As of July 6th 2023 the Leafs are a better team than they were last season.

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

And I don't really think it's up for debate.

Last season our top 6 was

Bunting/Jarnkrok Matthews Marner

Kerfoot Tavares Nylander.

Going into this season our top 6 is this

Bertuzzi/Domi Matthews Marner

Bertuzzi/Domi Tavares Nylander

Now maybe we don't know which one of Domi and Bertuzzi play on which line but I do know this it's a complete top 6.

There is nobody in that top 6 that is the obvious weak link, there is nobody that you can look at and go "he doesn't belong" like you could with Kerfoot, or to a lesser extent Jarnkrok and Bunting.

Because you have that top 6 now you don't worry about losing Accari because Jarnkrok is now pushed down to where he should be and he replaces Accari on the 3rd line.

One area of concern is 3rd line center Kampf is not better than ROR, that's not an argument that can be made in any sense, you can't do it they are absolutely weaker at 3rd line center.

But on the wing?

RW
Marner
Nylander
Jarnkrok

LW
Bertuzzi
Domi
Knies

That might be as deep at wing on either side as they have been in 20 years and that's not an exaggeration.

Then we get to the defense and I've already said I believe it's better than last season just based on replacing Holl with Klingberg, even If that upgrade is Soley because of Klingberg's offense, Holl isn't good defensively, and can't give you shit offensively at least Klingberg can make up for his struggles defensively with his ability to produce offense.

But one of the other reasons I feel that way, and full credit to Dubas for this, because this was a straight up robbery.

We've got 2 more FULL seasons of Jake McCabe at 2 million per year.

That's fantastic, I think a full year of Jake McCabe is going to make a big difference on defense.

Obviously goaltending is stronger because Woll is better than Murray.

I know some will see this as tinkering around the edges, and to an extent I get it, although I disagree I think bringing in Bertuzzi and Domi is more than tinkering around the edges I thinBertuzzi and Domi are BIG additions.

But there are Those that are frustrated that so far there hasn't been a core change and I understand that.

But even If that doesn't happen, I don't think anybody can objectively look at this roster overall than last years team.

Click to read more...

 

[centipede2233]

I agree. I think knies will play a more prominent role than we think. I think the defence needs some tweaking.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I can't see the difference, can you see the difference?

The goaltending hasn't changed. The coach is the same. The defense is basically the same.

It's the same core group of players that have failed so miserably so many times already.

It's the same team. With the same problems. Headed straight for the same results.

I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced this team has improved much, if at all, so far this offseason.

Even if it is a better team than the one last year, I still don't think they've done enough to make it to the finals. All they did was switch the deck chairs on the Titanic again. The ones they brought in this year have a more recognizable name is all.

That's about the only difference I see.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I can't see the difference, can you see the difference?

The goaltending hasn't changed. The coach is the same. The defense is basically the same.

It's the same core group of players that have failed so miserably so many times already.

It's the same team. With the same problems. Headed straight for the same results.

I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced this team has improved much, if at all, so far this offseason.

Even if it is a better team than the one last year, I still don't think they've done enough to make it to the finals. All they did was switch the deck chairs on the Titanic again. The ones they brought in this year have a more recognizable name is all.

That's about the only difference I see.

You can't see the difference between going from Bunting and Kerfoot to Bertuzzi and Domi?, seriously? I don't buy, not for ONE second, you said in a recent post that you have been following this team your entire life.

If that's true there is no way in hell you can see Bunting and Kerfoot go out, Bertuzzi and Domi come in and go "that's the same thing I can't see a difference."

You know which dou is better.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

@LEAFANFORLIFE23

Thanks for the response.

If they stay healthy, then Bertuzzi and Domi should be a bit of an upgrade over Bunting and Kerfoot. But that doesn't mean the team is any better really. It's an upgrade in the sense of switching out the tires on your Lada.

It's never gonna beat a BMW.

 

[CaptainCrunch17]

You can't see the difference between going from Bunting and Kerfoot to Bertuzzi and Domi?, seriously? I don't buy, not for ONE second, you said in a recent post that you have been following this team your entire life.

If that's true there is no way in hell you can see Bunting and Kerfoot go out, Bertuzzi and Domi come in and go "that's the same thing I can't see a difference."

You know which dou is better.

The other important aspect not mentioned is that the players that have been brought in will be here for the entire season. ROR was brought in at the trade deadline which left very little time for him to to gel with the team and his line-mates. Dubas did that multiple trade-deadlines in a row with negligible positive results. Domi and Bertuzzi aren’t rentals, they’re here for the entire season which will make a big difference in terms of team chemistry.

Another positive is that we didn’t have to mortgage the future by giving up a bunch of draft picks and prospects to bring them in.

 

[bentharbs]

man I hope knies is for real

 

[al secord]

So it's not up for debate? /thread.

 

[Fogelhund]

As of July 6th, the team is not complete. Will we sign WillyNy or is he traded? What is the return? Will we fix the challenges on D, or is this what we are going with?

Far too premature to be making such grand conclusions.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

As of July 6th, the team is not complete. Will we sign WillyNy or is he traded? What is the return? Will we fix the challenges on D, or is this what we are going with?

Far too premature to be making such grand conclusions.

Well see that's why the title is what it is, because I'm talking about today,and as of today they are a better team.

That doesn't mean they are complete, there are even some spots where they are weaker namely 3rd line center.

But overall as of today they are a better team than last year

 

[Racer88]

I can't see the difference, can you see the difference?

The goaltending hasn't changed. The coach is the same. The defense is basically the same.

It's the same core group of players that have failed so miserably so many times already.

It's the same team. With the same problems. Headed straight for the same results.

I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced this team has improved much, if at all, so far this offseason.

Even if it is a better team than the one last year, I still don't think they've done enough to make it to the finals. All they did was switch the deck chairs on the Titanic again. The ones they brought in this year have a more recognizable name is all.

That's about the only difference I see.

Looks very much like the same team just a few different names on fringe players.
All the critical positions are still the same

 

[Eternal Leaf]

The team is weaker in its current state.

Yes, a little more offense on the wings but weaker depth and a shoddy defense with a lottery ticket in Klingberg and aging/slowing defensemen (Gio, Brodie). Of course, Treliving is not done yet but I'm afraid I have to disagree with the idea they're better right now.

New players come in with a blank slate and that fills us with optimism. We only look at their positives. But both Domi and Klingberg are major holes defensively. It's not going to be a pretty sight in many games.

Treliving has work to do but this team post-deadline was stronger. Not to mention the chemistry between Rielly-Schenn which amplified both players. Who will recreate that chemistry? Can they even do it?

 

[Racer88]

@LEAFANFORLIFE23

Thanks for the response.

If they stay healthy, then Bertuzzi and Domi should be a bit of an upgrade over Bunting and Kerfoot. But that doesn't mean the team is any better really. It's an upgrade in the sense of switching out the tires on your Lada.

It's never gonna beat a BMW.

I’m impressed by your use of Lada………possibly one of the biggest POS cars and one of the worst things to come out of Russia

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Looks very much like the same team just a few different names on fringe players.
All the critical positions are still the same

Thanks for the response.

Is the team better now than it was last year? Maybe. I have a hard time seeing it improving much beyond the 100+ point team they have been the last couple years though.

Not without a major change in direction.

I’m impressed by your use of Lada………possibly one of the biggest POS cars and one of the worst things to come out of Russia

I can think of a few worse things to come out of Russia, but the Lada is right up there.

 

[ACC1224]

What’s the significance of July 6? Has anything changed since July 2 when the other thoughts on this were presented?

 

[tuckerintensity]

I hope we are. I love the Bert and Domi moves, I do think it makes our top nine better (I'm not convinced Domi won't be on the third line yet, and I like the thought of it), but our defense on the whole took a hit from where we were at the end of last year. I think we're better built for the playoffs with the additions, but I do worry a bit about giving up more goals with the cards we've shuffled.

 

[notbias]

as of July 6th, our team is probably better offensively and worse defensively.

we are also over the cap as of July 6th.

Curious to see how the rest of the offseason plays out (don't see too much more change happening), but right now, who knows how much better they are (if they are at all).

In theory, I like the switches since we downgraded a strength (goals against) from the last few playoffs and addressed a need (goals for), but we will see.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

As of July 6th, the team is not complete. Will we sign WillyNy or is he traded? What is the return? Will we fix the challenges on D, or is this what we are going with?

Far too premature to be making such grand conclusions.

Here here .. until we bring in an solid NHL D built for playoff hockey we are gonna struggle .. forwards don't do much in playoffs .. it is largely about D and tending .. i do think Sammy and Woll give us a chance in net .. but that D is not winning a Cup

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Treliving is not done by a longshot. He said he wanted to add brawn and size to the defence and he hasn't yet. I like the offence with a full year of Domi, Bertuzzi, and Knies on the wings. But this glorification of Schenn and his pairing on the first pair with Rielly has got to stop. He played well in a short period of time and gave us something we didn't have but he's a 6th or 7th defenceman. Through a full season he'd be more exposed than Bettie Page on a sunny day. He didn't suddenly become a top-4 defenceman.

 

[The Iceman]

I am holding out for the
"AS OF September 1 thread"

 

[Trapper]

Excellent. 2nd round here we come!

 

[Da Cool Rula]

So far I like what Tre has done
A few things I'm thinking about. I know Tre isn't finished.

1) Get a big tough defenceman
2) wouldn't be surprised if Knies struggles in his first full season. Real grind compared to NCAA.
3) still very concerned with the goaltending. Sammy is not the answer. I do like Wolls development so far though.

 

[conFABulator]

As of July 6, as the question states I believe we are much better than the team that opened the season last year.

IN
Bertuzzi --> Bunting
Domi --> Kerfoot
Knies --> Engvall
Lafferty --> Aston-Reese
Robertson --> Malgin
Reaves --> Aube-Kubel
McCabe --> Muzzin
Klingberg --> Holl
Timmins --> Sandin
Woll --> Murray

Which ones are worse? Same coach, new GM could make a difference. PP could be better, PK might have taken a hit.

It's hard to say we are not better.

 

[TakeTheBody]

I'm hoping we go into the playoffs with Keefe as our coach. I'm tired of having the best team in the summer, maybe regular season the fall and the winter. I want to be the best team in the SPRING. GO LEAFSGO!!!!

 

[Buds17]

-I think the forward group is deeper as there should be an option or two on the third line that I wouldn't hesitate to move up when required (defensive situations, injury, etc.)

-The blueline is...different. "Different" could very well translate to better if the belief is that the offensive gain outweighs the defensive loss.

-The goaltending is inexperienced (which does not necessarily mean "inadequate").

A rival team or two will also have to be "worse" in order for the Leafs to be "better". I'm cautiously optimistic overall.