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Forums :: Blog World :: Mike Augello: Podcast Sunday – Off The Post Radio
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Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 9:38 AM ET
For sure
But after years of playing pond hockey with keefe, its gonna take some time to make adjustments.
The positive is, at this time last year Matthews had 13/14 goals and the team had a very similar record to today. Matthews only has 5 goals in 13 games, had he scored 3 more goals so far I think the leafs would have two more wins and the team is 8 and 5 instead of 6 and 5.

- Fakepartofme


I have really liked their effort game to game and the 5v5 play. The defence is much improved.

I think this team starts rolling eventually, the process is there.

They were 6-5-2 last year at this time and I did not feel this way.

Am getting frustrated at Matthews but I think the 5 forward PP might have some legs...Marner at the point was refreshing.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 9:42 AM ET
CorsiHL
@CorsiHL
Matthews 5v5 sh% 2024/25: 5.88%
Matthews 5v5 sh% 2021-24: 14.09%

Matthews 5v4 sh% 2024/25: 6.25%
Matthews 5v4 sh% 2021-24: 20.48%
Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 9:47 AM ET
CorsiHL
@CorsiHL
Matthews 5v5 sh% 2024/25: 5.88%
Matthews 5v5 sh% 2021-24: 14.09%

Matthews 5v4 sh% 2024/25: 6.25%
Matthews 5v4 sh% 2021-24: 20.48%

- gravyface


Yeah the pucks just are not going in.

I remember a shot last night in the slot was a goal half the time last year..but before he shot it i had no confidence it was going in.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 9:49 AM ET
Yeah the pucks just are not going in.

I remember a shot last night in the slot was a goal half the time last year..but before he shot it i had no confidence it was going in.

- Santo_44


They're not only not going in, but he's missing the net far more often than I've ever remembered him doing.
Atomic Wedgie
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: The centre of the hockey universe
Joined: 07.31.2006

Yesterday @ 10:01 AM ET
They're not only not going in, but he's missing the net far more often than I've ever remembered him doing.
- gravyface

We had fun while it lasted.

Time to tear it all down and start again finish 9th in the division for the next seven years.
Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 10:02 AM ET
Also that one player where Roberston was easily knocked off the puck and the cycle was ended...Not sure how he is going to survive this system long term.

There is no fit.

Getting really close to trying to get a pick for him and let him score 25 goals and 50 points on a bottom 10 team with a loose system.
The Law
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 01.29.2008

Yesterday @ 10:03 AM ET
They're not only not going in, but he's missing the net far more often than I've ever remembered him doing.
- gravyface


He's such a team guy. He knows we need MM to sign as low as possible so he's negating all those extra MM assists by missing the net.

Split them up and he'll go wild.
GalacticStone
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: We shoulda let Uncle Billy finish the job.
Joined: 01.29.2013

Yesterday @ 10:13 AM ET
Well not entirely true.

Beer leagues always need goalies, and that save % is probably middle of the pack in my beer league.



- Cush29


On the upside, that win % would have me at 12th in the NHL and in a playoff spot.

When I was younger, I had the height and size to be a goalie, but I was (am) too clumsy and inflexible to think about it. Now I would blow out my back during my first practice.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 10:17 AM ET
Also that one player where Roberston was easily knocked off the puck and the cycle was ended...Not sure how he is going to survive this system long term.

There is no fit.

Getting really close to trying to get a pick for him and let him score 25 goals and 50 points on a bottom 10 team with a loose system.

- Santo_44


Yeah, as much as I love a homegrown kid, he's already publicly asked for a trade and can't seem to stitch together a complete game. And that great shot is always holstered because he can't get open to use it and whatever line he's on usually can't sustain any pressure.

I'd rather keep Holmberg at this point if we're picking between one or the other. At least Holmberg's a good fit in the bottom 6.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 10:17 AM ET
He's such a team guy. He knows we need MM to sign as low as possible so he's negating all those extra MM assists by missing the net.

Split them up and he'll go wild.

- The Law

Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 10:20 AM ET

2023/24 6-5-2

GF% 21st
SF% 17th
CF% 18th
xGF% 27th

2024/25 6-5-2

GF% 5th
SF% 8th
CF% 9th
xGF% 10th
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 10:21 AM ET
They're not only not going in, but he's missing the net far more often than I've ever remembered him doing.
- gravyface


CorsiHL
@CorsiHL
·
25m
Replying to
@CorsiHL
Matthews is missing the net on 23.2% of unblocked shots this year vs. 17.6% last year
Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 10:22 AM ET
Yeah, as much as I love a homegrown kid, he's already publicly asked for a trade and can't seem to stitch together a complete game. And that great shot is always holstered because he can't get open to use it and whatever line he's on usually can't sustain any pressure.

I'd rather keep Holmberg at this point if we're picking between one or the other. At least Holmberg's a good fit in the bottom 6.

- gravyface


It is a little ironic because while Keefe never played him, his system resulted in more space and chances for him to shoot.

In Berube's system he gets muscled off the puck easily. He isn't getting the PP time to get chances either, nor should he with the players ahead of him.

I am more than OK with a Lily like trade with him at this point.

Package Robby and Benning.
Fakepartofme
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Living rent free... in your head, ON
Joined: 09.20.2010

Yesterday @ 10:24 AM ET
Well not entirely true.

Beer leagues always need goalies, and that save % is probably middle of the pack in my beer league.



- Cush29

Sorry i meant getting paid to play.
Paying to play, yes for sure, that will as some teams (ball/ice) always need a goalie.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 10:25 AM ET
It is a little ironic because while Keefe never played him, his system resulted in more space and chances for him to shoot.

In Berube's system he gets muscled off the puck easily. He isn't getting the PP time to get chances either, nor should he with the players ahead of him.

- Santo_44


Yup and we're in win-now mode, so not exactly a great spot for a finding-his-way small guy, and as much as we could use some scoring depth (who couldn't?) he just can't play in the bottom six, even with a sheltered scoring line with Domi centering it.
senstroll
Location: Leafs AAV Champs, ON
Joined: 02.22.2008

Yesterday @ 10:26 AM ET
2023/24 6-5-2

GF% 21st
SF% 17th
CF% 18th
xGF% 27th

2024/25 6-5-2

GF% 5th
SF% 8th
CF% 9th
xGF% 10th

- Santo_44


so Leafy

be improved a lot but the same record
Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 10:27 AM ET
so Leafy

be improved a lot but the same record

- senstroll


Well I mean it is the PP and Matthews shooting like Tyler Bozak in his prime. Both I am confident can at least operate at 80% from last year.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Yesterday @ 10:30 AM ET
2023/24 6-5-2

GF% 21st
SF% 17th
CF% 18th
xGF% 27th

2024/25 6-5-2

GF% 5th
SF% 8th
CF% 9th
xGF% 10th

- Santo_44


Eventually things will balance out and the result will start coming.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 10:32 AM ET
Well I mean it is the PP and Matthews shooting like Tyler Bozak in his prime. Both I am confident can at least operate at 80% from last year.
- Santo_44


The PP... man, try something completely different. Put your PKers out there with Matthews or something, (frank), anything at this point, but running the same old sad sack cast of underachievers?

I'd like to see OEL and Timmins on the backend, and 34 and 88 as the shooters on their off-sides, 16 as the rover. Forget the bumper role.
Santo_44
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.20.2014

Yesterday @ 10:34 AM ET
The PP... man, try something completely different. Put your PKers out there with Matthews or something, (frank), anything at this point, but running the same old sad sack cast of underachievers?

I'd like to see OEL and Timmins on the backend, and 34 and 88 as the shooters on their off-sides, 16 as the rover. Forget the bumper role.

- gravyface


I liked the 5 F man unit.

Marner at the point is something this unit has never ever seen and it resulted in a goal. Also a shoutout to having JT and Knies at the net.

You have JT and Knies around the net and Marner being able to walk the blueline like a Makar, Josi, ect then it creates a bunch of space for Willy and Matthews...which resulted in a goal yesterday.
Cush29
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Who Owzzzzz da' Chiefs?, ON
Joined: 12.22.2014

Yesterday @ 10:37 AM ET
Sorry i meant getting paid to play.
Paying to play, yes for sure, that will as some teams (ball/ice) always need a goalie.

- Fakepartofme


I was kidding but also happily take payment in cold beer for a m'eh goaltending performance 10 times out of 10. lol
Monkeypunk
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Whenever, wherever, ON
Joined: 06.27.2013

Yesterday @ 10:39 AM ET
For sure
But after years of playing pond hockey with keefe, its gonna take some time to make adjustments.
The positive is, at this time last year Matthews had 13/14 goals and the team had a very similar record to today. Matthews only has 5 goals in 13 games, had he scored 3 more goals so far I think the leafs would have two more wins and the team is 8 and 5 instead of 6 and 5.

- Fakepartofme


It's one of my standard long posts, but it sort of got out of hand.

TL;DR: I continue to see the positives in a lot of things with the team - and in my opinion there's more good than bad.

I think we could break down our year so far into:

Consistently Good:

Stolarz has been beyond excellent so far.

OEL and Tanev are the best two back on the D-side right now, and Timmins has looked very good in his role now that he's getting an opportunity. I'd be pretty remiss not to mention that McCabe has been solid. The occasional brain fart, but he plays a lot, plays hard and has been effective.

Lorentz has been refreshing on the 4th line - he has an honest effort every shift and is often a stick that stirs for that line.

As much as Nylander has moments in games of invisibility, that's always sort of been him - even at his best. I have seen Willy play defense admirably - come back behind his net, check guys hard for the puck and overall it seems like he is really buying in to this brand of hockey.

Matthew Knies - the kid might take the occasional bad penalty, but he's a gamer, works hard and has probably been the most effective player on the top line at keeping pucks in the O-Zone, generating a cycle and causing a general disturbance.

Improving:

JT and Patches may have had a rougher start, but they've been excellent the past few games. Although last night was pretty tough on them and Nylander as well.

I've been encouraged by Marner's play in the past few games in particular - he's been much more noticeable in defensive efforts and his offensive game hasn't been awful. I think his biggest issue - neck size aside - is that he does need to be stronger in his plays. He's had too many weak passes get picked off - but overall he's looked better. Knies adds physicality to the line and Marner has been moving well with the puck. Although . . .

Consistently Questionable (You're better and we expect much more):

I think we've all been wondering what's up with Matthews. He's had a number of glorious chances in the slot and missed the net. He should have 10 goals by now just from the setups he's screwed up. There are times when he seems utterly exhausted out there and times where you see his amazing hands, brilliant vision, great passing - but where is his one-timer? Where is the sneaky release?

Woll has had one good game and the team around him played pretty well in the game. I think we're all waiting for him to start playing confident and making some of the highlight saves we've seen in the past. In both games against the Blues he hit a big zero on the "Saves when you need them" meter while Binnington outplayed him badly both games.

Mediocre (or Good and Bad): Domi, Rielly, McMann, Kampf and Reaves.

I'm not sure I blame Domi. He works hard. He's a team guy. He's been meat & potatoes, but his linemates shift and change day-to-day and he often gets one of two guys who are just struggling big time in Robertson or Holmberg.

Rielly will always sort of fit in this category because of what he does bring and what he doesn't bring to the table. He's hampered by salary and reputation in terms of what we expect from him and he's additionally hampered by the fact that he doesn't have an NHL slapshot, or appropriate physicality (especially given he's bigger than you think at 6'1 / 222 - the only guys bigger than him for mass are Reaves (225) and Stolarz).

McMann just needs to find some consistency in his play. Some games he is driving the wall, making physical plays, managing the puck and shooting from dangerous areas. Other games he's not on the wall, shooting from distance and ineffective.

Kampf & Reaves - they have the job of not being scored on and Kampf is -4 at 5v5 despite not starting most shifts in the D-Zone. Reaves we see trail behind the play too often, too slow or tired to keep up consistently - but for both of them, they work the offensive cycle well, have generated some dangerous chances deep off the cycle and do wear the opposition team down a bit, which is still a good thing. In their defense, and by comparison - as Leaf fans we all remember how good Osborne-Zezel-Berg where, but in 92-93, Zezel was even, Berg was -1, and Osborne was -7; in the magical playoff run they were -6. So sometimes doing your job well still gets you scored on. This said, I think Kampf has a purpose. I'm not sure about Reaves.

Consistently bad:

Robertson - we know the kid has work ethic, but his actual accomplishments (even just winning a puck battle) are few.

Fortunately for Robertson, the guy who he's probably competing for a spot with is Holmberg, who is also in this category for me. Both of these guys have struggled to fit into any role given to them. I admit that I don't think Holmberg is overly talented, but he has a good worth ethic. I think he plays a straight-line game better than Robertson, but I think he's been failing at execution in many of his assignments.

Simon Benoit - we know he's better than he's played, but given the lower level of competition he faces and the way he's handled it, he's off to a really poor start. He's only 26 and is playing for a coach who his style probably works better for, so I'd expect him to turn it around.




Monkeypunk
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Whenever, wherever, ON
Joined: 06.27.2013

Yesterday @ 10:43 AM ET
They're not only not going in, but he's missing the net far more often than I've ever remembered him doing.
- gravyface


It's not just that he's missing - it's the situation and location that he's missing from. These are prime goal scoring opportunities. Like in the past you'd give Auston Matthews an 80-90% chance of scoring from there, and this year he isn't even hitting the net.

The 23.2% missing shots, I think I scrolled past, is one thing - but I do wonder if it's worse for HD chances. I'd swear he's missing 8-10 goals just on beautiful setups that he's completely forked up.


The Law
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 01.29.2008

Yesterday @ 10:51 AM ET
It is a little ironic because while Keefe never played him, his system resulted in more space and chances for him to shoot.

In Berube's system he gets muscled off the puck easily. He isn't getting the PP time to get chances either, nor should he with the players ahead of him.

I am more than OK with a Lily like trade with him at this point.

Package Robby and Benning.

- Santo_44


I'm not there yet. He's generating a pretty decent amount offensively but, like a few Leafs, are just not executing offensively. His offensive metrics are pretty good compared to guys like McMann and Domi and they're much better than a guy like Holmberg. He's the one offensive guy that hasn't got any real chance in the top 6 (McMann, Patches, and Domi all have).

And, you'd think that maybe he's being insulated by Berube or that his defensive numbers suck ass but they don't. In fact, they're really good relative to a lot of those same names above.

If it were me (whether I wanted to trade him or develop him) I'd bump him up and get him with one of the big 3 for a stint. I think he'd go off and bag a few. That's a good thing no matter what we plan to do with him.
gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown
Joined: 02.19.2009

Yesterday @ 10:55 AM ET
I liked the 5 F man unit.

Marner at the point is something this unit has never ever seen and it resulted in a goal. Also a shoutout to having JT and Knies at the net.

You have JT and Knies around the net and Marner being able to walk the blueline like a Makar, Josi, ect then it creates a bunch of space for Willy and Matthews...which resulted in a goal yesterday.

- Santo_44


Yeah, except Makar and Josi have shots slightly better than Marner's Mite level one, so that threat is always there to force adjustments. With Marner, everybody knows he's not going to shoot it, so they can fade on him and focus on the shooters.
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