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

[Pyrophorus]

President's Trophy

 

[Havoc]

I mean we'll most likely finish top 5 with the best core in the league (*east), the only option is to be all in for the cup.

 

[Rubyblue]

Wander if Dubas & Shanahan will kiss Nazeem's butt.

 

[Polaris1010]

I chose the other option.

This team, as currently constructed, will come up short.

Before when the Leafs had a good team, that was suppose to be a contender, they managed to beat Ottawa, then the holes became apparent in the later rounds.

Problems ranged from lack of secondary scoring, no depth, below average defense, old and slow.

In a way, this current team has the same problems.

The Leafs are just a pretender and not a contender. Now they don't even a goalie, lol.

 

[Polaris1010]

The big problem with this team that Dubas built and coached by Keefe, is their style of play is all wrong. If they want to win, they had to play like what Babcock wanted them to play like.

Tampa, they beat the Islanders 1-0 two straight years in game 7, then win their cups with a clinching game with scores of 2-1 and 2-0 IIRC.

Colorado turns the tables on them, closes it out 2-1 in game six for the cup.

When was the last time this team was able to win a playoff game 2-1 or 1-0? They are not built to win in the playoffs.

As long as Dubus is there, there is no hope. They might finally win a round. Going all the way like Kadri did, simply out of the question.

Too damn bad.

Boo!

 

[Gary Nylund]

The big problem with this team that Dubas built and coached by Keefe, is their style of play is all wrong. If they want to win, they had to play like what Babcock wanted them to play like.

Tampa, they beat the Islanders 1-0 two straight years in game 7, then win their cups with a clinching game with scores of 2-1 and 2-0 IIRC.

Colorado turns the tables on them, closes it out 2-1 in game six for the cup.

When was the last time this team was able to win a playoff game 2-1 or 1-0? They are not built to win in the playoffs.

Bet you didn't see that coming. I mean, since Colorado wasn't "built" that way.

 

[Trapper]

Absolutely I will gladly admit it……..if it happens

Waiting so long to eat crow, I’m starving to death.

Seriously, we will gladly be wrong.

At present I don’t think this core is good enough to win the Cup. We’ve discussed all the reasons.
If I’m right, I lose.

If this team wins the Cup, I’m wrong and I win.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Waiting so long to eat crow, I’m starving to death.

Seriously, we will gladly be wrong.

At present I don’t think this core is good enough to win the Cup. We’ve discussed all the reasons.
If I’m right, I lose.

If this team wins the Cup, I’m wrong and I win.

Seems a bit arbitrary to me. Just to play devil's advocate, I'll ask a few questions.

Who do you consider to be our core, and which of them aren't "good enough"?
Those pieces that aren't "good enough", could we win if we just relabel them supporting cast members instead of core pieces?
What was the core then STL won the cup and does our core stack up against theirs?

IMHO, it makes more sense to look at the team as a whole then just the core (which is probably an overused term anyway). M&M are two amazing players so we're off to a really good start with those two, we just need to put the rest of the pieces in place. We came really close to ending TB's dynasty this time around and I like our team for the most part but there is one area which is a big question mark and that is goaltending.

Fix the goaltending. Or maybe if we put that into your terms, we could say that we're missing one core piece, that being a #1 goalie? I dunno though, a number of cup winners have won with goalies who were anything but core pieces when the season began, they just emerged out of nowhere to win in the playoffs. Not saying that should be our plan or anything, just questioning this idea that our "core isn't good enough".

 

[tmlfan98]

It actually shocks me more and more every day how down bad this fanbase of clowns is. 34% voted that they don't even give a **** about winning a playoff round anymore. Absolute joke of a fanbase.

 

[Trapper]

Seems a bit arbitrary to me. Just to play devil's advocate, I'll ask a few questions.

Who do you consider to be our core, and which of them aren't "good enough"?
Those pieces that aren't "good enough", could we win if we just relabel them supporting cast members instead of core pieces?
What was the core then STL won the cup and does our core stack up against theirs?

IMHO, it makes more sense to look at the team as a whole then just the core (which is probably an overused term anyway). M&M are two amazing players so we're off to a really good start with those two, we just need to put the rest of the pieces in place. We came really close to ending TB's dynasty this time around and I like our team for the most part but there is one area which is a big question mark and that is goaltending.

Fix the goaltending. Or maybe if we put that into your terms, we could say that we're missing one core piece, that being a #1 goalie? I dunno though, a number of cup winners have won with goalies who were anything but core pieces when the season began, they just emerged out of nowhere to win in the playoffs. Not saying that should be our plan or anything, just questioning this idea that our "core isn't good enough".

First of all, it’s hard to say stack up because every playoff is different. Which means your team has to be built to adjust to the multiple variables of a playoff season.
We haven’t just played the same team (Tampa) and lost 6 times. We’ve lost every time to different opponents. That’s what you face in 4 rounds.

The core for me is currently Matthews,Marner,JT,Nylander and Rielly.

Why I don’t think they are “right”. They are all the same make and model type player.
They play like it’s game 40 regular season.

Then the issue is depth. Too much money on 4, not enough for the team. Too many 11 million guys.

Then the issue is balance. We need another D stabilizer and a goalie core change.

Then it’s countdown to UFA. We have 2 years before the next Cap. We can’t afford the same 4 up front + 4 million extra on them.

I think a core piece needs to become a new core piece after 6 failures.

 

[ACC1224]

It actually shocks me more and more every day how down bad this fanbase of clowns is. 34% voted that they don't even give a **** about winning a playoff round anymore. Absolute joke of a fanbase.

I didn't vote but the question is expectations not whether you care if they win or not.
I have no expectations at the moment, there are too many unknowns.
I want them to win a cup, right now I don't expect them to.

 

[Fogelhund]

My expectations would be to win a few rounds at least. Not a voting option though.

 

[Mess]

I want this year the same thing I have wanted every year since 1968 and that is to win the Stanley Cup.

What I truly want, and what I expect however two very different things.

 

[Gary Nylund]

First of all, it’s hard to say stack up because every playoff is different. Which means your team has to be built to adjust to the multiple variables of a playoff season.
We haven’t just played the same team (Tampa) and lost 6 times. We’ve lost every time to different opponents. That’s what you face in 4 rounds.

The core for me is currently Matthews,Marner,JT,Nylander and Rielly.

Why I don’t think they are “right”. They are all the same make and model type player.
They play like it’s game 40 regular season.

Then the issue is depth. Too much money on 4, not enough for the team. Too many 11 million guys.

Then the issue is balance. We need another D stabilizer and a goalie core change.

Then it’s countdown to UFA. We have 2 years before the next Cap. We can’t afford the same 4 up front + 4 million extra on them.

I think a core piece needs to become a new core piece after 6 failures.

Ok I agree with most of this. But it sounds like the issue is more like a bunch of things, that is to say the big picture, not so much that there is something wrong with the core in itself.

I like our D though, I don't see that as a big issue. I agree that so much money on 4 forwards isn't ideal, would prefer if it was 2 forwards, a Dman and a goalie. That said, we came so close to beating TB that I'm not quite willing to say that this model can't work either. It might be enough to find a solid #1 goalie. Than again, maybe not who knows.

 

[ACC1224]

I want this year the same thing I have wanted every year since 1968 and that is to win the Stanley Cup.

What I truly want, and what I expect however to very different things.

Right now expectations are a little low with Mrazek currently being the #1 Goalie.
This thread was always far too premature.

 

[Trapper]

Ok I agree with most of this. But it sounds like the issue is more like a bunch of things, that is to say the big picture, not so much that there is something wrong with the core in itself.

I like our D though, I don't see that as a big issue. I agree that so much money on 4 forwards isn't ideal, would prefer if it was 2 forwards, a Dman and a goalie. That said, we came so close to beating TB that I'm not quite willing to say that this model can't work either. It might be enough to find a solid #1 goalie. Than again, maybe not who knows.

This IMO, should be the final year to prove it.
Dubas contract is up? I think.
Matthews and Nylander will have 1 year left until UFA.
No more excuses, expected, or any other garbage.
As I’ve said before, who are we? The current Colorado core of MacKinnon,Rantanen,Landy,etc. or the old Colorado core of MacKinnon,Duchene,O’Reilly that had to change,

 

[ACC1224]

This IMO, should be the final year to prove it.
Dubas contract is up? I think.
Matthews and Nylander will have 1 year left until UFA.
No more excuses, expected, or any other garbage.
As I’ve said before, who are we? The current Colorado core of MacKinnon,Rantanen,Landy,etc. or the old Colorado core of MacKinnon,Duchene,O’Reilly that had to change,

Apparently Dubas was extended but they didn't announce it.

 

[Fogelhund]

Right now expectations are a little low with Mrazek currently being the #1 Goalie.
This thread was always far too premature.

It's early in the offseason. I find these types of questions are best left, until we know what the actual team will look like in October...

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Game 7 loss in round one.

Guaran-f***ing-teed.

 

[Trapper]

Apparently Dubas was extended but they didn't announce it.

Nice. Expected rewards. Sums it all up.

 

[tmlfan98]

Nah you all still have it twisted. The expectations have to be higher, because if we don't expect more then when they lose in the 1st round again it's the same BS as this year where you have delusionals saying "well fought loss to the 2 time bubble champs!"

This kind of stuff is being said because no one expects to make it out of round 1 anymore. We as the fans have to expect better results.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Nah you all still have it twisted. The expectations have to be higher, because if we don't expect more then when they lose in the 1st round again it's the same BS as this year where you have delusionals saying "well fought loss to the 2 time bubble champs!"

This kind of stuff is being said because no one expects to make it out of round 1 anymore. We as the fans have to expect better results.

It doesn't matter what we expect. Ownership is still happy with this joke of a front office and the front office has no balls to make any changes.

The same people will make excuses again next year if/when we lose in round one saying this group got even more respect in the handshake line than last year or something some loser would say.

Apparently Dubas was extended but they didn't announce it.

Please tell me you are kidding. I heard about this rumor before but that was a week or two ago. Is this new info or the same rumor?

 

[ACC1224]

Nah you all still have it twisted. The expectations have to be higher, because if we don't expect more then when they lose in the 1st round again it's the same BS as this year where you have delusionals saying "well fought loss to the 2 time bubble champs!"

This kind of stuff is being said because no one expects to make it out of round 1 anymore. We as the fans have to expect better results.

IMO, they will win or lose regardless of fan expectations.

It doesn't matter what we expect. Ownership is still happy with this joke of a front office and the front office has no balls to make any changes.

The same people will make excuses again next year if/when we lose in round one saying this group got even more respect in the handshake line than last year or something some loser would say.



Please tell me you are kidding. I heard about this rumor before but that was a week or two ago. Is this new info or the same rumor?

Unless I misunderstood, @JT AM da real deal said Tannenbaum announced it at a sponsors meeting a few weeks ago.

 

[tmlfan98]

It doesn't matter what we expect. Ownership is still happy with this joke of a front office and the front office has no balls to make any changes.

The same people will make excuses again next year if/when we lose in round one saying this group got even more respect in the handshake line than last year or something some loser would say.



Please tell me you are kidding. I heard about this rumor before but that was a week or two ago. Is this new info or the same rumor?

You don't think the borderline insanity displayed by Dubas/Shanny/Keefe post playoffs was at all emboldened by a lot of fans choosing to cope with this L by seeing it as "close fought L to the 2 time bubble champs"? Last year and against Columbus no BS of this sort was spewed.

Watch the end of season pressers again. Shanny/Dubas/Keefe think they have this entire fanbase fooled because of a loud contingent that doesn't care about playoff results and just wants to see Matthews and Marner make all star teams and win individual awards. It's sickening.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

IMO, they will win or lose regardless of fan expectations.


Unless I misunderstood, @JT AM da real deal said Tannenbaum announced it at a sponsors meeting a few weeks ago.

That would be a complete joke. I was never convinced even a first round exit next year would see him let go but to see him extended immediately following another choke job is a bit surprising.