Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup contenders?

[Breakers]

It’s nice to have a legit superstar who can put his team on his back and say we’re not losing.

 

[General Fanager]

Auston Matthews alone makes them contenders

He is 8 years into his career and they have 1 series win.

 

[lionsDen]

Everyone’s a contender tell their not.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Matthews is carrying the team on his back this year. Just an incredible display of goal scoring. Credit where credit is due.

 

[General Fanager]

It’s not punishment, this stuff happens

Report: Ottawa Senators expected to ask Vladimir Tarasenko to waive NTC, listening on Jakob Chychrun | TSN

Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports "the expectation" is the Senators will ask pending unrestricted free agent Vladimir Tarasenko to waive his no-trade clause, and notes the team has also " tried unsuccessfully to move winger Dominik Kubalik."

www.tsn.ca

Oh they can ask for sure.

1. He can say no and then be pissed they wanted to trade him at all and walk as a UFA.

2. He can agree to waive to a team or teams of his choice so The Leafs wont get anywhere close to fair value for him.

Their cap is a nightmare and the only good news seems to be that they will shed 24 million in the summer of 2025.

 

[T REX]

Auston Matthews alone makes them contenders

If only that were true

 

[Strangle]

Oh they can ask for sure.

1. He can say no and then be pissed they wanted to trade him at all and walk as a UFA.

2. He can agree to waive to a team or teams of his choice so The Leafs wont get anywhere close to fair value for him.

Their cap is a nightmare and the only good news seems to be that they will shed 24 million in the summer of 2025.

He’s not going to stick around in an environment like that for a season and a half just to not play hockey for another team, that he gets to choose anyway

 

[General Fanager]

He’s not going to stick around in an environment like that for a season and a half just to not play hockey for another team, that he gets to choose anyway

Thats literally what I said. If he waives he will pick to which team. Then there is no guarantee that the teams of his choice will be interested, have cap space, or would give anything close to fair value.

 

[Strangle]

Thats literally what I said. If he waives he will pick to which team. Then there is no guarantee that the teams of his choice will be interested, have cap space, or would give anything close to fair value.

That’s why I think Pittsburgh might make sense for him and that team. With Crosby and the Dubas connection.

Dubas obviously likes Marner, Marner presumably wouldn’t mind playing for Dubas again. And the high end talent on the team speaks for itself

 

[TheDoldrums]

Dubas obviously likes Marner, Marner presumably wouldn’t mind playing for Dubas again. And the high end talent on the team speaks for itself

For a couple more years until their nursing caregivers have to communicate for them

 

[Strangle]

For a couple more years until their nursing caregivers have to communicate for them

Agreed, but by that time Marner is a FA and can make his decision on resigning or taking a stab at free agency

 

[Ted Hoffman]

why would he care? The Fans in the city he chooses as a UFA will like him just fine Im sure.....

I'm not disagreeing with you at all. My point is that fans think players think like fans do, and they don't.

 

[HighAndTight]

Matthews is carrying the team on his back this year. Just an incredible display of goal scoring. Credit where credit is due.

Is he though?

When he scores their record is 11-10

 

[canuckster19]

As much as it pains me to say it, considering this could have been Canada's year, Toronto vs one of Vancouver/Winnipeg/Edmonton in the final, YIKES.

 

[WarriorofTime]

That’s why I think Pittsburgh might make sense for him and that team. With Crosby and the Dubas connection.

Dubas obviously likes Marner, Marner presumably wouldn’t mind playing for Dubas again. And the high end talent on the team speaks for itself

With what cap space or assets to trade?

 

[Coffey]

Is he though?

When he scores their record is 11-10

So when he doesn't score, they are 11-3??

 

[johnnyonthspot]

I think with last night's win the Cup parade is back on.

The Leafs are going to win their next 7!

 

[HighAndTight]

So when he doesn't score, they are 11-3??

I should have been more specific.

He's scored in 21 games and not scored in 21 games. In the 21 games he's scored they won 11 games. In the 21 games he didn't score they won 10.

 

[General Fanager]

That’s why I think Pittsburgh might make sense for him and that team. With Crosby and the Dubas connection.

Dubas obviously likes Marner, Marner presumably wouldn’t mind playing for Dubas again. And the high end talent on the team speaks for itself

Pitts is a year or two away from a full rebuild. I dont see it.

If Marner agrees to waive it will be for a young up and coming team with a #1 center already and tons of cap space for his next deal.....

I'm thinking The Blackhawks or Coyotes.

 

[TheDoldrums]

As much as it pains me to say it, considering this could have been Canada's year, Toronto vs one of Vancouver/Winnipeg/Edmonton in the final, YIKES.

if Toronto makes the final then they will have been much improved from the team you see today

 

[Vancouver_2010]

i think they will make the playoffs

 

[34]

It’s nice to have a legit superstar who can put his team on his back and say we’re not losing.

You are obviously referencing Matthews.

 

[chethejet]

If you look at cup winners, most had solid goaltending and Leafs just haven't had that. Until they do, no way.

 

[cc]

To my eyes, in order for TO to be a contender, they'd have to improve their defense and replace the coach. Keefe seems more like a regular season type coach to me.

 

[Leonardlizard]

No they're not