Do you like this team?

[Fogelhund]

The team plays to it's potential when the other team allows them to play their game. It is when the opponent makes the game difficult for them by not giving them room that they play "half ass with no heart and little to no effort" IMO. Hoping this changes with the new additions and more growth.

Adding a few grittier, tougher players on the fourth line, the third pairing, isn't going to fundamentally change the compete level of this team. It helps a little, but it's more the influence of these players, that we hope rubs off. It's when a guy like Matthews at 6'3" 220 lbs, starts to use that frame more, to do what is needed to win. Marner isn't huge, but he's got a lot of strength for his size... use it some. It's the "half ass with no heart" that you speak of that needs to change. I don't it matters who, or what we add around the fringes, these core, key players, have to become harder to play against on their own, and do whatever it takes to win, if we are ever going to be successful. I don't know if they've got the message yet, but I hope it's a lesson that's repeated to them often throughout the year. We can probably qualify for the playoffs without such changes, but to compete in the playoffs, and do well.... the core is what needs fixing from within themselves. They've got the skill, they need the will.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Adding a few grittier, tougher players on the fourth line, the third pairing, isn't going to fundamentally change the compete level of this team. It helps a little, but it's more the influence of these players, that we hope rubs off. It's when a guy like Matthews at 6'3" 220 lbs, starts to use that frame more, to do what is needed to win. Marner isn't huge, but he's got a lot of strength for his size... use it some. It's the "half ass with no heart" that you speak of that needs to change. I don't it matters who, or what we add around the fringes, these core, key players, have to become harder to play against on their own, and do whatever it takes to win, if we are ever going to be successful. I don't know if they've got the message yet, but I hope it's a lesson that's repeated to them often throughout the year. We can probably qualify for the playoffs without such changes, but to compete in the playoffs, and do well.... the core is what needs fixing from within themselves. They've got the skill, they need the will.

This exactly
Maybe now they know they have to find another gear in the playoffs and dictate the play, don't wait for it to come to them

 

[Fogelhund]

6 big storylines to watch in NHL's Canadian division

Team With The Most To Prove:
Toronto
Maple Leafs


While high hopes exist across the country, this was a relatively easy answer. If Toronto makes the playoffs — which, it’s worth remembering, was no slam dunk when play halted last March — and fails to advance past Round 1, that will make it a half-decade of playoff one-and-dones since Auston, Mitch and Willy rolled into town. They’ve spent the money; they’re tinkering with toughness; they’ve endured the gut-punches — it’s time to grow up and make good on the potential.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

6 big storylines to watch in NHL's Canadian division

Team With The Most To Prove:
Toronto
Maple Leafs


While high hopes exist across the country, this was a relatively easy answer. If Toronto makes the playoffs — which, it’s worth remembering, was no slam dunk when play halted last March — and fails to advance past Round 1, that will make it a half-decade of playoff one-and-dones since Auston, Mitch and Willy rolled into town. They’ve spent the money; they’re tinkering with toughness; they’ve endured the gut-punches — it’s time to grow up and make good on the potential.

This is 100% correct round 1 is NOT good enough anymore

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Well we are less than a week away from the trade deadline what do you guys think now?

 

[francis246]

Well we are less than a week away from the trade deadline what do you guys think now?

we still need to add a piece, look at what Tampa Bay did. You have to bolster your line up, go all in. We need Laughton, Hall or Foligno and a depth defenseman.

 

[zeke]

 

[paulhiggins]

There's a difference on the bench this year. In the past if you looked at successful teams you could see the fire and intensity in their eyes and some comradery on the bench. On the other hand if you looked down the Leaf bench you would hardly see anyone acting like they were having fun and they didn't looked "keyed up". Some of that might have been the Babcock Effect, but I think it was also from lack of intensity of the high priced help (ie. Kessel, Bozak, etc.) in the past. Some of it is just due to maturity, the influence of the veterans and knowing there's a guy or two out there who has your back.

 

[GoonieFace]

They should be proud of themselves for beating on a bunch of garbage teams

 

[ottomaddox]

There's a difference on the bench this year. In the past if you looked at successful teams you could see the fire and intensity in their eyes and some comradery on the bench. On the other hand if you looked down the Leaf bench you would hardly see anyone acting like they were having fun and they didn't looked "keyed up". Some of that might have been the Babcock Effect, but I think it was also from lack of intensity of the high priced help (ie. Kessel, Bozak, etc.) in the past. Some of it is just due to maturity, the influence of the veterans and knowing there's a guy or two out there who has your back.

I disagree with you and maybe because of your limited scope.

But I have to ask:

How was it that Bozak was considered "high priced"? You realize he won a cup with STL?

 

[Gary Nylund]

Well we are less than a week away from the trade deadline what do you guys think now?

Hard to say without knowing more about the health of Campbell and Andersen but IMHO, unless we are confident in our goalie situation, it makes no sense to spend futures on anything else.

Pointless stuff IMO. We have a very good team, but we know that anyway.

Comparing point pace against teams that played in an era where they gave out 2 points for every game, not 2 or 3 like now is pointless. which makes the "best in franchise history" an empty brag.

Best Maple Leaf team since they started giving out 3 points per game at times, perhaps. But that says more about how bad we've been then it does about how good we are now.

I'm gonna wait until we win the cup before I start using the phrase "best in franchise history", but that's me. That team that won 4 straight cups was pretty damn good.

 

[TMLAM34]

Yes, this team is the best we’ve seen since the Sundin, Robert’s, Mogilny days. It’s nice seeing Matthews and Marner really develop and take that next step in maturity this season. Hopefully Dubas can add another top nine forward with some grit (Foligno and/or Laughton).

 

[al secord]

Are you not entertained?

 

[Cecithepylon]

We have a team with Matthews, Tavares, Marner, nylander, galchenyuk, Thorton, Simmonds, Spezza, Brodie, muzzin, Riley Hyman and Campbell is playing starter quality. Go back in time 5 years and tell me that. I’d cry from happiness

 

[zeke]

They should be proud of themselves for beating on a bunch of garbage teams

Except you thought most of those teams were as good or better than the leafs coming into the year.

And they actually haven't beaten up on the bad teams enough anyways.

 

[Le Magnifique]

Until we beat Boston in a round, there's nothing definitive about this team.

 

[zeke]

Hard to say without knowing more about the health of Campbell and Andersen but IMHO, unless we are confident in our goalie situation, it makes no sense to spend futures on anything else.



Pointless stuff IMO. We have a very good team, but we know that anyway.

Comparing point pace against teams that played in an era where they gave out 2 points for every game, not 2 or 3 like now is pointless. which makes the "best in franchise history" an empty brag.

Best Maple Leaf team since they started giving out 3 points per game at times, perhaps. But that says more about how bad we've been then it does about how good we are now.

I'm gonna wait until we win the cup before I start using the phrase "best in franchise history", but that's me. That team that won 4 straight cups was pretty damn good.

If you remove the shootout win and overtime loss points we're at a 107pt pace, 3rd best in leafs history behind '50-51's 111pt pace in 70gms and '34-35's 109pt pace in 48gms.

 

[a a ron]

What if they made it to the finals only to have to play Boston?

 

[Dekes For Days]

They should be proud of themselves for beating on a bunch of garbage teams

You only (incorrectly) think they're "garbage" because we're beating up on them.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Until we beat Boston in a round, there's nothing definitive about this team.

I don't care about Boston anymore but we need playoff success, that's what it's all about to me anyway. Assuming we're OK in goal (not a certainty by any means) then getting to the final 4 should be well within our capabilities and we'd have to go further than that for me to really feel good about this season. If our playoffs end after two rounds, we'll we should win those two rounds anyway so not sure how impressed I should be. Win another round though, now we're talking.

Points pace after 39 games or whatever - whoopty doo, who gives a flying f***.

 

[sxvnert]

Love it, with Campbell in net. They need depth at G and D along with a massive LW forward (6'4+) with a scoring touch to go the distance, would be icing on the cake.

The thought of not moving Sandin, Robertson, etc (none of which are elite talent) standing in the way of acquiring pieces for a semi finals run is insanity. This Canadian division opportunity may never come again.

 

[Dekes For Days]

getting to the final 4 should be well within our capabilities and we'd have to go further than that for me to really feel good about this season.

So either we make the Stanley cup finals, or the season's a bust?

Points pace after 39 games or whatever - whoopty doo, who gives a flying f***.

Ok, bye. See you in a month. Rest of us will be here enjoying a great team, and the fact that we don't have to read your negative posts.

 

[sxvnert]

What if they made it to the finals only to have to play Boston?

Bruins have to make it through the caps, islanders, pitts. Bruised and bloodied ready to be upset instead of the usual healthy and hungry round one we usually get.

 

[Pi]

If you don't like this team, you got to find a different sport to watch.

 

[zeke]

I don't care about Boston anymore but we need playoff success, that's what it's all about to me anyway. Assuming we're OK in goal (not a certainty by any means) then getting to the final 4 should be well within our capabilities and we'd have to go further than that for me to really feel good about this season. If our playoffs end after two rounds, we'll we should win those two rounds anyway so not sure how impressed I should be. Win another round though, now we're talking.

Points pace after 39 games or whatever - whoopty doo, who gives a flying f***.

so you are posting here every day of the regular season even though you don't give a flying f*** about anything other than the cup finals.