Fans Are Turning on a Maple Leafs Defenceman, and Last Night Proved Why
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs need him while Chris Tanev heals, fans are quickly getting frustrated with defenseman Philippe Myers, and last night's game saw why.
It was a complete stinker last night for the Toronto Maple Leafs not only because they ended up losing Scott Laughton to injury, but also due to the fact they team looked completely lifeless; a bad sign considering their supposed turnaround.
A lot of that had to blamed on the defense, who had some pretty bad mental mistakes, but none of them seemed to stick out more than Philippe Myers'.
Why This Defenceman's Mistakes Are Suddenly Standing Out
He has been called upon to help out while Chris Tanev has been hurt however has been nearly unplayable and hasn't looked the part of an NHL player. He's missing assignments, lazily playing the puck, and not being nearly as effective as last year.
The team needs consistency and stability right now, something that Myers hasn't offered them, and with Tanev on the mend for who knows how long; it looks grim with Myers at the helm.
It's frustrating for not only the team as they desperately need sone stability on the back end, but for their fans -- who are getting sick and tired of Myers:
Myers genuinely pisses me off. Stupid passes and when he has the puck he kills plays because he just shoots.
A lot of the discussion also turned from Myers' inability to help into the Maple Leafs needing a much more consistent presence on defense and how guys like Myers and Simon Benoit don't cut it:
Steve Dangle on his LFR episode recapping the Leafs/Bruins game also dedicated a section to breaking down Myers' inconsistencies and how he may have played 'his worst game as a Leaf.'
Myers this season has zero points, 10 blocks, six hits and a minus-5 rating while having a horrible 5.6 OiGA (On Ice for Goals Against) and has just been unable to handle whatever this season is throwing at him.
Are the Leafs Giving Him Too Much Rope or Is This Just a Bad Stretch?
It's a bit of bad luck for the Maple Leafs to be dealing with a Tanev injury as it's clear his absence shows that beyond the team's main core; the defense is shaky and perhaps an improvement is necessary.
Craig Berube was fed up with Myers too it seemed, as he only played him for 11:15 against Boston; a near four-minute drop from his season-low.
But this is now going to be his eight game of the season heading back on the ice Sunday night, and while the team has been very high on him in the past, it's hard to imagine they can give him anymore rope than they already have.
For now though, Philippe Myers has a lot to do in order to get himself back on the good side of the Maple Leafs fans, but he won't have many chances left if he keeps up his poor performances.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 9 | 1227 ANSWERS Fans Are Turning on a Maple Leafs Defenceman, and Last Night Proved Why Should Toronto move on from Philippe Myers? | ||
| Yes | 1066 | 86.9 % |
| No | 161 | 13.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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