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

[Notsince67]

This is Soo true.


So what your saying is that Dubas is very poor at identifying and getting lower tier players

Didn't say that but it could be an argument that has merit.

 

[Gabriel426]

I didn't say our top players sucked - I said they outperformed the other team's top players. I would be happy to see them do even better, but I don't blame them for the loss. That's on the rest of the team, or more correctly on who assembled them.

Our top players, MM, AM, WN, and MR all earned their paychecks (and yes I know they don't actually get paid for the playoffs).

My point was never about did our top guys earned their paycheques but rather they needed to do more or we needed them to do more.
Bc if they can perform better, chances are Leafs will have a better chance to win the Cup.

 

[Gabriel426]

I doubt very much the Avalanche will have trouble finding cap room for Mackinnon

Honestly, if Mack is playing for the Leafs and still have not sign a new contract, the headline will be ‘Is Mack joining Crosby?’

Esp if Tim Horton is using both of them to promote the Hockey Card promotion.

 

[Gabriel426]

Yup, the first 82 games are not as exciting as they once were. The team has lost their baby fat and needs to find some playoff success to make regular-season feel worth it.

I will bet that each game will be analyze and breakdown to such details in the post game thread despite how everyone kept saying only playoffs matters, lol.

 

[ACC1224]

Honestly, if Mack is playing for the Leafs and still have not sign a new contract, the headline will be ‘Is Mack joining Crosby?’

Esp if Tim Horton is using both of them to promote the Hockey Card promotion.

I’m sure if they aren’t discussing it yet in Denver they will eventually. I doubt Bunting will be mentioned though.

 

[notDatsyuk]

My point was never about did our top guys earned their paycheques but rather they needed to do more or we needed them to do more.
Bc if they can perform better, chances are Leafs will have a better chance to win the Cup.

I didn't say your point was about earning paycheques.

It would be great if our top guys could win it all by themselves, but that's not how hockey works.

They did better that the other team's top guys. It was the rest of the team that didn't.

 

[Gabriel426]

I didn't say your point was about earning paycheques.

It would be great if our top guys could win it all by themselves, but that's not how hockey works.

They did better that the other team's top guys. It was the rest of the team that didn't.

The rest of the forwards scored one less non empty net goals than the big 3.
If you break down productions by salaries, the non big three forwards group were better.

Also, the depth of Tampa scored more goals than our big three in the series.

I am not saying the Big Three sucks but to just believe they did enough and if only our depth did better, which in this case even better than our top three is really not realistic.

Top three needs to be better and so do the rest of the forward group.

 

[notDatsyuk]

The rest of the forwards scored one less non empty net goals than the big 3.
If you break down productions by salaries, the non big three forwards group were better.

Also, the depth of Tampa scored more goals than our big three in the series.

I am not saying the Big Three sucks but to just believe they did enough and if only our depth did better, which in this case even better than our top three is really not realistic.

Top three needs to be better and so do the rest of the forward group.

Yes, nine forwards scored one fewer goals (and lots fewer assists) as three forwards.

And again, yes, while our top three scored more than their top three, their bottom nine scored more than our bottom nine.

And if you can't see that this shows that it's our bottom nine rather than our top three that came up short, I don't know how to convince you.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I think the Leafs will be great in the regular season even if Murray and Samsonov played okay.
It is playoffs that will determine the success of the team. Past history certainly is not showing any indications that they can get it done. Will they be like the Bulls who just can’t win or will they finally be able to win a round.
What most likely going to happen is either they get knocked out again in round one or they win round one and everyone thought they done it, the slayed the demons and get swept in round 2. Then the discussions here would be something like be thankful we made pass the first round Vs they choked again….. which in a way is a much better discussions than they played great but couldn’t advance due to whatever reasons Vs they players couldn’t get it done.
The goal is to win the Cup and not the first round.

The bar is set so low. I would hate to see Dubas be given recognition for winning 1 playoff series.

 

[Gabriel426]

See

Yes, nine forwards scored one fewer goals (and lots fewer assists) as three forwards.

And again, yes, while our top three scored more than their top three, their bottom nine scored more than our bottom nine.

And if you can't see that this shows that it's our bottom nine rather than our top three that came up short, I don't know how to convince you.

this is a discussion board not a I need to convince you board. Discussion is about expressing different opinions and points.
Don’t understand why people need to convince others.

 

[notDatsyuk]

See

this is a discussion board not a I need to convince you board. Discussion is about expressing different opinions and points.
Don’t understand why people need to convince others.

I don't need to convince you, but I did think that simply pointing put your logical fallacy would be sufficient. Obviously I was wrong. Sorry.

 

[Gabriel426]

I don't need to convince you, but I did think that simply pointing put your logical fallacy would be sufficient. Obviously I was wrong. Sorry.

Just have to agree to disagree

 

[All Mod Cons]

I’m sure if they aren’t discussing it yet in Denver they will eventually. I doubt Bunting will be mentioned though.

Yeah, I'm in the UK at the moment, and to be honest I've not heard, nor seen Amy discussing Bunting or MacKinnon. Very quite on the Sandin front too. It's like people are scared to talk about it.

 

[Notsince67]

Yes, nine forwards scored one fewer goals (and lots fewer assists) as three forwards.

And again, yes, while our top three scored more than their top three, their bottom nine scored more than our bottom nine.

And if you can't see that this shows that it's our bottom nine rather than our top three that came up short, I don't know how to convince you.

I agree with your premise and would take it further. It is probably pretty easy to improve the performance of our 4th line this coming year. I thought it was pretty bad in the playoffs last year. That alone won't be enough. The configuration of the 2nd and 3rd is problematic. Tavares, Nylander and Kerfoot just don't play well together. The defensive side of the game weighs far too much and it sacrifices offensive creativity. They all drag each other down. Putting either Nylander or Kerfoot on the third (but not both), elevates each of their play. Tavares play on the other hand is always better without them. These 3 players need an offensive forward to carry the heavy defensive burdens. I favor Kerfoot on the third and Nylander with Tavares on the second with a third partner that is defensively minded with a bit of speed. I would try Jarnkrok on that line. He is right handed but can play either side (like willy) so we can see who is best to fill the position of LW. Jarnkrok is considered a great utility player like Kerfoot but might find chemistry with Tavares and Nylander. If we can get the second line to stop letting in so many goals, we then have two solid lines and a third line that can work properly.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I agree with your premise and would take it further. It is probably pretty easy to improve the performance of our 4th line this coming year. I thought it was pretty bad in the playoffs last year. That alone won't be enough. The configuration of the 2nd and 3rd is problematic. Tavares, Nylander and Kerfoot just don't play well together. The defensive side of the game weighs far too much and it sacrifices offensive creativity. They all drag each other down. Putting either Nylander or Kerfoot on the third (but not both), elevates each of their play. Tavares play on the other hand is always better without them. These 3 players need an offensive forward to carry the heavy defensive burdens. I favor Kerfoot on the third and Nylander with Tavares on the second with a third partner that is defensively minded with a bit of speed. I would try Jarnkrok on that line. He is right handed but can play either side (like willy) so we can see who is best to fill the position of LW. Jarnkrok is considered a great utility player like Kerfoot but might find chemistry with Tavares and Nylander. If we can get the second line to stop letting in so many goals, we then have two solid lines and a third line that can work properly.

The discussion was about 'top three' players rather than the top line, but I agree with you on the mix. Personally I think Nylander and Tavares should be on different lines. I'd be interested in seeing Nylander and Jarnkrok together, with one of them at center.

 

[Notsince67]

The discussion was about 'top three' players rather than the top line, but I agree with you on the mix. Personally I think Nylander and Tavares should be on different lines. I'd be interested in seeing Nylander and Jarnkrok together, with one of them at center.

If they are on separate lines, then Kerfoot needs to go. He drags down each of their numbers

 

[sittler rules!!!]

Really do not expect much of anything from this group. No major changes, and if anything team appears to be weaker. This management team has no direction and seem more interested in just keeping their jobs at this point. Ownership still laughing all the way to the bank. Largest market, highest ticket prices. No one within the organization 'REALLY" cares about winning. It all about the "MONEY"

 

[Notsince67]

What I want is to speed up the year for the annual "eating crow" testimonials for the "hot take" royalty of this forum.
Holy hell, if the leafs win the cup, there are people here that are going to be as depressed as the other forums.

 

[LeafEgo]

What I want is to speed up the year for the annual "eating crow" testimonials for the "hot take" royalty of this forum.
Holy hell, if the leafs win the cup, there are people here that are going to be as depressed as the other forums.

A lot would have to happen between now and then that hasn't happened in the last four years.

I can't imagine in a year from now pundits will be talking about the latest winning template being: a few elite timid forwards (overpay them), fill out the rest of the offence with plebs to play next to the kings (get an Engvall for LW2), find two cast away goalies for free (or less), and deploy one defenceman that can hit (when healthy).

Keefe still has 10, 15 years to go per Dubas.

It would be more confusion than depression. Winning would be sweet.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I can't imagine in a year from now pundits will be talking about the latest winning template being: a few elite timid forwards (overpay them), fill out the rest of the offence with plebs to play next to the kings (get an Engvall for LW2), find two cast away goalies for free (or less), and deploy one defenceman that can hit (when healthy).

They probably wouldn't be talking about that, because they'd probably be talking about the Leafs instead.

Keefe still has 10, 15 years to go per Dubas.

You seem to have misunderstood what the statement was. It wasn't that it would take 10-15 years to win FYI.

 

[Nineteen67]

What I want is to speed up the year for the annual "eating crow" testimonials for the "hot take" royalty of this forum.
Holy hell, if the leafs win the cup, there are people here that are going to be as depressed as the other forums.

Id’ be happy if everyone pulled the rope in the same direction, sacrificed themselves when required, and gave max effort for one round.

 

[Its not your fault]

Personally I'd have preferred to go all in given that Matthews' UFA status is getting closer. if he re-signs with us that will have huge cap implications and limit us for the first few years of his contract IMO. If he doesn't re-sign then we lose the best asset Leafs have ever had for nothing

But....

Given the way Marner and especially Nylander play near the boards, or when the netural ice is clogged up I am on a fence to go all in. Tavares' slow skating, hardly any depth piece and no solid d-core also adds to that.

but more importantly for me, i don't trust dubas' judgment so... lol

its a frekain' catch 22

If you can play the Matthews leaving then we can say McDavid joins the ranks
The reasons for leaving would be basically the same for both...