Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose in OT

[ULF_55]

So I have maintained I want to give this team 20 games. But I have noticed one thing has changed and that is post game interviews. Keefe seems really frustrated and like he doesn't know what the problem is and is just waiting on the team to figure it out. This aligns with Spezza last year after their loss he said something like "I wonder if I said the right things and pushed the right buttons".

Coaching is an easy answer but I think Keefe has had his finger on the pulse since the day he was hired. He is a smart coach and a good one. I think the players are to blame and to be honest what I haven't heard people mention is I wonder if the players themselves don't believe anymore.

Maybe "don't believe" is the wrong word, but the confidence in the group is gone. I think changes had to happen just so the narrative wasn't "things are the same". And while I am a fan of Dubas, this last offseason IDK about it. I wonder if a new vision is needed here to get the team to the next level because Dubas seems to be like "IDK we should have won cups by now let's keep it as is".

Our defense clearly is not up to snuff with our injuries and we can't rely on Muzzin.... Everyone saw that coming.

Didn't watch the entire game but watched enough to see Holl (a whipping recipient) is making mental mistake after mental mistake.

He looks like he's busted mentally.
Things he is capable of doing he isn't.
Not saying he's a top defender, or ever was, but he looks like every decision is a decision and not an instinct.

He's obvious, but others might be second guessing themselves.

 

[ULF_55]

Agreed. We need a new GM.

Do you think a new GM will make the players better?

Or are you suggesting a new GM would change something on the ice or behind the bench?

Let's say they fired Dubas but didn't hire anyone to replace him. Would that be an improvement?

If they changed the coach, would it make the players better?

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I can't imagine Matthews is healthy.

How many goalscorers play the point on the PP?

If he is healthy and this is Keefe's idea to spice up the PP, he needs to be fired.

Seems like Matthews picks up little injuries quite a lot. You can tell sometime isn't right as he will start to pass way more, deferring shots to teammates and as you mentioned have his PP role changed

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

What the f*** man, the Sharks are a bad hockey team.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Didn't watch the entire game but watched enough to see Holl (a whipping recipient) is making mental mistake after mental mistake.

He looks like he's busted mentally.
Things he is capable of doing he isn't.
Not saying he's a top defender, or ever was, but he looks like every decision is a decision and not an instinct.

He's obvious, but others might be second guessing themselves.

I don't care what they say to the media (because what else can they say) but this is a group without confidence right now. They can't execute simple plays because they are doubting and feeling the pressure.

Management has basically said it is all on the players get er done and the players are like "We couldn't do it before why do you think we can now?"

 

[Nineteen67]

Not a lot of positives from this one. Matthews scored finally anyways. How do we make these lesser teams look so good all the time? Didn't care for the lineup, they played rather uninspired and looked off yet again.

Because 1/2 the players on the Leafs are not desirable players to even these bottom teams.

 

[Andrewcoursol]

It was just goaltending voodoo bad luck. Not worried, this is an ELITE team.

Elite teams play beyond the first round of the playoffs, this team is overhyped and very underachieving.

 

[Stephen]

The way the team starts out ice cold every period every game, I wonder if the whole team has taken to the Marleau Ice Bath.

 

[ULF_55]

Elite teams play beyond the first round of the playoffs, this team is overhyped and very underachieving.

That could be true, but on a where on the line does overhype start and underachieve begin

_________hype__________________|___________________________________________underachieve__________

 

[All Mod Cons]

Do you think a new GM will make the players better?

Or are you suggesting a new GM would change something on the ice or behind the bench?

Let's say they fired Dubas but didn't hire anyone to replace him. Would that be an improvement?

If they changed the coach, would it make the players better?

I think a new GM would have a better outlook on how to construct a team capable of winning some playoff series.

I think if it's been obvious to 50% of the fanbase, 90% of the media and 95% of former players, that the team construction isn't correct, then there is 100% chance that there's GMs out there that know how to fix it.

I am simply not allowing Dubas to be the only GM in the league to not be responsible for the team's performances.

I expect more from the Leafs GM than I do of 25 other teams' GMs, due to the sheer amount of support and financial might (outside of the cap) that he can call on.

I believe it's shocking, nay, an absolute disgrace that the current GM hired his buddy to be the coach without interviewing a single other prospective coach.

I am deeply saddened that a huge part of the fanbase are more than fine with allowing the current GM to do more damage to the roster every year. And the idea that we have elite depth both confuses me and makes me laugh.

I do agree however, that the next GM will have a God awful time trying to sort this roster out as he's left with 4 forwards and then a whole lot of nothing. It'll be extremely hard to makes trades.

But we do need a GM with a different vision.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I don't care what they say to the media (because what else can they say) but this is a group without confidence right now. They can't execute simple plays because they are doubting and feeling the pressure.

Management has basically said it is all on the players get er done and the players are like "We couldn't do it before why do you think we can now?"

So a group hug and some warm fuzzies?

 

[ToneDog]

Friedge said this team does not work. Perhaps they should watch the Bruins game last night.

Time to bring in Trotz.

 

[Nineteen67]

Lets get Steeves Anderson and Abrussese up. Engvall ZAR Malgin NAK not good enough sorry to say. Not ready to give up on Jarnkrok yet but he needs to pick it up soon.

Why don’t they send some of them to the minors. Engvall thinks his benching was a rewarded day off. He’s not very good and at 2.25 mill he’d clear waivers, if not, even better.

Do you think a new GM will make the players better?

Or are you suggesting a new GM would change something on the ice or behind the bench?

Let's say they fired Dubas but didn't hire anyone to replace him. Would that be an improvement?

If they changed the coach, would it make the players better?

It might help morale.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I don't think we need to see 12-15 games to know what they are. This is the inevitable consequence of the salary structure. Yes the stars will play better, but their supporting cast is hot garbage right now. Dubas was extremely lucky to hit on league min. players and reclamation projects in the past. But what happens if they don't play above their salary? What happens when key players get injured? A mediocre hockey team is what you get. Coaching, hard work, and defensive play; are these the things that will get TOR over the hump if their stars aren't clicking?

I say no.

It's always been glaring in the playoffs, but now it's the regular season too.

 

[ULF_55]

I think a new GM would have a better outlook on how to construct a team capable of winning some playoff series.

I think if it's been obvious to 50% of the fanbase, 90% of the media and 95% of former players, that the team construction isn't correct, then there is 100% chance that there's GMs out there that know how to fix it.

I am simply not allowing Dubas to be the only GM in the league to not be responsible for the team's performances.

I expect more from the Leafs GM than I do of 25 other teams' GMs, due to the sheer amount of support and financial might (outside of the cap) that he can call on.

I believe it's shocking, nay, an absolute disgrace that the current GM hired his buddy to be the coach without interviewing a single other prospective coach.

I am deeply saddened that a huge part of the fanbase are more than fine with allowing the current GM to do more damage to the roster every year. And the idea that we have elite depth both confuses me and makes me laugh.

I do agree however, that the next GM will have a God awful time trying to sort this roster out as he's left with 4 forwards and then a whole lot of nothing. It'll be extremely hard to makes trades.

But we do need a GM with a different vision.

So I think you are saying the players and the coaches are not good enough.

So the required changes are:

New GM - to make changes
New Coach - to make changes
New Players - to bring a different attitude/skillset

Just curious, how many Cups has Sid won, and with how many different coaches and GMs was that?

 

[Not My Tempo]

Getting some real 19-20 vibes from this team

 

[Nineteen67]

Friedge said this team does not work. Perhaps they should watch the Bruins game last night.

Time to bring in Trotz.

Would Trotz be able to win with Dubas around?

 

[ShaneFalco]

Future legend

 

[rocketman588]

Hard to blame Kallgren when you get outshot by a team whose GM announced they were listening to offers on every player prior to the game

 

[ToneDog]

Would Trotz be able to win with Dubas around?

Dubas would all but done if they hired Trotz. The question to Shanny and Dubas would be do I fire 1,2 or the 3 of you?

 

[Nineteen67]

So I think you are saying the players and the coaches are not good enough.

So the required changes are:

New GM - to make changes
New Coach - to make changes
New Players - to bring a different attitude/skillset

Just curious, how many Cups has Sid won, and with how many different coaches and GMs was that?

Sid’s won three Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold. Not sure why he’s relevant when there’s no Sidney Crosby in Leafland.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I think Keefe & Dubas might have to put their heads together and re-think most of this roster.

If 2 or 3 Marlies have the ability to play above their pay grade then get them in the line up. ZAR, NAK, Malgin, and Engvall are not going to be last year's overachievers (at min. Salary).

 

[ULF_55]

Sid’s won three Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold. Not sure why he’s relevant when there’s no Sidney Crosby in Leafland.

My point about Sid is he is elite regardless of management?
Kind of like the old Red Wings, won Cups before Babcoach showed up, and then after Babcock showed up.
As those players aged out Babcock won nothing.
Guess I'm suggesting it is all about the players.

 

[ToneDog]

After watching that Matthews goal, all I could think is that it is possible to score from the blueline if you have a bomb.

 

[Not My Tempo]

Future legend

Has it set in for them that we’ve lost to the Habs, Yotes and Sharks?

If we can’t make a first pass against these shit team wtf is the dcore going to do when Nathan Mackinnon is pressuring you?