leaf fans...

[Shep]

Hes been great the last few games to be honest. His defense reading of plays is still questionable at times, but if you see his rushes and his shot selection he looks so different from earlier this season. How much of what we saw earlier boils down to a confidence issue as well as an injury issue?

I'm starting to see the talent is very much still there.

No I agree, the last 2 weeks or so (since the playoff talk started to get seriously, actually). Phaneuf has really stepped up his game. I definitely give him that.

There were two rushes tonight particularly (the one leading to the OT goal being one) where I was very impressed. If he turns it around, I'll love it.

But there were far to many times tonight, and I know I am overly critical (captain, $6.5million contract), so that's why I am. I realize we didn't give the contract, but the money is still there and it's frustrating.

[inferno31]

Hes been great the last few games to be honest. His defense reading of plays is still questionable at times, but if you see his rushes and his shot selection he looks so different from earlier this season. How much of what we saw earlier boils down to a confidence issue as well as an injury issue?

I'm starting to see the talent is very much still there.

No I agree, the last 2 weeks or so (since the playoff talk started to get seriously, actually). Phaneuf has really stepped up his game. I definitely give him that.

There were two rushes tonight particularly (the one leading to the OT goal being one) where I was very impressed. If he turns it around, I'll love it.

But there were far to many times tonight, and I know I am overly critical (captain, $6.5million contract), so that's why I am. I realize we didn't give the contract, but the money is still there and it's frustrating.

He hasn't lived up to his contract, but it doesn't both me as much as we aren't a cap team, nor do we have anywhere to spend the money currently. Also I think of the assets we gave up to get him, I find myself more impressed with Aulie, Phaneuf and Sjostrom then I was with the pieces that went the other way, and frustrated less often as well. I also think Phaneuf struggles at the end of periods with fatigue, and often has issues when he has the long change. Things he shouldn't be struggling with in this stage in his career.

[anton]

i gotta be honest, as a leafs fan who watches probably 80 games a year, phaneuf looks completely braindead on the ice about 75% of the time.

[Shep]

Speaking of Aulie.

He looked great tonight. Couple mistakes here and there, but those are expected out of a rookie. He used the body very effectively today, couple nice pinches and some great first passes.

[MSP4LYFE]

You say that as if I'm going to be so pissed off if Phaneuf regains his form from 3 years ago. I'll love it.

He's done very little in his 70-odd games as a Leaf to make me think he'll touch 50 points. Makes bad pinches all the time, commits himself to open ice hits all the time, gets caught out of position, beat down low constantly in our own end.

At least now his work from the point in the offence end is improving. Get his shot low, hard and on net which is very encouraging.

I don't care whether you are elated or pissed off by it, that is irrelevant to me. I'm more interested in proving how asinine and bias your reports on him have been since we acquired him. You severely exaggerate the lows, and downplay the highs.

[Shep]

You say that as if I'm going to be so pissed off if Phaneuf regains his form from 3 years ago. I'll love it.

He's done very little in his 70-odd games as a Leaf to make me think he'll touch 50 points. Makes bad pinches all the time, commits himself to open ice hits all the time, gets caught out of position, beat down low constantly in our own end.

At least now his work from the point in the offence end is improving. Get his shot low, hard and on net which is very encouraging.

I don't care whether you are elated or pissed off by it, that is irrelevant to me. I'm more interested in proving how asinine and bias your reports on him have been since we acquired him. You severely exaggerate the lows, and downplay the highs.

Whatever man. Phaneuf sucks and your one of the only people I've talked to in the year and a bit that we have had him that sing his praises.

All of his flaws are apparently non-existant. So I don't know what I'm supposed to say. Phaneuf is God, never makes a mistake and is the greatest Leaf of all time.

[MSP4LYFE]

There is a difference between criticizing irrational banter, and ignoring or downplaying weaknesses. I have no qualms with discussing a players game, both positively and negatively, Dion Phaneuf is no different. The issue arises when context is discarded, and you aimlessly bash a players game, it's not just with Dion Phaneuf either, this is a characteristic I have noticed of you in general, you are overly critical.

Like I have said all season long, Phaneuf has not lived up to his contract, but you don't go from one of the best young defenceman in the NHL, to one of the worst without cause. The cause, IMO was on multiple fronts, poor chemistry with Tomas Kaberle, and a one dimensional powerplay that lacks a down low play, which in turn results in more pressure on the point men.

Since Tomas Kaberle has left Dion Phaneuf is putting up season highs in point totals, since the power play developed more movement (especially down low) Phaneuf has scored 3 goals (more than the rest of the season). The decision making is still questionable at times, and it will not change until he is paired with a smart puck distributor who he clicks with.

[inferno31]

12 points in last 19 and a +1. Thats a 50+ point pace.

Dion is regaining that famous swagger ladies and gents. Lets hope its here to stay.

Also Keith Aulie with the takedown, one of my favourite moments for sure. "DOWN GOOESS HARTNELL!".

[inferno31]

I see you Timmy Thomas..

[armandtanzarian]

St. Louis should have that neck tumour looked at in your sig there Kareem. Looks a bit concerning.

[armandtanzarian]

Reimers been a great story. I actually am enjoying this run the Leafs are on. Its exciting hockey. It would be very interesting to see the Leafs squeak into 8th.

[Shep]

There is a difference between criticizing irrational banter, and ignoring or downplaying weaknesses. I have no qualms with discussing a players game, both positively and negatively, Dion Phaneuf is no different. The issue arises when context is discarded, and you aimlessly bash a players game, it's not just with Dion Phaneuf either, this is a characteristic I have noticed of you in general, you are overly critical.

Like I have said all season long, Phaneuf has not lived up to his contract, but you don't go from one of the best young defenceman in the NHL, to one of the worst without cause. The cause, IMO was on multiple fronts, poor chemistry with Tomas Kaberle, and a one dimensional powerplay that lacks a down low play, which in turn results in more pressure on the point men.

Since Tomas Kaberle has left Dion Phaneuf is putting up season highs in point totals, since the power play developed more movement (especially down low) Phaneuf has scored 3 goals (more than the rest of the season). The decision making is still questionable at times, and it will not change until he is paired with a smart puck distributor who he clicks with.

I give him all the credit in the world for the last 3-4 weeks. He's been much, MUCH better.

I know I'm overly critical. Which is ironic when you think of who my favourite player is and the game he plays..

[MSP4LYFE]

I give him all the credit in the world for the last 3-4 weeks. He's been much, MUCH better.

That's fair, and sorry if I came across as a dick in my post, wasn't my intention.

I know I'm overly critical. Which is ironic when you think of who my favourite player is and the game he plays..

I literally just ROFL'ed.

[MSP4LYFE]

Reimers been a great story. I actually am enjoying this run the Leafs are on. Its exciting hockey. It would be very interesting to see the Leafs squeak into 8th.

Can you imagine if we somehow squeak into 7th and face off against the Bruins...How EPIC would that be?

[anton]

Reimers been a great story. I actually am enjoying this run the Leafs are on. Its exciting hockey. It would be very interesting to see the Leafs squeak into 8th.

Can you imagine if we somehow squeak into 7th and face off against the Bruins...How EPIC would that be?

much much much much rather play the flyers.

[anton]

in a rare serious post tho: i haven't been this proud to be a leafs fan since 2001.

[armandtanzarian]

Reimers been a great story. I actually am enjoying this run the Leafs are on. Its exciting hockey. It would be very interesting to see the Leafs squeak into 8th.

Can you imagine if we somehow squeak into 7th and face off against the Bruins...How EPIC would that be?

Dont want any part of it, tbh. Bottom seeded teams that roll into the playoffs and have basically been playing playoff hockey already for a month, are to be feared. See Flyers - 2010

[MSP4LYFE]

Reimers been a great story. I actually am enjoying this run the Leafs are on. Its exciting hockey. It would be very interesting to see the Leafs squeak into 8th.

Can you imagine if we somehow squeak into 7th and face off against the Bruins...How EPIC would that be?

Dont want any part of it, tbh. Bottom seeded teams that roll into the playoffs and have basically been playing playoff hockey already for a month, are to be feared. See Flyers - 2010

The Flyers are a different animal, IMO. They were in the playoffs for most of the season, so they didn't have to expend anywhere near the effort the Leafs need to, they were also a superior team. Furthermore, last season was an Olympic year, historically upsets are more prevalent in those years, largely due to fatigue from the top players. Case in point, the last Olympics (prior to last year) was a Carolina V. Edmonton final.

[Mike]

2-0 Flyers over Buffalo after the first. Lookin' good.

[Shep]

2-0 Flyers over Buffalo after the first. Lookin' good.

3-3 now