Do you believe this team on paper is capable of winning the stanley cup?

[TheGreatOne11]

Polls simple. I just would honestly like to know where everyone sits in regard to this question.

Even with Muzzin out I didn't see him as the deciding factor in us winning. I wish him all the health in the world for him and his family but there is still a chance it could be addition by subtraction depending on the replacement.

Having said that, I just honestly don't see this team being stronger than last years team, even when we inevitably string some wins together. I just don't see a deep enough team on the backend and in net especially, to get the job done.

Just wanted to see where Leaf Nation sat with this question.

Have a good one ladies and gents.

Click to read more...

 

[cgc83]

with this current management group ... no

 

[Osmows OReilly]

No unfortunately.

 

[Havoc]

Yes but due to incompetence we probably have to burn another 1st plus a popular prospect for whats missing. 16 wins in playoffs is grueling, the team as is right now can't but the foundation is there to make noise after a tweak

 

[BallardEra]

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Yes, as it has been for years.

Whether that matters in the end comes down to the players.

 

[All Mod Cons]

No

 

[Schennanigans]

No not at all. I look at the defensive pairings and it’s not a top group.

 

[Gabriel426]

Yes on paper they can win the Cup. But on the ice, they have not shown that they can win 4 games in a 7 games series.
Funny how Phil, Bozak, And Kadri all won a Cup. While Barrie, Ceci, and Hyman went to the Conf. Finals.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Depends. What kind of paper?

 

[arso40]

Rielly needs a stay at home right shot defencemen mayfield Comes to my mind someone in that mold wish we didn’t pay him 7.5 we could have built a more safe defensive core

 

[Ciao]

Sure. Why not?

These is no perfect team, and somebody has to win it.

The future is yet to be seen.

Let me ask you this: On paper, could the Phillies beat the Braves? The Padres beat the Dodgers? I guess so, because they did. That Dodgers team is one heck of a strong team, though.

 

[Stephen]

Closer on paper than between the ears.

 

[Lauro]

Absolutely.

 

[IPS]

All it takes is getting hot at the right time.

Even Edmonton with their patchwork defense made the conference finals with McDavid/Drai getting hot at the right time. Same thing can happen with us with Matthews/Marner.

 

[therealkoho]

a couple of tweaks and the Buds should be there

 

[LeafSteel]

Closer on paper than between the ears.

This is the perfect answer….

 

[PromisedLand]

Sadly no. Would love to be proven wrong but......

 

[Leafblooded]

They're too soft and too entitled. Mathews is a god but Marner will never match his game, he's like the little brother forever in the shadows. Jealous little guy. Trade Marner for a boatload of talent. Dump Tavares for grit. Stop giving away guys like Lube, get some new guys who can actually instill some fear in the opponents. Get rid of the PC leadership and find some goddamn grit.

 

[HolyCrap]

Closer on paper than between the ears.

Bingo. Well said. You nailed it.

 

[ANDI P IS CUTE]

bad old slow soft d, very iffy goaltending and spoiled soft forwards, small and wimpy. terrible soft management group- i vote no.

 

[Nineteen67]

They’re too soft and which have to change first, but it would be an absolute fluke if they did.

Their backend would have to improve significantly.
Samsonov Murray

Brodie - Keep him he’s good

Rielly - be nice if he was a 3d


Sandin
Liljegren
Giordano
Holl
Mete
Benn

 

[Nineteen67]

Sure. Why not?

These is no perfect team, and somebody has to win it.

The future is yet to be seen.

Let me ask you this: On paper, could the Phillies beat the Braves? The Padres beat the Dodgers? I guess so, because they did. That Dodgers team is one heck of a strong team, though.

Your comparing baseball to the grind of the SC playoffs?

The Phillies made the playoffs this year?

 

[DarkKnight]

We have difference makers, so there is always a chance. But, we lack an identity , we’re soft as I’ve ever seen (and that’s sure saying something) and we seem to lack killer instinct. Hard to argue this team is actually better than last year?

 

[Gary Nylund]

We have difference makers, so there is always a chance. But, we lack an identity , we’re soft as I’ve ever seen (and that’s sure saying something) and we seem to lack killer instinct. Hard to argue this team is actually better than last year?

Valid points/questions IMO.

Team is good enough on paper but consistently underachieves in the playoffs. Could be that the team just doesn't have what it takes to win in the playoffs, or maybe it's just one of those things and will be different this season. Their play against TB in the playoffs was encouraging so maybe this season will be different, we'll see. And as always, goaltending is critical and how ours shakes out is still a big question.

I like our chances against anyone but COL. So the way to win is to make the finals and hope someone else has somehow taken out COL for us.

Your comparing baseball to the grind of the SC playoffs?

The Phillies made the playoffs this year?

What's wrong with comparing MLB and NHL? Both are both pro sports where upsets happen.

Yes, the Phillies made the playoffs.