Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 3-1; lose series

[PromisedLand]

Then perhaps you'd like to explain why the Leafs sign guys like Komarov, Martin, Muzzin, etc., and they seem to forget how to hit and play their games on the way to Toronto? Or with Komarov, forgot at some point?

Yup! thats easy!

LA kings, NYI when Muzzin and Martin engaged physically they had players backing them and grabbing guys so they were never out numbered.

Leafs walk away when Martin/Muzzin etc.. engage other players physically.

Don't have to look too far. Just look at the puck flip video of Muzzin and how only Holl after a while backed up Muzzin there

The toughness has to be the "team culture" not just a couple individuals who "fight"

 

[JSn0w93]

Mitch Marner and Matthews will retire and no one will remember them

They are going to have 0 legacy if they can't fix their playoff issues.

Both have to sacrifice if they're back next year and stop being so selfish

How many first round losses do they need before they realize this? Crazy to think this core has lost 5 first round series already, with 4 coming to a deciding game. Truly shameful.

 

[Westlander]

I cheer for England. I doubt things are going to get much better.

Awesome! They're my second team after the Netherlands. And always blowing it when it matters, just like the Leafs!

 

[AcerComputer]

I'm glad they got knocked out now, instead of making it past round 1 and pretending the team has made progress. They can now address the issues with the team instead of spinning their wheels with this core.

 

[Boxscore]

During Babcock/Lou era our roster had JVR, Bozak, Kapanen, and the same core we have now. We had Boyle one season and Plakanec the other season - other than that it was the same team.

I dont think we've ever had the personnel to do that.

Not to mention, when Lou was here, the team was a young, rebuilding team who was fresh off a lottery win. They just added Matthews and by all accounts were embarking on a 5-ish year plan. Remember Babcock's, "there's going to be some pain" comment? He knew it was going to take some time. Lou also knew it was going to take some time.

We were on the right path when our kids shocked the hockey world and took the Caps to 7. But it all changed when we signed Tavares -- the rebuilding was expedited and expectations reset. This coincided with Lou's departure. So I don't blame Lou one bit for not adding the "missing pieces" because the team was not a contender when he was here. He brought in Marleau thinking the he could help mentor the kids for a few years, not expecting the Leafs to commit 11 million to Tavares on the open market, hence why Marleau's contract ended up being a burden. You don't sign Marleau if you know that you are landing Tavares soon.

 

[hamzarocks]

How many first round losses do they need before they realize this? Crazy to think this core has lost 5 first round series already, with 4 coming to a deciding game. Truly shameful.

Ovechkin and the Caps did take 8-9 years to learn this but uea I agree if they trade marner I'll be happy if they bring him back than it's dubas putting his NHL career(he won't ever work antoher job after) on the line and saying the big 4 with whatever adjustments he makes can win. If it works he'll look like a genius for sticking with it if it fails the rebuild is done and you send out 16, 88, 34 and enter a rebuild

 

[Gordy Elbows]

Thank you Maple Leafs and the media.....every year you unite this country with your playoffs presence by providing fans outside the center of the universe an opportunity to sling scorn, as you wring your hands over another 1st round exit.
When are you going to figure out your Lucy - Charlie Brown relationship with the sports media? The media sets out incredible expectations and you buy into it...then reality yanks it away.
Good grief.

 

[DanielMarois]

The coaching was just horrible, MTL haS a lot of big dmen but they are pretty immobile, should have adopted a more dump and chase strategy to have those dmen turn and let them try to carry the puck and try to get some turnovers. And not being bold enough with lineup changes, MTL benched Tatar after a WIN and Leafs kept Thronton/Simmonds in.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Nothing could be worse. Anyone on this board would do a better job.

Oh bullcrap. We'd all lead the Leafs to 40-point seasons.

 

[AcerComputer]

Is it too late to get our pick back from CBJ?

 

[AcerComputer]

The coaching was just horrible, MTL haS a lot of big dmen but they are pretty immobile, should have adopted a more dump and chase strategy to have those dmen turn and let them try to carry the puck and try to get some turnovers. And not being bold enough with lineup changes, MTL benched Tatar after a WIN and Leafs kept Thronton/Simmonds in.

Thronton looked lost out there. Simmonds looked anemic. Team has no identity.

 

[PromisedLand]

Not to mention, when Lou was here, the team was a young, rebuilding team who was fresh off a lottery win. They just added Matthews and by all accounts were embarking on a 5-ish year plan. Remember Babcock's, "there's going to be some pain" comment? He knew it was going to take some time. Lou also knew it was going to take some time.

We were on the right path when our kids shocked the hockey world and took the Caps to 7. But it all changed when we signed Tavares -- the rebuilding was expedited and expectations reset. This coincided with Lou's departure. So I don't blame Lou one bit for not adding the "missing pieces" because the team was not a contender when he was here. He brought in Marleau thinking the he could help mentor the kids for a few years, not expecting the Leafs to commit 11 million to Tavares on the open market, hence why Marleau's contract ended up being a burden. You don't sign Marleau if you know that you are landing Tavares soon.

I am almost positive that if Lou is still here we probably don't sign tavares and we also don't have these ridiculous deals for Matthews and Marner of 11 AAV. These guys haven't proved anything. they cant even freakin go past the 1st round and they are already paid like they have won cups.

Dubas pisses the hell out of me. I am just so mad right now I am finding it hard to sleep. Cannot wait till dubas and shanahan are fired. Shanahan really screwed us by giving the key to the one of the most important hockey franchises in history to a child

 

[hfman]

who knows what gripes these "superstar" players have with their own franchise. but one thing is for sure and it's that they absolutely DO have gripes about something with the team that employs them (the Leafs)

When players of this calibre (Matthews, Marner, etc) intentionally do not show up for these types of games, what they are saying is "screw this team", "screw this franchise", "screw these fans"... anyone who doubts this is delusional. These players do NOT like their team or the city they are playing for, and this is proven to us by their lack of performances in all of these important game. Why don't they like Toronto? Is it because of what fans say on social media? The way upper management in Toronto conducts their business and policies towards the players? Or because some of them (like Matthews) have zero connection to this city so it means very little to them? Only they know. It's not for us to know. But we DO know that they are not showing up for these games, and it's clearly evident in not only their lack of performance but more importantly their lack of effort - THAT is easy to see. It's easy to see when someone is going through the motions just to make it to the end of the night. If these guys showed effort, then maybe we think differently. But there is NO effort, and that is when it becomes intentional. Maybe they're sulking? Or they just don't like Toronto. Woudn't be the first bunch of guys, because this goes way back almost 10 years now with different rosters of players who all seem to sabotage this franchise when it matters. There's something that players do not like about playing here, that's the one pattern that has emerged this past decade. And it's not just Toronto, plenty of other cities have the same problem with players not enjoying their time in those places. T.O. just happens to be one of those places, where hockey players decide to screw their team and the fans for whatever reason. They didn't just "unfortunately" lose this series - they lost it because they either did it intentionally or just didn't care whether they won or lost it. I'll go with the latter to be safe.

When these players don't give a sh-t, and that was finally proven tonight, then why do the fans? lol... come on, wake up people...

 

[BTP]

If you think the coach or GM is the problem then give your head a shake.

Different players. Different coaches. Different GM. Same result.

Dubas gave this team EVERYTHING they asked for.

The players have no killer instinct. And we are cursed.

Marner will stay, and somehow, magically, we will get Eichel as well. Result will be the same next year in game 7.

 

[killer1980]

Oh bullcrap. We'd all lead the Leafs to 40-point seasons.

What does the season have to do with anything. Six teams with worse records than their opponents advanced to the next round.

 

[Squiffy]

Well that was impressive. Almost zero chance to choke that away, but they did it. The Leaf curse is strong,

they’ll break thru. Totally not tear down time. There’s always next year

 

[Lightsol]

I am almost positive that if Lou is still here we probably don't sign tavares and we also don't have these ridiculous deals for Matthews and Marner of 11 AAV. These guys haven't proved anything. they cant even freakin go past the 1st round and they are already paid like they have won cups.

Dubas pisses the hell out of me. I am just so mad right now I am finding it hard to sleep. Cannot wait till dubas and shanahan are fired. Shanahan really screwed us by giving the key to the one of the most important hockey franchises in history to a child

Yep, because the guy who gave $4.5 million over 7 years to Zaitsev and $6 million over three years to Marleau totally wouldn't be fleeced on any deals, right?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I'd say Lou while never making the 100% right decision created better organizational infrastructure that could overcome mistakes and led to a mentally stronger team from top to bottom. No one is going to win 100% of their moves, but having the organizational character survive them is essential. I don't see that with the Shanahan/Dubas/Keefe team.

In what way? What evidence do you have to support this at all?

 

[keonsbitterness]

What does the season have to do with anything. Six teams with worse records than their opponents advanced to the next round.

Nothing. But 40-point teams don't make the playoffs.

 

[PromisedLand]

Yep, because the guy who gave $4.5 million over 7 years to Zaitsev and $6 million over three years to Marleau totally wouldn't be fleeced on any deals, right?

Learn to apply "CONTEXT" when posting. If you are part of dubas fanclub just come out and say it and we won't have to continue this discussion because I know I wont get any logic or reasoning

Dubas SUCKS and will be FIRED! Deal with it! And if he is not fired I wont be posting here much or follow leafs as much so you won't see me much here.

 

[seventieslord]

2001-2008 Senators say hey

 

[Lightsol]

Learn to apply "CONTEXT" when posting. If you are part of dubas fanclub just come out and say it and we won't have to continue this discussion because I know I wont get any logic or reasoning

Dubas SUCKS and will be FIRED! Deal with it! And if he is not fired I wont be posting here much or follow leafs as much so you won't see me much here.

Yep, because anybody who disagrees with you is part of the Dubas fanclub and this not worth even arguing with, right, because you know everything... f***ing prick.

 

[17 Clark]

Oh bullcrap. We'd all lead the Leafs to 40-point seasons.

Maybe so but they’d work or they wouldn’t be on the team

 

[HoweHullOrr]

I've always wondered about Shanny. He's the common denominator in the hirings.

 

[93LEAFS]

In what way? What evidence do you have to support this at all?

The team didn't seem mentally weak. He seemed to create a much better culture of accountability. The team progressed the last 2 years under Lou. We've been stagnant or regressed the previous 3 under Dubas.

The teams we had under Lou, except maybe the 2017/18 team we didn't expect to go far. We hoped to beat the Bruins but were still underdogs. These past 2 years we've lost in our first round (one a play-in) as heavy favorites. The team strikes me as mentally weak. They have no showed in 3 straight series in the deciding game. Where is the progression? What has Dubas done in 3 years to have any faith in how this organization is run? He's traded the Leafs first 3 years in a row, with no results to show for it.

Lou's reputation is from building solid top down organizational structures.