Is this leafs team likeable?

[member 300185]

Comparing this team 90s and early 2000s where we had guys like Clarke, Gilmour, Sundin, Roberts, Domi, Tucker etc. These guys all had heart and never cheated effort even though they never won it all. I have a hard time connecting to this new crop of leaf players, and I don't necessarily blame it on the era. Look at the heart and soul guys on Boston, St.Louis, Washington etc. They all have a blend of skill and grit and are so easy to cheer for if youre already aligned with that team. I don't feel a connection yet to these guys, maybe partly because it feels like they don't play for each other.

Why do posters insist on adding Sundin in with the greatest players ever? He never won crap and every 4th game he would be invisible. Sure he was a PPG player....barely, but he was a PPG player when the top guys were getting 120 or more.

You guys have brainwashed yourselves into thinking Sundin was this awesome player. He wasn't. He was the best on the Leaf team and that's not saying much.

 

[Morbo]

It's more likeable than a lot of the fans right now.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

The most unlikable team I've watched in 44 years and I've seen some doozies.

 

[napoleon in rags]

If they win we will like them.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

Why do posters insist on adding Sundin in with the greatest players ever? He never won crap and every 4th game he would be invisible. Sure he was a PPG player....barely, but he was a PPG player when the top guys were getting 120 or more.

You guys have brainwashed yourselves into thinking Sundin was this awesome player. He wasn't. He was the best on the Leaf team and that's not saying much.

I'd be willing to bet a lot of these people pumping his tires have never even watched him play live and are grading him on highlight clips and youtube videos. I only starting to like him about 3 years before he left when he finally grew a set of balls and played with some passion. He was a typical flashy Euro for most of his career.

 

[TakeTheBody]

Who cares?

I like when no one likes us.

Which is most of the time.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Too much soft skill, not enough lesser skilled heart, who can score... We don't need goons. We need a couple 6'1-6'2, 210+lb grown men that are strong on the sidewall, strong in their on own end and strong in front of both nets. There is room for 1-2 Marner or Moore's, but you need some damn strength.

In...
Zack Hyman
Michael Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk
Radko Gudas
Alexander Edler

Out...
William Nylander
Andreas Johnsson
Kasperi Kapanen
Tyson Barrie
Cody Ceci
Jason Spezza

Tkatchuck-Matthews-Mikheyev
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Ferland-Kerfoot-Moore
D'agastino-Gauthier-Shore

Reilly-Gudas
Muzzin-Edler
Dermott-Holl

You might think it's much uglier on paper, but that team would bang, score, it would be much more defensively reliable and responsible and it would have a lot more heart and character, IMO.

 

[Kurtz]

Why do posters insist on adding Sundin in with the greatest players ever? He never won crap and every 4th game he would be invisible. Sure he was a PPG player....barely, but he was a PPG player when the top guys were getting 120 or more.

You guys have brainwashed yourselves into thinking Sundin was this awesome player. He wasn't. He was the best on the Leaf team and that's not saying much.

Do you remember who his linemates were during those years? He got to play on a line with Roberts and Mogilny for a few weeks (and put up some big numbers), and the rest of his career here he spent with the likes of Modin and Hoglund on his wings.

 

[LeafingTheWay]

This team was borderline unwatchable 2004-2015.

Yes this team is likeable

You're wrong Mezinger. Don't you know a lot of Leaf fans like to watch losing teams instead of winning teams? It's more fun watching that

 

[HomerJLeafs]

Is this team likeable?
Absolutely.
I love me some pissed off Matthews.
Nylander such a beauty on ice.
I like Marner ....not this off season not right now but i still want him to do great.
I love Dermott. I like how quickly Ilya the Souperman became a fave. I like that The Gauth and Holl proved they belong. I like Mo. I like Hyman. I like that we have a C. I like Muzz.
Yeah i d say its a likeable team. Sometimes they f*** up and play horrible but i cant cheer for another team. I dont even have a team that i kinda like i say f*** them all and GoLEAFSGO

 

[mikeo1]

Bunch of talent, but not a fan of the personalities. Maybe if they actually start playing upto their contracts...

 

[v4karuna]

I only like them when they show some emotion like last game.

 

[carosey12]

I love the Leafs.
If I was using a scale of 1-10, I usually enjoy watching them at around a 9.5.... until this season. This group is different, and in a bad way.
We are soft as butter.
Our coach is an arrogant prick.
Our stars are soft, entitled and they seem extremely selfish (not Tavares or Reilly).
Our gm disregards what makes teams successful in the playoffs and has no clue how to negotiate a contract.
The team always seems scared when the chips are down and never stand up for each other.
I know people will tell me “if you don’t like it, stop watching” but I don’t want to stop. I have loved the Leafs my entire life. I just want a more likeable team. This team is getting harder and harder to cheer for.
What change can be made before Christmas to change the character of this team?
Will firing Babcock help?
Will trading Marner net is what we need?
Do we ride this out knowing this team doesn’t have a heartbeat?
How long until fans start booing this team off the ice?

 

[carosey12]

This is exactly how im feeling, and many of my fellow Leaf die hards as well. WELL SAID!!!!

 

[Trapper]

I'm sure their Mom's like them.
Well except when they play passive.

 

[carosey12]

It's a team with an overpaid and under-performing core. A group that were about themselves first and aren't willing to work hard enough to succeed beyond their individual stats. Not exactly a recipe for a lovable group. They aren't the kind of super skilled group that just gets the job done and wows you every night. Nor are they the hard working underdogs that may not win all the time but you are impressed by their effort.

This is a team with supreme talent. There is no lack of fun in watching Matthews score a massive goal. But this isn't a team that you can feel the desire to win nor see what they are willing to sacrifice for the ultimate goal. There are likable players and elements to this team. But the team itself isn't quite there on the likable scale.

THIS.

 

[Teeder Keon]

 

[axlrose87]

It sure sounds like Leafs nation is itching for a major shakeup to this team.
I wonder if management is completely aware?
I wonder if they are putting together a plan to pull the trigger?
I sure hope so!!!!

Mitch Marner to Columbus for an extended Josh Anderson and some picks/ prospects.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I'd be willing to bet a lot of these people pumping his tires have never even watched him play live and are grading him on highlight clips and youtube videos. I only starting to like him about 3 years before he got traded when he finally grew a set of balls and played with some passion. He was a typical flashy Euro for most of his career.

Lol, I have watched him plenty. He is still better than any current Leafs players playing. Gimme a break. He was a great player. Still my favourite all time.

 

[qqaz]

This is the most likeable team since the 90's. In fact, there isn't really a player on the team that I don't like.

Tavares and Marner are hometown all-star players. They are super easy to cheer for and fun to watch. I get that some people are put off because of Marner's contract number/negotiation. But I think that will fade.

Matthews and Nylander are both 1st line talents, with Matthews specifically being the kind of player fans have been jealous over for 20 years. Every cup finals we would see players like Toews, Staal, Kopitar, Crosby, and say "we need someone like that." And now we do, plus a smart skilled fast winger to compliment the guy.

Add in some guys who are near the top at their position, namely Andersen and Rielly, who are easy to root for.

What isn't likeable about this team? Oh ya. 3 of the star forwards are overpaid by about a million each, and we've been losing games recently. Well teams are streaky sometimes. After 3 wins in a row everyone will be singing songs again and wondering who we will face in round 1. And if you need to overpay someone I'd rather overpay Matthews and Marner instead of an over the hill UFA or a depth player eating cap space.

Some contenders used 3 million (or more) in cap space on the likes od David "healthy scratch" Backes.

 

[HolyCrap]

Too much soft skill, not enough lesser skilled heart, who can score... We don't need goons. We need a couple 6'1-6'2, 210+lb grown men that are strong on the sidewall, strong in their on own end and strong in front of both nets. There is room for 1-2 Marner or Moore's, but you need some damn strength.

In...
Zack Hyman
Michael Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk
Radko Gudas
Alexander Edler

Out...
William Nylander
Andreas Johnsson
Kasperi Kapanen
Tyson Barrie
Cody Ceci
Jason Spezza

Tkatchuck-Matthews-Mikheyev
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Ferland-Kerfoot-Moore
D'agastino-Gauthier-Shore

Reilly-Gudas
Muzzin-Edler
Dermott-Holl

You might think it's much uglier on paper, but that team would bang, score, it would be much more defensively reliable and responsible and it would have a lot more heart and character, IMO.

I’d love to have Tkachuck. But how are we gonna get him? The flames are not trading him for what you have going out. Marner would be the least they would accept and that’s debatable. They already have a small star winger.

 

[Suntouchable13]

This is the most likeable team since the 90's. In fact, there isn't really a player on the team that I don't like.

Tavares and Marner are hometown all-star players. They are super easy to cheer for and fun to watch. I get that some people are put off because of Marner's contract number/negotiation. But I think that will fade.

Matthews and Nylander are both 1st line talents, with Matthews specifically being the kind of player fans have been jealous over for 20 years. Every cup finals we would see players like Toews, Staal, Kopitar, Crosby, and say "we need someone like that." And now we do, plus a smart skilled fast winger to compliment the guy.

Add in some guys who are near the top at their position, namely Andersen and Rielly, who are easy to root for.

What isn't likeable about this team? Oh ya. 3 of the star forwards are overpaid by about a million each, and we've been losing games recently. Well teams are streaky sometimes. After 3 wins in a row everyone will be singing songs again and wondering who we will face in round 1. And if you need to overpay someone I'd rather overpay Matthews and Marner instead of an over the hill UFA or a depth player eating cap space.

Some contenders used 3 million (or more) in cap space on the likes od David "healthy scratch" Backes.

For me, the early 2000s team were more likeable than this group. But I hope that will change this spring. I couldn't care less about any of these so called individual accolades. I just want to see winning when it matters the most, playoffs. What makes a team likeable to me is winning. Period. The other team that plays in this city on hardwood is way more likeable than the Leafs right now. Because of winning and the way they play.

 

[GoBuds14]

Why do posters insist on adding Sundin in with the greatest players ever? He never won crap and every 4th game he would be invisible. Sure he was a PPG player....barely, but he was a PPG player when the top guys were getting 120 or more.

You guys have brainwashed yourselves into thinking Sundin was this awesome player. He wasn't. He was the best on the Leaf team and that's not saying much.

Where did I say he was a top player of his era? I watched his entire tenure with the leafs. He wasn’t perfect, very few are, but I’ll tell you what, he performed in meaningful games and he wasn’t afraid to hold the puck in the zone in the dirty areas. He used his big frame in a way i wish Matthews did. But don’t kid yourself, he’s was a legitimate #1 C in his era

 

[member 300185]

Do you remember who his linemates were during those years? He got to play on a line with Roberts and Mogilny for a few weeks (and put up some big numbers), and the rest of his career here he spent with the likes of Modin and Hoglund on his wings.

And? The really good players create line mates and help them get better. Good players do that.

 

[member 300185]

Where did I say he was a top player of his era? I watched his entire tenure with the leafs. He wasn’t perfect, very few are, but I’ll tell you what, he performed in meaningful games and he wasn’t afraid to hold the puck in the zone in the dirty areas. He used his big frame in a way i wish Matthews did. But don’t kid yourself, he’s was a legitimate #1 C in his era

Sorry, but I have to disagree. In his 13 years he only made the playoffs like what....6 or 7 times? This guy was recognized because he was the best player on a crappy team. He is this years Nylander. Soft like a little fluffy bunny rabbit.