How bad is the morale of the fanbase right now?

[leaffaninvancouver]

My morale is unchanged. I'm just waiting for the post season and trying to enjoy the ride along the way. I prefer when we're winning games, but it all comes down to how we do in the playoffs at this point.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

My morale is unchanged. I'm just waiting for the post season and trying to enjoy the ride along the way. I prefer when we're winning games, but it all comes down to how we do in the playoffs at this point.

Exactly. It's fun to watch the boys play well but after 5 years of first round defeats the regular season means less and less each time.

Marner could win the art ross, Matthews the rocket and Rielly the Norris but if we lose again in the first round who cares.

Truly hoping there is a serious change come playoffs and this team plays to It's capabilities in the post season. A great goalie can take you anywhere come playoffs, and we've found that in Jack, JUST PUT THE PUCK IN THE NET BOYS AND WE'LL BE GOOD.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Who are these 'others'?
I don't read every post but I've never seen anyone have that opinion.

Typically the same posters who think neither Dubas or 16 can do no wrong
That think wanting to win a cup as a fan is being "entitled"

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Again, not trying to intrude because I haven't watched a Leafs game in years, but I find nothing wrong with posters that get very excited after regular season wins (I personally wouldn't, but I don't watch and my opinion doesn't really matter.) Just because the team hasn't proven anything in the PO's doesn't mean someone doesn't have a right to be happy when they win; it's fan instinct to want your team to win games and everyone with the slightest bit of objectivity is very well aware that a regular season win doesn't translate to the playoffs, so repeating that message over and over again can get a little draining and monotonous.

There's a difference between being a realist and being a troll. Generally speaking, I would say that a realist is happy when their team wins but still very skeptical until the success translates into the postseason. However, a keyboard warrior that stalks a GDT during and immediately after a win and constantly and repeatedly puts down anyone that is happy while doing so...well, as someone that was once a mod here a long time ago, I'd say there's only one word for that: trolling.

 

[Lauro]

Much better. Biggest reasons beside winning against Tampa and Boston:
Rasmus Sandin + Timothy Winston Liljegren

 

[Fogelhund]

Again, not trying to intrude because I haven't watched a Leafs game in years, but I find nothing wrong with posters that get very excited after regular season wins (I personally wouldn't, but I don't watch and my opinion doesn't really matter.) Just because the team hasn't proven anything in the PO's doesn't mean someone doesn't have a right to be happy when they win; it's fan instinct to want your team to win games and everyone with the slightest bit of objectivity is very well aware that a regular season win doesn't translate to the playoffs, so repeating that message over and over again can get a little draining and monotonous.

There's a difference between being a realist and being a troll. Generally speaking, I would say that a realist is happy when their team wins but still very skeptical until the success translates into the postseason. However, a keyboard warrior that stalks a GDT during and immediately after a win and constantly and repeatedly puts down anyone that is happy while doing so...well, as someone that was once a mod here a long time ago, I'd say there's only one word for that: trolling.

This forums biggest issue, is the number of posters who have meltdowns when the team loses a game or two, and go on rampages about firing everyone. Every team has struggles, and losing streaks, people need patience, and a dose or reality... this is a good team, and should have a good season. We shall see what happens when the playoffs come.

 

[socko]

I think it's mental right now. The amount of pressure they're under I think he's squeezing the stick to hard, I haven't noticed an issue in his movements.

What I've seen from Matthews is that the few times he has tried to use a wrist shot they were complete muffins. Then, he all but stopped trying. The other day during the 3 on 3 overtime he was asking for people to set him up for one-timers but none of the passes were good enough. When he received the errant passes, he did not try shooting with his wrist shot once the one-timer failed. Instead, he would pass the puck to someone else. First of all, its highly unusual for Matthews to even by asking for one-timer passes, I've never seen it before. Anyway, so Rielly finally gives him a good one-timer pass and sure enough he hammers it into the net.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

This forums biggest issue, is the number of posters who have meltdowns when the team loses a game or two, and go on rampages about firing everyone. Every team has struggles, and losing streaks, people need patience, and a dose or reality... this is a good team, and should have a good season. We shall see what happens when the playoffs come.

Your opinion is incorrect.

Leaf fans were very patient with this team when they were young and growing. There weren't meltdowns after losses when our core players were teenagers. Everyone was still just excited about (what seemed) a very promising future.

But now the core are well into their primes and they all make a kings ransom, and we've seen nothing but playoff disappointment losing twice in a row to underdogs. We see many glaring problems in the playoffs. Then, when we see remnants of those very same problems in regular season losses, fans are CORRECTLY upset about it.

57% of cap on 5 players. We don't merely expect them to work well and produce each game. We demand it.

 

[NightTrain1]

I'm not reading the rest of the thread. But my opinion will remain unchanged.

I'm happy when they win and do it in proper form playing smart consistent hockey. They will go on hot streaks and dry spells all year but the thing this team has yet to do, is play championship caliber team consistency and most importantly in the playoffs. 6 years of trend is not wiped away on a hot streak as much fun as it is to watch. I'll be positive and negative all year but when the playoffs come they better make it first of all, but this team had better win not one but 2 playoff rounds at least with this talent realistically to prove anything. But making the Finals should be the real expected goal.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Every team has struggles, and losing streaks, people need patience, and a dose or reality... this is a good team, and should have a good season.

Good

Good team.

We did a full rebuild for good ?

The worry is that we a good team and plateauing.

It’s very hard to build a winning team in hockey. The worry is we didn’t do it. And there is no reason to suggest this team is designed to win 16 post season games.

The players are who they are.

If the team continues to underperform, the builders must go.

 

[kb]

This forums biggest issue, is the number of posters who have meltdowns when the team loses a game or two, and go on rampages about firing everyone. Every team has struggles, and losing streaks, people need patience, and a dose or reality... this is a good team, and should have a good season. We shall see what happens when the playoffs come.

It's the negative nancy posters whose chief aim is to cause chaos and misery, and other fanbases logging in with their secondary Leaf tr*lling profile.

 

[Fogelhund]

Your opinion is incorrect.

Leaf fans were very patient with this team when they were young and growing. There weren't meltdowns after losses when our core players were teenagers. Everyone was still just excited about (what seemed) a very promising future.

But now the core are well into their primes and they all make a kings ransom, and we've seen nothing but playoff disappointment losing twice in a row to underdogs. We see many glaring problems in the playoffs. Then, when we see remnants of those very same problems in regular season losses, fans are CORRECTLY upset about it.

57% of cap on 5 players. We don't merely expect them to work well and produce each game. We demand it.

Aww... they hurt your feelings. So sad.

You DEMAND that they do well... every single game. 82 wins. Or you are going to tell everybody how mad you are. Throw some waffles around too.

Nobody is correct about throwing a temper tantrum over a couple of regular season losses. It's short sighted, to the point of being childish, and DEMANDING that they win every game, or you will throw a temper tantrum is ridiculously entitled....

Get some perspective, it's a long season, and there will be ups and downs. Nobody should be too excited about a bunch of wins, or a few losses. They'll comfortably make the playoffs, and then go from there. But some of the reactions after games 6 and 7 after this season were over the top, and frankly hilarious. Fans shouldn't be upset after games 6 and 7 of a season, after their best player missed three of those games due to injury, and wasn't at their best after resuming play. Perspective allows one to understand that this is a process, and a long season. Some people even said that the regular season results don't matter, and then threw their waffles after 6 and 7 regular season games of an 82 game schedule. What is it, do these games matter, or not?

82-0, perfect in the playoffs, or the children are going to throw their toys out of their pram. It's laughable.

 

[kb]

Aww... they hurt your feelings. So sad.

You DEMAND that they do well... every single game. 82 wins. Or you are going to tell everybody how mad you are. Throw some waffles around too.

Nobody is correct about throwing a temper tantrum over a couple of regular season losses. It's short sighted, to the point of being childish, and DEMANDING that they win every game, or you will throw a temper tantrum is ridiculously entitled....

Get some perspective, it's a long season, and there will be ups and downs. Nobody should be too excited about a bunch of wins, or a few losses. They'll comfortably make the playoffs, and then go from there. But some of the reactions after games 6 and 7 after this season were over the top, and frankly hilarious. Fans shouldn't be upset after games 6 and 7 of a season, after their best player missed three of those games due to injury, and wasn't at their best after resuming play. Perspective allows one to understand that this is a process, and a long season. Some people even said that the regular season results don't matter, and then threw their waffles after 6 and 7 regular season games of an 82 game schedule. What is it, do these games matter, or not?

82-0, perfect in the playoffs, or the children are going to throw their toys out of their pram. It's laughable.

But this is the mentality of the entitled.

Other fanbases were right.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

This forums biggest issue, is the number of posters who have meltdowns when the team loses a game or two, and go on rampages about firing everyone. Every team has struggles, and losing streaks, people need patience, and a dose or reality... this is a good team, and should have a good season. We shall see what happens when the playoffs come.

While I definitely agree in part, I also think that the posters that watch the team every day have a right to voice their displeasure if it seems like familiar and concerning patterns are emerging. It's easy (and in my admittedly uneducated opinion, appropriate) to be very highly skeptical of how the team is constructed as of now. That said, it would be tedious and unpleasant to read if that's all you ever came across on a forum.

There's a lot of gray area here and you guys/girls/pronouns all love this team or else you wouldn't watch the games or have tons of posts on a message board. Healthy debate is what democracies are founded upon and should be encouraged, but again there's a balance between debate and hot take bullshit that people should probably be cognizant of in general (basically, don't be like Twitter, Instagram or TikTok and you're probably OK.)

 

[Fogelhund]

Good

Good team.

We did a full rebuild for good ?

The worry is that we a good team and plateauing.

It’s very hard to build a winning team in hockey. The worry is we didn’t do it. And there is no reason to suggest this team is designed to win 16 post season games.

The players are who they are.

If the team continues to underperform, the builders must go.

I mean, you really want to focus on the term good... oh lord.. the pedants are out in full force today. Great team then? Legendary?

The team will outperform in the regular season. still predicted to win the President's trophy in some models. They'll make the playoffs.... and then, that is what matters. No sense in obsessing daily over what everyone knows... they need playoff success. We all know that. They know that. I'm not sure if coming in to correct posters terminology of a "good team", just so you can remind us "1967"... "1967" is productive use of anyone's time. If they don't win rounds this year, there will be changes. You, nor I, nor anyone else's opinion, or suggestions will matter one bit in that. Sit back, and enjoy what should be a very good, to great team play a game of hockey, that allegedly most of us love to watch... at least in the regular season.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Aww... they hurt your feelings. So sad.

You DEMAND that they do well... every single game. 82 wins. Or you are going to tell everybody how mad you are. Throw some waffles around too.

Nobody is correct about throwing a temper tantrum over a couple of regular season losses. It's short sighted, to the point of being childish, and DEMANDING that they win every game, or you will throw a temper tantrum is ridiculously entitled....

Get some perspective, it's a long season, and there will be ups and downs. Nobody should be too excited about a bunch of wins, or a few losses. They'll comfortably make the playoffs, and then go from there. But some of the reactions after games 6 and 7 after this season were over the top, and frankly hilarious. Fans shouldn't be upset after games 6 and 7 of a season, after their best player missed three of those games due to injury, and wasn't at their best after resuming play. Perspective allows one to understand that this is a process, and a long season. Some people even said that the regular season results don't matter, and then threw their waffles after 6 and 7 regular season games of an 82 game schedule. What is it, do these games matter, or not?

82-0, perfect in the playoffs, or the children are going to throw their toys out of their pram. It's laughable.

Does my stance seem unfair? Even outrageous?

Well... outrageous contracts come with outrageous expectations.

When we see the team playing in the regular season like they did in game 7 vs Montreal or game 5 vs Columbus, fans are rightfully upset. You should be too.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Your opinion is incorrect.

Leaf fans were very patient with this team when they were young and growing. There weren't meltdowns after losses when our core players were teenagers. Everyone was still just excited about (what seemed) a very promising future.

But now the core are well into their primes and they all make a kings ransom, and we've seen nothing but playoff disappointment losing twice in a row to underdogs. We see many glaring problems in the playoffs. Then, when we see remnants of those very same problems in regular season losses, fans are CORRECTLY upset about it.

57% of cap on 5 players. We don't merely expect them to work well and produce each game. We demand it.

The core of this team are 24 & 25 years old.

Your opinion is incorrect.

Leaf fans were very patient with this team when they were young and growing. There weren't meltdowns after losses when our core players were teenagers. Everyone was still just excited about (what seemed) a very promising future.

But now the core are well into their primes and they all make a kings ransom, and we've seen nothing but playoff disappointment losing twice in a row to underdogs. We see many glaring problems in the playoffs. Then, when we see remnants of those very same problems in regular season losses, fans are CORRECTLY upset about it.

57% of cap on 5 players. We don't merely expect them to work well and produce each game. We demand it.

Lol

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Nothing has changed for me. They still have to prove something when it matters. I'm a slave to this team at this point so I think I'll be watching pretty much every game and I'll enjoy it depending on the game. My morale is still low though. Sorry, we lost to Montreal in the first series since I was 10 years old with a 3-1 series lead. Montre-freaking-al. It doesn't just go away.

 

[mikeyz]

Who are these 'others'?
I don't read every post but I've never seen anyone have that opinion.

@Notsince67 Is the president of that club.

 

[Fogelhund]

Nothing has changed for me. They still have to prove something when it matters. I'm a slave to this team at this point so I think I'll be watching pretty much every game and I'll enjoy it depending on the game. My morale is still low though. Sorry, we lost to Montreal in the first series since I was 10 years old with a 3-1 series lead. Montre-freaking-al. It doesn't just go away.

Everybody agrees we need post season success. When a hobby, pastime, passion stops being fun, it's time to do something else. I'm not saying you, but there are some posters who don't seem to enjoy this anymore.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Everybody agrees we need post season success. When a hobby, pastime, passion stops being fun, it's time to do something else. I'm not saying you, but there are some posters who don't seem to enjoy this anymore.

I've enjoyed the shit out of the last 5 games . No promises moving forward.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

It's the negative nancy posters whose chief aim is to cause chaos and misery, and other fanbases logging in with their secondary Leaf tr*lling profile.

It's exhausting that people feel the need to do that. There's being frustrated, and there's just wallowing in misery. The same 4 posters who show up after a loss, or anytime we're losing.

 

[janesy12]

Basically: I'll watch whatever games I can during the regular season and cheer as loud as I've always have but none of this means anything without playoff success.
They could go on fire, and win the President's Trophy. Without some serious playoff success, this season is still an utter failure and changes will need to be made.

 

[Judas Tavares]

I'm a fairly positive fan overall but was essentially as down as I've ever been after the playoffs, in the offseason and even leading up to the season. Was pretty checked out.

And yes I agree, it is all about what happens in the playoffs. 100%. But I'm also too much of a fan of the team and the sport to be completely "I'm not going to care until the playoffs." I just can't. So yes, the start of a new season with renewed hope excites me. A 5-game winning streak excites me. I don't care that it could mean nothing and I can easily be let down again come playoffs. Part of being a fan is having hope and being excited by anything positive surrounding the team.

And I'm no kid, no I wasn't around for Ballard and was too young at the time to remember the Gilmour era. So ya maybe I'm greener in terms of decades of being let down. But I just can't be all "bah humbug until playoffs" and not be excited during the regular season. I'm too much of a fan I guess. You should be able to allow yourself to be excited at any time you want to be, rather than painting the timing of your excitement into a box. If that's the case, maybe being a fan of this franchise is no longer for you.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

The core of this team are 24 & 25 years old.

Yes, 24 and 25. Like I said, prime years. What would you say are the typical players prime years? I'd say 23-28.

(Note, in making your response, please don't point out very rare exceptions/outliers of players who had their best years in their 30's).