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Toronto Maple Leafs Podcast: Looking at the power play, and defensive play

By David Morassutti

TORONTO,ON - SEPTEMBER 21: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs sets up the power play against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - SEPTEMBER 21: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs sets up the power play against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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With the various pre-season storylines for the Toronto Maple Leafs, we look at what lies ahead for the team and other news around the NHL with special guest John Matisz.

There are only a couple of pre-season games left in the Toronto Maple Leafs schedule after a 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and before puck drop, David Morassutti and Austin Owens discussed the team’s preseason so far.

It is also an emotional time for the Toronto Blue Jays as they officially announced the end of John Gibbons tenure as manager when the season concludes in Tampa Bay. David and Austin are joined by a special returning guest to give some quick thoughts on the manager’s time with the team and what happens moving forward.

Also joining the podcast is John Matisz who is the national hockey writer for the Score to discuss some popular storylines from the NHL this offseason. He also gives a preview of his latest article on puck tracking coming to the league as well as his Stanley Cup pick.

You can listen to the full episode in the audio player below or download it to listen on the go.

*Warning podcast contains strong language and was recorded on 09/26/2018 before the Leafs play the Habs in Montreal.*

Here’s what you’ll find on this edition of the podcast

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(0:00-21:00) The Leafs are coming off a brutal performance against the Canadiens where players who needed to have a standout performance missed a big opportunity. Austin was in attendance while David decided to skip it in order to do a fantasy hockey draft which appeared to be the wiser decision.

While it was only one game, David explains why it doesn’t excuse how a couple of players played given what’s at stake for them. They discuss whether any players made a positive impression and who need to grab an opportunity with only a couple of games remaining.

How good has Tyler Ennis been? It gives the Leafs some options to consider when William Nylander returns and where it happens.

(21:00-42:00) David then gets a little heated discussing the power play and whether the Leafs shouldn’t load the top unit. He explains why it’s a long time coming considering Matthews hasn’t benefitted from playing on the top power-play unit and there are stats to back it up.

Richard Lee-Sam then makes his return to the podcast after spending time away during the summertime and tries to restore some order to the power play discussion. They also look back at some Leafs stories from their childhood and how the Leafs power play could resemble some of the great units form the past.

(42:00-1:01:50) They discuss the Leafs top prospects who can go to the World Juniors and whether why it’s worth sending Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren there. Richard brings up his experience at the 2015 World Juniors and what the players told him about being at the tournament as his reason to send them.

There is still some stuff to sort out but the Leafs lineup is pretty much set especially upfront granted there aren’t any injuries or moves made before opening night.

(1:01:50-1:19:55) David, Austin and Richard discuss the Gibbons news while looking back at when the team was a contender with him as manager. They also look at could happen going forward with the team’s search for a new manager.

(1:19:55-2:07:45) John Matisz joins the podcast to discuss Richard’s return to the podcast and the various storylines in the NHL from the offseason and pre-season.

They start the conversation discussing the media attention the Leafs get with John offering his opinion on why it will continue to be that way.

John offers his thoughts on the Ottawa Senators trading Erik Karlsson and why they swung and miss because of the position they put themselves in. He also explains why the team is in such a tough position and the role Eugene Melnyk plays into it.

They ask John about the Leafs turnaround as a franchise, the role the Brendan Shanahan has played in it and the resources the organization has provided the front office to get the job done.

With his past experience covering the London Knights, John offers his thoughts on Mark Hunter‘s decision to return to the CHL rather than find another NHL job and why it makes sense for him.

Who does John think will win the Stanley Cup? And which team isn’t getting a lot of attention that will probably earn some going into this season.

Next. Sandin sent to Marlies, training camp roster trimmed further. dark

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