The Official 2026 Off-Season Thread: Revenge of the Nerds

[zeke]

Quick review of how Hiller played his lineup last 2 years - this unfortunately doesn't include crucial quality of competition data but it gives us some idea using ice time (TOI%) and dzone starts minus ozone starts (the higher the number the tougher the usage).

LA last 2yrs:

C Byfield 160gms, 29.1toi%, +1.5dzs%
W Fiala 137gms, 29.8toi%, -0.9dzs%
W Laferriere 159gms, 28.6toi%, +0.7dzs%

C Kopitar 148gms, 28.8toi%, -3.5dzs%
W Kempe 162gms, 28.6toi%, -4.8dzs%
W Moore 140gms, 27.4toi%, +2.1dzs%

C Danault 110gms, 27.9toi%, +0.6dzs%
W Foegele 129gms, 26.8toi%, -1.1dzs%
W Kuzmenko 74gms, 24.5toi%, -3.0dzs%

C Turcotte 130gms, 21.6toi%, -1.1dzs%
W Jeannott 67gms, 22.0toi%, -5.0dzs% / Armia 67gms, 23.9toi%, +1.0dzs%
W Lewis 60gms, 19.2toi%, -3.6dzs% / Perry 50gms, 22.7toi%, -7.0dzs%

C Helenius 103gms, 16.6toi%, -1.5dzs%
W Malott 70gms, 18.2toi%, +0.4dzs%



D Doughty 102gms, 37.8toi%, +1.4dzs%
D Anderson 157gms, 36.9toi%, +4.6dzs%

D Gavrikov 82gms, 38.2toi%, +5.0dzs% / Dumoulin 82gms, 32.3toi%, +5.6dzs%
D Edmundson 155gms, 33.5toi%, -3.8dzs%

D Clarke 160gms, 31.0toi%, -6.9dzs%
D Spence 79gms, 29.6toi%, +1.2dzs% / Ceci 82gms, 30.9toi%, +6.2dzs%

D Moverare 64gms, 22.0toi%, +0.3dzs%

 

[axlsalinger]

View: https://x.com/Leafslatest/status/2074188534492123291?s=20

 

[LeafOfFaith]

If Rielly is a "big part of this thing" and the Knies stuff is dead, and we assume Willy and Tavares are not waiving/moving, then it will be interesting to see where this difference maker comes from and how we fit him in.

I also wonder if Chaykes is more intent on adding someone to bolster the forwards or if he thinks the D still needs another upgrade more.

 

[zeke]

View: https://x.com/PuckPedia/status/2074277438125670836?s=20

 

[axlsalinger]

View: https://x.com/simmerpuck/status/2074303189231562951?s=20

 

[LeafGm]

View: https://x.com/simmerpuck/status/2074303189231562951?s=20

“Emotional leader”

 

[LeafOfFaith]

I need some clarification on the leader part.

 

[MindzEye]

“Emotional leader”

The dry hair in a playoff game gets me every time.

 

[thehabhater]

View: https://x.com/simmerpuck/status/2074303189231562951?s=20

He was the first one to start crying on the ice, that's for sure.

 

[Killer93]

View: https://x.com/simmerpuck/status/2074303189231562951?s=20

Get lost Chief

 

[MindzEye]

Always been more of an emotional lesbian than emotional leader.

But whatever.

 

[leafman101]

That explains a lot.

 

[Pwner]

I hate that Berube just can't take responsibility for his failures as a coach.

Learn from it and move on.

 

[drewser]

View: https://x.com/friedgehnic/status/2074531251390669217?s=46

 

[thehabhater]

Always been more of an emotional lesbian than emotional leader.

But whatever.

Marner was actually very accessible during his entry-level contract period. He was the Leaf most likely to appear at card shows and autograph signing events.

After he reupped tho........... different story.

 

[Killer93]

View: https://x.com/friedgehnic/status/2074531251390669217?s=46

Wait. What?

View: https://giphy.com/gifs/yb3FUOXXpedSU

 

[Volcanologist]

View: https://x.com/friedgehnic/status/2074531251390669217?s=46

what...the...fuck?????

RATFACE??

 

[Pwner]

Does Sundin know about this?

Over/under on how many sticks are thrown over the glass during practice?

 

[Preston]

Does Sundin know about this?

Over/under on how many sticks are thrown over the glass during practice?

He was definitely behind this

 

[Preston]

Elliotte has enough time to have Claude write an article on Sportsnet.ca for him (with the AI dash abuse and all) before anyone else breaks the news. He really is on an island as the only one to trust.