Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup contenders?

[AvroArrow]

Worse than oiler version Jack Campbell?

Bro I can't put in to words how bad he is.

 

[kranuck]

Leafs looked to be a better team in those series gainst the Caps , then back to back against the Bruins. 17, 18 and 2019. They were a threat.
Looked to be on way to serious contender. I disagree that "Dubas did a really commendable job keeping them competitive" When Kyle got there the teM already had Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Rielly, Kadri, Anderson. They were making play offs and were a very tough out. Kyle did then land Tavares. But the team did not really improve. Kyle never acquired a goalie worth remembering.They stayed competitive because the core that he was gifted kept them competitive. What Dubas added to the core was underwhelming to say the least. In 2018/19 as a Habs fan I was worried the leafs were on the verge of becoming a commanding team in this league.
That concern disappeared the longer Dubas was there.

How do leafs fans feel about the Tavares deal at this point?

Can't say he hasn't been good for them, but it's so much cap locked up in a second center when they could have stuck with Kadri.

 

[PaulD]

How do leafs fans feel about the Tavares deal at this point?

Can't say he hasn't been good for them, but it's so much cap locked up in a second center when they could have stuck with Kadri.

Tavares at 11 mill was a mistake. Many of us said so at the time.

 

[The90]

You think Toronto has sucked in the playoffs for decades because they always run into a hot goalie? No fault of their own, they just happen to be unlucky?

Winners create their own luck. Losers cry about others.

Toronto sucks in the playoffs because they can't competently build a team. This ain't EA Sports NHL where you can just load up all the snipers onto one team and then go and win every game 10-1.

Goodness me no. I think (know) a hot goaltender covers up a lot of warts on average teams and has overzealous fans overrating their underdogs (Florida and Montreal)

Toronto made their own issues choking series’ away at will.

 

[jcs0218]

I wonder if the Maple Leafs have enough toughness to go through 4 rounds of playoffs.

I don't mean toughness in the way that Ryan Reaves brings toughness.

I mean toughness as in willing to fight through tight-checking and willing to battle in the hard areas of the ice (corners, boards, in front of the net, etc.).

Do they have the necessary will-power, tenacity, and intensity that you need to win 4 rounds of playoffs?

 

[Enga Olly]

I enjoy hockey and like many others I enjoy posting on this site about it. Criticizing a team or its players doesnt make me a hater. You have chosen to make this personal and I know the reasons why.

Its cause you cant call me wrong. I was right about what I said and you got upset but you couldnt call me wrong so you chose to make it about something else.

Its ok I get it. You are upset about another loss for your team but I am not the one to blame.

frickin' hilarious, I enjoyed that.

 

[jcs0218]

How do leafs fans feel about the Tavares deal at this point?

Can't say he hasn't been good for them, but it's so much cap locked up in a second center when they could have stuck with Kadri.

Tavares at 11 mill was a mistake. Many of us said so at the time.

I am not sure what Maple Leafs fans think of the Tavares signing now.

But when it happened, Maple Leafs fans were completely through the roof with excitement and ecstasy.

I live in the city of Toronto, surrounded by Maple Leafs fans, and the hype about Tavares signing was very extreme.

There were a few Maple Leafs fans who even told me that they believed 70 wins in the regular season was a possibility.

 

[Drumman44]

I think they win at least two rounds this year. Their goaltending struggles are going to have to get addressed to stay afloat in season, which will be a great benefit to them in the playoffs.

Treliving will hopefully find a decent goalie and bring in a good 3/4 D to help shore up defense. In the past the leafs have been so good during the regular season without much adversity that the playoffs came as a big shock.

Having that shock and addressing positional needs now will only help them

 

[Ted Hoffman]

Treliving will hopefully find a decent goalie and bring in a good 3/4 D to help shore up defense. In the past the leafs have been so good during the regular season without much adversity that the playoffs came as a big shock.

Having that shock and addressing positional needs now will only help them

At the trade deadline:

Toronto - Samsonov, Kampf, 1st, Niemela, probably something else
Montreal - Allen, Savard, Evans

It's a guarantee for a spectacular postseason in Toronto.

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Leaf Fan Book of Excuses...Playoff Edition, 1968-2023, Volume 1.

 

[nbwingsfan]

You think Toronto has sucked in the playoffs for decades because they always run into a hot goalie? No fault of their own, they just happen to be unlucky?

Winners create their own luck. Losers cry about others.

Toronto sucks in the playoffs because they can't competently build a team. This ain't EA Sports NHL where you can just load up all the snipers onto one team and then go and win every game 10-1.

They’ve even built a half decent team at times but then their top players completely blew it and didn’t show up.

But it is hilarious that Leaf fans think they’re the only team to ever run into hot goaltending.

It’s funny how both Bobrovsky and Price were considered overpaid bums who shouldn’t even be (or weren’t) the starters for their teams but “suddenly” turned it on when they played the Leaf’s. Who the hell even was the goalie when they blew it against Columbus too?

 

[PaulD]

I am not sure what Maple Leafs fans think of the Tavares signing now.

But when it happened, Maple Leafs fans were completely through the roof with excitement and ecstasy.

I live in the city of Toronto, surrounded by Maple Leafs fans, and the hype about Tavares signing was very extreme.

There were a few Maple Leafs fans who even told me that they believed 70 wins in the regular season was a possibility.

For sure. I live in leaf nation and the parade was on. Dubas was gonna be the new mayor.
Then JT did what JT does ....blended and quietly accumulates his ppg. Kesfs continued to go out in first round.
Islanders went on to back to back conference finals.

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

Hard to really say. They certainly have the forwards to carry them to a Stanley Cup but almost all of them seem to pick a year to just not show up, Nylander being the sole exception. I think Woll is fine, and Jones is playing surprisingly well given his track record.

That defense though. Yikes. I don't know what's more ironic: thinking John Klingberg at 4M was a good idea or that you could argue they're better without him... but still bad.

They desperately need help on the backend.

 

[jcs0218]

For sure. I live in leaf nation and the parade was on. Dubas was gonna be the new mayor.
Then JT did what JT does ....blended and quietly accumulates his ppg. Kesfs continued to go out in first round.
Islanders went on to back to back conference finals.

It almost feels like Tavares is this generation's Pierre Turgeon.

I think Tavares peak is slightly higher, as evidenced by his Team Canada selection and his Hart Trophy finalist.

But the same idea.

Players who compile numbers in the regular season but lack an extra gear in the playoffs and against tougher opponents.

 

[jcs0218]

Hard to really say. They certainly have the forwards to carry them to a Stanley Cup but almost all of them seem to pick a year to just not show up, Nylander being the sole exception. I think Woll is fine, and Jones is playing surprisingly well given his track record.

That defense though. Yikes. I don't know what's more ironic: thinking John Klingberg at 4M was a good idea or that you could argue they're better without him... but still bad.

They desperately need help on the backend.

Why has Nylander gotten such an undeserved reputation as some kind of playoff performer?

Nylander hasn't been any better than the rest in the playoffs.

He has noticeably avoided dirty areas of the ice, often conceding puck possession in the dirty areas rather than fight and battle.

If you are an opposing player, if you show Nylander that you are going to fight or battle then he will shy away.

He is soft.

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

If all a team needs is a hot goalie to carry them to playoff success then it takes a special bunch of fools to create and support a team built around multiple offensive forwards.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

With their talent they definitely are in that group of contenders.

 

[pekka55]

With their talent they definitely are in that group of contenders.

Don't know man. They're a solid team, but are they really contenders? They have great offence, but they lack in defence and goal and overall defensive play.

If they get everyone to buy into team defence then they might be a serious threat, but until then they're not really contenders IMO.

 

[The Panther]

I don't really see them as Cup contenders right now, no.

Honestly, I feel like Toronto's best chance was 2021 (choked with 3-1 lead vs. Montreal), as well as 2022 and 2023.

My personal impression is that they are trending downward slightly this season, from their current-era peak of the past three years. Of course, it's too early to conclude that, and they have plenty of time to bring that peak-level back, but I haven't seen it yet this season.

To put this into perspective, the Leafs have fewer regulations wins than Ottawa and one more than Columbus.

 

[GoBoltz56]

Unfortunately Toronto will never be considered a contender until they actually win a cup. Sad reality.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I wonder if the Maple Leafs have enough toughness to go through 4 rounds of playoffs.

I don't mean toughness in the way that Ryan Reaves brings toughness.

I mean toughness as in willing to fight through tight-checking and willing to battle in the hard areas of the ice (corners, boards, in front of the net, etc.).

Do they have the necessary will-power, tenacity, and intensity that you need to win 4 rounds of playoffs?

Shea Weber had the whole core in tears because he played too rough so I doubt it

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Unfortunately Toronto will never be considered a contender until they actually win a cup. Sad reality.

Pretty much the pathway for any team.


Sure, you'll see the odd team like Washington win the President Trophy and remain a legitimate threat for years without without becoming a 'Cup finalist. You might see some teams make multiple deep playoff runs and gain respect that way too.

Most teams though earn their credentials through winning.

 

[Ragamuffin Gunner]

The Leafs aren't even top 5 in the East to make the SCF, IMO.

 

[The Management]

I have a loose definition of contender. If you're a playoff team with aspirations of winning the Stanley Cup, you're a contender. Toronto should be in that category, providing they retain their status as a playoff team.

Are they a favourite? No, not in my view at least. I wouldn't put my money on them. Too much to prove, in terms of postseason success. They could go on a run, but I wouldn't blame anyone (including myself) for being skeptical given the past.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

Whatever their other woes, this Leafs' core has repeatedly proven to be just too soft to be a realistic Cup contender: A bag of marshmallows dropped into a bin of jumbo cotton balls. When the going gets tough, they fold. Very pretty regular-season team though.