Commandant

There is something not quite right about the chemistry of how they are built is my guess. I mean if it was just this season you could say Matthews is playing hurt, Nylander also missed 3 games, Marner had a bad series and Tavares is getting older and maybe needs the other three to step up so he doesnt have to be the guy and is the clear #4. But its not just this year. Its been 7 years now. Something is just not right in how those 4 fit together and they should try to change it.

Addiction is an illness. Hed need to prove he has it well behind him. If he does hes a 30g winger with excellent defensive play but he has a lot to prove off the ice.

Their five Highest paid players are 4 forwards and an offensive defenceman. They have 2 goals or less on 13 of their last 14 playoff games. The team is built for offence and doesnt score. Sorry Im not calling q defence core with Edmundson and Lybushkin soft.... Also they arent giving up tons of goals, blaming the defence for the losses is not correct either. Every player in the NHL makes mistakes. Thats just reality. Carey Price got 10 million a year cause his job was to erase the mistakes of tbose who were paid less. The leafs are built in such a way (and paid in such a way) that their best players are at the offensive end. They need to outscore the lower paid players mistakes. They dont do that and hence the leafs lose.

I think they are both projecting as third liners. Both could take off and be more but I wouldn't say its likely for either of them.

Marner is a very good defensive player so Im not sure about the comment about not backchecking. Back checking isnt about physical play, its defensive play.

Like i said, if he plays well enough to earn a new contract. Thats a good problem.

Hed still be rfa after the deal Its low risk. If he earns a good contract thats a good problem to have. If he doesnt earn a second contract, you just let him walk.

Of course, hes played well and shows some promise. Hopefully he will be a good NHLer.

He's Finnish Owen Beck with no one having a man crush on him

Artemi Panarin Andrei Kuzmenko Pius Suter Artyom Zub have all worked out pretty good for these Euro free agent signings. Yes, others haven't worked, but its the same as a 2nd round draft pick, even if most fail, there are some home runs out there so its worth taking a swing. Most get ELCs, so for these types of players it costs no more than a contract slot and minimal contract that can be sent to the AHL. I don't see the downside, and the upside is high.

It was reported by Elliotte Friedman on 32 thoughts podcast that both the Leafs and Habs were teams who have met with him and his agent. There is lots of competition though... double digits in teams are interested. He could make his decision this week.

F les Bruins

Injuries and questions about his hockey IQ seem to be the two big things I'm hearing.

Helenius with 1a in his first game with the men's national team.

Lindstrom is falling from everything I'm hearing. Don't be surprised if he's outside the top 5.