Around the League 20-21 Thread: Playoffs Edition

[kingsholygrail]

Montreal figured something out by game 5. It'd be interesting to see what adjustments were made if any.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Damn, whoever just knocked Kucherov down better not fall the rest of the game, Kuch might get revenge since the ref didn't bail him out

 

[Bandit]

Carolina would have won 5 or 6 to 2 if Aho and Necas could finish anything.

 

[johnjm22]

Cernak gets better every year. On top of being a solid and physical defensive defenseman with size, he also now has 5pts in 8 playoffs games (52pts pace).

Consider this: He doesn't play on the PP. So all 5 of those points have come at even strength.

He's tied for the most even strength points of any dman in the playoffs.

Hedman has 2 even strength points.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Guess I'm the only one who thinks the Leafs will win it all in the next 5 years. I firmly believe the Tavares injury shellshocked them. Sheldon Keefe is a great coach and has won at every level. The notion of trading any of those kids is totally ridiculous, Marner is a superstar. These kids need to get their ass kicked a few years before going on a deep run. They need more players who have actually won big games. They should be taking a serious look at Alec Martinez. They should have signed Trevor Lewis instead of Joe Thornton. Get actual winners.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Guess I'm the only one who thinks the Leafs will win it all in the next 5 years. I firmly believe the Tavares injury shellshocked them. Sheldon Keefe is a great coach and has won at every level. The notion of trading any of those kids is totally ridiculous, Marner is a superstar. These kids need to get their ass kicked a few years before going on a deep run. They need more players who have actually won big games. They should be taking a serious look at Alec Martinez. They should have signed Trevor Lewis instead of Joe Thornton. Get actual winners.

They built a 3-1 series lead after Tavares was hurt.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I'm aware of that, but I still think it screwed with their head. They hit a wall. They're a young team and will learn from it. They need to add a couple proven veteran winners.

 

[BringTheReign]

Guess I'm the only one who thinks the Leafs will win it all in the next 5 years. I firmly believe the Tavares injury shellshocked them. Sheldon Keefe is a great coach and has won at every level. The notion of trading any of those kids is totally ridiculous, Marner is a superstar. These kids need to get their ass kicked a few years before going on a deep run. They need more players who have actually won big games. They should be taking a serious look at Alec Martinez. They should have signed Trevor Lewis instead of Joe Thornton. Get actual winners.

I was bullish on the Leafs in a world where the cap was going to go up a ton after the new TV deal and Seattle joining. I was optimistic their excellent drafting would shine through and then they'd be able to shore up the defense with the cap increase. Now, I'm finding it harder to see in a flat cap world.

I love Matthews, Marner, and Nylander, but I think trading Kadri and signing Tavares with a NMC aren't aging as well as I thought. I think Andersen coming off the books will help as they can find someone to play 1B to Campbell who's just as good. However, Hyman will basically eat up that space (and possibly more) almost immediately. The year after next Reilly will also need a raise. Their D-core is good, but not good enough to go deep, IMO. I think the only team with a comparable D core that won a Cup in recent memory was the year Pittsburgh won with all those injuries in either '16 or '17. Problem is, Matthews and Marner haven't shown the ability to care a team like Crosby and Malkin did that year. I'm not saying they're not capable of it, but 18 playoff games without a goal for Marner at 10.9M and 1 goal in the series for Matthews is a tough look.

I do agree with your point about signing Lewis and Martinez-types rather than Simmonds and Thornton. Spezza was a nice surprise and they should bring him back, but Foligno, Thornton, and Simmonds should be let go.

 

[kingsfan28]

Cernak gets better every year. On top of being a solid and physical defensive defenseman with size, he also now has 5pts in 8 playoffs games (52pts pace).

Consider this: He doesn't play on the PP. So all 5 of those points have come at even strength.

He's tied for the most even strength points of any dman in the playoffs.

Hedman has 2 even strength points.

Another epic fail on DL's part trading him in the Bishop deal. Tampa couldn't believe they got him in the deal. Why couldn't have been Gravel or McNabb ?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Cernak gets better every year. On top of being a solid and physical defensive defenseman with size, he also now has 5pts in 8 playoffs games (52pts pace).

Consider this: He doesn't play on the PP. So all 5 of those points have come at even strength.

He's tied for the most even strength points of any dman in the playoffs.

Hedman has 2 even strength points.

And they relied on him (and McDonagh) in the dying minutes of the game to protect a lead. He’s a better, more physical version of Roy, and he’ll be a RFA in two years when he’ll be 26.

 

[unicornpig]

I'm aware of that, but I still think it screwed with their head. They hit a wall. They're a young team and will learn from it. They need to add a couple proven veteran winners.

But this past year they added all the veterans

 

[kovacro]

But this past year they added all the veterans

The added the wrong ones. Should of signed Corey Perry.

 

[Faterson]

What They're Saying // Leafs Lose To Habs After Up 3-1 In Series Edition

Don La Greca was ridiculous in his Game Misconduct podcast last night, putting the blame for the Leafs' loss squarely on Jack Campbell's shoulders. WTF?!

 

[Bandit]

Don La Greca was ridiculous in his Game Misconduct podcast last night, putting the blame for the Leafs' loss squarely on Jack Campbell's shoulders. WTF?!

Campbell almost cried in his post game interview after game 7. I felt so bad for him.

 

[tomd]

I'm aware of that, but I still think it screwed with their head. They hit a wall. They're a young team and will learn from it. They need to add a couple proven veteran winners.

Worth remembering (for those old enough to remember) that the Oilers were villified mercilessly after losing to the Kings in the "Miracle on Manchester" series. Adversity can build the character needed to win a championship. Will be interesting to see how the TML's come back next year.

 

[LAKings88]

Worth remembering (for those old enough to remember) that the Oilers were villified mercilessly after losing to the Kings in the "Miracle on Manchester" series. Adversity can build the character needed to win a championship. Will be interesting to see how the TML's come back next year.

Tampa ousted by Columbus prior to their cup too.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Toronto's PP disappeared at the end of the series as well.

 

[Lt Dan]

Don La Greca was ridiculous in his Game Misconduct podcast last night, putting the blame for the Leafs' loss squarely on Jack Campbell's shoulders. WTF?!

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Toronto's PP disappeared at the end of the series as well.

It was pretty much gone in the latter part of the season. Lots of talent, couldn’t put it together on the PP.

 

[BigKing]

Worth remembering (for those old enough to remember) that the Oilers were villified mercilessly after losing to the Kings in the "Miracle on Manchester" series. Adversity can build the character needed to win a championship. Will be interesting to see how the TML's come back next year.

I imagine that Toronto's dressing room could become the world's most productive diamond mine if you just shoved coal up the asses of the players: especially the stars.

Just unbelievable pressure to perform when you are on that team. Any team in Canada, really, but especially there and in Montreal.

 

[LAKings88]

Toronto's PP disappeared at the end of the series as well.

Musta been really cold outside.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Guess I'm the only one who thinks the Leafs will win it all in the next 5 years. I firmly believe the Tavares injury shellshocked them. Sheldon Keefe is a great coach and has won at every level. The notion of trading any of those kids is totally ridiculous, Marner is a superstar. These kids need to get their ass kicked a few years before going on a deep run. They need more players who have actually won big games. They should be taking a serious look at Alec Martinez. They should have signed Trevor Lewis instead of Joe Thornton. Get actual winners.

YES! Bring back the Muzzin/ Martinez pairing!

Seriously though, TO has a talented team. If they actually get hot in the playoffs it could be impressive.

Also, was this posted yet?

 

[kingsholygrail]

Toffoli and Perry former cup winners.

 

[Reaper45]

I imagine that Toronto's dressing room could become the world's most productive diamond mine if you just shoved coal up the asses of the players: especially the stars.

Just unbelievable pressure to perform when you are on that team. Any team in Canada, really, but especially there and in Montreal.

Why would anyone ever want to sign there?

 

[Stimpythecat]

Tampa is $5+ million over with 19 players for 2021-2022. Something has got to give.

They could pay Seattle to take Johnson and his $5 million cap hit and they still would be over the cap with just 18 players. Someone else significant would have to go.