I have serious concerns for next year (2023-24)

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I have no concerns about this team, at least as far as the regular season goes.

I fully expect them to win the Atlantic division, and fairly comfortably too especially given what Boston lost this year and what Tampa has lost over the last 2 years.

This season, and every season that Auston Matthews is on this team is about finding the piece that puts them over the top in this case that's a top 4 D and a 3C.

Depending on who the sellers end up being that could be Calgary with Hanifin, Backlund Tanev and Zadorov

It could be Carolina with Pesce although I doubt it.

It could be the NYI with Pageau.

It could be Montreal with Savard, Monahan and Davork

It could be Chicago with Murphy

Ot Vancouver with Myers.

Depending on who the sellers end up being they have to find the right piece.

 

[Space umpire]

max domi is an ugly joke

He was very good in Chicago last year. Played harder than expected, including in his own. He’s no Bob Gainey but he took a man and I don’t recall him getting burned.

 

[Notsince67]

It’ll be nice just to have people complaining about present day things instead of the incessant complaints about the past.
This was probably the worst summer I remember on this board and I’ve been around for a lot of them.

When you have the same people filibusters every conversation with impunity, there are a lot of people that just leave. It had assholes but they were controlled. This used to be a fan site. It sure doesn't feel like one anymore.

 

[thewave]

When you have the same people filibusters every conversation with impunity, there are a lot of people that just leave. It had assholes but they were controlled. This used to be a fan site. It sure doesn't feel like one anymore.

It actually only got a bit strange when posters here started acting like player agents or lobbyists trying to get certain players perceived value up. It didn't stop there though, it continued with management as well as some managers also had this bot like following as well. That and everything became an appreciation thread which was strange.

Outside that its business as usual on HFBoards.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I for one, would like to see a change to the first PP unit. Every team knows how to shut it down come playoff time. Add Willie to first unit. Drop JT to 2nd unit. Let's see if they can stop us now....

They moved Nylander to PP2 when they added ROR to PP1. It didn't seem to help PP1, but I think PP2 improved.

I'm not sure what help JT would be to the second unit. Willy helped because he was very good at zone entry, and a good puck mover with a dangerous shot. JT in the slot is only a threat if the others can get him the puck.

 

[notbias]

All the people who disliked Dubas will enjoy a team that is already shaping up to be better. The areas of weakness are already being worked on and i think we will have a better product on ice.

I expect the hard done by Dubas crowd to be the source of most criticism. No doubt they will cite obscure advanced stats and give us the most annoying breakdowns that somehow prove how great Dubas was.

I personally cant wait to watch some good old crow eating. Just need BT to get Nylander signed to a good deal or moved to upgrade the D.

This is funny to me since the crowd who hated Dubas is now saying this offseason is a win by Treliving doing exactly what Dubas has done for the last few years... we made 0 big changes.

I've liked most of the signings because we got more scoring depth which has been needed, but let's not pretend like the team is not 90% the same as last year... Keefe is back (people seem to be alright with it now), all the core players are back, we signed some depth scoring, and a #4/5D that you hope can rebound into a top 3.

We all cheer for the same team and hope for success, we just disagree on what is best for the team.

Treliving has only made 2 bad signings so far, I am happy with him thus far and I don't think anyone is a fan of Dubas, they are Leafs fans.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Those are your words, and probably true. However, the fact remains. Our PP gets shut down by every opponent come playoff time, despite having a really good PP in the regular season. The last time we had a working PP in the playoffs, Kadri was Here. So logic suggests a more mobile skater on the first PP unit.

Our PP effectiveness went from a whopping 26% in the regular season all the way down to a measly 25% in the playoffs last year.

Previous seasons, yes.

 

[Menzinger]

They moved Nylander to PP2 when they added ROR to PP1. It didn't seem to help PP1, but I think PP2 improved.

I'm not sure what help JT would be to the second unit. Willy helped because he was very good at zone entry, and a good puck mover with a dangerous shot. JT in the slot is only a threat if the others can get him the puck.

The Keefe-Nylander relationship is definitely an interesting/odd one to follow. Hard to get a read on externally. I'd imagine it's probably not a big selling point to try and get a discount for Nylander

 

[notbias]

Our PP effectiveness went from a whopping 26% in the regular season all the way down to a measly 25% in the playoffs last year.

Previous seasons, yes.

I think the sample size of the playoffs throws people off so much.

Edmonton didn't change their PP to start going 50% (somehow still lost), they just played so few games that an extra goal or two in a series sways it by that much.

 

[thewave]

This is funny to me since the crowd who hated Dubas is now saying this offseason is a win by Treliving doing exactly what Dubas has done for the last few years... we made 0 big changes.

I've liked most of the signings because we got more scoring depth which has been needed, but let's not pretend like the team is not 90% the same as last year... Keefe is back (people seem to be alright with it now), all the core players are back, we signed some depth scoring, and a #4/5D that you hope can rebound into a top 3.

We all cheer for the same team and hope for success, we just disagree on what is best for the team.

Treliving has only made 2 bad signings so far, I am happy with him thus far and I don't think anyone is a fan of Dubas, they are Leafs fans.

Dubas teams were low energy plugs that could not ever elevate their game to win. Generally you need energy guys to win in the PO and we dont even get that from the core. Just go down the list, energy guys were leaving and new plugs were replacing. BT just came in and said lets get some presence in here. Its not like Marner or Nylander are going to be felt on the ice. Matthews being signed is also a big plus and was my main concern because he is the only legit elite player we have had in a long time. Marner and Nylander are very good in their own very flawed ways.

 

[notbias]

Dubas teams were low energy plugs that could not ever elevate their game to win. Generally you need energy guys to win in the PO and we dont even get that from the core. Just go down the list, energy guys were leaving and new plugs were replacing. BT just came in and said lets get some presence in here. Its not like Marner or Nylander are going to be felt on the ice. Matthews being signed is also a big plus and was my main concern because he is the only legit elite player we have had in a long time. Marner and Nylander are very good in their own very flawed ways.

We will win or lose with the core, not because Reaves is a good DJ or Domi sucker punches someone.

Who are the energy people? To me Reaves is some energy, but Bert talks as much as Bunting and Domi doesn't bring much energy

 

[thewave]

We will win or lose with the core, not because Reaves is a good DJ or Domi sucker punches someone.

Who are the energy people? To me Reaves is some energy, but Bert talks as much as Bunting and Domi doesn't bring much energy

I think there will be a lot more fire under this teams arse. I think we have player with something to prove, are hungry and will protect our stars and get under the skin of our opponent's.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Seems like the "more robust, targeted strategy" to beat our PP is telling your goalie to stop all the higher danger chances and play at a Vezina+ level. Seems like something a coach could say during the regular season.

"We got goalied! Wah, wah, wah!"

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This is funny to me since the crowd who hated Dubas is now saying this offseason is a win by Treliving doing exactly what Dubas has done for the last few years... we made 0 big changes.

I've liked most of the signings because we got more scoring depth which has been needed, but let's not pretend like the team is not 90% the same as last year... Keefe is back (people seem to be alright with it now), all the core players are back, we signed some depth scoring, and a #4/5D that you hope can rebound into a top 3.

We all cheer for the same team and hope for success, we just disagree on what is best for the team.

Treliving has only made 2 bad signings so far, I am happy with him thus far and I don't think anyone is a fan of Dubas, they are Leafs fans.

See here is the problem with what you wrote, your 1st paragraph and your 2nd paragraph don't match up, at least the first part of your 2nd paragraph.

The reason why it doesn't match up is because on one hand you say that the same crowd that "hated" Dubas is now calling Treliving off season a win despite doing exactly what Dubas did.

Paragraph 2 starts with you saying you liked the signings because we needed scoring depth.

Those things don't match up because prior to the ROR trade Dubas never brought in proven scoring depth.

He took shots in the dark and to his credit some of them worked, Michael Bunting comes to mind.

But that was a hope and a prayer.

Dubas never brought in proven scoring depth, you would never see Tyler Bertuzzi come here under Dubas, or Max Domi, he allowed Taylor Hall to Go to Boston for next to nothing.

That's why it took him so long to win a round because he never brought in that proven support scorer.

When he FINALLY chose to do it he won a round.

THAT is why people are calling Treliving off season a win, because he's not doing what Dubas would do.

He's doing what Dubas REFUSED to do for 5 years, he's bringing in PROVEN support scorers, scorers, as in multiple because he's got more than 1.

 

[notbias]

See here is the problem with what you wrote, your 1st paragraph and your 2nd paragraph don't match up, at least the first part of your 2nd paragraph.

The reason why it doesn't match up is because on one hand you say that the same crowd that "hated" Dubas is now calling Treliving off season a win despite doing exactly what Dubas did.

Paragraph 2 starts with you saying you liked the signings because we needed scoring depth.

Those things don't match up because prior to the ROR trade Dubas never brought in proven scoring depth.

He took shots in the dark and to his credit some of them worked, Michael Bunting comes to mind.

But that was a hope and a prayer.

Dubas never brought in proven scoring depth, you would never see Tyler Bertuzzi come here under Dubas, or Max Domi, he allowed Taylor Hall to Go to Boston for next to nothing.

That's why it took him so long to win a round because he never brought in that proven support scorer.

When he FINALLY chose to do it he won a round.

THAT is why people are calling Treliving off season a win, because he's not doing what Dubas would do.

He's doing what Dubas REFUSED to do for 5 years, he's bringing in PROVEN support scorers, scorers, as in multiple because he's got more than 1.

This is a lot of words to say nothing...

People wanted major changes, but no major changes have happened.

Sure there are different players on the team, but it's the same team.

The biggest offensive upgrade is who you didn't mention, Klingberg. The forwards are barely upgraded.

This is the first year with major cap flexibility, I am not sure we wouldn't end up with a similar team under Dubas (minus Reaves).

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This is a lot of words to say nothing...

People wanted major changes, but no major changes have happened.

Sure there are different players on the team, but it's the same team.

The biggest offensive upgrade is who you didn't mention, Klingberg. The forwards are barely upgraded.

This is the first year with major cap flexibility, I am not sure we wouldn't end up with a similar team under Dubas (minus Reaves).

The cap went up 1 million that's not enough to make a major difference in cap flexibility.

 

[notbias]

The cap went up 1 million that's not enough to make a major difference in cap flexibility.

Players are off their contract... We had a lot of cap this summer.

Regardless, all that has happened is bringing in some misfits and hoping they fit in like every year.

 

[Gary Nylund]

We will win or lose with the core, not because Reaves is a good DJ or Domi sucker punches someone.

If that's true, then knowing this core, it's safe to say that we will win in the regular season, and lose in the playoffs. The sample size is pretty big by now so why would anyone expect these leopards to change their spots?

Perhaps our only hope is that someone like Reaves lights a fire under these guys. You have to play with passion and energy in the playoffs in order to win and until our core starts doing that, expect the pattern of regular season success followed by underachieving in the playoffs to continue.

 

[ToneDog]

If that's true, then knowing this core, it's safe to say that we will win in the regular season, and lose in the playoffs. The sample size is pretty big by now so why would anyone expect these leopards to change their spots?

Perhaps our only hope is that someone like Reaves lights a fire under these guys. You have to play with passion and energy in the playoffs in order to win and until our core starts doing that, expect the pattern of regular season success followed by underachieving in the playoffs to continue.

More likely we will win with the core, because Reaves is a good DJ and he will punch 16, 34 and 88 in the mouth when they think about disappearing when the going gets tough.

 

[Gary Nylund]

More likely we will win with the core, because Reaves is a good DJ and he will punch 16, 34 and 88 in the mouth when they think about disappearing when the going gets tough.

I've had thoughts along those lines as well. The question is, considering how minor his role will be on the ice, can he be a Messier type off the ice?

 

[notbias]

If that's true, then knowing this core, it's safe to say that we will win in the regular season, and lose in the playoffs. The sample size is pretty big by now so why would anyone expect these leopards to change their spots?

Perhaps our only hope is that someone like Reaves lights a fire under these guys. You have to play with passion and energy in the playoffs in order to win and until our core starts doing that, expect the pattern of regular season success followed by underachieving in the playoffs to continue.

I am sure the narrative will be that Reaves was a locker room guy who helped boost team morale or something, but this team wins or loses with the core. They have all proven they can perform well in the playoffs, just haven't been consistent.

Reaves has never boosted another team's morale, he is not going to boost ours.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I am sure the narrative will be that Reaves was a locker room guy who helped boost team morale or something, but this team wins or loses with the core. They have all proven they can perform well in the playoffs, just haven't been consistent.

Reaves has never boosted another team's morale, he is not going to boost ours.

The only thing this core has proven they can do in the playoffs is lose.

 

[notbias]

The only thing this core has proven they can do in the playoffs is lose.

Every player has had a handful of good series, just not at the same time.

They proved they can beat former champs too.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Every player has had a handful of good series, just not at the same time.

They proved they can beat former champs too.

Good players sure, but the team is a playoff loser. I don't know where I can get these numbers easily and I'm too lazy to get my calculator out but if you were to compile our PTS% over the last 6 seasons, regular season vs playoffs, that would tell you all you need to know right there.

 

[ToneDog]

Good players sure, but the team is a playoff loser. I don't know where I can get these numbers easily and I'm too lazy to get my calculator out but if you were to compile our PTS% over the last 6 seasons, regular season vs playoffs, that would tell you all you need to know right there.

For some, a sample size of 6 is not enough. Might take 4 more failures for them to admit this core is not going to get it done as a group.