As a fan what is your "Realistic" expectation for next season? What you want?

[Zur En Arrh]

You guys want a laugh? go read the edmonton board. those guys actually think theyre gonna repeat last year at minimum lmfao. man, they are in for a rude awakening lol

 

[Erndog]

Tampa lost Palat and McDonagh

Florida lost Marchment, Giroux, Chiarot, Duclair to injury, Weegar... and flipped Huberdeau/Tkachuk

We flipped Mikheyev to Jarnkrok.

There is a path to win the division here. Then whatever happens, happens

 

[Blowfish]

You guys want a laugh? go read the edmonton board. those guys actually think theyre gonna repeat last year at minimum lmfao. man, they are in for a rude awakening lol

What about this board?

 

[Nineteen67]

You guys want a laugh? go read the edmonton board. those guys actually think theyre gonna repeat last year at minimum lmfao. man, they are in for a rude awakening lol

It wouldn’t be shocking if they won a round or two.

 

[Nineteen67]

I can’t shake the feeling that Samsonov is going to the #1 G, but even so, they should be in contention to win a playoff round if there are no injuries, especially to a Muzzin , Rielly, or Brodie.

I don’t think the D or G can grind out enough to win three rounds.

 

[Da Mash]

Win the cup….everything else is really meaningless.

So fans really trash talk and have their chest in the air thinking winning a round or two is some kind of success. ?

We had a great regular season and most think it was a worthless accomplishment…yet winning a round or two is somehow some kind of success

Show me the ring

 

[deprw]

What about this board?

What about it? Half of the people are saying that sky is falling and we have to fire everyone from our front office and other half says it isn't falling and everything is ok.

Everyone here knows our history and I haven't seen that many talking that we win the SC. It is a fact that our division teams from the top are getting weaker.

It doesn't mean that we have any success, but in comparison our situation is getting better.

 

[Mess]

Yeah no. The Leafs last year were a strong defensive team with bottom 3 goaltending from December onwards. There is almost no way the goaltending is worse than what they got for most of the season.

Matt Murray was essentially Petr Mrazek last year as both goalies only played in 20 games as all year due to injuries. Both goalies were placed on NHL waivers and cleared (due to bad contracts) & both played games in the AHL last year.

Here are Ilya Samsonov #'s by the Month December onwards

Dec ..... 6 games ... 2.65 GAA & .895 SV%
Jan ..... 5 games ... 3.84 GAA & .876 SV%
Feb ..... 8 games ... 3.31 GAA & .898 SV%
Mar .... 4 games ... 3.13 GAA & .876 SV%
Apr ..... 8 games ... 3.35 GAA & .884 SV%

Ilya Samsonov 2024-25 Stats per Game - NHL - ESPN

The 2024-25 NHL season stats per game for Ilya Samsonov of the Vegas Golden Knights on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

Samsonov also started for Caps in the playoffs and lost to Florida in round #1 in 5 games, and not really surprising based on those numbers he posted Dec onwards.

He also finished 107th overall in Goals saved above expected at -12.1. ... So it really wasn't too big a surprise that Washington didn't give Samsonov a qualifying offer and simply walked away.

Would you have preferred Samsonov over Jack Campbell and thought it improved Leafs goaltending?

 

[Racer88]

Win the cup….everything else is really meaningless.

So fans really trash talk and have their chest in the air thinking winning a round or two is some kind of success. ?

We had a great regular season and most think it was a worthless accomplishment…yet winning a round or two is somehow some kind of success

Show me the ring

I don’t think any of us think winning a round or 2 is the end game but it is the beginning, the starting point of winning the cup.

 

[pentaguyy]

At this point I think "members of club involved in gang rape allegations" needs to be an option.

 

[Budz]

At this point I think "members of club involved in gang rape allegations" needs to be an option.

Not funny. Be better.

 

[Blowfish]

What about it? Half of the people are saying that sky is falling and we have to fire everyone from our front office and other half says it isn't falling and everything is ok.

Everyone here knows our history and I haven't seen that many talking that we win the SC. It is a fact that our division teams from the top are getting weaker.

It doesn't mean that we have any success, but in comparison our situation is getting better.

See poll results deprw.

 

[Da Mash]

I don’t think any of us think winning a round or 2 is the end game but it is the beginning, the starting point of winning the cup.

It’s part of the ride but if the end result is not winning it all then it all doesn’t matter.

It gives you no guarantees for next yr and it’s rarely a stepping stone in this cap era when rosters change constantly.

That’s why I don’t understand other teams fans boosting about winning a playoff rd or two. It’s like finishing 4th in a race and making fun of someone that finished last. You both still lost.

We easily forget breaking a leaf regular season point record but we are constantly reminded of our playoff losses.

It’s just me tho….I look at sports as winning championships as success. Nothing less . I don’t think you can even google what nhl team has the most 1st or 2nd playoff rds wins because it really doesn’t prove or mean anything.

Maybe its the constant disappointment in waiting for a championship since I became a fan in 1970 that has given me my views on the lack of importance of winning a playoff rd or two.

 

[stealth1]

You guys want a laugh? go read the edmonton board. those guys actually think theyre gonna repeat last year at minimum lmfao. man, they are in for a rude awakening lol

Just as funny as thinking Murray is an upgrade over last year.

 

[Maplebeasts]

I’m glad you included the disclaimer (almost no way )………

It's possible that both somehow play worse than Campbell and Mrazek did from December onwards but I don't think it's likely. Even .900 goaltending is an upgrade over what the team got for the back half of the season.

Just as funny as thinking Murray is an upgrade over last year.

The Leafs have 2 bullets in the chamber here with Murray and Samsonov and Campbell was f***ing dogshit for most of last season and the playoffs. All they need is for either to put up .900 or better and they are fine.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Matt Murray was essentially Petr Mrazek last year as both goalies only played in 20 games as all year due to injuries. Both goalies were placed on NHL waivers and cleared (due to bad contracts) & both played games in the AHL last year.

Here are Ilya Samsonov #'s by the Month December onwards

Dec ..... 6 games ... 2.65 GAA & .895 SV%
Jan ..... 5 games ... 3.84 GAA & .876 SV%
Feb ..... 8 games ... 3.31 GAA & .898 SV%
Mar .... 4 games ... 3.13 GAA & .876 SV%
Apr ..... 8 games ... 3.35 GAA & .884 SV%

Ilya Samsonov 2024-25 Stats per Game - NHL - ESPN

The 2024-25 NHL season stats per game for Ilya Samsonov of the Vegas Golden Knights on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

Samsonov also started for Caps in the playoffs and lost to Florida in round #1 in 5 games, and not really surprising based on those numbers he posted Dec onwards.

He also finished 107th overall in Goals saved above expected at -12.1. ... So it really wasn't too big a surprise that Washington didn't give Samsonov a qualifying offer and simply walked away.

Would you have preferred Samsonov over Jack Campbell and thought it improved Leafs goaltending?

Last year? No. But Campbell was on the same level of terrible from December onwards. The Leafs are betting that at least one of Samsonov or Murray can play at a .900 level. That is all they need to remain the 110+ point pacing team they were even with the god awful goaltending they got in the back half of the season.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

What's so sad about this Dubas/Shanny tenure is that I cannot even grasp the meaning of "realistic" anymore.

Will fans be happy with 1 playoff series win? Holy God! What makes that realistic? Is it realistic to expect a cup? Is it realistic to say that TOR is close?

 

[belair]

You guys want a laugh? go read the edmonton board. those guys actually think theyre gonna repeat last year at minimum lmfao. man, they are in for a rude awakening lol

Yeah imagine bringing back the same team, improving the goaltending and having bluechip prospects stepping in to support the depth. Crazy to think that team's improving.

 

[Mess]

Last year? No. But Campbell was on the same level of terrible from December onwards. The Leafs are betting that at least one of Samsonov or Murray can play at a .900 level. That is all they need to remain the 110+ point pacing team they were even with the god awful goaltending they got in the back half of the season.

But was the goal to replace questionable goaltending with more questionable goaltending to maintain a status quo in the regular season 110 point pace?

In another post I took Murray's past 2 years and Samsonov last year and showed the results.

If you combined Murray (starter past 2 years) 47 games - Record 15W-25L-3OTL + Samsonov 44 games - Record : 23W-12L- 5OTL = 91 games .. 38 wins 37 losses 8 OTL = 84 points

Based on Murray and Samsonov play, wins and record the Leafs wouldn't have made the playoffs with their results.

Shouldn't the real focus be on finding a true good goalie to lead them in the playoffs, so lets hope one of these 2 reclamation projects turn out to be the answer with a big bounce back year?

Murray has the past playoff history and Samsonov has the past 1st round draft capital, so lets see if that gamble pays off.

 

[slozo]

You guys want a laugh? go read the edmonton board. those guys actually think theyre gonna repeat last year at minimum lmfao. man, they are in for a rude awakening lol

Why do you think they are in for a rude awakening? They've actually improved . . .

 

[Maplebeasts]

But was the goal to replace questionable goaltending with more questionable goaltending to maintain a status quo in the regular season 110 point pace?

In another post I took Murray's past 2 years and Samsonov last year and showed the results.

If you combined Murray (starter past 2 years) 47 games - Record 15W-25L-3OTL + Samsonov 44 games - Record : 23W-12L- 5OTL = 91 games .. 38 wins 37 losses 8 OTL = 84 points

Based on Murray and Samsonov play, wins and record the Leafs wouldn't have made the playoffs with their results.

Shouldn't the real focus be on finding a true good goalie to lead them in the playoffs, so lets hope one of these 2 reclamation projects turn out to be the answer with a big bounce back year?

Murray has the past playoff history and Samsonov has the past 1st round draft capital, so lets see if that gamble pays off.

Why are you using their records? Neither of them played for teams nearly as good as the Leafs. That is potentially the worst way possible to evaluate goaltending.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Realism for next season...SAME AS PREVIOUS 55 YEARS!

 

[deprw]

See poll results deprw.

Realistic expectation with 115p team in environment where almost all your competitors took steps back is go for cup run and "all-in".

It doesn't mean that it wont end up like Florida's cup run, but like it or not at the moment we are contender in this league.

It is realistic expectation at the moment. It is something we should expect at the moment.

Going for cup run doesn't mean that we're going to surely win.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

After seeing what Tampa did and seeing what Florida did I expect them to finish 1st in the Atlantic.

Florida depth has been gutted and they have no draft capital to fix it.

They are still 3.3 million over the cap so there is more coming they have to move Hornquivst or Montour, or Gudas, somebody else has to go.

They finished above Tampa last regular season and Tampa has since lost Palat, McDonough and Rutta so I expect Toronto to win the Atlantic.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Yeah imagine bringing back the same team, improving the goaltending and having bluechip prospects stepping in to support the depth. Crazy to think that team's improving.

Improving the goaltending? Which blue chippers? Yeah they're sure built for the playoffs now

Will fans be happy with 1 playoff series win

Many will - many are ok with losing as long as there's effort and excuses. It's sad really