Attitude adjustment?

[Captain Crunch]

Fan fiction. No facts presented just pure speculation.

But you have to admit, the results seem to prove his point.

 

[Captain Crunch]

The issue isn't bringing in player X to teach these guys how to care. The Leafs could bring in Pat Maroon next year. Everyone agrees he's the type of player who "plays the right way". But he would make no difference to this team. You rarely see a 10min a night player join a room and tell the guys playing 22min how to play properly.

Wayne Simmonds in a Flyers jersey would put himself through the boards just to get a piece of Sidney Crosby in playoff series. In Toronto he just follows the lead of the top players and floated through most of the season. Watch his games early in the season compared to the end. Night and day in terms of how he played. Why? Because you adapt to the leadership group.

The leadership group is given support by management because these guys all think three poor games in the playoffs should not be a massive concern because of the quality play over 56 games. They rely on things like "expected wins" vs the reality of getting embarrassed in back to back playoff series. They don't seem to appreciate that the effort required to gain a foot of ice in the playoffs is way harder than the same foot of ice in the regular season.

The real Attitude Adjustment should come from ownership and land on the feet of management and then tear out the rotten parts of the core and build from there.

That's the only way to make the Leafs great again.

Could not agree with you more! Well said!

 

[Mess]

What does it mean to have an attitude adjustment?

Definition: So if there is a desire to change or improve, an attitude we must begin with a look inside the person: what are they thinking, believing, and feeling about others, themselves, and their work and effort.

So lets begin to evaluate that situation here in Toronto.

The Leafs GM has set up the Rich Kids Entitlement Country Club Society in Toronto, where he hands out $11 mil contracts like candy, and then when it breeds complacency and sense of entitlement for players that haven't earned it, but rather simply been gifted it because they demanded it, then people ask were is the incentive to compete?

So while some teams were battling hard for the Stanley Cup, through blood, sweat, and tears to hoist the Stanley Cup, Leaf players like Marner were hoisting their $9,608,000 and Matthews his $9,720,000 signing bonus cheques on July 1st while holidaying in the Caribbean. Their signing bonuses alone more than 99% of the leagues full contracts, for players that never won a single playoff round.

So you say they need an attitude adjustment, well good luck with that.

You're going to have about as much luck expecting that as I am having billionaires Bill Gates swing by mow my Lawn and Jeff Bezos to wash my car today.

You heard management and the players post season press conferences, "everything is fine and we'll try a bit harder next year, just missing that killer instinct".

 

[Racer88]

Meet the new Muskoka Five, same as the old Muskoka Five, only younger.

Exactly true

 

[Gallagbi]

You heard management and the players post season press conferences, "everything is fine and we'll try a bit harder next year, just missing that killer instinct".

I missed the everything is fine part of that quote, who said it? Here are the ones I remember, most speak to improving and changes were usually mentioned in thr press conference

Shanahan: “There's a killer instinct that is missing that we need to address. Whether that's externally or just figuring out a way for our guys to get over that hump, that's something that we have to address certainly as a team. And we have to really be honest with ourselves, and we have to figure out a way that we can support our players, and help them get over that hump.”

Keefe: “There's an identity piece that goes with [killer instinct] and that's something that can be cultivated throughout the season. I thought we had done that, and done a good job of that, in taking control of moments, taking control of games, and clearly it didn't hold up when it counted the most so it's a big area of attention for us going forward.”

Dubas: “We’re trying to add as many good players as possible. The onus is on us to continue adapting and adding different elements to the group, and to continue having a deep look here at where we went wrong in the last three games of the series and how we can address it to rectify it as we move forward.”

These read more like not throwing the baby out with the bathwater comments than everything is fine, just try a little harder

 

[rumman]

I missed the everything is fine part of that quote, who said it? Here are the ones I remember, most speak to improving and changes were usually mentioned in thr press conference

Shanahan: “There's a killer instinct that is missing that we need to address. Whether that's externally or just figuring out a way for our guys to get over that hump, that's something that we have to address certainly as a team. And we have to really be honest with ourselves, and we have to figure out a way that we can support our players, and help them get over that hump.”

Keefe: “There's an identity piece that goes with [killer instinct] and that's something that can be cultivated throughout the season. I thought we had done that, and done a good job of that, in taking control of moments, taking control of games, and clearly it didn't hold up when it counted the most so it's a big area of attention for us going forward.”

Dubas: “We’re trying to add as many good players as possible. The onus is on us to continue adapting and adding different elements to the group, and to continue having a deep look here at where we went wrong in the last three games of the series and how we can address it to rectify it as we move forward.”

These read more like not throwing the baby out with the bathwater comments than everything is fine, just try a little harder

Actions speak louder than words. When they repeatedly quit on themselves their end of season sound bites are pathetic and a insult to the fan base. Millionaire losers, they don’t give two s**ts about winning, it’s all about getting paid, and you don’t get paid for the playoffs, most likely why they fold every spring. It’s golfing season……..

 

[The CyNick]

Go back and read comments after the 19-20 season. Almost identical in terms of adding toughness from outside and within. Result were the exact same. Some would say even worse. Some would say among the worst ever results.

The solution last year was to bring in washed up players to teach the core how to play right. It didn't work. The issue is with management not understanding what it takes to win in the playoffs and core being entitled and not committing to play a winning style.

Look at Gallaghers reaction post series vs Tampa after having a playoff run that exceeded everyone's expectations. He was a wreck. Why? Because he cares. He's a rat, but he puts his heart and soul into every shift. Marner and Matthews in contrast talk about a couple of posts here and there and generally have an "oh well" disposition. That's the difference between winners and losers.

 

[Mess]

Solution

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Go back and read comments after the 19-20 season. Almost identical in terms of adding toughness from outside and within. Result were the exact same. Some would say even worse. Some would say among the worst ever results.

The solution last year was to bring in washed up players to teach the core how to play right. It didn't work. The issue is with management not understanding what it takes to win in the playoffs and core being entitled and not committing to play a winning style.

Look at Gallaghers reaction post series vs Tampa after having a playoff run that exceeded everyone's expectations. He was a wreck. Why? Because he cares. He's a rat, but he puts his heart and soul into every shift. Marner and Matthews in contrast talk about a couple of posts here and there and generally have an "oh well" disposition. That's the difference between winners and losers.

Yep. At those post game pressers Gallagher and co. looked very upset over their loss. Marner and Matthews looked very upset that they had to answer questions.

 

[Racer88]

But therein lies the problem! You’re paying Matthews and Marner $22 million and you need to bring in one or more players to motivate them? If that’s the case, a major shakeup needs to happen, starting with management on down to this core.

If the GM and the coaches can’t motivate them then I highly doubt some over the hill player will

 

[Racer88]

Yep. At those post game pressers Gallagher and co. looked very upset over their loss. Marner and Matthews looked very upset that they had to answer questions.

Ya Marner looked so pissed that he was being called into question by the common man. How dare anyone question his royal highness on preparation for next year

 

[Stephen]

Some of the problem has been the older guys they've brought in. Marleau, Thornton and Simmonds seemed more interested in becoming friends with Marner and Matthews. While Tavares, Muzzin, Bogosian and Brodie don't seem like they are vocal leaders. Spezza seems to be a decent leader. Now I don't know if these are correct or not because I don't see what goes on but it sure looks like it.

I think they need to bring a couple of guys that are no nonsense, team first guys and aren't scared to let the younger guys know when they need to step up. It may rub off and if it doesn't then the core may need to be given another look.

I don't think a lot of the low salary, short term guys can just come in and upset the apple cart as easily as you think. If there is a maturity problem with the group and the cure is to import leadership (we only assume), I think you'd almost have to bring in something like 3x guys on long term deals with security to come in and start challenging guys. But again, we don't know if that's actually the problem. They just seem to be a little on the far side of the peace and love mentality and there's not enough friction with that group.

 

[Stephen]

Yep. At those post game pressers Gallagher and co. looked very upset over their loss. Marner and Matthews looked very upset that they had to answer questions.

To be fair to Matthews and Marner, I think the devastation of a finals loss is going to be more than a first round exit, but point taken.

The fanbase always used to make fun of Lou's stupid rules, but you can kind of see where that highly regimented branding actually comes into play in moments like these from a PR point of view. It's not actually a material thing in the grand scheme of things, but you can see how acting like a spoiled teenager who scratched dad's car or rocking the swag tie dye might not be the best PR appropriate look in a somber moment.

 

[Gallagbi]

The fanbase always used to make fun of Lou's stupid rules, but you can kind of see where that highly regimented branding actually comes into play in moments like these from a PR point of view. It's not actually a material thing in the grand scheme of things, but you can see how acting like a spoiled teenager who scratched dad's car or rocking the swag tie dye might not be the best PR appropriate look in a somber moment.

It honestly doesn't matter. The results dictate perception above all else. People harp on the calm approach guys like Tavares and our management have taken. They also harp on how Marner and Matthews show up. Both are very boring.

The difference between them being spoiled kids who don't understand and high bravado players able to stand-up to scrutiny in a big market is results.

The difference between a guy like Tavares being considered a consummate professional who leads by example and a boring player who can't inspire is results.

This team would be eating it no matter who they present.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

But something needs to be done.

 

[Stephen]

It honestly doesn't matter. The results dictate perception above all else. People harp on the calm approach guys like Tavares and our management have taken. They also harp on how Marner and Matthews show up. Both are very boring.

The difference between them being spoiled kids who don't understand and high bravado players able to stand-up to scrutiny in a big market is results.

The difference between a guy like Tavares being considered a consummate professional who leads by example and a boring player who can't inspire is results.

This team would be eating it no matter who they present.

That's what I'm saying. The spoiled rich kid, boy band soft narrative that has taken hold on the ice has a lot to do with the way they brand themselves in public.

 

[Gallagbi]

That's what I'm saying. The spoiled rich kid, boy band soft narrative that has taken hold on the ice has a lot to do with the way they brand themselves in public.

And my point is they'd be a disinterested group lacking emotion and swagger if they were showing less personality.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

 

[Stephen]

And my point is they'd be a disinterested group lacking emotion and swagger if they were showing less personality.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

To quote Mune Kawasaki, "just win."

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

I think it’s high time these spoiled brats stop needing people to come in to motivate them. Have some f***ing pride for God’s sake. Why do they need old men or other vets to light a fire under them?

A lot of times people think they are trying at 100% of their abilities but the reality is different. I do think our core guys are hoping to scrape by with less than 100% in hopes that it will work and they won't have to try.

It's evident in the way the team plays on the PP. They take their time, they think it's "Their Turn" and the other team should back off a bit and let them play on the PP without trying too hard against them. When you have this attitude, you are so far away from being truly competitive it's not even funny.

I don't know if the coaching staff tries to talk them into being more aggressive and the players just don't listen or if it's a case of the coaches leaving them to their own devices.

I do know that if I was a Leaf and I was being coached to play that way (soft and with minimum effort) I would not trust anything they say going forward.

 

[Trapper]

Go back and read comments after the 19-20 season. Almost identical in terms of adding toughness from outside and within. Result were the exact same. Some would say even worse. Some would say among the worst ever results.

The solution last year was to bring in washed up players to teach the core how to play right. It didn't work. The issue is with management not understanding what it takes to win in the playoffs and core being entitled and not committing to play a winning style.

Look at Gallaghers reaction post series vs Tampa after having a playoff run that exceeded everyone's expectations. He was a wreck. Why? Because he cares. He's a rat, but he puts his heart and soul into every shift. Marner and Matthews in contrast talk about a couple of posts here and there and generally have an "oh well" disposition. That's the difference between winners and losers.

I don’t know who leads this core.

On one side you have National Lampoon’s Matthews and Marner, robot JT and free spirit Willy on the far end. IMO.

This core lacks its Bergeron or a player to that effect. It lacks the blue collar identity of we have skill but we will dump and chase and retrieve and change our game however needed. If we need to get tough and rough, we will. You want to skill, no problem. You want to trap, sure we can do that.

This core just lacks that IMO.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

The line between management and players has been blurred to the point that there are no more guardrails in place, nor a proper chain of command as to who has the authority and ability to lay down the law and provide that attitude adjustment and provide the much needed missing leadership component.

That's the rub...sometimes young people think the rules are in place for some arbitrary reason...just made up for the most part and not based on previous experience. It's ok to question why a rule exists but when you just assume the rules were there to impede you instead of guide you...you are going to have a big problem.

Guess what we have? A big problem.

 

[FraumBallard]

Yes, cuz nothing gets a team fired up like teenaged girl music lol

With this Team?
Teenage girl music would be too hard edged for them.
They are a reflection of their super soft gm.

 

[rumman]

Go back and read comments after the 19-20 season. Almost identical in terms of adding toughness from outside and within. Result were the exact same. Some would say even worse. Some would say among the worst ever results.

The solution last year was to bring in washed up players to teach the core how to play right. It didn't work. The issue is with management not understanding what it takes to win in the playoffs and core being entitled and not committing to play a winning style.

Look at Gallaghers reaction post series vs Tampa after having a playoff run that exceeded everyone's expectations. He was a wreck. Why? Because he cares. He's a rat, but he puts his heart and soul into every shift. Marner and Matthews in contrast talk about a couple of posts here and there and generally have an "oh well" disposition. That's the difference between winners and losers.

Spot on assessment.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

I think they need to bring a couple of guys that are no nonsense, team first guys and aren't scared to let the younger guys know when they need to step up. It may rub off and if it doesn't then the core may need to be given another look.

You would think having some of the players you mentioned on the bottom 6 would be a bit of a motivation. They would make our big 4 embarrassed because they would go through a wall for less money. You would hope it would cause the big guys to realize they aren't giving all they can to win and it looks bad when a 2m guy is killing himself out there to win while a 10m+ guy is just sort of trying his hardest. Problem is, we don't have anyone like that in the bottom 6 and that is because management thinks Engvall's xGF is worth having him in the lineup over the more physical player with stats that are not as good.

 

[Gabriel426]

I don’t know who leads this core.

On one side you have National Lampoon’s Matthews and Marner, robot JT and free spirit Willy on the far end. IMO.

This core lacks its Bergeron or a player to that effect. It lacks the blue collar identity of we have skill but we will dump and chase and retrieve and change our game however needed. If we need to get tough and rough, we will. You want to skill, no problem. You want to trap, sure we can do that.

This core just lacks that IMO.

I think they lack someone who plays a lot of minutes the right way.
JT is too quiet and I have a feeling, the moment the game is over, he heads straight home to his family instead of having a beer or dinner with the boys and go over stuff.
Guys like Jumbo, Spezza, Muzzin, even Simmonds are great but they don’t produce the way these kids do to make them change their attitude toward their games. Kind of like, you were great when I was a child but I am getting the goals and points, why should I change my ways.
And it seemed like nomatter what happened, they will always find reasons to escape from being accountable.
They remind me of the Dallas Mavs back in the Days when they had the Triple Js of Jim Jackson-at one point he was top 10 in scoring, Jamal Mashburn-top 5 in scoring and Jason Kidd-first in assist(I think). And yet they can’t win in the playoffs and even fought over each other about Toni Braxton’s numbers which led to them all being traded.
Maybe they will all fight over Billie Eillish’s numbers and lead to the break up of them.