I recall seeing him along the wall and having surprising success. I also recall seeing him on good side of his blue line. It was 7 years ago, but since I like Crosby, I was following the Pens run then as well. Even just looking it up - he had 4 blocked shots, 10 takeaways and 6 hits - other than hits (where his career high was 7 the following year), those are career playoff highs.

I'm not saying Phil Kessel channeled his inner Ovechkin and went on a wrecking spree. I'm saying that as Phil Kessel, he was very involved in the play.
- Monkeypunk

No. Takeaways/giveaways, blocked shots, and especially hits are entirely SUBJECTIVE. Unless done with an objective standard those stats are useless. Kessel is one of the very few players that is noticeable awful defensively and plays less physical even to a novice set of eyes. The objective numbers also entirely reinforce this through his entire career and postseason. That's part of the reason why he's been so healthy throughout his career. The only thing I'll say that he was underrated for was in attacking the net and following up on rebounds. I liked him as a good player, but he was entirely an offensive production player with major flaws. The 2017 Pittsburgh team was horrible defensively once Letang was gone. They Bobrovskied their way to a SC with Flurray stealing many games. Especially against Washington.

There's a lot more flexibility under the cap to work with in Pittsburgh but obviously significantly more holes.

I wonder if Sid and Malkin would take home discounts in their next - possibly last major - contract for the Pens?
- mjones242

For Dubas to go there only to hang on by a thread for 3-5 seasons then end up in a Sharks long term like rebuild seems odd.

All of those players you mentioned there - ALL of them - attack the net with speed. That was entirely absent from Mitch Marners game.
- fifty__missions

Some of this may have to do with the deliberate possession gameplan Dubas and Keefe orchestrated for this team.

I wonder how Marner would do on a team that was able to switch gears and play a North-South style when needed?

Have they interviewed Tulsky yet?

Some of this may have to do with the deliberate possession gameplan Dubas and Keefe orchestrated for this team.

I wonder how Marner would do on a team that was able to switch gears and play a North-South style when needed?
- mjones242

I posit that he would do well, since he is a extremely skilled two-time first team all star and Selke nominee.

For Dubas to go there only to hang on by a thread for 3-5 seasons then end up in a Sharks long term like rebuild seems odd.
- Santo_44

Factor in millions of dollars

Nah…he was just trying to show commitment to the Leafs. Also, why would MLSE wait a year and potentially lose Dubas to another club?

Factor in millions of dollars
- Zezel

Probably better options for millions of dollars.

Probably better options for millions of dollars.
- Santo_44

It's a tight market for NHL GM job postings though

I posit that he would do well, since he is a extremely skilled two-time first team all-star and Selke nominee.
- Zezel

Sorry, I should have qualified that:

I wonder if his offensive stats would be Art Ross-able.

Have they interviewed Tulsky yet?
- senstroll

I'm shocked we haven't had sleuths finding and reporting on flight plans to YYZ for various candidates.

I don't think any GM would make a trade just to make a trade when it comes to one of the Core 4 pieces.

The Leafs don't have to trade any of them but I do believe they should explore every possibility and not be afraid to pull the trigger if something makes a lot of sense.
- mjones242

It’s likely that the exploration is now underway and a new GM will have the results of that work when he arrives.

Sorry, I should have qualified that:

I wonder if his offensive stats would be Art Ross-able.
- mjones242

It wouldn't be surprising if he won that. Might need McDavid to get hurt though.

If they were to be reunited on a team that could be fun...

I'm gonna go to that Outfield District thing they got at the Jays game on cheapie hot dog night and do my impression of that chick who gets all the hot dogs thrown at her face. I figure I'm good for a dozen or two dogs to my face.

If I'm the GM, I'm looking toward when Tavares conny runs out at the same time as McD is free and comes home, together with cap jump of 12 milly. That's when I add McD to Matthews, Marner and Willy and stand astride the NHL like a colossus. #easyleague

It’s likely that the exploration is now underway and a new GM will have the results of that work when he arrives.
- Canada Cup

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
10m
As the process to find next #LeafsForever GM gets moving, I'd expect Toronto to interview at a minimum Jason Botterill, Marc Bergevin, Brad Treliving and Peter Chiarelli - if they haven't already.

Four names to chew on in TO.

@DailyFaceoff

It wouldn't be surprising if he won that. Might need McDavid to get hurt though.

If they were to be reunited on a team that could be fun...
- Zezel

26-27 Leafs, baby!

I'm gonna go to that Outfield District thing they got at the Jays game on cheapie hot dog night and do my impression of that chick who gets all the hot dogs thrown at her face. I figure I'm good for a dozen or two dogs to my face.
- Zezel

I might slip my dawg into that pile; bet you don't notice.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli

As the process to find next #LeafsForever GM gets moving, I'd expect Toronto to interview at a minimum Jason Botterill, Marc Bergevin, Brad Trelivingand Peter Chiarelli - if they haven't already.

jfc...this cant be true

jfc...this cant be true
- senstroll

Peter Chiarelli is the most absurd candidate.

I'm shocked we haven't had sleuths finding and reporting on flight plans to YYZ for various candidates.
- mjones242

Someone, somewhere is

jfc...this cant be true
- senstroll

Add in Chuck Fletcher for the trifecta

I might slip my dawg into that pile; bet you don't notice.
- gravyface

Lol...please

jfc...this cant be true
- senstroll

It's probably not