Maybe you have heard it, but ignored it.
I've heard these players say those exact things a bunch of times.
And seeing that the players have improved in the off-seasons, in ways that round out their game (Marner's shooting and his penchant for passing off shots, Matthews' defensive game, and face-offs, etc), it's safe to say they have been working on their weaknesses every summer.
There are actual, valid reasons to be disappointed with these people.
We don't need to invent reasons that don't actually exist.
You mentioned Nylander pulling up before getting hit.
He's been like that his whole career. And I've made it crystal clear my opinion o his game. When he allows contact and pushes through it, he's a top 20 player in the league, akin to Marner. Otherwise, he's a liability.
You mentioned Matthews getting rag-dolled.
Obviously missed the series against Tampa when he fought Stamkos.
Or hits big hits game 1 and 2.
Or crunching Webber.
Matthews is a player who doesn't shy away from contact. His body of work over 7 seasons shows him to be heavily involved in front of both nets, an area where the rules are sporadic or non-existent.
You mentioned players getting crushed and the team mates not jumping in.
When they do retaliate, Toronto players are disproportionately disciplined by the league.
What Bennet, McCann, Makar, Benn, Kane, Pietro did would have resulted in series-long suspensions if it were Kadri, or Spezza.
Hell, as stupid as it was, Bunting's elbow was no worse than what Petro or Makar or McCann, or Benn did. He got 3 games, they got 1 or 2 (Benn).
It's a philosophical thing with the team. Babcock said it best: "our toughness is our power play".
It was stupid then, and detrimental to the team in the long run.
