Sheldon Keefe’s lineup experiments should be encouraged

I think I’ve stated it here before and I’m sure most of you don’t care, but I’m not a huge Sheldon Keefe guy. That’s not to say that I think he’s a bad coach, in fact, I think he’s an above-average one. I just think the Leafs with their resources have better options available but have been able to seek a lot of comfort in the fact that Sheldon Keefe’s knowledge of how Kyle Dubas wants the players he brings in to be used is something that you won’t find easily with other coaches. That’s the perceived advantage and I accept that.
A couple of my criticisms of Keefe prior to this year is that he very much seems locked into his lineup and is reluctant to make changes and the other is that he doesn’t seem to prepare for when the Leafs plan of attack is blocked. The recent lineup blender and experimentation with the 11 forward and 7 defenseman approach has been very welcomed in my household and can fully appreciate there will be a lot of nights when it doesn’t go so hot, but this appears to be Keefe checking some of the boxes where I felt he was lacking.
Wh …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

The Orlov trade makes the Atlantic Division arms race real for the Leafs

The Orlov trade makes the Atlantic Division arms race real for the Leafs

I don’t think there is really a need to ask how the Orlov trade affects the Leafs, it’s pretty obvious. Toronto took a nice first step to the deadline with a huge move to bring in Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari, and that was a nice little way for a team in “win now mode” to try and close the gap with the heavily favoured Boston Bruins.
As much as we obviously focus on the Leafs need to win this season, the expectations, age, and salary cap realities for the Bruins make this season a do or die one for them as well. Bergeron and Krejci are in the back half of their 30’s and taking deep discounts to keep playing together in Boston. Marchand is crossing over into his later 30s pretty soon as well, he’s likely on his last NHL contract. And of course there’s the small matter of pending UFA David Pastrnak. They are either going to need to pay him a mint or this truly is a last dance situation for the Bruins. They want to win now and they showed their commitment on Thursday night:

The full details ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/4tkcRiMoei
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 23, 2023

That price the Bruins paid looks awfully familiar to Leafs fans, and while I think most Leafs fans would take O’Rei …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Raptors mock draft: Toronto adding 6-8 son of NBA great

Raptors mock draft: Toronto adding 6-8 son of NBA great

Masai Ujiri may think that his team is capable of doing some damage in the playoffs this season and next year, but the team’s sub-.500 record at the All-Star break is not going to stop the Toronto Raptors mock draft predictors from coming out of the woodwork in the next few months. Toronto has already […]
Raptors mock draft: Toronto adding 6-8 son of NBA great – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ