Pre-Game Talk: Game 7: last chance for the core

[IrishInOntario]

Playoff hockey is a different animal. Rougher. Tougher. No space.

Again, he just needs to keep it simple and he'll be miles ahead of where he was tonight.

That's my point. I don't know that he has it in him. He strikes me as the kind of hot-headed, arrogant, player that would rather try to do it his way and lose, then adapt to the format of the playoffs and do what it takes for him to be a significant contributer to his team winning.

If it doesn't look like something the kids do in NHL 2021, he wants no part of it.

Johnny Gaudreau 2.0... Regular season highlight reel. Playoff Ghost.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

even steve is broken

I find Steve Dangle annoying, but absolutely love his passion and enthusiasm of the team. I’ve never watched more than 30 seconds of any of his bits...until now. I had to watch all 10+ minutes as I awaited to see him internally combust.

(He wasn’t wrong)

 

[Action Jackson]

There’s many valid answers but I’d say this teams true biggest isssue is that they’re too soft still.
Marner, Nylander literally avoid contact.
Montreal finished all their checks tonight while the leafs didn’t respond.

I’d be happy to win game 7 but if this is what they bring for the rest of the playoffs there’s really no hope.

bingo. team is super soft. Matthews not finishing checks, marner can't finish a check, nylander avoids contact at all costs.

can't win in the playoffs like this folks. Even Kane on the hawks had to risk injury to deep year after year, it's just the way playoff hockey is

leafs = divas

 

[MattySnipes]

I don't even know if it matters. This team has proven it is hot garbage regardless. Maybe they sneak past a team that would never even be in the playoffs in a normal season. Most likely they don't. Either way, garbage.

What a pathetic team. No wonder Toronto is now a basketball town. Soon soccer and cricket will be ahead, too. No young kids choose to be a fan of such a pathetic, disgusting, sad sack of shit franchise that hasn't won a series since 2004 and a Cup since 1967.

 

[ORRFForever]

That's my point. I don't know that he has it in him. He strikes me as the kind of hot-headed, arrogant, player that would rather try to do it his way and lose, then adapt to the format of the playoffs and do what it takes for him to be a significant contributer to his team winning.

If it doesn't look like something the kids do in NHL 2021, he wants no part of it.

Johnny Gaudreau 2.0... Regular season highlight reel. Playoff Ghost.

That's fair.

I just can't wrap my mind around Marner's thinking. None of us can.

I would rather he shoot and have the goalie make the stop, instead of making one-too-many passes and losing the puck.

I would rather he make a quick simple pass than try and dangle.

Unfortunately, he can't seem to change/adapt to playoff hockey. I don't get it.

 

[saffronleaf]

I really think this might be it for me and the Leafs. I've said it before and yes everyone says it and comes crawling back but really you don't hear of those who don't come back to the fold. It's clear the Leafs are not as popular as they once were, and for obvious reasons. Indeed, they're not even the most popular in Toronto, much less elsewhere. Many many people have just had enough. I even remember in 2019 some bars didn't even want to play the Leafs playoffs games, because the Leafs are such an embarrassment and stain on the city.

And I think I'm getting to that point.

 

[Bellefour20]

Let's see what these character "locker room" guys like Foligno, Thornton and Simmonds bring to the game on Monday.

They will be donning the same uniforms they have worn all series:

 

[IrishInOntario]

That's fair.

I just can't wrap my mind around his thinking. None of us can.

I would rather he shoot and have the goalie make the stop, instead of making one-too-many passes and losing the puck. But... he can't seem to change. I don't get it.

I would rather he make a quick simple pass than try and dangle but... he can't seem to change.

There might not be another choice but to ship him out of town and try to return the type of player who brings a playoff skill set, back in the deal.

I'm thinking about guys like Eichel, Huberdeau, Zibanejad, Panarin, Elias Lindholm... Guys who are talented, but who play a straight up game and shoot the puck much better, to compliment Matthews.

 

[ORRFForever]

There might not be another choice but to ship him out of town and try to return the type of player who brings a playoff skill set, back in the deal.

I'm thinking about guys like Eichel, Huberdeau, Zibanejad, Panarin, Elias Lindholm... Guys there talented, but who play a straight up game and shoot the puck much better, to compliment Matthews.

Lou Lamoriello would NEVER have allowed Marner to remain undisciplined. It's too bad.

With Eichel's neck problems, I would not make that trade.

Of all the players you mentioned, Huberdeau would be best for Matthews. Excellent play maker. 30 lbs heavier than Marner. I assume a lesser salary.

If you have the chance, make the trade.

 

[saffronleaf]

No last chance. Nuke this core no matter what.

 

[GQS]

I find Steve Dangle annoying, but absolutely love his passion and enthusiasm of the team. I’ve never watched more than 30 seconds of any of his bits...until now. I had to watch all 10+ minutes as I awaited to see him internally combust.

(He wasn’t wrong)

Have you never watched his video after the Leafs lost to the Zamboni driver who works for the Leafs? If you haven't you NEED to watch that video.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Have you never watched his video after the Leafs lost to the Zamboni driver who works for the Leafs? If you haven't you NEED to watch that video.

I haven’t. But I should. What else is there to do at 2:40 am? LOL

 

[Boxscore]

To reflect on the OP--"last chance for the core"...

I'm not so sure about that to be honest. I think Dubas is all in on Keefe and his core players. I think they may surprise many of us and win Game 7 in a 5-2 fashion, but if they don't, they will let the dust settle and use the Tavares injury as their excuse to keep the status quo.

The thing is--if the news we heard tonight about Seth Jones ends up being true--the Leafs 100% need to be in on that action. If they can strike a deal and somehow convince Jones to sign long-term, then anyone in the organization (minus Auston Matthews) should be on the table, including Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Rasmus Sandin, Nick Robertson, etc.

For once and for all the Leafs need to address defense in a big way.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Lou Lamoriello would NEVER have allowed Marner to remain undisciplined. It's too bad.

With Eichel's neck problems, I would not make that trade.

Of all the players you mentioned, Huberdeau would be best for Matthews.

Huberdeau would probably cost Marner + Robertson (or Sandin), at least. Florida is in the same hell we are. They have Barkov and Huberdeau, but they can't get anywhere.

That said, at least those guys show up and produce like crazy. Huberdeau is such a better built player for the playoffs, than Marner is. 7 points in the playofg series vs Tampa Bay.

 

[ORRFForever]

Huberdeau would probably cost Marner + Robertson, at least. Florida is in the same hell we are. They Barkov and Huberdeau, but they can't get anywhere.

That said, at least those guys show up and produce like crazy.

I am not a big Robertson fan but I think Marner = Huberdeau.

Marner is a better point producer but Huberdeau brings some weight.

I think Florida makes that trade to shake things up. It might be a Win-Win.

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

Seriously, they should have won in OT, but they are the leafs. Why foligno? Muzzy out. We are f*** d IMO. Another offseason of well we can get it done while mgt sucks it up and gets paid for shite. We aren’t going anywhere at this point folks.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I am not a big Robertson fan but I think Marner = Huberdeau. I think Florida makes that trade to shake things up. It might be a Win-Win.

Florida would be dumb to make that trade. Huberdeau has 2 more years at 5.9 million and he's wayyyyyy better built for the playoffs than Marner, while producing similarly in the regular season. They're not trading their stud, straight up, for a guy who literally makes double and produces less in the playoffs.

 

[ORRFForever]

The Jets are BIG and mean and hungry so I doubt either the Leafs or Montreal get past Winnipeg.

 

[Superstar]

I am not a big Robertson fan but I think Marner = Huberdeau.

Marner is a better point producer but Huberdeau brings some weight.

I think Florida makes that trade to shake things up. It might be a Win-Win.

I would still trade for Eichel...chance to buy low.

 

[ORRFForever]

Florida would be dumb to make that trade. Huberdeau has 2 more years at 5.9 million and he's wayyyyyy better built for the playoffs than Marner, while producing similarly in the regular season. They're not trading their stud, straight up, for a who literally makes double and produces less in the playoffs.

You make some good points. Maybe it would take a little extra on Toronto's end.

 

[GQS]

What a pathetic team. No wonder Toronto is now a basketball town. Soon soccer and cricket will be ahead, too. No young kids choose to be a fan of such a pathetic, disgusting, sad sack of shit franchise that hasn't won a series since 2004 and a Cup since 1967.

Yeah no. People have been saying that Toronto will be taken over by basketball for years now ever since Vince Carter became big here. Hasn't ever happened and likely will NEVER happen.

 

[IrishInOntario]

You make some good points. Maybe it would take a little extra on Toronto's end.

Marner + Sandin would be my ask, in order to eat that the 5.9 differential in contract. Huberdeau just brings much more to the table.

 

[ORRFForever]

I would still trade for Eichel...chance to buy low.

But if you trade Marner for Eichel, you are not trading low. You are giving up the better player (in 2021) for someone who has medical injuries.

I've been following the Eichel injury story and Buffalo people are worried Jack may never be the same. Beware.

 

[saffronleaf]

Yeah no. People have been saying that Toronto will be taken over by basketball for years now ever since Vince Carter became big here. Hasn't ever happened and likely will NEVER happen.

It has already happened. Especially if you look at the below 35 demographic.

 

[djdev]

his team has taken alot of faith, goodwill, patience and time from alot of fans, now its time they pay it back..or they can f*** right off. so tired of this.