator of whether or not you and your line were a liability or not.

As per usual, Monkey speaking logic.

I think that remains to be seen. I'm not saying the Leafs can't beat them, but until they fail, you have to believe they'll be exactly who they've been.

You never bet against the proven, playoff hardened teams.

Same goes for the Leafs. Until they get over the hump....

The best way to predict the future is to study the past.

I do believe there's a real opportunity here for The Leafs. All things point towards beating them finally. And there are a lot of hurdles to overcome to make that happen.
- Leaffrog

I’m not predicting anything but I think you can make a straightforward comparison of last year’s roster to who they have this year. IMO, this year’s isn’t as good, especially on D. Their regression in GAs supports that.

Obviously anything can happen in the playoffs and Vasilesky can win a series on his own. But if the Leaf goalies have a good series, I think the Leafs probably come out on top.

I’d switch your statement up a bit and say the best way to predict the future isn’t to look at past series but to look at this year’s teams.

They’ll be there for the playoffs but they aren’t as good as last year
- Canada Cup

That’s my take as well but still can be dangerous. They’ve been through this more than any other team in recent history. That said they are beatable. 👍

One of my most watched movies when I was a kid.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Noice.
A classic.

Another loss by Tampa. Another win by Boston.

Tampa really competed though and played a fine road game. So, if anyone thinks they'll roll over and be easy pickings in the 1st round, you'd better check that idea.

They'll be a very difficult challenge just like any other year.
- Leaffrog

Theyre saving it for the playoffs. Been to the finals three times, they simply dont care about these games now. They know when to turn it on....and if they dont cause theyre tired, then its better for the leafs

A lot of people like to point to Aston-Reese as a plausible player to be supplanted by Knies - I mean ZAR has 23 career playoff games and has actually been to the 2nd round. Lafferty has 1 career playoff game. Did you know that in his last 19 playoff games with Florida, Noel Acciari has exactly 0 points?

There are players that Knies could plausibly replace - but all of the players I just mentioned have already proven that they are viable NHL players, despite having little success on the world's most competitive stage. So a kid with no NHL experience is going to make the lineup better than them?

It is a big hill to climb! Can he learn the system, learn his linemates, learn his responsibilities, read the play, keep up with the play and still make an impact without being a liabilIty? The other day I cited some of the NCAA kids to jump up - Caulfield being a prime example. He was -2 against Toronto, +1 against the Jets, even against Vegas and -4 against Tampa.

Makar DID come in and play an important role and play it well. Knies is not Makar. Let's not even.

Kreider, often considered the poster child for NCAA success, played an opening round against the Sens, had 1 goal and 0 assists in 5 games - but was +1. I guess that's
moderately successful. He was, then, held to 2 points and was -4 in 7 games against the Caps. He finally got up to speed against the Devils, getting 3 goals in 6 games - although 2 were on the power play. He was also -1 in the series.

People will argue that plus/minus is a useless stat but in a head-to-head series where goals matter that stat is an indicator of whether or not you and your line were a liability or not.
- Monkeypunk

I’m not saying I think he’s in the lineup for sure or even that it’s 50/50. I don’t what management is thinking. More people are saying he definitely won’t be in or shouldn’t be in than are saying that he will. My point is a simple one: the threshold isn’t as high as is being made out. He doesn’t have to be better than Makar or Krieder. He has to be seen as reliable and to bring more than the bottom guy on the roster. I do think that’s ZAR btw. Previous playoff stats aside, Lafferty and Acciari both seem more important and are getting more playing time.

The issue you raised about systems are valid and are probably the biggest hurdle for him.

One of my most watched movies when I was a kid.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Hey Gigsie, have you heard the live 'Dark Side' lp from Wembley '74 that Pink Floyd dropped as part of the 50th anniversary? It's very very good, full album in complete sequence including voices, sound effects, etc.: "I've been mad for (frank)ing years...."

I'm a big PF fan. Have been deep diving into a lot of Gilmours guitar parts - I got a Road Worn Strat a while ago - haven't had an electric guitar for 15 years, but have been playing for 30 years, mostly acoustic. Had a Telecaster back in the day. Also, are you looking forward to the Waters re-recoreded Dark Side coming out in May?

He's allowed to have a different opinion and hopes!

Look I get it - he's going to get a look at the end of the year - and if he manages to step up in those 3 games he could get in, then he'll stand a chance of drawing in against Tampa - it's just a lot of ifs that need the right conditions met.

As a person who both has common sense and who was also a former process analyst, I can tell you that the more if conditions you put around something occurring, the less likely it's going to meet the conditions properly!
- Monkeypunk

so you analyzed former processes?

Weird.

Seattle humiliating Nashville in the third period.

Does this break Nashville’s resolve, or just make them ornery for tomorrow’s game?

I’d love to get four points this weekend - and the race for 2nd place would be over.

I’m not saying I think he’s in the lineup for sure or even that it’s 50/50. I don’t what management is thinking. More people are saying he definitely won’t be in or shouldn’t be in than are saying that he will. My point is a simple one: the threshold isn’t as high as is being made out. He doesn’t have to be better than Makar or Krieder. He has to be seen as reliable and to bring more than the bottom guy on the roster. I do think that’s ZAR btw. Previous playoff stats aside, Lafferty and Acciari both seem more important and are getting more playing time.

The issue you raised about systems are valid and are probably the biggest hurdle for him.
- Canada Cup

Yeah, exactly. I find we all often talk in circles here, but reiterating - I would love nothing more than for Matthew Knies to come in and be just like 27 year old Todd Bertuzzi! Fantasies aside, I think he could find his way into a playoff game if there are injuries and he fares well enough in his small audition.

If everyone is healthy, I'd imagine our Playoff Roster depth would probably be:

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Tavares - O'Reilly - Nylander
Lafferty - Kampf - Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese - Acciari - Kerfoot
McMann
Holmberg
Steeves
Simmonds

. . .and depending on how well he fares, Knies, without ever playing a game, probably sits ahead of Steeves and below Holmberg until he proves otherwise.

He has a chance to play himself up in depth or lower in depth in that audition. None of us are right or wrong here, we all just have a way of seeing it. If he comes in, keeps up, plays physical and smart and checks well and responsibly, he could certainly earn a spot. I'll take the under on that!

Ultimately I don't think the Leafs are going to gamble on Knies making a difference unless things go upside down and they need to roll the dice on a disrupter.

so you analyzed former processes?

Weird.
- Atomic Wedgie

To be fair, I sort of did that too when doing what I did. One of the things about technology is that a failed process could have merely been the product of poor timing or an inability of the systems to maximize a good idea.

The penalty for being ahead of your time is that you're today's idiot, and tomorrow someone else gets the credit for your innovation!

He's allowed to have a different opinion and hopes!

Look I get it - he's going to get a look at the end of the year - and if he manages to step up in those 3 games he could get in, then he'll stand a chance of drawing in against Tampa - it's just a lot of ifs that need the right conditions met.

As a person who both has common sense and who was also a former process analyst, I can tell you that the more if conditions you put around something occurring, the less likely it's going to meet the conditions properly!
- Monkeypunk

This is exactly how I see it.

If he has a chance at a couple of regular season games and shows up, it's tough choice time for Dubas and Keefe.

If he's going to replace ZAR for 8mins a night, why waste him there?

IMHO, best options with a full squad, Knies could be played this way:

Jarnkrok, Matthews, Marner
Tavares, RoR, Nylander
Knies, Kampf, Acciari
Lafferty, Kerfoot, ZAR

Tuck him into the 3rd line, if you want to spread out Tavares and RoR; keep Knies at 3LW and go with:

Jarnkrok, Matthews, Marner
Kerfoot, Tavares, Nylander
Knies, RoR, Acciari
Lafferty, Kampf, ZAR

Either of those are strong and could work well. (And, not for nothing but we are missing a LW piece if you look thru the roster...McMann is cool but don't think he would be better than Knies on the 3rd line.)

D is a whole other mess of parts...in a good way this year which is (frank)ing AWESOME, unless Keefe's blender keeps running.

Seattle humiliating Nashville in the third period.

Does this break Nashville’s resolve, or just make them ornery for tomorrow’s game?

I’d love to get four points this weekend - and the race for 2nd place would be over.
- Atomic Wedgie

There are a bunch of teams playing like they don’t really want a wild card spot.

This is exactly how I see it.

If he has a chance at a couple of regular season games and shows up, it's tough choice time for Dubas and Keefe.

If he's going to replace ZAR for 8mins a night, why waste him there?

IMHO, best options with a full squad, Knies could be played this way:

Jarnkrok, Matthews, Marner
Tavares, RoR, Nylander
Knies, Kampf, Acciari
Lafferty, Kerfoot, ZAR

Tuck him into the 3rd line, if you want to spread out Tavares and RoR; keep Knies at 3LW and go with:

Jarnkrok, Matthews, Marner
Kerfoot, Tavares, Nylander
Knies, RoR, Acciari
Lafferty, Kampf, ZAR

Either of those are strong and could work well. (And, not for nothing but we are missing a LW piece if you look thru the roster...McMann is cool but don't think he would be better than Knies on the 3rd line.)

D is a whole other mess of parts...in a good way this year which is (frank)ing AWESOME, unless Keefe's blender keeps running.
- underhill14

Like you, I prefer to have ROR at 3C, but you don't have a spot for Bunting? You'd have to think he plays ahead of Kerfoot, Lafferty or Knies.

Knies is not playing meaningful minutes on this team this year

so you analyzed former processes?

Weird.
- Atomic Wedgie

I was clearly the opposite - always trying to analyze unknown future processes. Seems to me that Monkey had the easier job. I mean; analyzing former processes - how hard can that be...