I think "the core is soft" is mostly just a lazy reason people come up with to explain why the Leafs haven't won. I think the real reason is they haven't done a good enough job of surrounding the core with the right kind of talent/depth. Their defense sucks, Samsonov is sub .900 the last two years in the playoffs, it feels like they're always looking for grit/defense and seem to think physicality = being good defensively.
Which was mostly why I posted that Tweet. We should look at how Toronto reacted and keep that in mind when building the team around our "soft core". I don't think anybody is against adding a Coleman type or two or three to the roster. But those players don't exactly grow on trees and/or are readily available. And teams can get themselves in trouble trying to pursue that type of player.
It sucks Palat isn't like 3-4 years younger because he's a perfect example of a guy who is hard to play against without being overly physical. He's the type that can do the dirty work for our skilled guys. I'd prefer that type of player over a guy who hits a lot. I'd certainly take some of those too, and a shit stirring asshole, if they can actually play and be useful.
Which was mostly why I posted that Tweet. We should look at how Toronto reacted and keep that in mind when building the team around our "soft core". I don't think anybody is against adding a Coleman type or two or three to the roster. But those players don't exactly grow on trees and/or are readily available. And teams can get themselves in trouble trying to pursue that type of player.
It sucks Palat isn't like 3-4 years younger because he's a perfect example of a guy who is hard to play against without being overly physical. He's the type that can do the dirty work for our skilled guys. I'd prefer that type of player over a guy who hits a lot. I'd certainly take some of those too, and a shit stirring asshole, if they can actually play and be useful.
