Post-Game Talk: Leafs Lose to Sharks

[saffronleaf]

How long before Marner gets boo'ed. Serious question. His name is trending after almost every game. In the Matthews' era, I can only remember Andersen, Gardiner, and the team itself getting boo'ed. It'll be the first time in a long while a star player has gotten this treatment.

fortunately for him most of the people who care about the team can't afford to go in person

 

[Gabriel426]

An astute observation that gets missed by too many folks.

One would argue if Dubas got Marner to sign for 9mil, it will be less pressure for Marner to perform, Dubas would have 2mil more to sign players-most likely Hyman with a discount as that’s pretty much Ritchie plus 2mil.
But that’s too many ifs, lol.

Honestly, something is wrong with Leafs players. A lot of them just don’t have the IT factor that could bring it years after years. Sundin is pretty much the only one over the past 30 yrs. Even Dougie was only really good for 2 1/2 years but that might had to do with his age.

 

[Marshy]

What was it...game 26 when they fired Babcock?

No quick fixes are coming. If I'm Keefe I'm doing lines in a blender. Bench guys. Who cares about feelings now...shit's getting blown up anyway unless there is playoff progress.

 

[CelticDruid]

Not particularly sure what Ritchie brings to this team.

Coffee?

 

[shaner8989]

Awesome to watch Hutch cost this team another 2 points.. Its been 3 f***ing years of this utter pos... The problem is management. It's a f***ing disgrace. This franchise sucks. Fact

 

[FiveHoleo]

I'll be really upset if they fire Dubas but not Shanahan. Shanahan needs to go.

I disagree. Shanahan did the most difficult thing he had to do, establish the Leafs as an organization that good players would want to play for. He has clearly done that, we are no longer a joke that players want no part of. That earns him a mulligan for the Dubas decision which clearly burned him. He deserves a second chance to reorganize and refocus the Shanaplan in my opinion. We're still paying Babcock, they should bring him back and make him coach again. The country club that was set up in his absence would come crashing down and the players would be held accountable again. Keefe is a joke, the players don't respect him and never will. The biggest problem is Dubas is treating Matthews like Kawhi and Mathews is going to treat Toronto the same way in a few years but without feeling obligated to supply a championship before leaving.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

On a positive note: Sandin looks pretty good. He’s been getting better every game I think.

 

[Azail]

Keefe is an idiot. Am I missing something? Is Campbell injured? He had 3 days rest.

NEVER PLAY HUTCHINSON AGAIN. Why in hell did Dubas sign this clown? I hate this type of game where the leafs work their asses off for a goal and the sharks come right back down and score on the next shot. That should have been an easy 2 points. And Kerfoot has to go. What a waste of 3.5 million bucks.

Uhh, they have a back to back. It was either hutch today or tomorrow. He went on a hunch that the Leafs who are playing against a team on the end of a back to back could win with hutch in net. It's not that hard to understand.

 

[Glacious]

It seems like top guys try to do fancy plays 99% of the time and they just seem so obvious and slow in trying to pull it off. Watching Sam Jose they just played fast and reacted quickly without overthinking and won the game. Lots of cute turnovers tonight all over the ice, totally unnecessary.

Tavares loves to make slow, telegraphed dekes before turning the puck over. Sometimes he'll even beat a guy and immediately get overtaken due to his lack of explosiveness

 

[PromisedLand]

Babcock is available.

Still on the payroll too

 

[ECYCLE]

Who would want the culture he creates - the Bruins?

You're missing the point that I'm making. I'm saying it's going to suck real hard when it turns out that Leafs were just a stepping stone for him to learn from.

 

[Varan]

I know it's early, but to start a new season with 1 point in 7 games combined for players worth a total of $22M after such a choke-job in the playoffs

I don't even know what to say. I don't know how disappointed Leaf fans feel about this

 

[Canadian Finn]

Uhh, they have a back to back. It was either hutch today or tomorrow. He went on a hunch that the Leafs who are playing against a team on the end of a back to back could win with hutch in net. It's not that hard to understand.

Why can't they go with Campbell back to back?

After a number of days off...during the beginning of season.

 

[PromisedLand]

They thought it was a smart idea to invest more money in Folingo who just got injured. Not sure if they're still cheering

hey at least they didn't throw away a 1st on him and a 3rd for someone to cover the cap because the team has cap issues

 

[Gabriel426]

Is that even an option? It feels like we might need to just rethink the makeup of this team unfortunately. I hate to say it but no matter what pieces you bring the top 6 don’t ever seem to dominate the way they should. Our bottom 6 has actually be great and that’s all Dubas. So what if it’s just crappy luck of the draft? I don’t know at this point

I think it is the make up is fine for now. Can’t really go rebuild or make a big trade at this point unless there is another team with top players struggling too.
Would try Spezza with AM and MM. If that still don’t get AM and MM going, then they should be split up.
Would really have a cycle like with JT leading charge and Sims and Ritchie being his wingmen. Keep Bunting-AF-Willie and Engvall-Kampf-Kase together as those two lines seem to be working.

 

[ULF_55]

Marner's play isn't Dubas fault, Marner's salary is. The list of good players lost to pay Mitch marner grows every year.

Does that list make marner no show?

 

[Azail]

What was it...game 26 when they fired Babcock?

No quick fixes are coming. If I'm Keefe I'm doing lines in a blender. Bench guys. Who cares about feelings now...shit's getting blown up anyway unless there is playoff progress.

I can't imagine they fire Keefe before the end of the year. If it is a disappointing year, Keefe and Dubas are probably gone.

It's only a few games this year, but the lack of playoff success and the start of this year might just show that our core isn't what we thought it was.

 

[Griffin76]

Maybe it's time to go something like

Bunting Matthews Spezza
Engvall Kerfoot Nylander
Ritchie Tavares Kase
Simmonds Kampf Marner

Give each of "the big 4" a line of there own to drive. Mitch being demoted to the 4th line worked back in his rookie year, maybe he needs it again.

 

[Canadian Finn]

I think it is the make up is fine for now. Can’t really go rebuild or make a big trade at this point unless there is another team with top players struggling too.
Would try Spezza with AM and MM. If that still don’t get AM and MM going, then they should be split up.
Would really have a cycle like with JT leading charge and Sims and Ritchie being his wingmen. Keep Bunting-AF-Willie and Engvall-Kampf-Kase together as those two lines seem to be working.

Spezza needed to get mitch and matthews going...

Only in Leaf-land.

 

[NMacrules]

Uhh, they have a back to back. It was either hutch today or tomorrow. He went on a hunch that the Leafs who are playing against a team on the end of a back to back could win with hutch in net. It's not that hard to understand.

Yea, and how did that work out? No you put the guy in thats going to get you 2 points. On the back to back you play hutch and maybe get lucky. Now, its a tired team going into a rested team. Its not that hard to understand. Could have had 2, now likely not going to get any.

 

[socko]

hey at least they didn't throw away a 1st on him and a 3rd for someone to cover the cap because the team has cap issues

Foligno could be the next Nathan Horton. He easily makes my list of the top 10 worst Leafs trades since I became a fan in the mid 80s. Zero goals. Actually stopped a leaf goal from going in, in a playoff game. I think it was a game that went to overtime too. So you could say he cost us the series with his save.

 

[Azail]

Why can't they go with Campbell back to back?

After a number of days off...during the beginning of season.

I am not in the dressing room or the Leafs org. But I am assuming they have a number of people that are saying it isn't wise to have a goalie go back to back. I am guessing Keefe isn't purposely screwing over the team by putting an inferior goalie in the net.

Goalies playing back to back nowadays are VERY rare, and Campbell has never been a full time starter, and has a history of injury's when playing too much.

I am guessing the Leafs org. has a little more information then we do on the forums.

In a vacuum obviously start the better goalie, I just think they MIGHT have a little more information then we do.

 

[Stephen]

On a positive note: Sandin looks pretty good. He’s been getting better every game I think.

They're feeding him Rielly's minutes in key offensive situations too.

 

[Leafblooded]

Yikes... Matthews... What happened today? Did his girlfriend break up with him? My goodness he looked like Bozak out there

 

[Azail]

Yea, and how did that work out? No you put the guy in thats going to get you 2 points. On the back to back you play hutch and maybe get lucky. Now, its a tired team going into a rested team. Its not that hard to understand. Could have had 2, now likely not going to get any.

Yea wouldn't it be awesome to start the starter 82 games of the year.