GDT: Wings/Leafs Centennial Classic | Happy New Year!
- Thread starter Jeremy
- Start date
Volcanologist
Well-known member
Matthews is every bit as good as mcdavid.
But this game shows why we aren't there yet and probably won't be a playoff team. I hate how confident teams are against us with the lead -- they know we're easy to score on.
Still, really fun to watch during the lead-building part.
But this game shows why we aren't there yet and probably won't be a playoff team. I hate how confident teams are against us with the lead -- they know we're easy to score on.
Still, really fun to watch during the lead-building part.
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
A tier below that imo. Mind you, I consider generational to be exactly that. Once in a generation type talents. Bobby, Gordie, Wayne, Mario, Sid...I think Matthews is going to be in the tier just below them. Think Sakic, Yzerman, healthy Forsberg, Jagr, Lindros, etc.
Only one tier though...a step above the Tavares, Kane, Stamkos type
Hoss
Well-known member
Do you think Edmonton has a better chance?
Yes mcdavid is better...but the gap isn't that big and Edmonton doesn't have a Reilly on D, a marner (despite the countless first overalls) and Talbot has been good but I trust Lou's goaltender evaluations.
The east right now has 4 clear top teams and they have kicked the shiite out of everyone else making the final three or four spots attainable
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zeke
Well-known member
I don't really get the skepticism. We are in a playoff position and we've still underperformed our underlying numbers. Babcock has only recently really started to let his horses run. We're the better team.on the ice almost every game.
This is a playoff team. They have playoff talent and playoff performance.
We're good enough that we have a decent chance to take most other playoff teams in a series, too.
This is a playoff team. They have playoff talent and playoff performance.
We're good enough that we have a decent chance to take most other playoff teams in a series, too.
hockeylover
Well-known member
Matthews hits one of the possible rookie bonuses in January. $212,500 for hitting the 20 goal mark.
leafman101
Well-known member
James Mirtle
Marner: "We all want to make the playoffs and obviously go far in them."
Marner: "We all want to make the playoffs and obviously go far in them."
BeLeafer
Well-known member
Yeah, the skepticism is weird after this team just won 5 in a row, including 4 on the road, and 6 of the last 7. They cough up leads. But what happens afterward should say the opposite of the skeptics view. They can handle adversity -- a good trait of a playoff team.
I guess a decade of trash and disappointment will make a lot of hard sells.
In any event, this team is making it's dash for playoff position at the right time. What a pleasure to watch these guys move the puck around. So good.
I guess a decade of trash and disappointment will make a lot of hard sells.
In any event, this team is making it's dash for playoff position at the right time. What a pleasure to watch these guys move the puck around. So good.
Preston_Mizzi
Banned
Jake was ****ing unreal tonight.
hockeylover
Well-known member
Excellent.
leafman101
Well-known member
The skepticism is probably because teams don't usually jump from a 60 point basement team to a 95 point playoff team in one off season. Teams also don't usually add the depth of quality of talent in one offseason. They tanked hard last year. Nylander, Marner, Brown, Hyman, and Soshnikov all could've played. And that is a good group to add in one offseason. Two first line forwards, two second line wingers and a third line winger. That replaces Boyes, Paranteau, Matthais, Grabner and Winnik. Thats a big time upgrade. Plus they added a legit top 2-3 dman in Zaitsev.
The game changers are Matthews and Andersen though. Right now they are playing like top players at their position. If they can keep that up, and there isn't any reason to doubt they can, this is a really good team right now.
This roster is a playoff team IMO, the question is whether its this year or not. We've seen ups and downs thanks to inexperience so far. But Babcock is a hell of a coach and the team just keeps improving. If they keep doing what they are doing they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
The game changers are Matthews and Andersen though. Right now they are playing like top players at their position. If they can keep that up, and there isn't any reason to doubt they can, this is a really good team right now.
This roster is a playoff team IMO, the question is whether its this year or not. We've seen ups and downs thanks to inexperience so far. But Babcock is a hell of a coach and the team just keeps improving. If they keep doing what they are doing they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Jeremy
Well-known member
Breakthrough year for Jake offensively. On pace for 46 points. Babcock has done well with him.
Preston_Mizzi
Banned
Keep in mind, this five game winning streak has been against some of the worst teams in the NHL, with the exception of a battered Tampa. It's great to see them take care of business against the basement teams but let's not get crazy here. They've got a tougher month coming up and they haven't really done too well against the top teams in the NHL so this will be a huge test. They put themselves in an awesome position though and let's be honest, that's all we could realistically ask for this season.
zeke
Well-known member
Babcock salvaging the rape job Carlyle/wilson did on kadri and jake might the most impressive thing he's done as coach. i was pretty sure he would do the same with reims.
zeke
Well-known member
well they were a 70pt team with solid middle of the pack possession stats last year, even with management doing everything in their power to tank. And they've replaced the bad half of that team anyways.
zeke
Well-known member
where?