This was a much inferior TB club to the one they met last year so not luck I think. Just less of an accomplishment then we maybe thought. The goalies are not quite as good as some believed and I think Matthews may be playing hurt. That and I don't think Keefe is a very good coach. The Leafs have not played Leaf hockey against Florida yet. You can't win playing the other team's game and its the coach who adapts the team's strategy when things aren't working.Were we lucky to win round one?![]()
Do we have time for that? Doesn’t his no trade clause or whatever start after draft? If we don’t trade him we could lose him for almost nothing.Do we need a fresh set of eyes to determine if we should continue building around Auston Matthews knowing his big game shortcomings?
He should not even be allowed to get on the charter flight back to Toronto after Wednesday but I’m betting Shanny will give him a contract so we can run it all back again and waste another year
That's why Dubas brought in the guys that he did to try and give them some backbone and leadership. It worked alright in the 1st round and so far in the 2nd round it hasn't been as successful, but I don't know why that would be on Dubas when he's done about as much as he can to put a team on the ice that can compete in the playoffs.By they you mean Samsonov saved them right?
We’re literally losing this Florida series because matthews has disappeared and marner is playing for Florida
100% agree it’s on the players but after year after year of losing with similar performances he unconditionally backed them.That's why Dubas brought in the guys that he did to try and give them some backbone and leadership. It worked alright in the 1st round and so far in the 2nd round it hasn't been as successful, but I don't know why that would be on Dubas when he's done about as much as he can to put a team on the ice that can compete in the playoffs.
This is on the players and they aren't getting it done. If these moves can't make a difference, then I doubt getting a Meier or Chychrun or anyone else would make a difference either. Our stars aren't showing up and they haven't been anywhere near clutch as they were in the 1st round. Can't blame the GM for the Leafs best players mostly not showing up in this series so far.
So what, winning 1 more game makes everything a-ok?If it's a sweep, yes. Unless the Cats absolutely railroad the CF and SC opponents and win the Cup.
If it's not a sweep, then no.
I honestly think Matthews is the one who needs to be moved on from the most. I don’t even think he’s interested in re-signing anyway. You could get a major haul and reset the entire franchise with that one move. He may go on to score 60 in the regular season after you trade him, but the bigger picture is he’s never going to will a team to playoff victories with leading by example type of efforts. The problem with the leafs top forwards is that they are comfortable on the perimeter, and lost everywhere else. They are not willing to get in the trenches to win.Do we need a fresh set of eyes to determine if we should continue building around Auston Matthews knowing his big game shortcomings?
What else that would elevate this team would be stars that show up when it matters.TBH Dubas cut his teeth here and there were going to be mistakes. He's going to be a top GM in the league whether it's here or elsewhere.
MLSE would be stupid to not identify he is a talented GM. Best we've had and will have.
Keefe and Tavares and Murray gone would do wonders for this roster. A coach who doesn't get out coached, cap room to insulate the stars and eliminate pressure will make this team better.
Hopefully MLSE is smart to figure out what the problems are and what the problems aren't.
Yes you absolutely can blame Dubas for his top players not showing up. He’s the one who has adamantly stuck with this core group, even after going through multiple playoff disappearances already! He gambled on the same losing hand repeatedly.That's why Dubas brought in the guys that he did to try and give them some backbone and leadership. It worked alright in the 1st round and so far in the 2nd round it hasn't been as successful, but I don't know why that would be on Dubas when he's done about as much as he can to put a team on the ice that can compete in the playoffs.
This is on the players and they aren't getting it done. If these moves can't make a difference, then I doubt getting a Meier or Chychrun or anyone else would make a difference either. Our stars aren't showing up and they haven't been anywhere near clutch as they were in the 1st round. Can't blame the GM for the Leafs best players mostly not showing up in this series so far.
I always thought a weatherman was the only job where you can be constantly wrong but still have a job.Yes you absolutely can blame Dubas for his top players not showing up. He’s the one who has adamantly stuck with this core group, even after going through multiple playoff disappearances already! He gambled on the same losing hand repeatedly.
TBH Dubas cut his teeth here and there were going to be mistakes. He's going to be a top GM in the league whether it's here or elsewhere.
MLSE would be stupid to not identify he is a talented GM. Best we've had and will have.
Keefe and Tavares and Murray gone would do wonders for this roster. A coach who doesn't get out coached, cap room to insulate the stars and eliminate pressure will make this team better.
Hopefully MLSE is smart to figure out what the problems are and what the problems aren't.
I honestly think Matthews is the one who needs to be moved on from the most. I don’t even think he’s interested in re-signing anyway. You could get a major haul and reset the entire franchise with that one move. He may go on to score 60 in the regular season after you trade him, but the bigger picture is he’s never going to will a team to playoff victories with leading by example type of efforts. The problem with the leafs top forwards is that they are comfortable on the perimeter, and lost everywhere else. They are not willing to get in the trenches to win.
I'd agree. I'm looking at Edmonton and I'm critical of Ken Holland and some of his contracts like Darnell nurse.Only Leafs fans think Kyle Dubas is a "top GM in the league." Watch other teams in these playoffs, most of them are constructed better than we are to win a Cup. Does that mean all of those GMs are "top GMs in the league" too?
If I were a fan of a rival team, I would pray that the Leafs kept buying into the narrative that Dubas is somehow smart despite his consistent failures.
Yes there were mistakes I agree.What else that would elevate this team would be stars that show up when it matters.
As far as getting rid of Murray and Tavares this “top GM” is the reason they are here in the first place
You are right, but IMO for the wrong reasonsI'd agree. I'm looking at Edmonton and I'm critical of Ken Holland and some of his contracts like Darnell nurse.
But he got ekholm a true top pairing dman. Proper shut down dman. It's what Edmonton needed and cost a first round pick.
Dubas gave up a first rounder to get rid of Marleau. He gave another first rounder for muzzin. The big leaf defense acquisition is Schenn. I wouldn't be happy if some of the name floated like Schenn and Edmundson were on the Oilers.
What has he done to improve the goaltending? A washed up Matt Murray?
Don't see anything amazing dubas has done aside being blessed with a good offensive core from draft position.
You're right, rest of league isn't impressed by dubas. He can wear those silly "I wanna look smart" glasses all he wants for when the camera is on him. Doesn't mean he is smart.
I don't see a problem with Dubas standing behind the core and thinking that these young stars can mature and become even better. These guys are all in their mid 20s so its not like they're nearing the end of their primes or something.Yes you absolutely can blame Dubas for his top players not showing up. He’s the one who has adamantly stuck with this core group, even after going through multiple playoff disappearances already! He gambled on the same losing hand repeatedly.
If Dubas has done all he can and these are the results then he deserves to go. Yes, it's on the players not showing up but it's been obvious for a while that this core is not going to get it done. Dubas has done nothing to fix that. You can't put lipstick on a pig and call it a beauty pageant winner.That's why Dubas brought in the guys that he did to try and give them some backbone and leadership. It worked alright in the 1st round and so far in the 2nd round it hasn't been as successful, but I don't know why that would be on Dubas when he's done about as much as he can to put a team on the ice that can compete in the playoffs.
This is on the players and they aren't getting it done. If these moves can't make a difference, then I doubt getting a Meier or Chychrun or anyone else would make a difference either. Our stars aren't showing up and they haven't been anywhere near clutch as they were in the 1st round. Can't blame the GM for the Leafs best players mostly not showing up in this series so far.
You are right, but IMO for the wrong reasons
Muzzin was a good trade. Schenn played with hedman on their bubble cup, he’s a good move. I’d take him over desharnais if I was an oilers fan. We needed McCabe to be peak muzzin and Brodie to not be a turd. Those are looking like bad moves. Marleau was a bad move. Kadri was a terrible move. Holl over McCann was a terrible move. Johnson for Andersen was a terrible move.
JT was a bad signing, not needed. Brodie was alright but has not been worth his contract save year 1 maybe. Mrazek was a failure. Murray was atrocious