Future of the team is incredibly bleak

[Punch Drunk Loov]

 

[Nineteen67]

Same here. Tre (almost) fixed the D and goaltending. Why can't he fix the forward group? He needs to find warriors. He will.

Also, Cowen has surpassed my expectations. His playoffs were unreal. Talk about clutch! I think he's going to be more impactful than what I thought a year ago.

Would be nice if he was a Point and or Marchand type of player and be able to fight through battles and set the tone.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Who wants to bet Marner signs with Pittsburg?

Nope. Carolina. Guaranteed.

 

[Commander Clueless]

View attachment 1038839

Winning in Toronto is easy. Just play for the other team.

 

[kevsh]

I'd suggest with Marner almost certainly walking, and hopefully Tavares joining him, it's a chance at a soft rebuild.

The problem with that is for it to work you need a solid core to work with. The Leafs don't have it. What they have are 2 regular season stars that are locked in for now and so there is no easy answer.

They will almost certainly finish lower next year without Mitch & JT (and considering what's available to replace them). So it would be an opportunity to sign some cheap talent in the summer and flip them at the TDL for picks/low-level prospects. But that's longer term thinking.

MLSE is likely going to view this situation as they have to continue to build around their (now) 2 star players and win now. Which means more trading away of picks & prospects and making sure that it'll be a long, painful road back to the playoffs once this window closes.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

I'd suggest with Marner almost certainly walking, and hopefully Tavares joining him, it's a chance at a soft rebuild.

The problem with that is for it to work you need a solid core to work with. The Leafs don't have it. What they have are 2 regular season stars that are locked in for now and so there is no easy answer.

They will almost certainly finish lower next year without Mitch & JT (and considering what's available to replace them). So it would be an opportunity to sign some cheap talent in the summer and flip them at the TDL for picks/low-level prospects. But that's longer term thinking.

MLSE is likely going to view this situation as they have to continue to build around their (now) 2 star players and win now. Which means more trading away of picks & prospects and making sure that it'll be a long, painful road back to the playoffs once this window closes.

I can't imagine a world in which Marner returns.

I also don't see the added value in Tavares returning, even at a discount. Similar age, similar impact at their age - I'd probably rather have Duchene if he'll come here on a 1 year deal or $4.5M x 3 just so change some of the chemistry and culture on the team. If the Leafs are going to treadmill for the foreseeable future, at least change the wheels a bit rather than running up and down the same old cylinder. We need new whipping boys lol

 

[notbias]

I can't imagine a world in which Marner returns.

I also don't see the added value in Tavares returning, even at a discount. Similar age, similar impact at their age - I'd probably rather have Duchene if he'll come here on a 1 year deal or $4.5M x 3 just so change some of the chemistry and culture on the team. If the Leafs are going to treadmill for the foreseeable future, at least change the wheels a bit rather than running up and down the same old cylinder. We need new whipping boys lol

People are going to be disappointed at which UFAs are available, the price, and who is willing to come to Toronto...

Duchene for example is getting a lot more than that and likely has no desire to be in Canada from what I've seen/heard during other UFA years of his.

 

[FerrisRox]

There’s a very real possibility they don’t even make the playoffs next year. The East is very good good and teams like Montreal and Ottawa were on their way up

Montreal and Ottawa made the playoffs this year, so their rise doesn't suddenly snatch away existing playoff slots.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

People are going to be disappointed at which UFAs are available, the price, and who is willing to come to Toronto...

Duchene for example is getting a lot more than that and likely has no desire to be in Canada from what I've seen/heard during other UFA years of his.

Yeah, I heard this as well - wasn't sure how true it is.

I do agree that getting UFAs will likely require an overpay of both AAV and/or term. This year's crop isn't particularly strong either

 

[Ianturnedbull]

As the Leafs' franchise goes these days, your Freudian slip is apt.

Past time is the definition you want.

 

[Sam I Am]

That piece of shit just blamed his teammates for the loss and you want him on the team?

Matthews? What was said by whom?

 

[namttebih]

Impossible. There are too many key players signed. They are not going to get everything in free agency, but they can be buyers with all that cap space. Treliving can round out the team then.

Without Mitch and JT, they still should make the playoffs next season.

Why would TOR go from Atlantic Champs and 2 rounds of playoffs to sellers?

Which key players? AM, MK, WN and the bottom 6 who scored something like 5 goals combined this playoffs. The aging D is all signed, but it wouldn't be surprising if at least 2 of which might slow next year.

Who would you suggest they sign in FA? They have very limited assets of which to trade - including 0 1sts for 3 years. If anything, they will be fighting for a wild card spot. I just have very little confidence that they can improve enough to make an impact. Things are looking bleak.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Which key players? AM, MK, WN and the bottom 6 who scored something like 5 goals combined this playoffs. The aging D is all signed, but it wouldn't be surprising if at least 2 of which might slow next year.

Who would you suggest they sign in FA? They have very limited assets of which to trade - including 0 1sts for 3 years. If anything, they will be fighting for a wild card spot. I just have very little confidence that they can improve enough to make an impact. Things are looking bleak.

Bleak? How? They are not Chicago or Nashville. They'll make the playoffs next year.

 

[34]

Bleak? How? They are not Chicago or Nashville. They'll make the playoffs next year.

No they won’t. The leafs are 100% missing the playoffs next year. The worst goaltending in the NHL and a bunch of f***ing losers for a core.

 

[Commander Clueless]

The problem is not that we are finally here on the cusp of breaking the core apart.

The problem is that we waited so long after so many failures to make a move that we can no longer make a move.

Marner walking for nothing is an unmitigated disaster.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

No they won’t. The leafs are 100% missing the playoffs next year. The worst goaltending in the NHL and a bunch of f***ing losers for a core.

I'm blocking you. You need to find another team to cheer for. Why don't you dig out your old SJS jersey.

The worst goaltending?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Winning in Toronto is easy. Just play for the other team.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

The problem is not that we are finally here on the cusp of breaking the core apart.

The problem is that we waited so long after so many failures to make a move that we can no longer make a move.

Marner walking for nothing is an unmitigated disaster.

No.

Us re-signing Marner, in our current situation, after all that has transpired...THAT is an unmitigated disaster. Letting him go is just cutting your losses in a terrible situation.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

The problem is not that we are finally here on the cusp of breaking the core apart.

The problem is that we waited so long after so many failures to make a move that we can no longer make a move.

Marner walking for nothing is an unmitigated disaster.

Completely agree. Fortune favours the bold, and it would have been trading Marner before his NMC kicked in and getting equitable returns.

- Colorado: lost in 7 in a tough, tough series but played their hearts out. And got a legit first-line player in Necas
- Dallas: won the Rantanen sweepstakes and locked him up long-term. Nothing more to add there
- Carolina: got a good rookie third-line center with upside in Stankoven, plus 4 draft picks.

Toronto: nothing but tears and cap space for Marner, and huge gaps to fill (1RW, 1PP, 1PK/2PK).

 

[Ianturnedbull]

The problem is not that we are finally here on the cusp of breaking the core apart.

The problem is that we waited so long after so many failures to make a move that we can no longer make a move.

Marner walking for nothing is an unmitigated disaster.

Not really. Other teams have lost players for nothing and they still survive. They even make the playoffs.

The cupboards are not bare like fans think they are (leaf hating propaganda).

We need to see what happens July 1st, but so many teams still don't have a team like TOR. They'll make the playoffs.

 

[The Shadow]

Montreal and Ottawa made the playoffs this year, so their rise doesn't suddenly snatch away existing playoff slots.

But the point is that those are teams we can slot into playoff spots now and in years past we can’t

Add in Colombus and Detroit as possible teams and the remaining spots are limited

 

[WilliamInLondon]

No.

Us re-signing Marner, in our current situation, after all that has transpired...THAT is an unmitigated disaster. Letting him go is just cutting your losses in a terrible situation.

Not trading Marner was shooting yourself in the foot before running the marathon that is the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Re-signing Marner in the current situation is like shooting yourself in the head. You won't be running any marathons after that lol.

 

[34]

I'm blocking you. You need to find another team to cheer for. Why don't you dig out your old SJS jersey.

The worst goaltending?

Go ahead, is that a threat?

Yes, Worst goaltending in the nhl. Woll is absolutely trash.

 

[Stephen]

The problem is not that we are finally here on the cusp of breaking the core apart.

The problem is that we waited so long after so many failures to make a move that we can no longer make a move.

Marner walking for nothing is an unmitigated disaster.

The money just gets re-spent on all the other things you wanted once Marner leaves.

But the belief we are building around Auston Matthews has been fundamentally shattered through all of this. And I think that is a bigger philosophical shift. Suddenly it feels like we lost 2 superstars. One expiring contract and the other expectations.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Okay, let's talk. How bleak is it? Let's be really honest with ourselves here

They couldn't have done a better job of destroying this team if a bunch of NHL insiders did it on purpose. And the suckers keep paying. No playoffs next year and no picks. Ratings will be really bad next year, so will advertising and sales. They finally sank the titanic. The Leafs brand is destroyed for at least 5 years. Bravo!