Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 3-2 in OT | Down 3-0 in the Series

[therealkoho]

I think you have the conversation with him and plan from there.

What good would a conversation do, he could tell them exactly what they want to hear, they say great that's perfect. 8 x 13, assistant coach status and he gets to make cuts in camp, and is consulted on every decision inre the team.

Then on July 1st he thinks to himself geez I have an NTC this is great, I have all the power, and he turns around and tells them he wants max money 4 years and all the rest of that stuff and what then, you end up banged hard 7 ways from Sunday. When he wakes up a week later and he says "you know what I just got off the phone with the Kings and I want to play there, so trade me!"

He's a name on the back guy, you tell him you want a list of 6 teams (if you hope to get maximum return) so at least he's going somewhere he's interested in and will sign with, and he goes at the draft.

Paying this guy anything long term would be crazy, you've already plowed a kings ransom into his bank account and have gotten zero return.

 

[Twine Tickler]

disappointed doesn't even begin to scratch the surface with how I am feeling. Very clearly this team was expecting the work to stop after breaking through to the 2nd round.

Our core 4 have been abysmal all series.

Only this core could take a step forward by finally breaking through their 1st round woes, only to have it feel like 3 steps back a week later when they eventually get swept. It really will be a fitting end to this core.

I want to remain optimistic, I just don't have it in me at this point. Apathy and pure disappointment is all I have.

 

[stats1]

Honestly I’m at the point where I prefer a blow up than a re-tool. Re-tool around what? 7-8 years of complete and utter failure

 

[ToneDog]

In typical Leaf fashion they’ll win the next 3 and then the pressure will eat them up in game 7 and they get dummied. The stars on this team are soft, weak mental midgets

Our D is a mess and our #1G is out. If I am the Panthers I take it to them early and take away whatever little will to win they have left.

 

[Trapper]

Would you keep Nylander as the big offensive player? I do not actually *watch* enough games to know, but many posters here believe he is awesomely talented, with an ability to float and play a passive game to match that talent. Without AM and MM, we would lose a ton of RSO (regular season offense) and put our hopes in the hands of a guy who reportedly doesn’t give 100% all the time.

Most teams in the lottery have a long way to go, but if a team like WAS or DET wins the lottery somehow, wouldn’t it be great if they’d take AM or MM plus our 1st for Bedard? It’s nice to dream on a sunny Monday morning…

You would have to see what kind of players you got from trades, signings to work with Nylander moving forward.
I have no problem with Nylander but he’s always been the one up first for trades because I can’t see Marner moving.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Seems like the first round with was this core's championship

 

[stats1]

Our D is a mess and our #1G is out. If I am the Panthers I take it to them early and take away whatever little will to win they have left.

The Panthers won’t have to work hard. I’m expecting this team to fold up the second the puck drops. Mitch and Matthews have a date on Miami Beach planned.

 

[Gallagbi]

What good would a conversation do, he could tell them exactly what they want to hear, they say great that's perfect. 8 x 13, assistant coach status and he gets to make cuts in camp, and is consulted on every decision inre the team.

Then on July 1st he thinks to himself geez I have an NTC this is great, I have all the power, and he turns around and tells them he wants max money 4 years and all the rest of that stuff and what then, you end up banged hard 7 ways from Sunday. When he wakes up a week later and he says "you know what I just got off the phone with the Kings and I want to play there, so trade me!"

He's a name on the back guy, you tell him you want a list of 6 teams (if you hope to get maximum return) so at least he's going somewhere he's interested in and will sign with, and he goes at the draft.

Paying this guy anything long term would be crazy, you've already plowed a kings ransom into his bank account and have gotten zero return.

You get a handshake deal arranged, outline a plan and next steps then sign in the summer.

You dont proceed without that underatanding in place and you treat him like a grown up.

You cant operate in unreasonable fear and if youre that concerned, you simply move on at the draft

 

[Statsman1]

Nylander has his moments but he is not the guy to pull the cart (see Phil Kessel). If the winner of tonight's lottery is willing to move that pick, I'd be making offers. I was thinking the bright lights of Chicago is the best landing place for 34.

OK, that confirms what I thought about Nylander.

You could be right...CHI treats their stars pretty well, and after Kane and Toews are gone, they could use a centrepiece.

Maybe the hockey gods will take a time-out from kicking us in the beanbag and give the #1 pick to Arizona. THAT would lead to some interesting speculation.

How would it feel if all of a sudden, AM, MM were gone and our top line was Bedard, O’Reilly and Nylander?

 

[AvroArrow]

Seems like the first round with was this core's championship

That's what happens when they're pounded cases of beer and dancing after winning 1 round, what a f***ing joke this group is.

 

[stats1]

This team celebrated the 1st round like it was the Cup they just stopped playing in round 2. Blew their load after 1 damn round lol

 

[ToneDog]

This is what I keep saying. Determine now from his agent what their plans are. Get the contract prepared to be signed immediately after July 1 for no more money than he's making now. If any balking by Matthews, then trade his a** out of here before July 1, because it'd be obvious he is preparing to walk for free in a year.

And we know Kyle doesn't have the stones to make this happen, so ownership has to be talking right now to his successor.

I'd offer 3x12m which extends him to the 8 years they should have signed him for with the promise of bigger bucks the next contract if the cap rises significantly.

 

[therealkoho]

Nylander has his moments but he is not the guy to pull the cart (see Phil Kessel). If the winner of tonight's lottery is willing to move that pick, I'd be making offers. I was thinking the bright lights of Chicago is the best landing place for 34.

You know what I could see him very clearly in Hawk reds as I read this, they have a ton of cash and a lot of job openings. It makes sense.

 

[ToneDog]

The Panthers won’t have to work hard. I’m expecting this team to fold up the second the puck drops. Mitch and Matthews have a date on Miami Beach planned.

You mean like they folded in last night's OT. Talk about a scared group of players.

 

[hoglund]

Are you willing to pay him $13-$15mx8 seeing what he has done this year and if he has chronic wrist issues? Go ahead if you are happy with regular season success.

I would think that considering his past season, which was well below his norm that his salary would not go up at all or very minimal. If he asks for more then you may consider trading him. Think about it, if not for thos covid shortended seasons he would have 3 seasons in a row with over 50 goals. His playoff performance is bad, but if not for him they may not even qualify for the playoffs.

 

[Mess]

Losing in game #7 of round #1 would hurt less then getting swept in round #2.

 

[Atomos2]

Disgraceful team, disgraceful effort in these playoffs. They've been outplayed in practically every damn game. Tavares, Matthews, Marner and Nylander is a flawed core.

The management and the coaching staff and f*** off too.

 

[Trapper]

You mean like they folded in last night's OT. Talk about a scared group of players.

That style of play was more embarrassing that just flat out losing going hard.

 

[Nineteen67]

I wonder what the won loss stats are on loose puck battles?

The Leafs lack of quickness and speed is so apparent. It makes it too easy to defend them by clogging up the middle of the ice and waiting for turnovers.
They spend so much energy back checking, defending odd man rushes and breaking the cycle that they have nothing left for offense.

 

[therealkoho]

You get a handshake deal arranged, outline a plan and next steps then sign in the summer.

You dont proceed without that underatanding in place and you treat him like a grown up.

You cant operate in unreasonable fear and if youre that concerned, you simply move on at the draft

I just don't trust him to do the honourable thing, he's proven to be untrustworthy in the past and no matter how hard I try I just don't see him as a team player, he's a me player.

 

[The Masters]

Keefe is one of the worst playoff coaches I've ever seen. He's gotten outcoached in every series since he's arrived.

 

[ToneDog]

I would think that considering his past season, which was well below his norm that his salary would not go up at all or very minimal. If he asks for more then you may consider trading him. Think about it, if not for thos covid shortended seasons he would have 3 seasons in a row with over 50 goals. His playoff performance is bad, but if not for him they may not even qualify for the playoffs.

I'd be happy to sign him at the right number. Problem is he went from 990K to 11.634m for 5 years looking to break the bank on his next deal. Dubas blew it big time and now Matty has the Leafs by the balls.

 

[ShaneFalco]

That style of play was more embarrassing that just flat out losing going hard.

I think that's the thing with this group. Other than Rielly, can you say anyone plays their heart out? That they battle to the end? Because I could stomach losing if they give 100% and battle

 

[stats1]

Matthews isn’t giving this team a discount. He signed for 5 years so he could hit free agency early. He’s going to max out on his next deal. Dude is me first, trade him and Mitch and blow it up

 

[Gallagbi]

I just don't trust him to do the honourable thing, he's proven to be untrustworthy in the past and no matter how hard I try I just don't see him as a team player, he's a me player.

Which is why you have the conversation. Youre not telling him next steps in "hopes" that he likes it, youre coming to an understanding that some pieces need to move. And hes either with us moving forward or hes choosing not to be, but we need to know soon