GDT: Leafs @ Chicago - Wednesday 7:30

[Burnie97]

Judging from the majority of people here they are going to hate this take. Here goes...

I stated earlier I have to give this team 15 or so games to see what's there.

Am I really thinking this team might not have it.. Definitely... something seems off. Self entitlement seems to be a problem, along with effort. It doesn't always happen but before things could possibly get blown up... I'll give this team to that 15 mark and see where we stand. Some of these guys can still grow a lot. Look what Nylander is doing.

It's 7 games in. The next 2 have to be Ws. Put the last few behind and get playing f***ing hockey. Don't talk just do it.

Not to look too far ahead but get to 500 and then next week is a big time week.

Vegas, Tampa, Boston. By then they're at 12 games and it's pretty close to knowing if there is any real possibility they can figure their shit out.

If by then they're still really shitting the bed I'd imagine something would happen around then.

I look at the standings so far and it's so early. Also they're wack. Buffalo doing well. Detroit decent. Certain players playing way over their head and clearly others way under acheiving. I don't believe that continues. Seeing Vegas and Colorado both at 2-4 and both suppose to be cup favourites. They're better than that.

I think some of this could be attributed to being in the same division all year last year and the way teams play in that type of bubble. Maybe it takes time to adjust to different systems and how to play against different opponents. Time will tell.

 

[fahad203]

This is an easy win really, the Hawks are a tire fire. It also means nothing if they do get a win in the big picture. This is a gift for the gods game, given the circumstances.

Chicago is probably looking at the Leafs and probably saying the same thing

If they watched enough videos, they know who to attack, Holl/Muzzin

They have been terrible

 

[Pi]

I can imagine the Leafs getting absolutely wrecked by this team. They might play like they are the dynasty Blackhawks against us lol.

 

[Pi]

Let's face it. This team isn't built right. A loss tonight is needed. We need major change.

While I agree, the Leafs record is not bad considering 3/4 of our top paid forwards are MIA to start the season. This team will still comfortably make the playoffs IMO if they can play to even 80% of their capabilities. I just don't have any belief in them in accomplishing anything past that.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I bet it is a sloppy game by both teams .. lots of chances both ways .. both tenders will play well .. thinking 4-3 for one team .. given Leafs atmosphere right now I think they end up on losing side in Hawks barn .. expecting Matty to light it up though

 

[showtime8]

Let's face it. This team isn't built right. A loss tonight is needed. We need major change.

Even if you believe the team isn't built right, you can still cheer for a victory, no?

Another loss won't significantly change the minds of ownership or management. It may force the hand a bit..

 

[kevsh]

This team will still comfortably make the playoffs IMO if they can play to even 80% of their capabilities.

You're in a fantasy world if you think an "80%" Leafs team can comfortably make the playoffs. In the last nearly full season ('19-20) although they finished 3rd they were one point out of missing the playoffs entirely (the Islanders trailed by 1 point and had 2 games in hand).

Plus the slow start means they are already behind Florida, TB and Boston, and 3 points out of a wild card (both WC teams have a game hand) and have to leapfrog 5 teams just be in the mix ... and all but one of those 5 teams has a game+ in hand.

While I'm not suggesting they're going to miss the playoffs this season, they are already digging themselves a hole (esp. considering they had a relatively easy schedule up until the Hurricanes game) that is not going to be easy to get out of, even if they start playing at 90%+.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I can't see the Leafs winning this game TBH.

They have so much pressure tonight. There is no logical reason to suggest Chicago should win, which is exactly why Toronto will lose. People think the noose is tight in Chicago right now? f*** that, none of the players playing tonight will have any affiliation to the 2010 sexual assault allegations as Toews and Kane have been removed for COVID protocol. If anything this will serve as the perfect distraction for their current players.


Tonight, we will find out what rock bottom is. Just a hunch

I really hope I am wrong

 

[DraftSchmaft]

Chicago is probably looking at the Leafs and probably saying the same thing

If they watched enough videos, they know who to attack, Holl/Muzzin

They have been terrible

Hardly the same thing. A struggling core and D is one tier higher than covid riddled team going through scandals.

But yes if we win this it's still like we're 0-8 for confidence sake. That will be one win against Scabs, one against a freebie and one against a team without their best player who isn't even a playoff team with him.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Judging from the majority of people here they are going to hate this take. Here goes...

I stated earlier I have to give this team 15 or so games to see what's there.

Am I really thinking this team might not have it.. Definitely... something seems off. Self entitlement seems to be a problem, along with effort. It doesn't always happen but before things could possibly get blown up... I'll give this team to that 15 mark and see where we stand. Some of these guys can still grow a lot. Look what Nylander is doing.

It's 7 games in. The next 2 have to be Ws. Put the last few behind and get playing f***ing hockey. Don't talk just do it.

Not to look too far ahead but get to 500 and then next week is a big time week.

Vegas, Tampa, Boston. By then they're at 12 games and it's pretty close to knowing if there is any real possibility they can figure their shit out.

If by then they're still really shitting the bed I'd imagine something would happen around then.

I look at the standings so far and it's so early. Also they're wack. Buffalo doing well. Detroit decent. Certain players playing way over their head and clearly others way under acheiving. I don't believe that continues. Seeing Vegas and Colorado both at 2-4 and both suppose to be cup favourites. They're better than that.

I think some of this could be attributed to being in the same division all year last year and the way teams play in that type of bubble. Maybe it takes time to adjust to different systems and how to play against different opponents. Time will tell.

Could not agree more. good post!

 

[Havoc]

Hardly the same thing. A struggling core and D is one tier higher than covid riddled team going through scandals.

But yes if we win this it's still like we're 0-8 for confidence sake. That will be one win against Scabs, one against a freebie and one against a team without their best player who isn't even a playoff team with him.

If it's a mental thing, winning tonight is not like going 0-8.

All it takes is one win, even if soft to get the juice and confidence flowing.

When these 4 guys are hot at the same time our winning percentage is > 70%.

That (wins / games played) * 100 rocket science like equation is the only advanced stat that matters.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Judging from the majority of people here they are going to hate this take. Here goes...

I stated earlier I have to give this team 15 or so games to see what's there.

Am I really thinking this team might not have it.. Definitely... something seems off. Self entitlement seems to be a problem, along with effort. It doesn't always happen but before things could possibly get blown up... I'll give this team to that 15 mark and see where we stand. Some of these guys can still grow a lot. Look what Nylander is doing.

It's 7 games in. The next 2 have to be Ws. Put the last few behind and get playing f***ing hockey. Don't talk just do it.

Not to look too far ahead but get to 500 and then next week is a big time week.

Vegas, Tampa, Boston. By then they're at 12 games and it's pretty close to knowing if there is any real possibility they can figure their shit out.

If by then they're still really shitting the bed I'd imagine something would happen around then.

I look at the standings so far and it's so early. Also they're wack. Buffalo doing well. Detroit decent. Certain players playing way over their head and clearly others way under acheiving. I don't believe that continues. Seeing Vegas and Colorado both at 2-4 and both suppose to be cup favourites. They're better than that.

I think some of this could be attributed to being in the same division all year last year and the way teams play in that type of bubble. Maybe it takes time to adjust to different systems and how to play against different opponents. Time will tell.

This a fair take for sure and I get wanting to wait but I think at this point the habits they’ve demonstrated for years as problematic won’t go away after 7-8 more games. And even then, can you really trust them not to revert back once the climate around this team settles back down? It’s hard to say but I really think they haven’t learned a thing or just don’t care enough to change.

We’ll see though. At the 15 game mark the it’s early excuse will be pretty weak.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

If it's a mental thing, winning tonight is not like going 0-8.

All it takes is one win, even if soft to get the juice and confidence flowing.

When these 4 guys are hot at the same time our winning percentage is > 70%.

Need a nice blowout then. Scraping a 2-1 lead will not do anything for their confidence. Marner will have that same sad look thinking about how in the heck he didn't put up 3-4 points tonight.

I agree with you. This team would float into the cup finals if the top 6 could stay "on".

 

[fahad203]

Judging from the majority of people here they are going to hate this take. Here goes...

I stated earlier I have to give this team 15 or so games to see what's there.

Am I really thinking this team might not have it.. Definitely... something seems off. Self entitlement seems to be a problem, along with effort. It doesn't always happen but before things could possibly get blown up... I'll give this team to that 15 mark and see where we stand. Some of these guys can still grow a lot. Look what Nylander is doing.

It's 7 games in. The next 2 have to be Ws. Put the last few behind and get playing f***ing hockey. Don't talk just do it.

Not to look too far ahead but get to 500 and then next week is a big time week.

Vegas, Tampa, Boston. By then they're at 12 games and it's pretty close to knowing if there is any real possibility they can figure their shit out.

If by then they're still really shitting the bed I'd imagine something would happen around then.

I look at the standings so far and it's so early. Also they're wack. Buffalo doing well. Detroit decent. Certain players playing way over their head and clearly others way under acheiving. I don't believe that continues. Seeing Vegas and Colorado both at 2-4 and both suppose to be cup favourites. They're better than that.

I think some of this could be attributed to being in the same division all year last year and the way teams play in that type of bubble. Maybe it takes time to adjust to different systems and how to play against different opponents. Time will tell.

Fish rottens from the head.

The other teams you mentioned, Vegas, Tampa, Boston, they have competent management, leadership. Their expectation is different, their bars are set on a higher level
They are also surrounded by other great leaders

Tampa was built around Yzerman. He did inherit a lot of good players, but so did Dubas. But Yzerman drafted and brought in some tough mofo. I think he drafted Pointe, Yanii Gourde and Tyler Jhonsson. Small guys, plays big. Because as a hockey player, you know what it takes to win in playoffs

Neeley always understood what it takes to be in Boston. He played there, he built a management team accordingly. Boston is the same team that got rid of Seguin because he didn't fit the bill

I'll exclude Vegas, since they were essentially gifted a team

Colorado has Mack. Dude is a beast and a monster. You dont' have to tell him he had a bad game, he'll probably go home and punch the wall for having a bad game


Toronto Leadership wants to come off as a loving, caring, we do good management. They are too busy being a fortune 500 company than they are being a hockey team

That is what trickling down the organization. If your philosophy is to come out as a nice guy, you hire nice and pretty guys.

Take a look at our bench during games. Everyone looks like it's their first gig and they all look like consultants.


Tavares had his best season as a Leaf scoring 47 goals 3 years ago. All of sudden he forgot to play?
His decline started as soon as Keefe took over. Keefe doesnt' know how to manage his player's strength and weakness

He doesnt' know how to handle certain players. I mean he was not even a assistant coach in this league to build relationships or had experience managing NHLers

But lets give him the key to the biggest franchise with biggest stars to manage and handle

 

[LeafSteel]

Any lineup yet for tonight’s game?

Looking forward to being shocked and awed by Keefe’s brilliant lineup adjustments to infuse and inspire greatness into our lineup…..

 

[Burnie97]

This a fair take for sure and I get wanting to wait but I think at this point the habits they’ve demonstrated for years as problematic won’t go away after 7-8 more games. And even then, can you really trust them not to revert back once the climate around this team settles back down? It’s hard to say but I really think they haven’t learned a thing or just don’t care enough to change.

We’ll see though. At the 15 game mark the it’s early excuse will be pretty weak.

This is also a fair take. It's kind of my last hope they somehow dig themselves out of this. Like Spezza was saying ... a team like Tampa a few years back turned it around and it catapulted them. Not saying Leafs are Tampa but they're not near this bad.

Anyway there's some quotes on it from David Alter yesterday. They have to get an attitude like Spezza. Not something I ever thought I would say either after those Ottawa years lol.

I'm just saying around 15 games. After that no... I couldn't use this excuse. Also I hate to even use one because like you say they could easily win a few and revert back to the same ol same ol. I just don't but this team is even close to this bad. Especially the last couple of games.

 

[Coachcorner]

Any lineup yet for tonight’s game?

Looking forward to being shocked and awed by Keefe’s brilliant lineup adjustments to infuse and inspire greatness into our lineup…..

THIS IS OURS TO TAKE FOR LIFE SIRE !!! FOR LIFE!! Matthews and marner etc nylander and tavvy will LIGHT THAT THANG UP!! HARD!! Like even 6 gezoals is possible for us tonight sire. Even 7. See to it. I predicted it here and now. And am INVESTING on it, hard. GET RICH.

 

[ACC1224]

Any lineup yet for tonight’s game?

Looking forward to being shocked and awed by Keefe’s brilliant lineup adjustments to infuse and inspire greatness into our lineup…..

Nothing would surprise at this point.
Still can't believe Sandin hasn't been sent to the Marlies yet.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

My gut is telling me we win this game by the skin of our teeth with over reliance on Campbell. This puts us in the position of a W but still disappointed.

 

[LeafSteel]

THIS IS OURS TO TAKE FOR LIFE SIRE !!! FOR LIFE!! Matthews and marner etc nylander and tavvy will LIGHT THAT THANG UP!! HARD!! Like even 6 gezoals is possible for us tonight sire. Even 7. See to it. I predicted it here and now. And am INVESTING on it, hard. GET RICH.

Yep, putting that in the old portfolio, right between Bre-X and Nortel!!!!

 

[Optimist]

I predict a Marner secondary assist for the $130,000.00 he will be making tonight.

 

[SprDaVE]

If nobody is going to believe in you, at least you can believe in yourself. They got that going for them...

 

[jimmycarter]

Hawks score first but leafs win.

 

[Blowfish]

Bruins Panthers and Hawks Leafs...

Two very difficult games to watch considering everything that has gone done the last 24 hours.

 

[MSZ]

While I agree, the Leafs record is not bad considering 3/4 of our top paid forwards are MIA to start the season. This team will still comfortably make the playoffs IMO if they can play to even 80% of their capabilities. I just don't have any belief in them in accomplishing anything past that.

No Toews, no Kane. You know the rest of their guys are going to try much harder, just like the Pens did earlier.