Gus Katsaros
Gus Katsaros is the McKeen's Hockey Director of Analytics & Pro Scouting and has been writing at MLHS since 2009.
Toronto Maple Leafs Systems: What to look for versus the Boston Bruins
Structure, not systems.
The NHL is a copycat league. Most teams implement deviations of similar systems in all three zones – variants of different formations...
The keys to success for the Toronto Maple Leafs penalty kill
Sometimes, the greatest thing that comes out of analyzing the game is what you learn about yourself.
I’ve begun to really appreciate the element of...
On Kasperi Kapanen’s emergence and the Bruins vs. Lightning Round 1 question
Mike Babcock nailed it when he said Kasperi Kapanen makes a difference when he’s on the ice.
Be it as a penalty killer or a quick...
Systems Analysis: The Toronto Maple Leafs like to “cheat”… but is that a problem?
Phil Kessel was singled out for doing it. He cheated.
Same thing with William Nylander. He cheats.
Let’s watch Nylander do it right now.
Did you catch...
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ change in playing style: Separating fact from fiction
This piece was supposed to be about William Nylander and his defensive game, but it changed as it took shape.
We’ll eventually get to him,...
The Toronto Maple Leafs and high-danger scoring chances
It’s an age-old mantra and every hockey coach’s plea: Go to the net and good things happen.
Knowing scoring from in close is a consistent...
Compete: Defining and Illustrating a Nebulous Hockey Concept
I often have difficulty deciphering what coaches mean by “compete.”
Here is an example from Mike Babcock. In the quote below, my focus is on...
Rielly the Rusher: A look at the defenceman’s strong first quarter
There has been lots of love lately for the stellar play of Morgan Rielly and his partnership with free agent signing Ron Hainsey.
I had...
Nazem Kadri and the Misconceptions Around Defense
Nazem Kadri has become quite the hockey player. He exhibits an excellent mix of physical persistence and belligerence that makes him difficult to play...
On Mitch Marner’s start and the Roman Polak signing
This week, we'll take a look at the numbers behind Mitch Marner's slow-ish start and the decision to bring back Roman Polak on a...
Game Tape: Breaking down the goals against versus the Montreal Canadiens
Each of the Montreal Canadiens goals on Saturday night was created by an error from a Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman.
Alex Galchenyuk’s marker may be...
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff road may run through Montreal
Watching the Maple Leafs dismantle the Jets in the regular season opener loosened the ghosts that lurk in the corners of my mind, fuelling...
Toronto Maple Leafs Systems: What to look for vs. Washington
An overview of the Maple Leafs' systems in each zone ahead of their first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals.
Even Strength
Defensive Zone
The Leafs' preferred...
How Mitch Marner Shatters the Size Myth
Mitch Marner, the highly-touted prospect soon to graduate to full-blown NHLer, falls under hockey’s definition of "small" – even if he’s listed at six...
Toronto Maple Leafs 2015-16 Player Projections
Does 216 team goals sound about right, ten more than a disappointing 2014-15?
Does Tyler Bozak repeat a 12.55% 5v4 shooting percentage and lead the...
Katsaros: Phil Kessel Trade About Recouping Assets
Teams rarely, if ever, receive a substantial enough, or even on-par, return for elite athletes. The Phil Kessel case is no different.
A club's desire to...
A Quick Morgan Rielly Interview
Passing along a quick conversation with Morgan Rielly from later on this past season:
On your personal development: This was your sophomore season; a bit...
The Maple Leafs Transition Game
This quote triggered the thought process behind this post.
This is kind of a good analogy. You could go into a zone and take three...
Boom to Bust: The Demise of Leafs & Blackhawks Penalty Kill
A systematic explanation of the Leafs penalty killing isn’t fully available to explain the dramatic drop off. There isn’t enough of a systematic change...
Maple Leafs Systems – The Penalty Kill
There isn’t much I can add to the powerplay analysis that wasn’t in the write up by JP Nikota describing the Leafs use of...
Recent MLHS articles
Game in 10: Maple Leafs lose special teams and goaltending battles,...
The Toronto Maple Leafs' mid-January blues continued as the team dropped a third straight game, this time to the Dallas Stars at home by...
