Its very likely this core wont win ONE round

[notbias]

Not looking at the results of a 3-4-1 record but how they looked on the ice it’s not crazy to say they won’t make the playoffs as of today.

Now of course they can improve as the season goes on but looking at history of the team and the same issues bothering them this early in the season I’m not optimistic.

I’m not a leaf hater I’m a big Leafs fan that has been disappointed with them year after year. I’m having a hard time being optimistic for this team just based on their history.

I too think the first 10 games of a season is indicative of the entire season, I look forward to Florida, Buffalo, and Detroit taking the top 3 spots in our division.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I still see this team winning a round, hell maybe even two, but I do not consider them a stanley cup contender and that's the whole reason we believe and I truly don't see it, hell we are not even as good as we were last season.

I can't tell you exactly what we need, but the defensive play of the entire team needs an upgrade and I do think the experiment of such a heavy cap on just forwards instead of allocating it more between D and forwards will not win a cup.

Little scared considering after all these years we've done nothing and after this year there's only two left on Matthews contract and we haven't even sniffed the second round.

We spend about the same amount as most other contenders on defense. It is usually in that 20-22 mill range, and the Leafs spend almost 21 mill on defensemen. It's not like the Leafs are as "forward heavy" as people think they are. They just don't spend as much on their bottom 6, where in many cases, the money is not well spent unless their top 6 is not as good.

The problem is that our entire 2nd pairing, which amounts to 1/3 of what we spend on defense, is playing like absolute trash right now... Not much unlike the rest of the team. If this is as good as the team will play this year, then there will be issues. However, I highly doubt this is the best they can do.

 

[Buds17]

Can absolutely understand why this continues to be questioned. They haven't been far off on multiple occasions though.

 

[IPS]

I mean it doesn't look good so far. All we did was get slower and weaker this year and our cap space just keeps dwindling.

 

[PromisedLand]

as a realist Andi P really isn't cute

She used to be.... father time catches up with everyone I guess

 

[PromisedLand]

We have a goalie tandem that played in total 34 games combined last season. None of them are known to have beast playoff stats when game gets tighter.

Leafs have yet to show that they can produce in a tight checking game where teams either force dump-ins by clogging neutral zone or against teams that have relentless hard forecheck.

We still try to play "fancy" instead of hockey. Don't look too far for the "fancy" way of doing things. PP1 tries for "fancy" playstation BS all the time instead of hockey plays with fast puck movement.

As a Leafs fan I will obviously not root against them but as a realistic hockey fan I don't see how leafs can go deep in the playoffs or heck even win a round given the way the team is built.

50% of the cap on 4 forwards - if they don't produce is a recipe for failure

 

[Dreakmur]

We spend about the same amount as most other contenders on defense. It is usually in that 20-22 mill range, and the Leafs spend almost 21 mill on defensemen. It's not like the Leafs are as "forward heavy" as people think they are. They just don't spend as much on their bottom 6, where in many cases, the money is not well spent unless their top 6 is not as good.

The problem is that our entire 2nd pairing, which amounts to 1/3 of what we spend on defense, is playing like absolute trash right now... Not much unlike the rest of the team. If this is as good as the team will play this year, then there will be issues. However, I highly doubt this is the best they can do.

The problem is less about what positions we pay, and more about which individual players we pay.

When the two players who make up a quarter of your cap disappears in the playoffs, it becomes really tough to win.

 

[kb]

I too think the first 10 games of a season is indicative of the entire season, I look forward to Florida, Buffalo, and Detroit taking the top 3 spots in our division.

I lol'd. First thing to cross my mind too!

 

[Jozay]

Sixth times the charm.

 

[Rude Dog]

thoughts? Please realize its very very possible. Nuts if you ask me. What an absolute disgrace. Both Shanahan and Dubas need to go last year, and get rid of Marner for whatever (cap space), many others but thats a start. Oh how does Manny still have a job here?

shocking. Yet another the sky is falling thread. What if they do? Not enough negativity on this board yet?

 

[centipede2233]

Here’s a couple of concerning stats, not that you need any more stats to support the uninspiring start the leafs have had so far this season.

the leafs are only one of 3 teams to not score at least 4 goals in one game (incl. OT). The other 2 teams are Chicago and Dallas. Of the 8 games played for Toronto, 5 have been against non playoff teams. That doesn’t include there one game against the Montreal Canadians…..

 

[AllDay28]

this is nauseating.

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

I like turtles.

 

[Macallan18]

thoughts? Please realize its very very possible. Nuts if you ask me. What an absolute disgrace. Both Shanahan and Dubas need to go last year, and get rid of Marner for whatever (cap space), many others but thats a start. Oh how does Manny still have a job here?

ok, this is so negative, it earns the poster an ignore.

 

[Mugzy97]

It’s very likely that they win one round

 

[57 Years No Cup]

It’s very likely that they win one round

What year?

 

[Stamkos4life]

if a few years ago you were told this core wouldnt sniff the second round, 99.9 percent of hockey fans would say youre nuts. Huge mistake with 3 of the 4 big contracts, Nylander being the only decent one. AM not signed to the 8 year max is insane, obv the 11 million JT signing and MM almost 11 million.

If you told the dubas fan boys in 2018 that after 3 years of KD in charge we would lose in the first round to the bruins and the Habs (lol), also lose to the jackets in the qualifier, lose to our own 40 yo emergency back up and lose to the pens ahl team, I really don't think they would've wanted him hired.

But after 3 years of worshiping at the alter of dubas, they can't admit they were wrong and so are just being even more zealous.

It's so very strange. Imagine if we still had a good gm, such as Lou. The guy went to a far worse islanders team and has made the semi finals twice.

 

[AllDay28]

If you told the dubas fan boys in 2018 that after 3 years of KD in charge we would lose in the first round to the bruins and the Habs (lol), also lose to the jackets in the qualifier, lose to our own 40 yo emergency back up and lose to the pens ahl team, I really don't think they would've wanted him hired.

But after 3 years of worshiping at the alter of dubas, they can't admit they were wrong and so are just being even more zealous.

It's so very strange. Imagine if we still had a good gm, such as Lou. The guy went to a far worse islanders team and has made the semi finals twice.

since were gonna be condescending.. imagine growing up not being good at sports that losing in the semis excites you. lose in the 1st round, 2nd round, semis, hell finals, you're still a loser.. 1 team wins a year and right now the only fan base that can talk is Tampa. When people look back in history they're not gonna remember those historic semi final runs of the Islanders.. this isn't March Madness.

 

[hamzarocks]

Yes, as a realist, I do.

Your not a realist your a fan.

I'm a fan as well so I hope/think they can beat a team in the 1st round

But expecting it with confidence I don't think is possible right now if we are being realists

Need to see how they do throughout the regular season leading into the playoffs. If they come in hot it should increase the confidence in the team

If they limp their way in and continue to play a poor defensive game will be difficult to realistically expect them to win

Agree that it's too early to deem this core a failure. They'll be failures if they fall in the 1st round again this year. If they advance that's progress and hopefully signs of things to come

This thread is at least 30 games to early. 8 games is to soon to declare them a non playoff team

 

[hamzarocks]

I too think the first 10 games of a season is indicative of the entire season, I look forward to Florida, Buffalo, and Detroit taking the top 3 spots in our division.

Sabres and Detroit for sure are on a hot streak but Flordia is the best team in hockey on paper and on the ice

Their challenge will be to show this isn't a regular season thing only and thst they can play like a top contender in the playoffs

Panthers are incredibly deep and are getting great goaltending. They are legit with 2 spots left for 3 teams (us, Boston, and Tampa)

 

[kb]

I have trouble taking seriously anyone who likes exchanging whisker rubs with Andi P.

I kid.

 

[Beaumaris]

Can absolutely understand why this continues to be questioned. They haven't been far off on multiple occasions though.[/QUOTE
So not being far off does it for you?

 

[sittler rules!!!]

Yes, as a realist, I do.

dreamer

 

[DarkKnight]

Imagine if anyone said Dubas would be in his fourth year and we still hadn’t won a round. Or better, who would have argued he’d still have a gig if he had been GM this long without winning a round. I actually didn’t believe it possible at the time, too many horses.

 

[geo25]

I lol'd. First thing to cross my mind too!

We now have a NEW & costlier MUSKOKA FIVE ....with Reilly's new deal we now have a whopping 60% of the cap on 5 players that ....get this...haven't won 1 round....let alone a Cup.