Honest question....

[Americanadian]

Not even a 1C having one or the other of the top 4 RW feeding him.

If you trade them and Matthews away, do you think he could lead this team?

Depends what the return is. I think if you trade Matthews and Nylander away you can run a Tavares-Marner 1st line and you presumably build depth through the trades of Matthews and Nylander to run 2 2nd lines.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Depends what the return is. I think if you trade Matthews and Nylander away you can run a Tavares-Marner 1st line and you presumably build depth through the trades of Matthews and Nylander to run 2 2nd lines.

Marner might be able to keep him performing at a decent 2C level for another year.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Marner might be able to keep him performing at a decent 2C level for another year.

He's been performing at a 1C level every year since he got here, no matter who he plays with, and is showing no signs of that stopping.

 

[Leafshater67]

just stop

Those truth bombs hurt eh? Don’t worry, this is totally our year. I know it’s been said every year but I really mean it this time.

 

[therealkoho]

He's been performing at a 1C level every year since he got here, no matter who he plays with, and is showing no signs of that stopping.

Agreed!

JTs best years have been here in Toronto.

Bergeron is still performing well at what 38? Everybody forgets he had catastrophic injuries that almost ended his career fairly early on, and yet with modern medicine, a commitment and desire to be the best he can be he's still playing and playing great. Certainly not the 30 year old version but not far off.

I don't think JT is any less motivated than Bergy and fortunately has never had a major injury. There's no reason he can't give the Leafs another 4 to 5 years of service at a very high level.

I just don't get the peeps who can't see the big picture with him

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Agreed!

JTs best years have been here in Toronto.

Bergeron is still performing well at what 38? Everybody forgets he had catastrophic injuries that almost ended his career fairly early on, and yet with modern medicine, a commitment and desire to be the best he can be he's still playing and playing great. Certainly not the 30 year old version but not far off.

I don't think JT is any less motivated than Bergy and fortunately has never had a major injury. There's no reason he can't give the Leafs another 4 to 5 years of service at a very high level.

I just don't get the peeps who can't see the big picture with him

A lot cheaper than 11 million, sure.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

While I agree that Tavares is slowing down I'm curious what "barely making it as a 2C" means. He is 11th among centers in points. If it was a 5 team league he'd be a 3C. In a 32 team league he is a 1C.

Tavares is barely making it as a 2C now, and should be either 3C or 2LW.

Having him as our 1C next year and the following is a recipe for missing the playoffs.

He's got 75 points in 72 games I don't know you get the idea he's slowing down but I know this, it sure as hell isn't based in reality

 

[therealkoho]

A lot cheaper than 11 million, sure.

His next contract he'll be a lot less money, don't sweat it

Tbh I don't love any of the contracts these guys get, none of them, there is no equity or semblance of common sense for any of them, these guys are making great great grandchildren money, but once the contract is signed there's nothing you, I or The BettMan can do about it, so why the heck sweat it?

He's over a point per game, what is the problem with his game. Not fast enough, who friggin cares, he's over a point per game and that's not playing with MM, that's playing with Kerfoot!

 

[notDatsyuk]

He's over a point per game, what is the problem with his game. Not fast enough, who friggin cares, he's over a point per game and that's not playing with MM, that's playing with Kerfoot!

Odd take. He's played the entire season with either Marner or Nylander (and on the PP with both), and they are both in the top five in assists and points (and Willy's third in goals) for right wingers.

 

[therealkoho]

Odd take. He's played the entire season with either Marner or Nylander (and on the PP with both), and they are both in the top five in assists and points (and Willy's third in goals) for right wingers.

Yes "EITHER", Willie has had his best season as a Leaf, his absolute best playing mostly with John Tavares, and with(to borrow an old phrase) the black hole where offence goes to die in Kerfoot.

The big picture is hard to see sometimes.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Yes "EITHER", Willie has had his best season as a Leaf, his absolute best playing mostly with John Tavares, and with(to borrow an old phrase) the black hole where offence goes to die in Kerfoot.

The big picture is hard to see sometimes.

But why would you say "not with Marner" when he has spent a fair bit of the season with him at even strength and all of it on the PP?

And why mention Kerfoot and not Nylander, who's one of the top wingers in the league?

You're deliberately painting a distorted picture.

 

[therealkoho]

But why would you say "not with Marner" when he has spent a fair bit of the season with him at even strength and all of it on the PP?

And why mention Kerfoot and not Nylander, who's one of the top wingers in the league?

You're deliberately painting a distorted picture.

Did I not just write that Willie is having a career year, in the response

Kerfoot was mentioned because Matthews rarely had Kerfoot, the left side was usually big Mike, or BongRip

 

[WillyC]

It’s like so many are in denial about JT… he’s exceeding expectations for the best UFA to come along in years.

$11 million was the price and we’re lucky he’s a Toronto Maple Leaf… some people talk like any team could just sign a Mack for 9 million and win the Cup and if JT was only making 7, it’d be us.

John Tavares is likely going to sign another contract here that’s team friendly and also retire as 25th Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs… then Mitch Marner seems like the next possible Captain… excluding a McDavid arrival.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Did I not just write that Willie is having a career year, in the response

Kerfoot was mentioned because Matthews rarely had Kerfoot, the left side was usually big Mike, or BongRip

Your original post said he's playing with Kerfoot and not Marner which is a huge distortion of the situation.

Then after I pointed out you omission, you mentioned Nylander in a way that implied he was have a good year only because he was playing with Tavares, while the truth is probably more the reverse.

 

[therealkoho]

Your original post said he's playing with Kerfoot and not Marner which is a huge distortion of the situation.

Then after I pointed out you omission, you mentioned Nylander in a way that implied he was have a good year only because he was playing with Tavares, while the truth is probably more the reverse.

Mitch was moved in November, so in that sense he's spent the majority of his season enjoying the fruits of Mitchs labour's, whereas. Kerfoot has spent no appreciable time with Matthews, in that sense he hasn't been deprived of points by Kerfoots inability to close

Willy has spent most of his season, his best season so far in the NHL, mostly beside John and Alex

there was no intention on my part to pull the wool over, obsfucate, or to make up stuff or move the truth arrow

It is very clear to me that there is real benefit in having MM on your wing moreso than say having Kerfoot

Clear?

 

[notDatsyuk]

Mitch was moved in November, so in that sense he's spent the majority of his season enjoying the fruits of Mitchs labour's, whereas. Kerfoot has spent no appreciable time with Matthews, in that sense he hasn't been deprived of points by Kerfoots inability to close

Willy has spent most of his season, his best season so far in the NHL, mostly beside John and Alex

there was no intention on my part to pull the wool over, obsfucate, or to make up stuff or move the truth arrow

It is very clear to me that there is real benefit in having MM on your wing moreso than say having Kerfoot

Clear?

But it's not a matter of either Marner or Kerfoot - it's either Marner or Nylander, and pretending otherwise is just wrong.