Crow is served, come and get it!

[ULF_55]

I must admit, I've been sticking up for him most of the time but got kind of fed up with him myself recently. I think he deserves some props though, so many were ridiculing his lineups, especially the 7 Dmen lineups and wanted him to just pick his 6 Dmen and get them used to playing with each other and so on. But last night he went with 7 Dmen like I hoped he would, he played Gusty which was a brave move (and he played pretty good I thought) and I thought he handled the game pretty well. I don't think he's a great coach, but I think he's a lot better than some people give him credit for. And hey see that goalie Samsonov over there? That coach standing next to him is a good coach!

The thing is many said you can't just try the same thing over and over again and expect the failures to end.

After last season people said there has to be changes, but they were very minor, so again Dubas running the same failure over again. (Samsonov wasn't really seen as a huge deal)

Then the trades happened.

Dubas didn't run the same thing over again hope the result was different.

Major changes were made and those changes played a part in getting to round 2.

So criticism at the time was warranted.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Man, imagine getting this worked up over snow-soccer.

 

[Gary Nylund]

The thing is many said you can't just try the same thing over and over again and expect the failures to end.

After last season people said there has to be changes, but they were very minor, so again Dubas running the same failure over again. (Samsonov wasn't really seen as a huge deal)

Then the trades happened.

Dubas didn't run the same thing over again hope the result was different.

Major changes were made and those changes played a part in getting to round 2.

So criticism at the time was warranted.

Some criticism is always fine, nobody's perfect after all but some of the posts by the purveyors of doom and the merchants of gloom around here have been over the top ridiculous.

 

[MK78]

Yep, i'm eating some crow.

The past few years in the playoffs was tough. Many of us were skeptical and kept saying "SHOW ME".

Well, they finally did. Yes it's Round 1, but its good to be past it and see what they can do next.

 

[Morbo]

nobody at all is saying this is winning the Cup. Nobody.

you've got to fight the gaslighting.

don't let other fans and pretend Leaf fans do this to you.

 

[Macman]

It absolutely means nothing. The failures have been so spectacular the past 6 years or so, there is an illusion that winning a round changes this. I doubt the players think they have accomplished anything significant at this point.

Did you see their reactions? Sorry, but the weight of the world was lifted from this organization‘s shoulders last night and the reactions of Dubas and company clearly reflected that. No matter what happens from here.

 

[Strangle]

All you who said that Mitch Marner's game isn't suited for the playoffs, have a seat at the table.

*raises hand*

I’m guilty.

I love Marner, but I wasn’t sure he could step it up in the playoffs. He had a fantastic series

 

[Americanadian]

I didn't believe in them.

 

[Gabriel426]

The thing is many said you can't just try the same thing over and over again and expect the failures to end.

After last season people said there has to be changes, but they were very minor, so again Dubas running the same failure over again. (Samsonov wasn't really seen as a huge deal)

Then the trades happened.

Dubas didn't run the same thing over again hope the result was different.

Major changes were made and those changes played a part in getting to round 2.

So criticism at the time was warranted.

For me personally, the goalie signings and trade in the summer was a huge issue bc a team like the Leafs should not be gambling on goalies at this stage. Glad Sammy worked out.
The TDL was something else esp ROR, as he is the clutch factor that we lacked.

 

[notbias]

The thing is many said you can't just try the same thing over and over again and expect the failures to end.

After last season people said there has to be changes, but they were very minor, so again Dubas running the same failure over again. (Samsonov wasn't really seen as a huge deal)

Then the trades happened.

Dubas didn't run the same thing over again hope the result was different.

Major changes were made and those changes played a part in getting to round 2.

So criticism at the time was warranted.

Did the same things not imply the core?

The supporting cast has been shuffled around every year.

Dubas has traded/signed tough vets every year too.

ROR is the biggest difference.

We've had Muzzin, Foligno, Gio, Lub, Blackwell...

 

[therealkoho]

Some criticism is always fine, nobody's perfect after all but some of the posts by the purveyors of doom and the merchants of gloom around here have been over the top ridiculous.

Agreed some criticism is necessary. I've been critical of Dubas for his drafting strategy in taking all those little guys, players like mini Mac, I mean really this is the NHL and no matter the skill level a 5'7" 153 pounder is a waste of a pick, which you can't do when you don't have a whole lot of them, moving the 6'4" Marchement for clown car driver Malgin. None of it made sense, but it looks like he has had a change of philosophy and has figured out how you win in the playoffs. Small speedy guys who can't get to the middle won't win, those same guys don't usually win along the boards either.

If I'm drafting and there's two guys of approximate skill level I take the bigger heavier guy every time. It's not rocket science.

But it seems he's come around and I'm starting to think maybe he should be given a few more years. A turnstile in the GMs office I don't think is conducive to winning. Teams that have been winners have continuity in the executive offices. Unless the guy is a total lump, which Dubas isn't, I think maybe they should get him to continue the job.

 

[LeafChief]

I didn't believe in them.

We know.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Confession is good for the soul. Time for many of you to confess your sins, do some repenting and thereby be cleansed and join the crowd that thinks positively, stays optimistic and supports the team no matter what.

All you who said that the series is over before the playoffs even started, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that the series is over after losing game one, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that the series is over after losing game 5, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that this team would never have playoff success because signing Tavares "doomed the team", have a seat at the table.

All you who said this team would never win a round as long as Dubas is the GM, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that this team would never have playoff success with Keefe as the coach, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that Mitch Marner's game isn't suited for the playoffs, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that Morgan Rielly is a mediocre hockey player and our team is better without him, have a seat at the table.

All you who mocked those saying this team could have playoff success because "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results", have a seat at the table.

All you who ridiculed Dubas for how he addressed the goaltending situation last summer, have a seat at the table.

I could go on but that's a good start, you all know who you are and I'm confident you will agree that crow never tasted so good. Repent, be cleansed of your sins, all will be forgiven and you can join the rest of us on the bandwagon.

Anyone have any hot sauce?
Huge hurdle and I thought they'd choke again. I want more though !

 

[keonsbitterness]

This thread can't be complete unless that Howard Berger dude (can't remember his forum name) posts.

 

[WillyC]

Love the Crow thread… best part are those trying to double down on their crow… they’re looking at it on their plate, moving it around, playing with it, mumbling about how this is not Crow for them.

Enjoy the Crow… it’s been rotting for 19 years.

 

[Aashir]

You guys got one more seat?

Felt like the series was gonna repeat last years game 6 and 7

Proved me wrong

 

[ULF_55]

Did the same things not imply the core?

The supporting cast has been shuffled around every year.

Dubas has traded/signed tough vets every year too.

ROR is the biggest difference.

We've had Muzzin, Foligno, Gio, Lub, Blackwell...

The core has always lead the team in the playoffs. Except against Montreal ...

McCabe and O'Reilly are key pieces, along with Acciari and Knies have made impacts this year.

Perhaps a healthy Foligno would have made a difference, but he didn't.


Check out the ice time for the players this year compared to last year for the additions.

 

[JKG33]

I don't really get it...

If the leafs lose round 2 and are 1-7 in playoff series under this core, those critical of team design need to eat crow still?

Let's hope the monkey is off their back and some actual real crow can be eaten in June.

Remarkably premature thread.

My thoughts exactly. Winning a round is the bare minimum that should be expected, not something to be celebrated like a cup win and certainly not cause to serve crow yet

 

[LeafChief]

 

[TheGreenTBer]

When these other fanbases have experienced what you all have, then they can talk.

Until then they can eat a healthy bowl of shut-the-f***-up, in my opinion.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Confession is good for the soul. Time for many of you to confess your sins, do some repenting and thereby be cleansed and join the crowd that thinks positively, stays optimistic and supports the team no matter what.

All you who said that the series is over before the playoffs even started, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that the series is over after losing game one, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that the series is over after losing game 5, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that this team would never have playoff success because signing Tavares "doomed the team", have a seat at the table.

All you who said this team would never win a round as long as Dubas is the GM, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that this team would never have playoff success with Keefe as the coach, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that Mitch Marner's game isn't suited for the playoffs, have a seat at the table.

All you who said that Morgan Rielly is a mediocre hockey player and our team is better without him, have a seat at the table.

All you who mocked those saying this team could have playoff success because "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results", have a seat at the table.

All you who ridiculed Dubas for how he addressed the goaltending situation last summer, have a seat at the table.

I could go on but that's a good start, you all know who you are and I'm confident you will agree that crow never tasted so good. Repent, be cleansed of your sins, all will be forgiven and you can join the rest of us on the bandwagon.

Shouldn't you be sitting at this table?

If memory serves you didn't want the ROR trade, or any trades because they hadn't won a round, as it turns out the upgrades, especially ROR were a HUGE factor in round 1.

Have a seat at the table, let me get you your chair.

 

[Notsince67]

This is better here than the post game thread.

I was cheering on the win (like we all should be) when @Notsince67 turned the thread into trying to get people to eat crow.

Eat it then

 

[Gary Nylund]

Anyone have any hot sauce?
Huge hurdle and I thought they'd choke again. I want more though !

Isn't it amazing how hot sauce can make damn near anything taste good! Pepper North and Cholula baby!!

Shouldn't you be sitting at this table?

If memory serves you didn't want the ROR trade, or any trades because they hadn't won a round, as it turns out the upgrades, especially ROR were a HUGE factor in round 1.

Have a seat at the table, let me get you your chair.

Sure that's fair. I'm against rentals in principle and would have been fine with making no major moves. More than that actually, before we traded for ROR I was strongly in favor of moving no major future assets like 1st rounders, top prospects etc. But while saying that we should save our assets because the path to the cup was especially hard this season, I was also insistent that if things fell just right for us, we could win the cup even without making any moves (I've neve been part of the doom and gloom crowd).

That said, when the deal was made I came around immediately and I came around to the school of thought that said that with the 1st round losses piling up, we desperately needed to win at least one round for a number of reasons. And once we moved in that direction, it was logical to continue. The McCabe trade was perhaps even better than the ROR trade and I love that we got a 1st rounder for Sandin. And when it was all said and done, we're down only one major asset (1st round pick) and sure, a number of lesser assets as well but we also got a TON back! A+ deadline IMO.

Cliff Notes: I ate my crow already. The aftertaste is still with me and damned if isn't tasty, like a glass of Lagavulin 16!

 

[sxvnert]

I'm blaming 20 years of PTSD.

 

[Gallagbi]

Did the same things not imply the core?

The supporting cast has been shuffled around every year.

Dubas has traded/signed tough vets every year too.

ROR is the biggest difference.

We've had Muzzin, Foligno, Gio, Lub, Blackwell...

Yes on the core, that was the EXACT argument