Can we please put to rest this idea of "pressure" being the culprit behind playoff failure for this team, it's insulting.

[theTTC]

• “Pressure? What pressure? Pressure is poor people in the world trying to feed their families. There is no pressure in football”—Jose Mourinho speaking in a post-match interview

The Core Fore have league high guaranteed salaries, no trade clauses, no AHL demotion threat, best therapy/massage/rehab services in the world, fame, adulation, don't have to bodycheck or fight on the ice, could retire at 30 with generational wealth. MLSE paid them before they won or proved anything.

Pressure? wtf?

 

[Nineteen67]

I just heard a clip on tsn1050 where a basketball player was asked why they didn’t try harder…… wish Toronto media actually had access to players and had just one media member ask a tough question.

It’s never happened and never will in the easiest media market in the league.

 

[The Best Leafs Everr]

Imagine if a baseball player said he doesn’t want to play for Yankees or Red Sox because there’s pressure to win. Only pathetic losers in hockey has this mentality. It’s time we kick these guys out. Bring in players who wants to come to Toronto to take on the challenge to win in a market that wants them to succeed.

 

[ACC1224]

Imagine if a baseball player said he doesn’t want to play for Yankees or Red Sox because there’s pressure to win. Only pathetic losers in hockey has this mentality. It’s time we kick these guys out. Bring in players who wants to come to Toronto to take on the challenge to win in a market that wants them to succeed.

Imagine if a player had ever said that here?

 

[The Best Leafs Everr]

Imagine if a player had ever said that here?

While they don’t say it upfront almost all of them do once they leave. Just goes to show how weak they are!

 

[Maple Leaf]

Oilers have pressure
their stars are legitimate and get it done

 

[darrylsittler27]

I want the pressure of making millions and getting 5 to 6 months off. Where do I sign up?

 

[notbias]

Oilers have pressure
their stars are legitimate and get it done

Maybe they will this year, but they most certainly disappeared in the biggest moments last year.

"but what about...."

I don't care... the stars didn't get it done like you are saying.

I want the pressure of making millions and getting 5 to 6 months off. Where do I sign up?

Maybe you could have done this in some career if you had the drive and dedication these players had.

 

[Antropovsky]

• “Pressure? What pressure? Pressure is poor people in the world trying to feed their families. There is no pressure in football”—Jose Mourinho speaking in a post-match interview

The Core Fore have league high guaranteed salaries, no trade clauses, no AHL demotion threat, best therapy/massage/rehab services in the world, fame, adulation, don't have to bodycheck or fight on the ice, could retire at 30 with generational wealth. MLSE paid them before they won or proved anything.

Pressure? wtf?

I read that Marner has said someone in Toronto yelled something in his direction once..and it was incredibly hurtful.

... jeez the poor guy.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

My intention is not to be insensitive, players are different.

However, the way I view it, if you don't embrace pressure, welcome it and enjoy it, how did you even make it to the NHL to begin with? How do you ever expect to win a Stanley Cup?

You know what is pressure? Being a single mom raising three kids on a salary that pays min. wage. How about those who cut down trees every day, one of the most dangerous jobs in Canada and knowing that if you aren't alert you might not make it home that night.

Pressure is relative. There is absolutely no self-made success without pressure.

Clearly some of these players can't handle the pressure of big games and moving away from them is the best decision. Find those who LOVE the pressure and respond with fight instead of flight.

I agree with you. I just think you're having a conversation with 2 types:

1. Hockey fans who believe that the enormous interest and media coverage is what is crushing these players.

2. Shanny, who just happens to be gone from the organization. I believe that he interveined too often. Protected all stars. Limited the pressure.

Pressure is not this group's major issue.

This group (JT,MM,AM,WN) are all too similar. They've all had their turn at shying away from physical contact. Perhaps JT less. None of them play on the edge. None of them will fight. None of them will go through a wall for their team.

None of them can touch recent examples of great playoff performances from recent Leafs: Darcy Tucker, Gary Roberts, Steve Thomas, Sundin, Gilmour, Wendel.

You'll be waiting forever if you think Matthews will one day be a beast, use his size, play mean, hack/chop/whack/punch, get fired up in a game.

They're all the same.

Pressure? They can play through pressure
They just don't win because they don't have any will or fight in them.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Maybe the core isn't that good

My point exactly. Shanny bet on them and lost...every single time.

 

[Nineteen67]

I agree with you. I just think you're having a conversation with 2 types:

1. Hockey fans who believe that the enormous interest and media coverage is what is crushing these players.

2. Shanny, who just happens to be gone from the organization. I believe that he interveined too often. Protected all stars. Limited the pressure.

Pressure is not this group's major issue.

This group (JT,MM,AM,WN) are all too similar. They've all had their turn at shying away from physical contact. Perhaps JT less. None of them play on the edge. None of them will fight. None of them will go through a wall for their team.

None of them can touch recent examples of great playoff performances from recent Leafs: Darcy Tucker, Gary Roberts, Steve Thomas, Sundin, Gilmour, Wendel.

You'll be waiting forever if you think Matthews will one day be a beast, use his size, play mean, hack/chop/whack/punch, get fired up in a game.

They're all the same.

Pressure? They can play through pressure
They just don't win because they don't have any will or fight in them.

All that, and slow feet, make it very difficult to play in winner take all games.