Post-Game Talk: Leafs Eliminated.

[ruaware41]

My perspective:

-Rielly was our best performer
-Nylander was excellent, could not ask for more from him imo
-Most if not all of the supporting cast met (my) expectations. Exceptions might be Jarnkrok, ZAR.
-Samsonov and Woll should be our tandem next season
-Matthews was a complete disappointment (AGAIN). I would NOT sign him to a new big contract, but we will never get full value in a trade and I think I am okay with that.
-Marner is not a playoff performer, especially in critical moments, need to surround him with better performers.
-I thought JT was good. Not 11 mil good, but I liked what he brought from a compete level. I realize I am in the minority there, but he was on the puck hard, on the forecheck, playing the body, taking the puck to the net, making passes and actually shooting.
-Schenn was a marvel!!
-We didn't lose because of coaching. We lost because our best players did not deliver (AGAIN). That being said, I am fine with Keefe being let go (and fully expect it)
-Timmy was up and down, but will be good/steady for us eventually
-McCabe was okay
-Brodie was mostly terrible
-Giordano is done
-the window on this generation is closing, the next set of moves will decide how fast

I knew we would lose when at the end of game 3 bennett punched tavares and he just stood there and took it. Idk why we think playing like cowards is a good recipe to winning. Even if this guy was in his prime he should not be captain with his lacklustre casual attitude. How can you fire the team up when you seem so disinterested yourself.

 

[Gary Nylund]

This one hurts. Clearest path you will ever get the Conference Finals and maybe even Stanley Cup. Got to show up consistently though and they didn't....

Um no, that was 2021.

 

[seventieslord]

Well my son is going to be born tomorrow. At least he won’t know the misery right away

Congrats. But you know he doesn't have to cheer for Toronto, right? You have the chance to raise him better than you were raised.

 

[HandshakeLineRespect]

Everyone just making lazy excuses of a phantom wrist injury that allegedly spans the entirety of Matthews career need to stop. Its pathetic.

 

[Gallagbi]

Huh? his shot hasn't been fine all season lol

It wasnt effective, it looked to have the same speed and pace as always. Just poor decisions and execution by him and some terrible overall play for a guy of his caliber

 

[BertCorbeau]

Funny how Marner and Matthews' spent so much time with Marleau and his family when they first broke into the league only to become playoff choke artists like him.

 

[Kurtz]

Get the best picks and prospects for the core and take a step back like the Rangers did. Be prepared to challenge once Tavares is off the books in two years.

I don't think Rangers are a good model, lol.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Um no, that was 2021.

Yep, blew that too.

 

[supermann_98]

They're not going to do that either.

Sign here so we can make you captain and then strip it?

Again, burning any chances of landing a star player in the future.

Tavares is one player on the team.

Star players will come when there's $11m in cap space to sign them, not too worries about it

 

[HandshakeLineRespect]

Funny how Marner and Matthews' spent so much time with Marleau and his family when they first broke into the league only to become playoff choke artists like him.

Plus their buddy Thornton who is a first class choke artist

 

[Ports]

Get the best picks and prospects for the core and take a step back like the Rangers did. Be prepared to challenge once Tavares is off the books in two years.

I would try and sign Nylander for $8-9M and trade Matthews and Marner for a the best package of draft picks and big, fast prospects they can get.

 

[GQS]

He was bad in all 3 games he played and traded off good and bad games against Tampa as well. I am fine with him coming back as a tandem with Woll next year...but Woll was better in this series then he was. Flat out.

Say what you want but Samsonov still battled and was able to help the Leafs win 3 OT games against Tampa. I think Woll did pretty well in relief, but it does suck that he couldn't win the 2 OT games that he was involved in.

 

[authentic]

It wasnt effective, it looked to have the same speed and pace as always. Just poor decisions and execution by him and some terrible overall play for a guy of his caliber

That's not even close to true. He hasn't even used his signature curl and drag wrist shot all season. It was confirmed twice during the season he was playing hurt. In game three he got whacked and started shaking his hand, that was when his 12 game point streak in the playoffs ended and he went scoreless since. I'm not making excuses either I'm just telling it like it is.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Wow. Jarnkrock looked horrible on that OT goal.

 

[HandshakeLineRespect]

Team mentors Marleau Thornton Spezza all playoff losers lol

 

[justashadowof]

Woll is trash? Seriously? That a terrible take.

I wouldn't call him trash but he's a green horn and still makes glaring AHL mistakes out there. It didn't burn the team in particular during this playoffs but those will eventually catch up with him.

 

[wingman75]

I knew we would lose when at the end of game 3 bennett punched tavares and he just stood there and took it. Idk why we think playing like cowards is a good recipe to winning. Even if this guy was in his prime he should not be captain with his lacklustre casual attitude. How can you fire the team up when you seem so disinterested yourself.

Sure, I think in hindsight, there were better options for captain. Rielly was always my preference.

The not fighting back aspect is a major issue with this core, it is three of them (Nylander is rarely in that situation)... they think that is being silly and letting your emotions get the best of you... I guess what they don't know, you need some of that to be your best.

 

[robertmac43]

Um no, that was 2021.

True haha. Man that year hurt too.

 

[Mopar]

Then we also need to accept we ain't getting to a final in the next two years. Meaning, what do we do with Matthews and Marner.

I've said for ages that Kyle's downfall was in his first two years. He did too much damage too soon and we haven't been able to claw our way out of it.

Fairly easy to accept at this point given the shit we've been through as fans for the last six years.

I loved the Tavares signing at the time. It was the move that was going to give us an elite 1-2 punch at center ice. The plan was to knock off a couple of cups in the first half of the contract and then ride out the rest. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way. Hindsight is a luxury we have six years later. Dubas saw an opportunity and went for it. I don't blame him. He's made plenty of other mistakes but I can't hang the Tavares signing on him.

 

[Eye Test]

Some gutless losers leading our team excluding 44. Make him the captain already. So tired of watching three 11mil players show nothing, no hate, just get punched in the face by stamkos and thkachuk and take it. Rookie stud gets WWE slammed, concussed, and no response still.

No idea whyKeefe didnt challenge the call at the end, what else do you have to lose the games over if you don’t challenge? Keefe is a goof, goodbye bud.

34 has been playing perimeter hockey since that trouba hit. His shots not the same and he just stays outside and skates around the o zone. Most upset with him, I can’t stand Him being that big and that soft mentally and physically it’s pathetic

 

[CalgarySnow]

For what it’s worth IMO Woll played well, Reilly and Riely played well, Nylander turned up, Matthews and Marner well for the money you’re paying them should have been better, Samsonov played well. So take the positives. You got lucky with an injury depleted Lightning but got through the first round So there’s that. Not sure why (as a Habs fan) I’m being so nice to you but it’s tough when the media build you up so much just for disappointment doesn’t matter which team it is

 

[BraveCanadian]

I thought Reilly sucked this year but when the playoffs hit he suddenly became the f***ing true leader of this team. What a beast. That’s a bright spot at least. Plus Knies and Woll will be really good before too long.

Rielly was totally awful this year and completely turned it on for the playoffs.

 

[The Best Leafs Everr]

Congrats. But you know he doesn't have to cheer for Toronto, right? You have the chance to raise him better than you were raised.

Yea, if Tavares is captain next season I'm jumping board to McDavid. My kids can not become a part of this mockery.

We are proud fans for years, but we take pride in what? I have seen 1 reason to be proud and countless to be ashamed.

 

[Trapper]

You were not alone being fooled by these guys a 7th time.

I understand the wanting to believe but winning 4 in a row is a pretty tough ask for a team you know shows up 1 game and doesn’t show up the next. Sometimes not even 3 periods. Asking to show up 4 times in a row when disappearing offense is the norm is probably not going to happen. And we’ll, it didn’t.
Add in it was physical play and certain guys are checked out to start. No puck battles going to be won by some.

 

[Gallagbi]

That's not even close to true. He hasn't even used his signature curl and drag wrist shot all season.

He took multiple slapshots tonight. He didnt have a chance to shoot tonight because he wasnt effective.

The best chance was in OT where he panicked and fired low instead of ending it upstairs