Brad Treliving is doing a great job.

[Gilmour1996]

Babs was right about one thing but he underestimated the duration:

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

While I agree Keefe has a propensity to dumb moves, I don't think Willy on the PK over JT qualifies.

And one of the very basic 'rules' is that you use a right shot on the right side and a left shot on the left side for faceoffs in your own end, especially when killing penalties.

The other thing is that if, as originally suggested, Tre is requesting it, we can absolve Keefe of the 'good decision'.

Seeing as Treliving has explicitly said that they are looking for a 3rd line center on more than one occasion I think we can rule out Nylander being groomed to be a center if they believed he could do it full-time they wouldn't be looking for a center.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Seeing as Treliving has explicitly said that they are looking for a 3rd line center on more than one occasion I think we can rule out Nylander being groomed to be a center if they believed he could do it full-time they wouldn't be looking for a center.

They need Willy at 2C, and still need a 3C.

 

[ACC1224]

They don't need to 'groom' Nylander to play center.
If needed, they'll just play him at Center.

 

[ToneDog]

They need Willy at 2C, and still need a 3C.

Matty, Willie, Tavares, Kampf down the middle is worth a shot. Don't hold your breath.

 

[Havoc]

It's good news hearing rumors that he refuses to trade the 1st rounder for Tanev. We definitely need to stop doing that nonsense on old farts. It needs to be a player under 30 we can sign to term if we're not going to be drafting much in the next 3 years.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Matty, Willie, Tavares, Kampf down the middle is worth a shot. Don't hold your breath.

Except for faceoffs, I don't think JT can handle the defensive duties at centre any more. Domi for this year, and find someone better for next.

 

[ToneDog]

Except for faceoffs, I don't think JT can handle the defensive duties at centre any more. Domi for this year, and find someone better for next.

I would use him on PK (and less on PP1) but some think he is not fast enough. Winning the draw is key and JT is fine unless you want your forwards to be able to break out fast on the PK. I've noticed more PK time for the 3 amigos and they provide that threat but how long can you go with them playing PP, PK and regular shift before they run out of gas? Keefe plays to win every game. Maybe he is too dumb to see the big picture.

 

[ULF_55]

It's good news hearing rumors that he refuses to trade the 1st rounder for Tanev. We definitely need to stop doing that nonsense on old farts. It needs to be a player under 30 we can sign to term if we're not going to be drafting much in the next 3 years.

What hurts isn't trading picks, it's trading picks for throwaway players.

Especially, top picks, you want those players long term, and hopefully not on a steeply declining player.

If Tanev could play top 4 defender for 3 years is that more valuable then Cowan for 7?

Certainly, there is risk the pick busts, but there is a a guarantee Tanev will decline going forward.

 

[Evilhomer]

how long can you go with them playing PP, PK and regular shift before they run out of gas?

I don't think it can realistically continue for all that much longer. Maybe when the Leafs have built a cushion over Tampa and Detroit Keefe will reduce their usage, but you can't have these 4 guys each playing more than 20 minutes every night (and in M&M's cases, more like 24 or 25 minutes per night). It's not sustainable.

 

[ToneDog]

What hurts isn't trading picks, it's trading picks for throwaway players.

Especially, top picks, you want those players long term, and hopefully not on a steeply declining player.

If Tanev could play top 4 defender for 3 years is that more valuable then Cowan for 7?

Certainly, there is risk the pick busts, but there is a a guarantee Tanev will decline going forward.

I'd rather just sign Tanev July 1st. Wish we had done that with Gio.

 

[FerrisRox]

Seeing as Treliving has explicitly said that they are looking for a 3rd line center on more than one occasion I think we can rule out Nylander being groomed to be a center if they believed he could do it full-time they wouldn't be looking for a center.

Why would you think Nylander was being groomed to be a 3rd line centre? They aren't going to pay him $11 million to play on the third line. Not to mention, he doesn't have the defensive acumen to be an effective third line centre.

I think it's pretty obvious that if the Maple Leafs were grooming Nylander to be a centre, it would be to take over on the second line after John Tavares vacates the position.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I would use him on PK (and less on PP1) but some think he is not fast enough. Winning the draw is key and JT is fine unless you want your forwards to be able to break out fast on the PK. I've noticed more PK time for the 3 amigos and they provide that threat but how long can you go with them playing PP, PK and regular shift before they run out of gas? Keefe plays to win every game. Maybe he is too dumb to see the big picture.

I agree with everything except the idea of JT on PK. Similar to OT, he's just too slow and weak defensively. If you could depend on him winning the faceoff and immediately leaving the ice, that's fine, but as with OT, if he loses the draw we're in big trouble.

 

[kevsh]

Pure speculation but despite the many questions/doubts surrounding this team I believe Treliving is going to try to go big at the TD.
This based on the (again speculation) mentality at MLSE being that every year that Matthews/Marner/Nylander are here (and less so Tavares & Reilly) they're going to capitalize on it.

Kind of like how in Pittsburgh they are clearly going for it every year that Crosby is still wearing a Pens uniform. Of course the biggest difference being they have a track record of winning with him leading the way.

Hope I'm wrong as this team is very clearly not a trade deadline deal, or two, or three away from contention, but I guess we'll know soon enough.

* To clarify, by "big" I mean he's willing to move one or more of the team's very few first/second round picks and/or one of the three desirable prospects.

 

[Jojalu]

Please enlighten me and the other readers of what his achievements were. Keep in mind he inherited a 105pts regular season team that lost in the 1st round. Their best year was 115pts and best playoff a 2nd round defeat at a time where you can say the key players were more mature and in their absolute prime.

Please include things like how many prospects and picks he left us with. Cap situation as well. This is going to be some sort of respect in the handshake line response isn't it. I am dying to find out.

It wasn't great. It wasn't nearly as bad as people say.

The team did improve and had their best regular season. They made the playoffs every year he was here. Which is not an easy task in the new NHL. Regardless that 50% make the playoffs. That number has always been, and for the most part higher.

Too early to say if he left the Leafs with any prospects. Knies and Robertson are here, Minten, Niemela etc are yet to be seen.

Winning 1 round in 5 years was certainly not the ceiling I was hoping for, it was by no means a disaster

 

[BraveCanadian]

Pure speculation but despite the many questions/doubts surrounding this team I believe Treliving is going to try to go big at the TD.

With what? Future considerations?

 

[GoonieFace]

With what? Future considerations?

Marner for Pat Maroon?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Why would you think Nylander was being groomed to be a 3rd line centre? They aren't going to pay him $11 million to play on the third line. Not to mention, he doesn't have the defensive acumen to be an effective third line centre.

I think it's pretty obvious that if the Maple Leafs were grooming Nylander to be a centre, it would be to take over on the second line after John Tavares vacates the position.

I don't, @Jamason is the one that thinks Nylander is being groomed to be a center even though there is not, and never has been ANY indication that that's the case.

The fact that they are looking for a center is proof of that because if he could do it full-time he'd already be doing it, he's been in the league since 2016.

And when I say he'd already be doing it I don't mean Kampf is hurt so Willy takes a couple faceoffs on the PK that's not what that means.

I mean he'd be a full-time center now, today.

He's not, because he's not a center.

He can do it for a scattered shift, maybe even a game or 2.

BUT He IS a winger.

 

[ULF_55]

I don't, @Jamason is the one that thinks Nylander is being groomed to be a center even though there is not, and never has been ANY indication that that's the case.

The fact that they are looking for a center is proof of that because if he could do it full-time he'd already be doing it, he's been in the league since 2016.

And when I say he'd already be doing it I don't mean Kampf is hurt so Willy takes a couple faceoffs on the PK that's not what that means.

I mean he'd be a full-time center now, today.

He's not, because he's not a center.

He can do it for a scattered shift, maybe even a game or 2.

BUT He IS a winger.

They have not needed Nylander, drafted as a Center, to play center on the top 2 lines while they had veteran centers on the team.
Bozak
Kadri
Matthews
Tavares

2017-2018 season before Tavares

You think he was going to knock Matthews or Tavares out of the center position?

 

[Trapper]

With what? Future considerations?

With every single non core piece, this year’s draft picks and future draft picks/prospects.
With the core they are paying, they have no choice but to continually be all in.
Until they either win the Cup or burn out.

 

[Arzak]

Babs was right about one thing but he underestimated the duration:

View attachment 816874

A little bit of pain at the beginning of their careers or a lifetime of pain. We fired the most expensive coach ever because they were tough enough!


You could have a Hitler behind the bench, unless he is fired because management deemed it beneficial, you are fked. You can't let kids on ELC fire mean coach.

 

[BraveCanadian]

With every single non core piece, this year’s draft picks and future draft picks/prospects.
With the core they are paying, they have no choice but to continually be all in.
Until they either win the Cup or burn out.

Our non-core pieces are mostly garbage which is why we want to upgrade them. And most of our picks are already gone. We can't eat cap space unless we can find players that mysteriously go on LTIR.

Do people not understand that the cupboard was emptied out by Dubas and the other GMs aren't trying to help us out? What does a single middle 1st do to help this team?

 

[Trapper]

Our non-core pieces are mostly garbage which is why we want to upgrade them. And most of our picks are already gone. We can't eat cap space unless we can find players that mysteriously go on LTIR.

Do people not understand that the cupboard was emptied out by Dubas and the other GMs aren't trying to help us out? What does a single middle 1st do to help this team?

Again, every first round pick, Knies, Minten, Cowen, etc.. for whatever in the moment D, goalie, piece you may need.
The future with these guys in now, the day Matthews,Marner,Nylander can’t out score the problems, we’re done. Then you can trade them. Or we already won. Whichever comes first.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I don't think it can realistically continue for all that much longer. Maybe when the Leafs have built a cushion over Tampa and Detroit Keefe will reduce their usage, but you can't have these 4 guys each playing more than 20 minutes every night (and in M&M's cases, more like 24 or 25 minutes per night). It's not sustainable.

Our core four play 21:29, 21:20, 20:14, and18:20, which is 6th, 7th, 25th, and 83rd in the league among forwards. That's not unreasonable or unsustainable.

 

[Evilhomer]

Our core four play 21:29, 21:20, 20:14, and18:20, which is 6th, 7th, 25th, and 83rd in the league among forwards. That's not unreasonable or unsustainable.

I agree if they stay at those numbers.