Confirmed with Link: Joe Thornton to Leafs [1yr/700k]

[ryno23]

Something that I thought about when we signed him was now we have the potential to play our money line if big Joe can handle 2nd Centre with Nylander, and anyone of Hyman, Robertson,Mikheyev etc

The money line
Tavares - Matthews - Marner

Would be great to see that for a full season, even if its just for the 1 season

This is where Keefe is better than Babs. Babs would never look at mixing it up. Keefe might not start a game that way but depending on how the game goes might do it. Last 2 mins of a period might roll that top line or after a penalty kill then come back with Joe, Nylander and Soupman.

Dubas has put some versatility into the leafs lineup and Keefe will use it

 

[justashadowof]

It only seems like last summer when the collective was happy to see the last of Patrick Marleau because he had become creeky old bones losing his speed and playing the game to protect his consecutive games streak.

 

[Sypher04]

It only seems like last summer when the collective was happy to see the last of Patrick Marleau because he had become creeky old bones losing his speed and playing the game to protect his consecutive games streak.

If you're insinuating this situation is the same as Marleau's was, you're wrong.

1) marleau was playing in our top 6
2) marleau was making 6m dollars
3) marleau seemed more concerned with maintaining his ironman streak than actually being rested
4) Thornton was never fast. He never needed to be

 

[Mess]

I'm guessing that the strategy of signing these greybeards like Thornton, in a young man's NHL where the game is played at a high pace and passed them by, is playing the odds that this will be a shortened compressed season perhaps ~ 42 games and not 82 games to get the NHL back on overall schedule. Then having the summer months back to the draft and free agency etc ,with the ultimate plan of 2021-22 season beginning again in Sept/Oct and running as usual again. This 2020-21 season running Jan - April with the playoffs starting in May.

At 41 years old but with a regular full season and lots of back to back games or 3 in 4 nights I wouldn't expect players like Thornton & Spezza to play every game and not rotate in and out playing only 1 of back to back games. Old bodies taking longer to recover and endurance becoming the issue in the twilight of careers. However cut that season in 1/2 with a smaller regular season and then playoffs, perhaps this veteran experience and leadership will pay off for the Leafs via this aging vets strategy in the bottom of the roster.

As much as the Covid World is flattening the salary Cap and forcing cheap league minimum contracts that wouldn't exists at present to sign a Thornton. The other way to take advantage of the current environment is bank on a short regular season and bulk up on experience to increase cup competitiveness as opposed to young players on learning curves at that same cap hit cost. Essentially Leafs are playing a Covid19 short term strategy of team building here. The pandemic forcing the Leafs to downgrade their talent level by dealing players and potential 20+ goal scores like Kapanen and AJ for futures via flat cap, but offsetting that with a Thornton signing due to limited cap resources to help offset those loses.

 

[Stephen]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

 

[ShaneFalco]

It only seems like last summer when the collective was happy to see the last of Patrick Marleau because he had become creeky old bones losing his speed and playing the game to protect his consecutive games streak.

6.5 million
Over-used by a moron coach
a 3 year deal - the last of which was never going to work

Not even remotely similar

 

[ShaneFalco]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

Keefe has talked about lack of maturity and Mitch would be the first one I'd look at.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Keefe has talked about lack of maturity and Mitch would be the first one I'd look at.

Mitch likes to have fun and always has ... but he is dead serious on da ice ... he has had loads of guys trying to wipe him out of hockey for many many years now and no one has really caught him yet ... people were very jealous of his skill/talent and Paul did not help in that regard but he made it through and landed his deal which very very few do

 

[ShaneFalco]

Mitch likes to have fun and always has ... but he is dead serious on da ice ... he has had loads of guys trying to wipe him out of hockey for many many years now and no one has really caught him yet ... people were very jealous of his skill/talent and Paul did not help in that regard but he made it through and landed his deal which very very few do

Yes we know how you claim to know da whole family, and used to see Naz at da golf course etc etc

 

[Notsince67]

Why change your name? That is silly would he have changed his name in real life? I think he must have embarrassed himself enough he changed his real life name. So then yes its okay to change your online handle. Hey buddy how you been doing? Lol.

I plan on changing my name this coming year to Notsince21.
I'll schedule it for the same day of the year I plan for a parade and the beginning of a week long party.

 

[Notsince67]

Keefe has talked about lack of maturity and Mitch would be the first one I'd look at.

Yeah...we all know he pissed in your cornflakes

 

[IPS]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

There was also minor rumors circulating that Muzzin got pretty livid with the team sometimes in the locker room as well. No clue how accurate they were but he came from an LA team that preached accountability from the top down.

If true it's good to see he won't be alone in that regard, I'm sure Simmonds would be happy to help as well.

 

[frizzer1]

If you don't think Leetch helped the Leafs once upon a time, you weren't watching the games. Leetch was great for the Leafs. Just because they didn't win a cup doesn't mean he didn't help the team.

I disagree.
On the pp, Kaberle would feed McCabe......then Leetch came in and rep0laced McCabe.......so Leetch was fine but there was really no net gain.
But when it came to the playoffs none of the three I mentioned helped them much and they did have Sundin,Roberts,and Mogilny on that team,I think.

 

[Mickey Marner]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

I've always found Thornton to be rather happy-go-lucky. But he's certainly a vocal guy.

 

[ToneDog]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

Will be interesting to see how a younger making 7/8 digits reacts to a senior on a one year deal, making less than an 18 year old Robertson, "calling" them out. Good for Joe if he can get through to them.

 

[Pinto]

There was also minor rumors circulating that Muzzin got pretty livid with the team sometimes in the locker room as well. No clue how accurate they were but he came from an LA team that preached accountability from the top down.

If true it's good to see he won't be alone in that regard, I'm sure Simmonds would be happy to help as well.

I’ve heard some things to believe that’s true.

And very good that he won’t be alone in that anymore. Hopefully it will have an impact.

 

[egd27]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

Doesn't much matter if he calls them out and they don't listen. There's a possibility that some of the younger guys aren't great listeners.

 

[Mess]

It only seems like last summer when the collective was happy to see the last of Patrick Marleau because he had become creeky old bones losing his speed and playing the game to protect his consecutive games streak.

Patrick Marleau was an outstanding mentor and veteran presence & leader for Leafs young players for their development .. Patty Marleau took those young players under his wing almost as a father figure for Auston and Mitch where they almost became a part of the Marleau extended family in how much they respected and admired him, and likely accepted his advice.

Player development is often such an important factor overlooked, when people focus on contract and production only. The loss of Marleau and how it impacted the Leafs in the dressing room and on the ice is something we saw play out in a down season for the team, and continued to the struggles in the play-in round.

Joe Thornton addition is an attempt by Leafs management recognizing that loss, and an attempt to fill that veteran mentor role again, and someone Leafs young players will look up to and follow his leadership on and off the ice and in the lockerroom. While Jumbo Joe's stats are expected to be limited in a depth role at his age and usage, it will be his intangibles of experience and leadership and motivation abilities etc that will be true benefit of this signing that analytics can't back up on impact, but seen in TEAM stability and consistency.

 

[ottomaddox]

6.5 million
Over-used by a moron coach
a 3 year deal - the last of which was never going to work

Not even remotely similar

I don't agree at all with your rant here. Marleau got awarded a contract that other teams might have given him. His track record and ability is proven in the NHL. Babcock is not a Moron coach. He's actually considered to be a good coach. That's why he was given the responsibility to coach ANA, DET, TOR,and Team Canada. It's likely a coach like Keefe might not even get half of the career Babs has.

I'm sorry, but your bad mood doesn't change any of those facts.

 

[al secord]

It only seems like last summer when the collective was happy to see the last of Patrick Marleau because he had become creeky old bones losing his speed and playing the game to protect his consecutive games streak.

I don't think context is in your wheelhouse.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I don't agree at all with your rant here. Marleau got awarded a contract that other teams might have given him. His track record and ability is proven in the NHL. Babcock is not a Moron coach. He's actually considered to be a good coach. That's why he was given the responsibility to coach ANA, DET, TOR,and Team Canada. It's likely a coach like Keefe might not even get half of the career Babs has.

I'm sorry, but your bad mood doesn't change any of those facts.

Your opinion does not count as fact
With the young guys we needed to sign, it was an idiotic move to give him 3 years. Let another team sign him
Babcock USED to be a good coach, he was terrible here

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Yes we know how you claim to know da whole family, and used to see Naz at da golf course etc etc

When I used to open forwards bench door on Flyers bench Mitch would always be first kid who wanted back on ice ... call it selfish or whatever you want to call it he wanted to win every game

 

[ottomaddox]

Your opinion does not count as fact
With the young guys we needed to sign, it was an idiotic move to give him 3 years. Let another team sign him
Babcock USED to be a good coach, he was terrible here

My opinion doesn't change Marleau's great career (unless you see it as a bad career therefore it's an opinion). Also they give Team Canada head coaching jobs to the worst coaches right?

 

[Carltons Cup]

A lot of chatter on TSN about how Thornton will not be afraid to call out some of the younger guys, then insinuation seems to be Marner. Top pick, smooth transition to the NHL and stardom and has been rather honest about being unengaged in the start of the Columbus series.

I hope Jumbo can make them realize that they have all the money in the world and that it's time to build a legacy by winning a cup(s). Then people will truly remember them in a positive light.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

My opinion doesn't change Marleau's great career (unless you see it as a bad career therefore it's an opinion). Also they give Team Canada head coaching jobs to the worst coaches right?

In some cases, yes. Team Canada has by far the most talented roster of players in the world, so winning is simply meeting expectations.

Also, being a good international coach does not mean you are good NHL coach. You have the best players at your disposal when you coach internationally so you can't really "misuse" anyone (at least to the extent as you can in the NHL).

Babcock was a great coach when the game was more suited to his coaching style, but he struggled to adapt to a newer, better way of playing and made a bunch of coaching blunders as a result. It was not just in Toronto; it was even in the last few years of Detroit too.

Babcock was not the worst coach out there, but he definitely was nowhere near the best coach either. He was getting paid like he was the best coach in NHL history, and was nowhere near meeting those expectations. He made far too many mistakes to be a Cup-winning coach in this era, and was unable/unwilling to adapt to become one of those guys. It was time to move on from him.