Why Isn't Maurice Playing Belak?

[leafs_fan77]

I'm starting to get really pissed off at Maurice. Why is he not playing Belak, what does he have against him? I can see why Belak doesn't play some games, but he should of played both games in Washington, well at least tonight's game. Brashear and Erskine were both in the lineup both nights, both doing a little of running around. After Poni's injury, from that hit from behind, I thought I was guaranteed to see Belak play. But no, Maurice's nuts, still havn't dropped.

Tlusty has to go, not to another team but back down to the AHL. I mean what is the guy getting, like 5 minutes ice time max, being on the 4th line. Sorry boys, but that is not developing him at all. He should be in the AHL still, he's not ready for the big leagues just yet. Dominic Moore is a waste of space, don't know why we picked him up. Hasn't impressed me at all. Belak should be rotated through the lineup, he's the only toughness we got right now. The Capitals just pushed us around 2 games straight (physical wise), are teams physical play is pathetic. Half you guys will probably disagree, but maybe we can get some good discussion. Let's hear your opinions!

[AlphaDog]

I missed the game last night because I was at the OHL game, but I've never had any problems with Belaks play. Sure he's not Bobby Orr, but he's a solid defensive defenceman. He can tend to scramble around a lot sometimes, but a lot of d-man do. And he provides big hits once in awhile, and can clear out players from the front of his net.

Must be something personal Maurice has against him, because I can't see how Maurice thinks Belak is worse than all the other d-men he's been putting in.

[RioBravo]

I tend do disagree with you guys...I feel nervous everytime Belaks on the ice.

[AlphaDog]

I tend do disagree with you guys...I feel nervous everytime Belaks on the ice.

I felt that way with Larry Murphy :18:

[leafs_fan77]

I tend do disagree with you guys...I feel nervous everytime Belaks on the ice.

Your telling me you would rather have Wozniewski on the ice, over Belak?

[leafs_fan77]

Both games against Washinton they pushed us around and we could do nothing about, becuase thier is absolutly no physical play on our team. Poni and Steen both injured on questionable hits (especially the one on Poni). 2 guys injured, why? Because Washington knew they could do whatever they want and no one would touch them. Erskine smoked White into the boards from behind, could of injured him. AND Antropov got drilled from behind too. Is it gunna take the whole fricken first line to get injured before Belak plays another game.

[RioBravo]

Your telling me you would rather have Wozniewski on the ice, over Belak?

I never said that did I? I would rather have a Kronwall or a Walser on the ice over Belak.

[leafs_fan77]

I never said that did I? I would rather have a Kronwall or a Walser on the ice over Belak.

No you didn't say that I'm just making sure you weren't thinking that. We need some physical player in our lineup, and no one does it better than Belak with the Leafs. Maybe that's not your style of play (phyiscal), but I prefere it, and by the looks of the last two game we just got pushed around, times like these we need Belak. Who's going to step up to Erskine or Brashear when they are running around, Tucker? Maybe, but that will be the end of him. I'm not saying Belak even needs to be a defencemen, because I highly doubt Maurice will ever put him back there, but definatly needs to be on our 4th line.

[big_np]

fact of the matter is, i am disgusted with every single maple leaf right now. after the hits on poni, and antropov, who wasnt injured in the end, but we all know it was a disgusting hit from behind, not a single player stepped up. not even an ounce of reaction from anyone on the ice or the bench. business as usual for the leafs. no wonder they sit where they do in the standings, they claim to the media that they are a great bunch of guys and they love playing with each other, and that they are a great team, but i have never seen a shred of honour amongst these guys this season. i take that back, i think mats at least roughed things up in one game early on in the season when someone tripped over toskala after a whistle.

but come on. if those hits on poni and antropov were thrown against players on any other team, there would have been a brawl. not necessarily fighting majors, but thats not as far as you need to go. at least stand up for your team mates. rough them up, send the message that we're not just gonna take hits like that lying down. Belak sure would have done that on both of those hits, had he been on the ice, or at least would have sought out some revenge to show washington that they cannot pull stunts like that without consequences. although there is a flipside to that coin, because he is definately my favourite leaf, but he's a pilon when it comes to actually playing hockey.

another thought, bell would have definately stepped up in that situation, probably the only leaf other than belak, but all i've seen from his fighting this year is him getting his ass kicked, and then eventually his face broken. so... great.

im not going to pretend to have a solution to this problem, its easy to sit around and propose trades with no basis in reality, the only point im trying to make is how truly pathetic and dejected every individual on this team is this season. disgusting.

thoughts anyone?

[leafs_fan77]

Exactly what i've been saying almost this whole season, the Leafs have no toughness at all anymore asides from Belak and occasionally the odd other player. It is our coach though, he is against physical play, he is against enforcers, he is just an all round soft coach, and he teaches his team to play like that.

If I was in their situation (someone on the ice watching Poni or Antropov get hit), I would definatly be roughing them up. Don't you think they should be playing for the name on the front, instead of the name on the back? Becuase it seems like the Leafs don't care when there other players get hurt. They just sit there and watch. Except for Bell (injured) and Belak (never gets played because Maurice is a goof that way).

Like AD, said in another post, we all miss the days when the Leafs had grit and physical tough play, lots of it. We always have, except the last few years now. I hope Fletcher realises this and tries to get some toughness on this soft-ass team.

[big_np]

Good to know we are on the same page. It doesn't take a genius to figure these sorts of things out, which is why it is so shocking that no one within the organization seems to. Well, I'm sure they do, though don't care. It's so frustrating that the fans seem to care 100 times more than players, coaches, or management... The price of being a leafs fan I suppose. Not much else to say about it. I hate writing these sorts of things, not only are they painfully obvious, but I am now repeating what has been said over and over again. Just a way to vent.

[leafs_fan77]

Exactly man, I feel like every post lately involves me saying something about the Leafs having no physical play. The price of being a Leafs Fan is high now a days, and is starting to get embarrasing, especially when argueing with fans of better teams this year (Montreal, Philly, Ottawa etc.)

[leafs_fan77]

There has been no fights in 9 days, I didn't think that was possible for the Leafs!