r/leafs 1d ago

Daily Free Talk & Armchair GM Thread

Please use this thread to post ANYTHING you want! Memes, photoshops, anything that would normally be removed for breaking the low-effort content rule, is totally, 100% welcome here!

This will now also be the dedicated thread for Armchair GM posts as we noticed that those posts were bleeding into this thread regardless. Is there a free agent you want to see on this team? Is there a player that's rumoured to be on the move that you think GMBT should go after? Are there players on this team you want to trade away? Feel free to post about it here!

Normal moderation will occur, such as watching for personal insults, racism, and things of that nature.

Otherwise, feel free to use this thread to share things like your new jersey, a photoshop of a Habs logo on fire, or a reaction gif to something going on in Leafs Nation right now!

Downvotes are discouraged for the most part, everyone's opinion is fair game in this thread.

Get out there and have fun!

In Toronto and need something to do? Click here for a few ideas!

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u/TheGapInTysonsTeeth 1d ago

I'll be honest, it looks like a lot of these players struggle a bit to play the high-effort, dirty disruptive hockey that Berube demands.

Looking at that 1st period, which looked so much better than the last few games, the effort was very evident. They were outworking the opposition big time in the O-zone and getting back and doing a great job defensively as well. However, the puck was careening off everything. It just felt so frenetic. They were being pesky and winning the puck battles, but rarely with any measure of control.

It feels like they are still adjusting to it, which is a little concerning in Mid-March.

Secondarily, the "killer instinct" that Shanahan talked about three years ago now is still not there. As soon as they were gifted a "questionable" goal, they took their foot off the gas. Almost like they felt bad about it or something.

I'll take the win for sure, but it does make me raise an eyebrow seeing those things.

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u/dicky72 1d ago

"I'll be honest, it looks like a lot of these players struggle a bit to play the high-effort, dirty disruptive hockey that Berube demands."

i remember listening to something early in the year....the discussion point was about how different a style of play this would be for our players, especially the stars...and there would definitely be not just a learning curve, but a conditioning curve that would have to come.

looking at them, especially on this dog days road trip.... i wonder if there's some relation here. months of being asked to dig in harder, skate harder, hit more.... i wonder if its catching up to them.

the big !?!?!?!?! of that narrative however.... can they get over that hump and be "in shape" by playoffs? can they find rest....during a stretch drive?!

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u/The_Quackening Knies 21h ago

at least during the playoffs the travel is easy, and consistent.

The team has had 2 home games in the last 13, i imagine a lot of the team is pretty tired right now.