Commander Clueless Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Lately, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle has favoured opting out of his traditional goonerific 12th forward in exchange for a 7th defenseman on his bench. This 7th defenseman, one Paul Ranger, has responded by providing valuable minutes for the team; an excellent comeback for the man who had earned the nickname "Ranger Danger" from some fans for his frightening defensive gaffs earlier in the season. This welcome change in his game also has the added benefit of reducing the minutes of Dion Phaneuf and Carl Gunnarsson to a more realistic range, as well as taking even strength minutes away from Cody "Just Kidding I'm Still Just a Powerplay Specialist" Franson. Additionally, Carlyle has sung the praises of his ability to now double-shift forwards at certain points in the game to produce more offense. On the other hand, the Leafs have been giving up 3rd period leads in recent games, a frightening trend that brings back memories of the Game That Shall Not Be Named. Obviously this is a small sample size, but one has to wonder if exhausted forwards that already struggle with a two-way game might have something to do with it. Or maybe us Leafers are just paranoid. It is key to note that this Leafs team utilized 3 enforcers last year: Mark Fraser, Frazer McLaren, and Colton Orr. This year, all 3 have not played well. Fraser was traded. McLaren was waived (not picked up). Last year, the Leafs led the league in fights - a trophy which I believe they have forfeited to the Flyers this year. Now, Carlyle (who has always seemed to want an enforcer in his lineup) is running with no enforcers on a semi-regular basis. He seems to be content with less fighting, handled mostly by Tim Gleason and David Clarkson's Jessica Albatross of a contract. So what do we think about Carlyle's strategy? Is it a good idea? Is it bound to fail long term? Is it a viable strategy in the playoffs, should the Leafs make it again this year? The choice is yours. Choose wisely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Well Gleason can play a little (Certainly better than Orr, ect...) but he gets more than his share of fighting. And Clarkson last night looked rather McClaren like on the ice. so i think it is meet the new boss, same as the old IMHO. The difference is instead of pure goonery they have a couple of guys who can play a little who do the goon work and Orr in reserve if they ever need him. I am not sold on the fact that Carlyle has turned over a new Leaf, pardon the pun. I do think he caught hell last year, especially after the collapse in game seven for not utilizing skill and having too many non hockey players on his team and call it pressure or what have you he decided to only play the crazies on Halloween and other such days. Frankly i think it is a bit of a mistake. The reason they won last year is nobody wanted to play them. Look at Bozak wrong? BAM. Dare to touch Kessel? BAM BAM!! The intimidation level is gone, they appear to be just another mid level eastern conference team, one of seven or eight below the two big boys the Bruins and Penguins becoming indistinguishable in many ways from he others. They had an IDENTITY last year this year they are playing good hockey but seem to be missing something. A little 200 penalty minute game might change all that and make the rest of the conference a bit nervous. Of course i am a wings fan and we never fight (sigh) so what do i know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) @yave1964 Agreed that the Leafs' intensity level has dropped. They are still winning, but this is a different same team as last year (as much sense as that makes). Gone are the Mighty Mighty Maple Leafs. Their defensive game has slumped as well. Last year their penalty kill was on of the best...this year it's one of the worst. Somehow they seem to win, but it's mostly thanks to a potent offense that runs pretty much through Kessel, and Bernier saving their bacon. It's actually pretty crazy how bad they are for goals against compared to their current position in the standings. To be fair to Randy on the goonery front, Fraser, Orr, and McLaren have played like garbage this year. Last year they were all decent energy guys, but this year - ouch. I think (know) they were counting on Clarkson providing more than he has in terms of intensity (never mind scoring...that seems to be a lost cause at this point). Gleason has actually been very good for the Leafs. He's been a steadying presence back there that they desperately needed. They still do need more defense, though. The 7 defense thing seems to be helping, at any rate. At least in the short term. Edited March 11, 2014 by Commander Clueless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 @Commander Clueless I stole your idea about fighting and converted it into a thread in General hockey about fighting, lol. Hope you don't mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 @yave1964 Not at all! It'll get more attention there probably. It's a bit desolate around these parts. Think I saw a tumbleweed earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I feel bad for you CC this was another entertaining read.jessica albatross of a contract... that's funny right there . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks @mojo1917. Clearly the 7D format is working. After all, I don't think they used it last night and got eaten by the Sharks. I mean, clearly the issue was that they felt so bad about the Sharks getting their goal called back that they decided to give them the game. Dramatically. Yeah, that's gotta be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilmonkey Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 i also agree they lack there intensity i really wish they made a big push and kept Komorov around he was like the finish darcey tucker the guy was just always involved in the play even though he didn't put up all the points he was in your face he hit everything and if given the chance could score. Orr and mclaren are useless. As for Carlyle i dont hate him but i dont love him either even though we played like crap at the time one of my more current favorite coach was paul maurice. The one think i hate that Carlyle has done so far is the way he has treated Reimer...yes Bernier has played better but Reimer is still a good Goalie and deserves more playing time, he just treats him like Bernier is now his goalie your the back up so tuff and were probably going to trade you in the off season anyway attitude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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