Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose... Again.

[Scion]

Let's see how many teams are lining up to pay him 10M. The Leafs only bid against themselves.

Sebastian Aho just signed a 9.75M x 8 extension. The Hurricanes would block the Leafs number if they offered Nylander for Aho 1 for 1.

You don't think the Blackhawks would offer Nylander 10M? I think several teams with cap space would do 7x10M. Honestly, I think the Leafs would sign that today if that were the price. You have to remember the cap could go up by as much as 8M in the next two years, 10M is not going to be the same % of the cap as its been in the past. Furthermore, you still have to spend that money somewhere. Who can the Leafs allocate that money on that makes them better in your opinion?

The core is maybe good enough if you chop a cool $3m off each of Tavares/Marner/Matthews contracts, so that the team can actually afford depth.

But even then, I highly doubt those 3 have it in them to actually step up in the playoffs for the first time ever

In a year JT's 11M comes off the books, where that money is spent will likely determine how good this team is. I also think the Leafs need to draw a hard line in the sand with Marner and not give him a significant raise over what he already earns.

 

[Scion]

Easily? They're 1 point above the WC2 spot. I don't share your confidence.

Who cares about WC2? They are 2 points up on TB for 3rd with 3 games in hand, and they are only 5 points back of Florida with 2 in hand. Things always look bleak after a losing streak but the team will win again and be fine. The ceiling may not be as high as prior years, but the floor is still pretty high.

 

[Gabriel426]

Every year seems like a lessons to be learned for our coach
This is the big league, not Mcdonalds.

Well, I am strictly talking about the Columbus series. Which was his first series in his first season. Only about 40 NHL games due to COVID. You have to give anyone some rope in their first season.

 

[mikeyz]

I can't say that I disagree with this.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Who cares about WC2? They are 2 points up on TB for 3rd with 3 games in hand, and they are only 5 points back of Florida with 2 in hand. Things always look bleak after a losing streak but the team will win again and be fine. The ceiling may not be as high as prior years, but the floor is still pretty high.

I get that, just giving an idea where they are in the standings right now. They are very much a bubble team.

 

[Scion]

I get that, just giving an idea where they are in the standings right now. They are very much a bubble team.

All but 5 or 6 teams are on the bubble. That's what the NHL is now, it doesn't mean the Leafs can't win everything.

 

[Divine]

You don't think the Blackhawks would offer Nylander 10M? I think several teams with cap space would do 7x10M. Honestly, I think the Leafs would sign that today if that were the price. You have to remember the cap could go up by as much as 8M in the next two years, 10M is not going to be the same % of the cap as its been in the past. Furthermore, you still have to spend that money somewhere. Who can the Leafs allocate that money on that makes them better in your opinion?


In a year JT's 11M comes off the books, where that money is spent will likely determine how good this team is. I also think the Leafs need to draw a hard line in the sand with Marner and not give him a significant raise over what he already earns.

I'd rather have a 10M defender or a centre to replace Tavares than Nylander

Nylander plays zero defense, adding to our already weak defense.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I'd rather have a 10M defender or a centre to replace Tavares than Nylander

Nylander plays zero defense, adding to our already weak defense.

Wish granted, you get Darnell Nurse and Huberdeau converted to C

 

[Scion]

I'd rather have a 10M defender or a centre to replace Tavares than Nylander

Nylander plays zero defense, adding to our already weak defense.

That's great, but which one of those is available to us for just money?

 

[Divine]

That's great, but which one of those is available to us for just money?

Why does it have to be just money? Can we not trade Nylander or have people eliminated that possibility from their mind?

 

[ULF_55]

Why does it have to be just money? Can we not trade Nylander or have people eliminated that possibility from their mind?

There are 21 teams they can trade him to.
There are 31 teams they can ask him about.

Trade as a rental.
Sign and trade to his choice of location.

Could always try for Parayko straight up.

 

[egd27]

Well, it was his first playoffs and first season coaching. So chalked that up as learning curve

I’ve never coached at a level close to the NHL and knew those were really poor decisions. I’m sure I’m not alone.

 

[Gabriel426]

I’ve never coached at a level close to the NHL and knew those were really poor decisions. I’m sure I’m not alone.

If they won, it would be great decision.

Look at Nick Nurse. He was played Box 1 in one of the games at NBA Finals. Raptors won that game and everyone called him a genius. He called a timeout two games later toward the end of a game when Raptors was making a run to tie bc the Raptors players were gassed. Raptors lost that game and everyone said he was dumb.

Took a gamble and lost. We can say that stacking the three 10mil plus players on a line was dumb but if a defensive line with a cap hit less than 7-8mil can shut down a 33mil line, what’s the point of having players making over 10mil plus? Like you I don’t agree with what Keefe did that series but as I said, it was his first time coaching the NHL, gotta give him some rope.

 

[Scion]

Why does it have to be just money? Can we not trade Nylander or have people eliminated that possibility from their mind?

We can't do anything. The choice is up to the Leafs front office and it's abundantly clear that they are not going to trade Nylander and throw away their season.

 

[Hellcat]

You don't think the Blackhawks would offer Nylander 10M? I think several teams with cap space would do 7x10M. Honestly, I think the Leafs would sign that today if that were the price. You have to remember the cap could go up by as much as 8M in the next two years, 10M is not going to be the same % of the cap as its been in the past. Furthermore, you still have to spend that money somewhere. Who can the Leafs allocate that money on that makes them better in your opinion?

If a team out bids us, they out bid us, we cant make the mistake of budgeting 50-ish % of the cap to 4 really good players. Love Willie, love his skill, hate his price tag. If it comes down to Nylander looking for 10-11-12 mil, we move him before the TDL for players who have controllable years, players that fill a need on this team for the next 3 to 5 years. I think this team is too slow and too small. They play poorly with out the puck. Make it clear to Willie that if he wants 10m, 11m, 12m he will have to go elsewhere, have the same convo with Mitch and have the convo with JT if he wants to stay he will have to sign a contract significantly lower with limited years. Time to stop p***yfooting around, either you are part of the solution or you are part of the problem. You got your one toy at 12m, that is enough above 10 mil, the rest of the players need to be below 10 mil.

 

[Scion]

If a team out bids us, they out bid us, we cant make the mistake of budgeting 50-ish % of the cap to 4 really good players. Love Willie, love his skill, hate his price tag. If it comes down to Nylander looking for 10-11-12 mil, we move him before the TDL for players who have controllable years, players that fill a need on this team for the next 3 to 5 years. I think this team is too slow and too small. They play poorly with out the puck. Make it clear to Willie that if he wants 10m, 11m, 12m he will have to go elsewhere, have the same convo with Mitch and have the convo with JT if he wants to stay he will have to sign a contract significantly lower with limited years. Time to stop p***yfooting around, either you are part of the solution or you are part of the problem. You got your one toy at 12m, that is enough above 10 mil, the rest of the players need to be below 10 mil.

The Leafs also can't afford to lose another prime asset for nothing, especially this close to JT's deal expiring and the cap increasing. Eventually you have to draw a line in the sand on money, but 10M isn't the line for me.

I agree about being slow and small, but those issues are primarily on the defense and not up front. Ironically if the Leafs move on from 88 it will only make them smaller and slower.

 

[rumman]

The Leafs also can't afford to lose another prime asset for nothing, especially this close to JT's deal expiring and the cap increasing. Eventually you have to draw a line in the sand on money, but 10M isn't the line for me.

I agree about being slow and small, but those issues are primarily on the defense and not up front. Ironically if the Leafs move on from 88 it will only make them smaller and slower.

Cap is expected to go up, no guarantee……….

 

[Scion]

Cap is expected to go up, no guarantee……….

I'm ok with betting on a likely outcome. Nothing in life is guaranteed.

 

[andora]

Look, we're not going to agree, but these blinders need to be put away.

A brutal turnover for an ENG, sulking in the neutral zone to completely abandon your position only to lead to a lazy backcheck you give up on isn't okay. These aren't "minor mistakes" these are major gaffes leading to critical GA from a top player who doesn't look the part recently.

The breakdown, especially SH, shows a lack of understanding our systems and Marners role in the play. Nothing more needs to be said on it.

A simple rim had matthews coming from Behind the net

 

[Racer88]

We can't do anything. The choice is up to the Leafs front office and it's abundantly clear that they are not going to trade Nylander and throw away their season.

The way they have been playing and the goalie situation their season is already in doubt

 

[Captain Crunch]

Jones was good and I don’t think they missed Kampf.

maybe

Not because of this game specifically.
But it may be time to atleast consider moving Marner.

That’s only if the value matches. He isn’t being moved as a panic, but you gotta kick tires on potentially moving away from the “core” enough to add another element to team.

i agree, but that would be contrary to what Shanahan said about bringing them all back. I really want Shanahan gone!

 

[Captain Crunch]

I wonder why Keefe wasn't aware that the Canes had a top 5 PP before he decided to scratch one of his top PK forwards. Is it possible he's too dull to make that connection?

No, he’s sending a message to the team that he holds players accountable, as long as their last name isn’t Marner. Lol

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Capfriendly say career earnings (so far) are $95M. He does seem the type to be prudent with his money and not piss it away and maybe he's made some investments but I would guess something more like $40M after taxes, expenses, etc., depending on his lifestyle.

He might just be able to frequent whichever high end restaurant he wants for the rest of his days....he is apparently, quite the foodie.

I can't say that I disagree with this.

No idea who this is but she's 100% on the money. It'd be utter lunacy to give up a top prospect or a 1st rounded and thing the outcome is gonna be anything more than a 1st round exit. Just way too many holes & question marks.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Carolina and Boston know how to sign players
Toronto ?

 

[BallardEra]

He might just be able to frequent whichever high end restaurant he wants for the rest of his days....he is apparently, quite the foodie.


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No idea who this is but she's 100% on the money. It'd be utter lunacy to give up a top prospect or a 1st rounded and thing the outcome is gonna be anything more than a 1st round exit. Just way too many holes & question marks.

But the temptation will be that teams like the Leafs will look around and see how open the East is and decide to “go” for it.