Matthews and Nylander debut together on 3rd line

The Leafs future looked impressive last night as we got to see some future and immediate young talent on display.

Hyman/Matthews/Nylander

Brown

Marner

Gauthier

and Zaitsev on D.

And Morgan Rielly continues to impress.  His confidence with the puck has gone to a new level since his time in the World Cup.

Promoting an assitant coach to head coach, and thoughts on Jake Gardiner trade rumors down the road

I would like to start on the hiring of Craig Berube as the new Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.  I have always wondered how management or the media can use the "coach lost the dressing room" excuse.  The Head Coach has a staff that reinforces his message, of team play and accountability.  So if the team have "tuned" the coach out, why would the Assistant Coach have any more luck?  If I were a GM faced with this decision I would dump the entire staff, especially if I am in need of a "culture" change.  But unfortunately, the Flyers already started the season with Laviolette and missed out on this opportunity.  Lindy Ruff was out there, Guy Boucher, Paul Maurice, or even stick with Craig Berube.  But ultimately when the dressing room is "lost" do you really want those kind of players?

On the Jake Gardiner trade rumors...DUMB!  Way too early to start speculating.  And it's a cheap way for the writers to have a topic to write about and stir up discussion.  In fact, where was all this last year when he clearly struggled.  Has everyone forgot how he over handled the puck and was frequently caught out of position?  Still doing it!  But he's still young.  

I consider my self a huge Leafs fan, and I can honestly see huge gaps in his game right now.  But he is young!  Last year he could do no wrong, and now there is a new kid on the block in Morgan Rielly and everyone starts to jump off his bandwagon.  Same thing happened to Luke Schenn.  Luckily we were able to get JVR for Luke, but that does not always occur.  Give Jake a chance to work and LEARN to play defence.  He will get it.  And maybe these writers can focus on other important topics like, the Buds being 3-0 to start the season!

Leafs comeback and beat Sens in SO!

Well, it wasn't pretty that's for sure. But the Leafs kept skating and forechecking and eventually beat the Sens out 5-4 in a shout out.

Mason Raymond continues to impress and Bolland had some neat dangles in the 3rd. But probably the biggest news that came out was Reimer's nerves. He looked rattled on in close plays and Spezza's goal that made it 4-2 was weak.

It was nice seeing Torts get his first win as a Canuck last night. Edmonton is in deep trouble with the goaltending they have. Sad thing is Dubnyk makes good coin as well. $3+ if I'm not mistaken.

What about the high-flying blues?  7 goals last night. I can't remember the last time they scored so proficiently.

It still might be early for the goalie controversy, but Bernier is a lot more calming in the crease with his more economical movement. Reimer seems to expend more energy with all his movements at this point.

Bernier shines in season debut with 3 - 1 victory over Flyers

 

Johnathan Bernier looked stellar in his season debut last night, beating the Flyers 3-1.  Along with the strong goaltending, David Bolland played a solid two-way game, scoring two goals and being promoted to the second line.

Other highlights of the night:

1. Boudreau vs Roy - that glass partition looked a bit staged to me.  How can it be that easy to push?  Looked like wrestling.
2. Avs rookie Nathan MacKinnon has 2 assists in his NHL debut
3. Ilya Bryzgalov is close to signing in the ECHL with Las Vegas.  Its probably a way for teams in the NHL to get a look at him in game action prior to maybe signing him.  I think Pittsburgh due to injury to Vokoun and the Edmonton Oilers might consider him.