Speculation: Chris Johnston "An atom bomb could drop"

[Just Rude]

After all the great regular seasons, my lasting image of Marner in Toronto is going to be trying to fire up his team in a Game 7 and spitting all over himself.

It’s like the pages write themselves.

 

[ToneDog]

You are expecting Matthews to return Celebrini? Oh boy. You are going to be very upset regardless my friend. This team does not need to be blown up it needs changes.

Yeah I do not but like I said, no harm in shopping them and seeing what is out there. These geniuses sat on their hands for years betting on 4 losers and now will watch the biggest loser walk for nothing. Going forward they will build around the two remaining losers and they will continue to spin their wheels in the playoffs if they do not surround them with the right players. So far Dubas and Tre have tried for 7 years without much success. What makes you think they will in the next few years when they have no high draft picks or much in the pipe line?

 

[IPS]

After all the great regular seasons, my lasting image of Marner in Toronto is going to be trying to fire up his team in a Game 7 and spitting all over himself.

It’s like the pages write themselves.

I'm just glad we got one last clip of Marner embarrassing himself. This one was even better than crying in the penalty box against Montreal.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Fire Shanny, ask Morgan to leave, mend the marner rift and sign him. Dump all. The passengers, and bring up tough kids/ acquire dogs.

The core players ARE the passengers, man!

 

[ToneDog]

After all the great regular seasons, my lasting image of Marner in Toronto is going to be trying to fire up his team in a Game 7 and spitting all over himself.

It’s like the pages write themselves.

Key moments for our playoff hero.

 

[The Masters]

Sucks all around
Drafting potential stars and tormenting fans for all these years. Shanny created this coddle culture guy has been making 5 mil a year to do nothing. Not even a gm. What a joke

Expecting he’s gone today.

If keith pelley is serious he would lay the hammer

But who knows

Mlse made the most money from leafs this year (7 home playoff dates)

Just sad if they continye ti run it back

 

[hamzarocks]

You are expecting Matthews to return Celebrini? Oh boy. You are going to be very upset regardless my friend. This team does not need to be blown up it needs changes.

Matthews isn't going to return Celebrini but there is pretty much 0 reason to believe Celebrini will be a better player for peak/prime/career than Matthews.

He may be a better playoff guy, but we wont really see that for a few years.

Matthews as disappointing as he was this year was still around top 10 in ppg.

Playoffs wise he played bad but produced similar to Barkov.

The leafs issues are too much AAV to guys who produce like good player not elite players cone playoffs. If the core 5 guys made 12-15M less overall we could add a Seth Jones + Marchand + Bennett type playoff players to our roster to support them come playoffs.

You can win a cup with 4 guys giving 70ish pts per 82. But those 4 guys can't be making so much that we can't add another 3 guys giving 60-70 pt per 82 play in the playoffs for 4-5M behind them

 

[HockeyVirus]

Matthews isn't going to return Celebrini but there is pretty much 0 reason to believe Celebrini will be a better player for peak/prime/career than Matthews.

He may be a better playoff guy, but we wont really see that for a few years.

Matthews as disappointing as he was this year was still around top 10 in ppg.

Playoffs wise he played bad but produced similar to Barkov.

The leafs issues are if our top guys made 10M/9M/8M we could add a Seth Jones + Marchand + Bennett to our roster to support them come playoffs.

You can win a cup with 4 guys giving 70ish pts per 82. But those 4 guys can't be making so much that we can't add another 3 guys giving 60-70 pt per 82 play in the playoffs for 4-5M behind them

We are in agreement. I am still a Matthews believer, I didn't see the Matthews I know once this season outside of maybe short little bursts during games here or there. If we believe he will be fully healthy again next season, he is a player you don't move.

I maintain that while it is not directly Marner's fault for our failures, he and Matthews do not work together in the playoffs and the team refuses to ever change that AND the cap cannot be allocated as it has been like you said.

Marner cannot win a board battle in the playoffs and rarely will take a hit to make a play. Those are just facts and while Matthews needs to finish on chances Marner does generate for him, they are usually not consistent nor in the ideal spots to score in the playoffs because Marner also refuses to shoot and generate rebounds.

I remember Matthews with Domi and Bertuzzi and how well he played. Matthews with the Tkachuks in 4 nations. Knies is one part of that. Domi maybe is the other winger, maybe someone else they bring in. But I believe Matthews has the physical toolset to impact in the playoffs and Marner does not.

Marner has to go, and we need to bring in 2-3 guys who can give the team depth

 

[namttebih]

This might be an unpopular opinion. Hell, it’s an unpopular opinion to myself. Just looking at it from a pure asset management perspective, wouldn’t it make more sense to try and trade Willy and keep Marner? Something like Konecny and Bennett in, Willy and Tavares out. Just spitballing.

 

[hamzarocks]

We are in agreement. I am still a Matthews believer, I didn't see the Matthews I know once this season outside of maybe short little bursts during games here or there. If we believe he will be fully healthy again next season, he is a player you don't move.

I maintain that while it is not directly Marner's fault for our failures, he and Matthews do not work together in the playoffs and the team refuses to ever change that AND the cap cannot be allocated as it has been like you said.

Marner cannot win a board battle in the playoffs and rarely will take a hit to make a play. Those are just facts and while Matthews needs to finish on chances Marner does generate for him, they are usually not consistent nor in the ideal spots to score in the playoffs because Marner also refuses to shoot and generate rebounds.

I remember Matthews with Domi and Bertuzzi and how well he played. Matthews with the Tkachuks in 4 nations. Knies is one part of that. Domi maybe is the other winger, maybe someone else they bring in. But I believe Matthews has the physical toolset to impact in the playoffs and Marner does not.

Marner has to go, and we need to bring in 2-3 guys who can give the team depth

Hopefully things work out next year.

Treliving needs to make this summer count. His UFA acquiring skills will be too the test

So far as the Leafs GM

Tanev --> A+, home run for 1st year, praying he LTIRs his last 2 if he falls off

OEL --> B+, signing, impactful guy and a wonderful 3rd option for a team from offense from defense perspective

Domi --> B+, both the 1-year deal and the 4 year deal. I think domi was held back this season by opportunities and linemates. He stepped up big in the playoffs and had a great series vs FLO. I can see 15-20G and 40-45A next 3 years if he plays top PP and L1

Stolarz --> A-, great reg season, top 2 goalie in his 30 something games. Avg playoffs but he got hurt again. Concerns about injuries and LT contract extension still exist.

Benoit --> B+, great #6D who is probably closer to a #5D. Not much worse than Carlo and both play well defensively.

His bad UFAs would be Hakipanna (C-), Klingberg (D+) who were both 1-year deals and Bertuzzi was a good signing passed on unfortunately.


We need to have 2-3 B+ to A+ UFA signings this summer

 

[kevsh]

This might be an unpopular opinion. Hell, it’s an unpopular opinion to myself. Just looking at it from a pure asset management perspective, wouldn’t it make more sense to try and trade Willy and keep Marner? Something like Konecny and Bennett in, Willy and Tavares out. Just spitballing.

Won't make a difference.

I just spoke about it in another thread, but surrounding Auston, Mitch/Willie with tough guys /gritty players, etc. won't be enough. Unless the Leafs stars fundamentally change their approach the playoff failures will continue.

And is perfectly clear by now, these prima donnas have zero intention of changing how they play.

So Willie stays, Mitch goes or vice versa, doesn't matter. When they are both gone and Auston joins them, then we can talk.

 

[ACC1224]

This might be an unpopular opinion. Hell, it’s an unpopular opinion to myself. Just looking at it from a pure asset management perspective, wouldn’t it make more sense to try and trade Willy and keep Marner? Something like Konecny and Bennett in, Willy and Tavares out. Just spitballing.

They want to keep Marner from what we know but it seems like he may no longer want to remain.

They already tried to trade Nylander once so you could see that is something they may want to revisit.

 

[Trapper]

Won't make a difference.

I just spoke about it in another thread, but surrounding Auston, Mitch/Willie with tough guys /gritty players, etc. won't be enough. Unless the Leafs stars fundamentally change their approach the playoff failures will continue.

And is perfectly clear by now, these prima donnas have zero intention of changing how they play.

So Willie stays, Mitch goes or vice versa, doesn't matter. When they are both gone and Auston joins them, then we can talk.

If the core 4 can’t get it done, who believes that Matthews/Nylander are going to power you through 4 rounds like McD and Drai?

 

[Drytoast]

f*** I dunno. Maybe if they lose Marner, Matthews finally becomes a man and steps up?

I feel the 3 of them together feed off of each other this same defeatist mentality who shy away from their game when they get leaned on just a little bit.

Marner is likely gone. That's the atomic bomb. What they do with that is going to dictate the identity of this club moving forward.

 

[Trapper]

They want to keep Marner from what we know but it seems like he may no longer want to remain.

They already tried to trade Nylander once so you could see that is something they may want to revisit.

Do you have a maximum salary for Marner in the event he wants to go but the Leafs want to keep him?

 

[ITM]

If the core 4 can’t get it done, who believes that Matthews/Nylander are going to power you through 4 rounds like McD and Drai?

But in the comparison with Edmonton, either or both McDavid and Draisaitl show up.

If Nylander is the only one showing up on the production side of the ledger and isn't supplemented, then no, he isn't going to power a team through 4 rounds, but he sure looks like he get us to about one series and a period or two of three wins in the second series...provided the rest of the TEAM's leaders supplement the effort.

Florida's depth showed up when Florida's primary leaders couldn't.

Florida could have been Columbus or Montreal. The formula is rotten from the head down.

And if our room is held captive by emotional leadership, the reflex on the ice is going to look for gentle resolution where there is none.

How I wish we could have had Dustin Byfuglien in our room at the beginning to throw M&M into shower when they're tantrums got the better of them.

No wonder O'Reilly got out of here. Probably signed in Nashville just to detox along the strip's honkeytonks where no murses can be found.

 

[namttebih]

Won't make a difference.

I just spoke about it in another thread, but surrounding Auston, Mitch/Willie with tough guys /gritty players, etc. won't be enough. Unless the Leafs stars fundamentally change their approach the playoff failures will continue.

And is perfectly clear by now, these prima donnas have zero intention of changing how they play.

So Willie stays, Mitch goes or vice versa, doesn't matter. When they are both gone and Auston joins them, then we can talk.

My counter to that is that every time that they have added grit, it’s been at the fringes. Replacing half of the “core 4” with 2 guys who would be integral pieces might swing momentum.

Knies - Matthews - Konecny
Granlund - Bennett - Marner

Split them up and have them both playing with a pair of tenacious guys.

 

[namttebih]

They want to keep Marner from what we know but it seems like he may no longer want to remain.

They already tried to trade Nylander once so you could see that is something they may want to revisit.

Of course it’s all dependent on those 2 big “ifs”. It’s a double edged sword - paying Marner a huge salary would enrage a lot of fans - which is surely what he’s looking for.

I’m not even sure if Willy would accept a trade to a team like Philly, but the Rantanen for Stankoven deal is what made me think of it. Anyone who’s relentless, even at the cost of some production.

 

[ACC1224]

Do you have a maximum salary for Marner in the event he wants to go but the Leafs want to keep him?

No, percentage wise he'd fall between Matthews and Nylander I would think.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Hopefully things work out next year.

Treliving needs to make this summer count. His UFA acquiring skills will be too the test

So far as the Leafs GM

Tanev --> A+, home run for 1st year, praying he LTIRs his last 2 if he falls off

OEL --> B+, signing, impactful guy and a wonderful 3rd option for a team from offense from defense perspective

Domi --> B+, both the 1-year deal and the 4 year deal. I think domi was held back this season by opportunities and linemates. He stepped up big in the playoffs and had a great series vs FLO. I can see 15-20G and 40-45A next 3 years if he plays top PP and L1

Stolarz --> A-, great reg season, top 2 goalie in his 30 something games. Avg playoffs but he got hurt again. Concerns about injuries and LT contract extension still exist.

Benoit --> B+, great #6D who is probably closer to a #5D. Not much worse than Carlo and both play well defensively.

His bad UFAs would be Hakipanna (C-), Klingberg (D+) who were both 1-year deals and Bertuzzi was a good signing passed on unfortunately.


We need to have 2-3 B+ to A+ UFA signings this summer

The reality is the clock will strike midnight sooner than later. Tanev is going to be what 36? He takes so much abuse he straight up eventually won't be able to stay healthy when it counts for us. OEL same story. Rielly has been in decline for a few seasons now. We have no prospects coming on D or F that make a big difference.

IDK. They need to attempt what Washington did and try to bring in younger players who didn't workout elsewhere and hope our team can reform them. The defense needs the average age lowered by 5 years if possible. Forwards we need guys who can actually crash and bang on the forecheck in the top 9 who can also put a puck in the net. Only guys we had that can do that are Knies and Patches who is retiring

 

[ACC1224]

Of course it’s all dependent on those 2 big “ifs”. It’s a double edged sword - paying Marner a huge salary would enrage a lot of fans - which is surely what he’s looking for.

I’m not even sure if Willy would accept a trade to a team like Philly, but the Rantanen for Stankoven deal is what made me think of it. Anyone who’s relentless, even at the cost of some production.

I doubt he wants to enrage fans but there are always some that will find something to take issue with.
I would think they'll get over it at some point.

 

[rumman]

You won't be alone. Many fans will be jumping of this ship like the "passengers" on the Titanic. Which begs the question, if this town puts so much pressure on this team, why didn't anybody ask 34 who the passengers were. Instead the mean Toronto media lobbed softballs at them yesterday. What a joke.

It would have been the first question I asked, spineless media shills not so much…….

 

[WillNy29]

The difference is their top guys goals per game didn't drop as much as Matthews does. The other thing is while those teams took awhile to finally win a Stanley Cup, their stars still showed up more often than not.

lol now you're making things up, Yzerman, backstrom, Ovechkin all saw considerable drop offs in playoff scoring compared to regular scoring on many occasions.

 

[namttebih]

I doubt he wants to enrage fans but there are always some that will find something to take issue with.
I would think they'll get over it at some point.

No - I meant him wanting the huge salary - not wanting to purposefully enrage fans.

 

[rumman]

Sucks all around
Drafting potential stars and tormenting fans for all these years. Shanny created this coddle culture guy has been making 5 mil a year to do nothing. Not even a gm. What a joke

Expecting he’s gone today.

If keith pelley is serious he would lay the hammer

But who knows

Mlse made the most money from leafs this year (7 home playoff dates)

Just sad if they continye ti run it back

Sadly Pelley’s another suit that doesn’t care about tean success as much as profits, I don’t expect them to do anything of significance to address what’s wrong with this team……..