Around the League Thread | The Conference Finals Begin!

[BoHorvat 53]

I think the issue is the vision. The rebuild was executed. Kudos. The team then transitioned to win now mode with Dubas and Keefe (who were both rookies at their job at the time). I think the fan frustration is essentially sticking with the same script. At some point the onus is on management to make changes when the same players you rely on to win fail you year after year.

The Leafs' D is considered the best defense the Leafs have had since Shanahan took over. The best goaltender after Andersen left? Jack Campbell? Stolarz?

A lot of those moves fall onto the GM though, at least that's my opinion. The more macro level moves involved him and the micro level ones fall on the GM, and I believe that to be true for a lot of POHO/GM tandems. I think Treliving did a good job this year.

You're seriously underselling Stolarz - he was 4th in the league in goals saved above expected in just 34 games. It came down to Matthews (and to a less extent Marner) being disappointments, from that perspective you're right I guess about the same script, but I don't think any GM in the league would willingly trade either of those 2 players.

 

[Orr4Norris]

Re: Toronto and the pressure of playing in a Canadian market

I'm not sure if this is a controversial take or not but is hockey the only sport where fanbases/media are shamed for caring too much about the team? There's no other sport I can think of where athletes avoid the biggest markets and say there's too much pressure or whatever. Look at soccer, do players avoid Man U/Arsenal/Real Madrid/Bayern? Same with basketball - do players avoid going to Lakers/Knicks/Celtics because there's too much spotlight and pressure? No, everyone wants to play there. Nobody wants to play soccer at Bournemouth or ball in Sacramento.

The whole thing is so overblown and makes no sense really. If anything the more important factor is probably taxes and how you pay less of it in some US states.

I think the pressure narrative is silly. Smart trolling really. And how embarrassing is it when your opponents throw a pity party for your team after they trounce you? Remember Sheldon after the TB/TO series? Lots of respect in the handshake line? Yikes. That should have lit a fire in TO’s core. But apparently they took it as a compliment.

 

[me2]

A lot of those moves fall onto the GM though, at least that's my opinion. The more macro level moves involved him and the micro level ones fall on the GM, and I believe that to be true for a lot of POHO/GM tandems. I think Treliving did a good job this year.

You're seriously underselling Stolarz - he was 4th in the league in goals saved above expected in just 34 games. It came down to Matthews (and to a less extent Marner) being disappointments, from that perspective you're right I guess about the same script, but I don't think any GM in the league would willingly trade either of those 2 players.

I agree on Stolarz. He was excellent for Toronto. They really missed him against the panthers.

Toronto are in an awkward place with Matthews and Marner. Two excellent regular season players that would be tough to trade and get equal talent back. No GM wants to make that trade and see the team regress. I wonder how the Avs GM is feelingaster trading a star winger, trading the franchise 1C is worse.

 

[andora]

...I always see fans bitching about Shanahan but has never made sense to me - he executed the vision of the rebuild pretty well, at some point the onus falls onto the players to actually not shit themselves, and specifically the GM to make the right moves. Toronto has also been one of the stronger teams at drafting recently too.

He ok'd rushing it

shanahan has been one of the better execs in the league imo. he maybe gave dubas too long a leash but dubas also was pretty stellar his first few years

Can you elaborate on stellar

 

[arttk]

I think the issue is the vision. The rebuild was executed. Kudos. The team then transitioned to win now mode with Dubas and Keefe (who were both rookies at their job at the time). I think the fan frustration is essentially sticking with the same script. At some point the onus is on management to make changes when the same players you rely on to win fail you year after year.

The Leafs' D is considered the best defense the Leafs have had since Shanahan took over. The best goaltender after Andersen left? Jack Campbell? Stolarz?

I think the issue is they made the wrong forecast, which is that the cap will continue to go up and locking the core4 down was not going to be such a hinderance cap wise because the cap will continue to go up. I't not like a bad forecast, nobody saw Covid coming and that basically created the flat cap environment.

They probably should've traded one of the core4 like 2-3 years ago though but the GM that trades away a 90-100+ point player will always be crucified unless the end result is them going to the SCF.

 

[ephmrl]

Carolina might be cursed in the 3rd round

 

[me2]

Carolina might be cursed in the 3rd round

Another point for 18yon Sam Bennett. Kid's got a good future ahead of him.

 

[wonton15]

Carolina might be cursed in the 3rd round

Honestly they’re just not star studded enough. The way they play does well in the regular season but when they go up against the elite teams, they can’t score.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Sex Panthers giving the Candy Canes the goods.

 

[Bgav]

Canes look mentally broken already

 

[wonton15]

Brindamour hockey is basically Tocchet’s ceiling, which is what we’re seeing unfold

 

[Nick Lang]

Honestly they’re just not star studded enough. The way they play does well in the regular season but when they go up against the elite teams, they can’t score.

They're oh so close on a some good possession plays. They could sure use a lucky break.

 

[wonton15]

Demko, Garland, 2nd for Svechnikov

 

[Attack Vector]

Florida has a state of the art practice facility.

 

[EpochLink]

Panthers shit kicking Carolina

 

[valkynax]

Our boy Forsling with his first in the playoff, good on him.

Dear commando Dimbo please go f*** yourself.

 

[me2]

Florida has a state of the art practice facility.

So does Carolina

 

[I am toxic]

Canes look mentally broken already

 

[Jyrki]

Our boy Forsling with his first in the playoff, good on him.

Dear commando Dimbo please go f*** yourself.

At least he wasn't the one who got Forsling for basically free then let him go for nothing lol

 

[valkynax]

At least he wasn't the one who got Forsling for basically free then let him go for nothing lol

And is now on the receiving end of yet another epic ass whooping.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Maple Leafs have a total aversion to the ECF the past decade.

The Hurricanes like to avoid the Stanley Cup Finals for whatever reason.

 

[ManVanFan]

Carolina might be cursed in the 3rd round

It is getting onto Toronto level of cursed. Is losing 14 conference finals game in a row the same as losing 9 straight game 7s?

 

[me2]

It is getting onto Toronto level of cursed. Is losing 14 conference finals game in a row the same as losing 9 straight game 7s?

I think the game 7s are worse. That's 9 years, 14 ecf is only 3.5 years going on 4. Your expectations by game 4 are zero if you are carolina, while they are high of you are the leafs. You've won 3 games, surely you can get another win....

 

[Breakers]

This series sucks so bad

Carolina looks so damn scared

 

[Treefingers]

Canes are going to be swept.