Crunch Time

[TopCheeseShotta]

Another string of games where, when push comes to shove, against grinding teams like FLA, WAS and even PIT - the boys were kinda disinterested and unwilling to raise their compete level. Hopefully, it is just a bit of regression, behind the lead of some of the old typical wilters like Morgan and Matty. But, just not a good sign for the new era, yall. Berube needs to prove he's worth his salt and gonna make a difference w them this year.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Another string of games where, when push comes to shove, against grinding teams like FLA, WAS and even PIT - the boys were kinda disinterested and unwilling to raise their compete level. Hopefully, it is just a bit of regression, behind the lead of some of the old typical wilters like Morgan and Matty. But, just not a good sign for the new era, yall. Berube needs to prove he's worth his salt and gonna make a difference w them this year.

The motto this ownership should hang on their wall is "fortune favours the bold". They don't have the boldness required to build a champion calibre group.

Leaf fans have to stop relying on the coach. This is coach #3. I've said before that even if Toe Blake were coaching this team in this era he wouldn't win a Cup.

Berube came in blazing but will eventually settle down as a nice, cozy company man. That's the nature of the job in this city with these owners, no matter what fable they tell the fans. He will see them fail when the game becomes tight and the checking heavier, we've all been fooled for 9 years as well. Some of us, more easily fooled than others...

When the ice disappears so do the core. They shrink. That is playoff hockey. Their only hope was to build a fortress in the back end, alter their instincts to play a heavy forechecking game, hope for stellar goaltending and squeak by teams 2-1 come playoffs.

Of any core in the entire NHL is there any less inspiring? This is a fishbowl of a city to play in. With all the perks and support they get, the pressure should be manageable. The best players rise to the pressure.

It is a curse to be raised a Leafs fan. In pro sports, the courageous succeed and fail, that is the game, it requires risk, just as innovative companies who break new ground win market share.

MLSE ownership prefer safe, short term profits to potential long term larger profits and more importantly, a lasting legacy of championships. They will continue the tradition of Leafs failures and will be just another blip to be forgotten as time passes.

By the way, even when they are winning meaningless regular season games I suggested we pump the brakes. None of this is new, is it?

 

[Maple Leaf]

Ya.. this one ain't for you either, chief. Off ya go

I still havent read it

I still havent read it

Ok i read it the core is the core
Need a better bottom six

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

The motto this ownership should hang on their wall is "fortune favours the bold". They don't have the boldness required to build a champion calibre group.

Leaf fans have to stop relying on the coach. This is coach #3. I've said before that even if Toe Blake were coaching this team in this era he wouldn't win a Cup.

Berube came in blazing but will eventually settle down as a nice, cozy company man. That's the nature of the job in this city with these owners, no matter what fable they tell the fans. He will see them fail when the game becomes tight and the checking heavier, we've all been fooled for 9 years as well. Some of us, more easily fooled than others...

When the ice disappears so do the core. They shrink. That is playoff hockey. Their only hope was to build a fortress in the back end, alter their instincts to play a heavy forechecking game, hope for stellar goaltending and squeak by teams 2-1 come playoffs.

Of any core in the entire NHL is there any less inspiring? This is a fishbowl of a city to play in. With all the perks and support they get, the pressure should be manageable. The best players rise to the pressure.

It is a curse to be raised a Leafs fan. In pro sports, the courageous succeed and fail, that is the game, it requires risk, just as innovative companies who break new ground win market share.

MLSE ownership prefer safe, short term profits to potential long term larger profits and more importantly, a lasting legacy of championships. They will continue the tradition of Leafs failures and will be just another blip to be forgotten as time passes.

By the way, even when they are winning meaningless regular season games I suggested we pump the brakes. None of this is new, is it?

Thoughtful analysis here once again. Cheers boss.

So you have some PTSD too. I think we all do. Yours is manifesting in organizational blame/malaise. The big bad corporate behemoth is at fault, or guilty of a lack of care or purpose. I mean, I understand that - but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me that they would just be happy with mediocrity, either financially or performance-wise. I know people at that level, and they do NOT go lightly - I just wish it woukd trickle down to the Bench!!! This company has recently gone through a rebuild and an 'honour-Tank' - and didn't lose a single penny. So risk and losing and pain still don't hurt the bank and they/we know it. I think we look for things when the losses continue to pile up that maybe ain't fully there. They're def fat cats that are quite content above all, at the top of the pyramid - but I think they have so much that the true crowning legacy achievement they wake up to every morning has to be aiming at a Leafs Cup. Thanks Argos, and all..... but that ain't "the one".

But despite all that - you're just 100% not in on this core as constituted eh?? Toe Blake, Berube or the boys getting their acts together are not possibilities you can see pushing us forward, huh?

I mean, I can't really either - but I'm still looking beyond the obvious (sports psychology to get at the demons, spreading the core out w grinders on each line so its not all the pansies together, hoping Craig can bring the men out in a way Sheldon couldnt) - so I'm tryin', Ringo... I'm tryin' reeeeeeal hard.

Cuz - if it ain't someone magically helping them man up from within, than I agree - it is game 7, no killer instinct-havin', groundhog day outcome for this group once again.

 

[Nineteen67]

That's why I'm trying to get yall beyond all that. Beyond the tired who's contract is looming, or the team we draw in Round 1, etc..

I think everybody knows it hasn't worked well from MTL and CBJ right up to the best of the best, in FLA and BOS.

That's why I always take it back to the mental. From heavy favourites to underdogs, this core has always played them all to 7 games, nearly.. it's like they only do exactly as much as they "have to" to get the job done. And that's not a winning formula. We don't kick teams when they're down. This group has neverrr done that, even in the regular season. In addition to all the PTSD from those losses, I think this "only dig in as much as is required" is another hallmark of this group - and another important element we need to somehow have eliminated from their dumb little minds. It's frustrating as heck, but can Craig and the sports psychology guys see this and weed it out of them in time..??! We got all this money in that Dept, so like - figure it out, Docs!!!

I think a lot has to do with how they grew up playing and I don’t know if you can get anymore out of them. There are few that I don’t know if they can be taught to prioritize winning championships at this stage of their career.