Player Discussion Auston Matthews (Captain Edition)

If the goal is to only win regular season games, give Mitch his $14m.
If the goal is to win a cup you take that $14m and you round out your roster.
Dallas is up 3-2 on Colorado without Heiskanen and Robertson, arguably 2 of their best players. Granted Dallas has more depth than Toronto, but there should be little fear of losing Mitchell Marner.
 
The deal with the devil is Marner gets you to this point but no further. But getting to the playoffs in a 32 team league isn’t that easy.
The goal is to win the Stanley Cup, not make the playoffs. You take a small chance at winning it all (tougher regular season, tougher to make the playoffs) over no chance at all (keeping Marner, losing $13M+ in roster space for a player who doesn't gain you any playoff series wins).
 
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It’s obvious the problem with the core 4 is Matthews. He never shows up when it matters. And his lack of production affects all around him. Convince him to waive his no trade, reluctantly let Tavares go because of age, resign Knies to reasonable contract. Buy out Domi and let Marner leave this dumpster fire and use the cap money to Florida Panther this team. The Shanaplan needs to be put to rest.
Definitely Worth a try.
The juxtaposition of seeing a kid like Knies bulldoze that clown Pinto with no fear vs our cowardly 'captain' retreating any time someone breathes in his direction is simply painful.
I would say almost unprecedented. Sittler, Clark and Gilmour must hate this guys lack of courage and leadership.
 
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The goal is to win the Stanley Cup, not make the playoffs. You take a small chance at winning it all (tougher regular season, tougher to make the playoffs) over no chance at all (keeping Marner, losing $13M+ in roster space for a player who doesn't gain you any playoff series wins).

Leafs have needed a fresh start for years. Like let these guys move to Houston, tear down Scotiabank Arena and get an expansion team in 2030 kind of fresh start.
 
The juxtaposition of seeing a kid like Knies bulldoze that clown Pinto with no fear vs our cowardly 'captain' retreating any time someone breathes in his direction is simply painful.
Knies asked Reaves for advice on how to grab hold of an opponent in a fight. There’s a video of Reaves showing him at practice. Matthews at 6’3” and 220 could have done the same thing but obviously has not given his joke of a slap fest against Stamkos in the 2023 playoffs. Between him, Marner and Nylander they’ve probably never been in a hockey fight in their lives. Over privileged, soft wimps that have never stood up for themselves in 20+ years of playing hockey. Give Knies the C. Make it his team and start to change the culture by moving the soft players out and bring in guys who will go through a wall to win.
 
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The deal with the devil is Marner gets you to this point but no further. But getting to the playoffs in a 32 team league isn’t that easy.
Ottawa and Montreal are showing that it’s not that hard either. A little bit of talent, a goaltender and some players who want it bad enough can get you there. It may not win you a cup but it can get you to the dance.
 
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Leafs have needed a fresh start for years. Like let these guys move to Houston, tear down Scotiabank Arena and get an expansion team in 2030 kind of fresh start.
SBA is a cursed site. That place is a psych ward, not a hockey arena. Also having garbage ice because we have to share with an even shittier NBA team is pathetic.
 
Leafs have needed a fresh start for years. Like let these guys move to Houston, tear down Scotiabank Arena and get an expansion team in 2030 kind of fresh start.
Make it so; I’m ready for the permanent return of The Toronto St.Pats.
 
As a fanbase, we won't even get the satisfaction of seeing this thing get "blown up" - it just withers to a pitiful end, as high end guys walk for nothing.
Do both Matthews and Nylander have full NMCs? This shit is like Muskoka 5 all over again but worse because these guys are in their primes and would actually be worth a lot in a trade.
 
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Do both Matthews and Nylander have full NMCs? This shit is like Muskoka 5 all over again but worse because these guys are in their primes and would actually be worth a lot in a trade.
They both have full No-Moves, yep.

But I don't really put much stock into that - players with full NMCs get moved all the time. Where there's a will, there's a way. The Rangers with literally anybody, and the Canucks with JT Miller all come to mind.

Even Rantanen had a modified NTC
 
They both have full No-Moves, yep.

But I don't really put much stock into that - players with full NMCs get moved all the time. Where there's a will, there's a way. The Rangers with literally anybody, and the Canucks with JT Miller all come to mind.

Even Rantanen had a modified NTC
Even then, the returns will likely be limited to what they could be because all these bozos seem to want to go to the same 3-4 teams these days (especially the American guys), which are Vegas / Dallas / Florida / Tampa. If Arizona was still around maybe you could've sent Matthews there but that ship has sailed.
 
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Even then, the returns will likely be limited to what they could be because all these bozos seem to want to go to the same 3-4 teams these days (especially the American guys), which are Vegas / Dallas / Florida / Tampa. If Arizona was still around maybe you could've sent Matthews there but that ship has sailed.
You don't know until you actually try making a move.

This organization hasn't even attempted to have those conversations with Marner.

They were happy shopping Nylander around for a Dman around the league last year, but they didn't do anything to explore the market for Marner.
 
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You don't know until you actually try making a move.

This organization hasn't even attempted to have those conversations with Marner.

They were happy shopping Nylander around for a Dman around the league last year, but they didn't do anything to explore the market for Marner.
Yeah, that pissed me off to no end. Colossal mistake wasting that 2023 window where he had no NTC.
 
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We're way past that, time to rebuild from top to bottom.
I would blow it all up if it was up to me. There are no real number of prospects coming that will save this iteration of the Leafs. I am pretty sure AM will want to get out of this town if they do manage to blow a 3-0 lead. Get what you can for them and start over. The really shitty thing is we don't have any 1st rounders so that we can tank for McKenna...
 
Trade 34, he is a toxic player. He has gotten a pass for the last 5 years, he has never competed hard in his career aside from his rookie year. He is entitled, wants max pay out, literally quits in the playoffs. No pay cheques in the playoffs, I guess 34 thinks he is working overtime at Mcdonalds now. GTFO.
 
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