If it's just Gio and Blackwell are you satisfied?

[saffronleaf]

Goombas putting his career on the line with Kallgren, Mrazek, and Injured Campbell... idk about that.

 

[tmlms13]

But, they did try to get a goalie so that works in reverse for Jack's mental state, unless he's one who likes the chip on his shoulder thing.

Perhaps, that's why Kyle was upset in his presser over the leaked details of the Fleury attempt. That is what he wanted to do. He couldn't get it done and now he has to do damage control with a fragile goaltending situation literally and figuratively.

Mrazek and Campbell have been around, they aren't 20 years old. If the fact that Dubas tried to trade for a goalie affects his performance then I don't think they are cut out to be a professional athlete in the first place. Dubas was mad it was leaked because trade negotiation conversations should be confidential. It's mutual respect.

 

[nuck]

Happy with the deadline.

The Toronto method has always been to open the widest possible window for the playoffs, year after year.
While Florida is going all in, Toronto is trying to build long term sustainability.
And I'm good with that.

What wins playoffs year after year?
Hot goaltending, great special teams, and good depth.
For the first time in a long time, we have great special teams and really really good depth.
As for the goalie thing, by not getting a goalie, Campbell has got to feel the confidence that the leads have in him.
I really believe he bounces back.

Is it really building long term sustainability when Brodie, JT, and Muzz are going to be another year past their prime and Mik, Bush, Blackwell and Gio go to FA ? I get what you are saying but the vets get old and the big 3 get a year closer to FA status and the club opts out of putting its maximum lineup forward. Patience and building have a cost unless your whole lineup is in their 20s and signed forever. Every year they wait churns veterans and FAs out the exhaust pipe. I have some level in faith in Campbell as well but not sure I would have banked the season on it, if Kallgren is the next option.

Anyways the cards have been played and if they have a golaie they have a shot.

 

[Buds17]

Likes: upgrades at defence and forward; retaining the organization's 1st round pick and top prospects.

Dislikes: the new additions are all pending UFAs; half of the projected/expected goalie tandem going forward just cleared waivers for the sake of cap flexibility.

 

[tmlms13]

Goombas putting his career on the line with Kallgren, Mrazek, and Injured Campbell... idk about that.

Who says he gets fired? You think Shanahan fires him after being the one who hired him? Or Larry T. fires both? I don't think Larry is that hands on. The Evil Empires will disagree with eachother for the sake of it lol.

Not to mention who's out there to replace them? I think they need to hire someone who has experience previously, they will have to be the ones handling the AM & MM UFA contracts. I doubt a rookie GM does that.

 

[saffronleaf]

GOOD
- Leafs have never gone into the playoffs with a better and more physical D than this. And there's depth with inevitable injuries.

Reilly - Lyub
Gio - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Sandin - Liljegren

- Bottom six is better than in recent years past. The third line of Engvall - Kampf - Mikheyev is dominant. Blackwell adds to the bottom six, and there's enough other pieces and competition for spots to round it out.

- NCAA signings?

BAD
- Goaltending is up in the air. It's the single most important position. Will Campbell be healthy in time? Was it health that was holding him back? Can Mrazek find his game? What chance could the rookies provide? Our one Harri Sateri guy got picked up by Arizona.

- Nothing really to resuscitate the second line. There's enough talent in the top six to make it top five in the league. Hope Keefe gets a bit creative or Dubas finds a coach who does.

 

[tmlms13]

GOOD
- Leafs have never gone into the playoffs with a better and more physical D than this. And there's depth with inevitable injuries.

Reilly - Lyub
Gio - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Sandin - Liljegren

- Bottom six is better than in recent years past. The third line of Engvall - Kampf - Mikheyev is dominant. Blackwell adds to the bottom six, and there's enough other pieces and competition for spots to round it out.

- NCAA signings?

BAD
- Goaltending is up in the air. It's the single most important position. Will Campbell be healthy in time? Was it health that was holding him back? Can Mrazek find his game? What chance could the rookies provide? Our one Harri Sateri guy got picked up by Arizona.

- Nothing really to resuscitate the second line. There's enough talent in the top six to make it top five in the league. Hope Keefe gets a bit creative or Dubas finds a coach who does.

I'd put Blackwell on the second line and see if you can get a Bunting type chemistry

 

[seanlinden]

Don’t get caught up in the hype. This team is good enough to beat anyone. If the Leafs went out and swept the board this deadline, they would have emptied the cupboards of draft picks and prospects.

At this point, the team got embarrassed by Montreal last year, choked as badly as you can choke. I don’t think you can reasonably load up at the deadline like other teams have when you can’t even be sure if the big contributors on this team will even show up once the playoffs start.

This team needs to do this on their own. Dubas remakes the rest of the lineup on a yearly basis. (Goaltending, bottom 6, defense, everything except the core 5). It was put up or shut up LAST YEAR. This year I’m totally okay with making this core earn something on their own. If they do, then maybe you have more faith that emptying the cupboards might have some results. Right now though, how can you have any faith at all that this team has what it takes? They are talented enough, but they have a lot to learn about what it takes to win a 7 game series.

If Tampa doesn’t win, their moves look bad, if Florida doesn’t win, their moves look bad, if the leafs don’t win, they draft and keep developing their prospects and try again.

You don’t win 1 playoff round at the trade deadline. And if you’re trying to, your team was never good enough to win in the first place

While I do agree with that sentiment, I am concerned that even if the big guys show up, the Leafs may just get outgunned, and/or out-goalied by their 1st round opponent.

You look at what the Panthers have -- arguably one of the best checking centres in the league in Barkov; plus a potential 3rd line of Marchment, Reinhart and Lundell. You look at our 3rd line with Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev, and you've gotta ask yourself? are they good enough? I don't believe they are.

In Tampa, you've now got a 3rd line that includes Brandon Hagel & Nick Paul... while you might argue / see that our trio is more effective in the regular season; I think when you get to the playoffs, and the importance of "wearing down" your opponent becomes greater, is where Tampa's guys, and Florida's guys, will really shine.

In goal, you look at Jack Campbell, and while I do believe he's good enough to win us a couple of series; it's very possible that he struggles, and as of right now, there is no reasonable plan B.

What irks me the most though, is the seemingly missed opportunity. With Giordano's addition, I do not believe the Leafs have sufficient cap space to bring Muzzin off LTIR (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). However, they also didn't spend the entirety of what they could have with Muzzin on LTIR.

There was likely an opportunity with James Reimer to replace Petr Mrazek, and not only position the Leafs better today, but for next year as well. There was certainly an opportunity to add a guy like Max Domi for what turned out to be a guy less than a year removed from being drafted 94th overall. Domi would have likely been a major addition to our 2nd line that has 2 guys who can put the puck in the net. He would have also likely given us a ton more flexibility to adjust our lineup if we find that 3rd line not contributing enough. Bunting/Matthews/Marner, Domi/Tavares/Kase or Mikheyev, Blackwell/Kerfoot/Nylander, and Engvall/Kampf/Mikheyev.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I'd put Blackwell on the second line and see if you can get a Bunting type chemistry

It's worth a try, but the difference is that Matthews and Marner are a great duo and look good with almost everyone. Tavares and Nylander look completely lost at times, and it might be unfair to expect Blackwell to fix them

 

[riffle]

Mrazek and Campbell have been around, they aren't 20 years old. If the fact that Dubas tried to trade for a goalie affects his performance then I don't think they are cut out to be a professional athlete in the first place. Dubas was mad it was leaked because trade negotiation conversations should be confidential. It's mutual respect.

Completely disagree. He's upset because when he tells Petr he's just going down for cap purposes, (which is what he attempted selling in his presser) Petr now knows that is flatly untrue. Petr went down because Kyle wanted another goalie and was hoping against hope he could get out from under 2 more years of 3.8 million per and have his money for this year.

Every one of these guys are human beings with feelings and are not stupid. They know what's really up. Petr knows Kyle doesn't want him anymore. You know it. I know it. We all know it. A few words in front of the cameras doesn't change that reality. Kyle's now forced to put a brave face on a very bad situation. That's what he's paid to do. And, he's not happy what he's trying to sell in the way of sunshine on his goaltending situation is compromised by Kyle Davidson revealing the truth that he actually was trying to get a goalie. Honestly, who didn't think he wasn't?

Also, everyone is affected different mentally by things like possibly being traded. Some play on as if nothing is going on, and others whole world shatters around them and everywhere in between. Not sure on Petr, but I don't think that's good for Jack's mental state which seems very fragile to begin with.

 

[67leafs]

It’s all about the passion
if it shows up we are good
if it doesn’t we are ^$%^&#$

 

[tmlms13]

There was likely an opportunity with James Reimer to replace Petr Mrazek, and not only position the Leafs better today, but for next year as well. There was certainly an opportunity to add a guy like Max Domi for what turned out to be a guy less than a year removed from being drafted 94th overall. Domi would have likely been a major addition to our 2nd line that has 2 guys who can put the puck in the net. He would have also likely given us a ton more flexibility to adjust our lineup if we find that 3rd line not contributing enough. Bunting/Matthews/Marner, Domi/Tavares/Kase or Mikheyev, Blackwell/Kerfoot/Nylander, and Engvall/Kampf/Mikheyev.

I don't think Reimer 2.0 is a good idea, Video Game GM might be alright but in reality probably not a good idea.

 

[saffronleaf]

Completely disagree. He's upset because when he tells Petr he's just going down for cap purposes, (which is what he attempted selling in his presser) Petr now knows that is flatly untrue. Petr went down because Kyle wanted another goalie and was hoping against hope he could get out from under 2 more years of 3.8 million per and have his money for this year.

Every one of these guys are human beings with feelings and are not stupid. They know what's really up. Petr knows Kyle doesn't want him anymore. You know it. I know it. We all know it. A few words in front of the cameras doesn't change that reality. Kyle's now forced to put a brave face on a very bad situation. That's what he's paid to do. And, he's not happy what he's trying to sell in the way of sunshine on his goaltending situation is compromised by Kyle Davidson revealing the truth that he actually was trying to get a goalie. Honestly, who didn't think he wasn't?

Also, everyone is affected different mentally by things like possibly being traded. Some play on as if nothing is going on, and others whole world shatters around them and everywhere in between. Not sure on Petr, but I don't think that's good for Jack's mental state which seems very fragile to begin with.

f*** petr. he's catching feelings now? he's played like dogshit. he needs to look in the mirror and sort himself out.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

f*** petr. he's catching feelings now? he's played like dogshit. he needs to look in the mirror and sort himself out.

Watching him play, it's a miracle that he's able to catch anything

 

[TribalPhoenix]

I don't buy into the narrative about the psychological fragility of goalies knowing they were looking at Fleury.

Don't want us to trade for him? Don't give us a reason. Want to play more? Then play better.

Leafs paid him a boatload to play a hell of a lot better than this, and it's not like he's giving back paycheques for failing to deliver. Suck it up.

 

[tmlms13]

Completely disagree. He's upset because when he tells Petr he's just going down for cap purposes, (which is what he attempted selling in his presser) Petr now knows that is flatly untrue. Petr went down because Kyle wanted another goalie and was hoping against hope he could get out from under 2 more years of 3.8 million per and have his money for this year.

Every one of these guys are human beings with feelings and are not stupid. They know what's really up. Petr knows Kyle doesn't want him anymore. You know it. I know it. We all know it. A few words in front of the cameras doesn't change that reality. Kyle's now forced to put a brave face on a very bad situation. That's what he's paid to do. And, he's not happy what he's trying to sell in the way of sunshine on his goaltending situation is compromised by Kyle Davidson revealing the truth that he actually was trying to get a goalie. Honestly, who didn't think he wasn't?

Also, everyone is affected different mentally by things like possibly being traded. Some play on as if nothing is going on, and others whole world shatters around them and everywhere in between. Not sure on Petr, but I don't think that's good for Jack's mental state which seems very fragile to begin with.

Like I said Petr is a veteran, he knows he's played bad and what happens when you play bad. He knows what Trade Deadline Day is. He knows how the Cap works,

If he doesn't understand these things then he is either one of the stupidest 30 year old NHLers I have ever seen or he needs to fire his agent tomorrow for not explaining how professional team sports works.

 

[The Podium]

It's worth a try, but the difference is that Matthews and Marner are a great duo and look good with almost everyone. Tavares and Nylander look completely lost at times, and it might be unfair to expect Blackwell to fix them

Could try

Blackwell - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Nylander

Bunting looked like he had some chemistry with JT and Blackwell played with Panarin in NY. Even just for a look. Both Bunting and Blackwell play that puck hound, relentless forecheck game, albeit Bunting has better hands.

 

[seanlinden]

Completely disagree. He's upset because when he tells Petr he's just going down for cap purposes, (which is what he attempted selling in his presser) Petr now knows that is flatly untrue. Petr went down because Kyle wanted another goalie and was hoping against hope he could get out from under 2 more years of 3.8 million per and have his money for this year.

Every one of these guys are human beings with feelings and are not stupid. They know what's really up. Petr knows Kyle doesn't want him anymore. You know it. I know it. We all know it. A few words in front of the cameras doesn't change that reality. Kyle's now forced to put a brave face on a very bad situation. That's what he's paid to do. And, he's not happy what he's trying to sell in the way of sunshine on his goaltending situation is compromised by Kyle Davidson revealing the truth that he actually was trying to get a goalie. Honestly, who didn't think he wasn't?

Also, everyone is affected different mentally by things like possibly being traded. Some play on as if nothing is going on, and others whole world shatters around them and everywhere in between. Not sure on Petr, but I don't think that's good for Jack's mental state which seems very fragile to begin with.

QFT.

There are 18 skaters in a lineup. When a gm goes out "seeking more help" -- it isn't a slight against the 18 guys they already have -- it's wanting to bolster the lineup.

There are only 2 goalies. When a gm goes out "seeking more help" -- the interpretation is always "you aren't good enough".

 

[Menzinger]

While I do agree with that sentiment, I am concerned that even if the big guys show up, the Leafs may just get outgunned, and/or out-goalied by their 1st round opponent.

You look at what the Panthers have -- arguably one of the best checking centres in the league in Barkov; plus a potential 3rd line of Marchment, Reinhart and Lundell. You look at our 3rd line with Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev, and you've gotta ask yourself? are they good enough? I don't believe they are.

In Tampa, you've now got a 3rd line that includes Brandon Hagel & Nick Paul... while you might argue / see that our trio is more effective in the regular season; I think when you get to the playoffs, and the importance of "wearing down" your opponent becomes greater, is where Tampa's guys, and Florida's guys, will really shine.

In goal, you look at Jack Campbell, and while I do believe he's good enough to win us a couple of series; it's very possible that he struggles, and as of right now, there is no reasonable plan B.

What irks me the most though, is the seemingly missed opportunity. With Giordano's addition, I do not believe the Leafs have sufficient cap space to bring Muzzin off LTIR (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). However, they also didn't spend the entirety of what they could have with Muzzin on LTIR.

There was likely an opportunity with James Reimer to replace Petr Mrazek, and not only position the Leafs better today, but for next year as well. There was certainly an opportunity to add a guy like Max Domi for what turned out to be a guy less than a year removed from being drafted 94th overall. Domi would have likely been a major addition to our 2nd line that has 2 guys who can put the puck in the net. He would have also likely given us a ton more flexibility to adjust our lineup if we find that 3rd line not contributing enough. Bunting/Matthews/Marner, Domi/Tavares/Kase or Mikheyev, Blackwell/Kerfoot/Nylander, and Engvall/Kampf/Mikheyev.

I don't think Reimer has any interest in returning to Toronto.

In theory he's the type of player that makes sense. But things didn't end well here for him especially in terms of media and fan relations

 

[saffronleaf]

I don't think Reimer has any interest in returning to Toronto.

In theory he's the type of player that makes sense. But things didn't end well here for him especially in terms of media and fan relations

doesn't help that reimer is a stone cold loser

 

[rocketman588]

It’s shocking to me that an organization that won it's only major title ( sorry TFC) off of a GM trading the first NBA all star that was willing to sign here long term after two relatively decent play off runs is willing to be like f*** yeah jack Campbell let it ride

 

[tmlms13]

QFT.

There are 18 skaters in a lineup. When a gm goes out "seeking more help" -- it isn't a slight against the 18 guys they already have -- it's wanting to bolster the lineup.

There are only 2 goalies. When a gm goes out "seeking more help" -- the interpretation is always "you aren't good enough".

Both Petr and Jack know they haven't been good enough. And when you aren't good enough the GM is going to go look for someone who is. If Jack was playing like he was in the first half (All Star Level) and they went looking then yes I could understand it bothering him. But he's not and he hasn't in a long time, and pro sports are ruthless..... deal with it.

Their agents should also be explaining to them that Dubas will have called every single GM in the NHL and inquired about every single player possibly available that have any remote interest in. That's Dubas' job.

Plus what if the main part of that deal was the other player and Chicago said "we know your somewhat interested in MAF so take him too so we can get extra pieces from you" - Remember it was Chicago that proposed the leaked trade and Toronto said no.

I am fine with Dubas staying with them because the Goalie Trade Market sucked but if the fact that a phone call was made bothers them that much then both of them really shouldn't be pro athletes.

 

[2 Slick]

There are only 2 goalies. When a gm goes out "seeking more help" -- the interpretation is always "you aren't good enough".

Petr Mrazek: .886% and 3.48 GAA, does he need anyone to tell him that he's been playing like ECHL trash all season? Pretty sure he knows he sucks. He'd have to be the biggest airhead in the known universe to think his position was safe. Campbell has had equal numbers since December 1st, pretty sure Campbell knows he's been horrible for months. He apologizes in every post-game and always promises to be better next game.

Both of them would have to be pretty stupid to not think Dubas wouldn't try to seek options for help and replacements. They're professional athletes, you're paid to perform at a high level. If you play like shit, then management will try and replace you. Screw their feelings, play better and your feelings won't be so fragile.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Mrazek and Campbell have been around, they aren't 20 years old. If the fact that Dubas tried to trade for a goalie affects his performance then I don't think they are cut out to be a professional athlete in the first place. Dubas was mad it was leaked because trade negotiation conversations should be confidential. It's mutual respect.

I stg if Sweet Lou nixed a deal and dunked on the opposing gm in public because they leaked a rumour every one of the miserable schmucks around here would be gobbling his knob over it.
Kyle does it and suddenly he’s rattled, unprofessional and losing his room

 

[Legion34]

Wait you think a blueline including Gio Muzz Boosh Holl is still going to get bullied?

Holl spends a lot of time getting bullied.