We have what the NHLPA thinks is the best player, and you’re going with he’s very good?
Leafs moves Work in progress - Depth update
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Tak7
Registered User
Reading between the lines from Dubas comments today, didn't sound like either of them were far from signing extensions.
Has anyone ever gone with the sign 25 dudes on league min and hope 6 of them work out to be your bottom 6 strategy?
Seems to be what we're going for
Seems to be what we're going for
I think Vegas tried that and went to the Cup Finals but they actually had a great coach.
Mess
Global Moderator
You can't expect much of the core 4 to absorb that because players like Matthews 60 goals and Marner and Nylander at +30 goals (all personal bests) are already running a near top capacity.
But that doesn't address secondary scoring issues beyond the core 4 anyways, and its more offense from the bottom 6 that is required, at least that is the general accepted need as we swap out the bottom 6 each year looking for a solution.
The biggest new forward signing to date was Nicolas Aube-Kubel from the Avs .. He dressed for 14 games and recorded 0-0-0 points (healthy scratch for 6 others) . His career playoff stats 27 games 2-1-3 points.
So I guess I'm asking who do you think these goals from someone else will be to improve the Leafs?.
Perhaps those player to this point are still not on the team.
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
Point I am trying to make is that Leafs didn’t need those 46 goals to get into the playoffs. Even if the Leafs didn’t replace those 46 goals and scores less than this year, they will still make the playoffs as I really don’t care if they win the President Trophy or not bc playoffs results is the only thing that matters. Since as mentioned, Leafs will make the playoffs even with 46 less goals, this 46 goals become a non factor.
In terms of depth scoring in the playoffs, the players who left had ONE non empty net goal in the past playoffs. Even if they all stayed, they still need to improve on that, since the group couldn’t even get past the first round.
Hopefully Dubas get more signings like Bunting and Kampf over this period, make some proper trades and guys like Robertson and others take a step or two.
lovemyleafs
Registered User
- Jan 23, 2017
- 2,881
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It's sad that we're even being put in the same sentence as those two teams.
It says a lot about this team though...
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
Says more about the people putting them in the same sentence.
9 teams ALREADY have more salary committed to next season than us, and I can't definitively say any of them are better than us.
Every team is in "cap hell" That's the reality of the multi-year flat cap at this point.
Yes ON PAPER the Leafs seemed to have gotten worse, but did they really?
Why not consider giving some spots to some of our prospects and see what they can do? Why not give Steeves, Douglas, Holmberg etc. a chance and see if they're ready for the NHL?
As well if we're talking about defense, how are the Leafs worse when they have:
Rielly-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren
Muzzin-Sandin
That to me looks better than what we had last year.
As for goaltending sure its a question mark, but so was Campbell and Mrazek. This is a 'to be determined' rather than a for sure downgrade. Lets just wait and see what else happens before losing our minds.
I know this is hard for many people here to believe but winning a Cup doesn't absolve you of all future bad decisions now and forever.
If Joe Sakic started shooting up on heroin, he doesn't get to say "What? I won a Cup."
Folignos Helmet
Registered User
- Sep 4, 2020
- 981
- 1,075
I agree on the backend. It’s the same.
Also agree on the goaltending being equally questionable.
The forwards I think is still unfinished business. Maybe Sandin gets packaged for another impact forward. Maybe some further 1 million dollar bets. So I will wait and see but right now that looks weaker to me with Kase and Mik gone.
ACC1224
Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
- Aug 19, 2002
- 78,330
- 45,552
Deferring to Jeffler as some type of voice of reason. Wonder what Mike in Buffalo thinks?Why can’t some just be honest about what goes on?
Lots of summer left but the last few days haven’t been very good.
Racer88
Registered User
- Sep 29, 2020
- 13,184
- 13,336
Ok so he’s the best player but that doesn’t change the make up of the team.
Havoc
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2009
- 7,334
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I'm not worried about the forwards. I think Dubas understands what the bottom 6 lacks (--took how many years) and will figure it out by puck drop.
It's the D I'm worried about. Our main physical presence back there is running on fumes and our main "Defensive" guy hasn't looked good since January and this horrid play lead to Nick Paul easily winning the game for his team. I don't even know if Nick Paul deserves all the praise he got here. I think Brodie was just that bad. That rush should have been a nothing play.
The only pairing I feel confident about in our own zone is Gio-Lil. I only trust our no.1 when the puck is going away from our net.
I think it's time to free up cap space in muzzin/holl/kerfoot and say bye to Sandin because we need a good trade piece to bring someone in (Brodie's decline can be offset if he moves 1 step down on the depth chart, he's turning 33, time to accept he's declining).
It's the D I'm worried about. Our main physical presence back there is running on fumes and our main "Defensive" guy hasn't looked good since January and this horrid play lead to Nick Paul easily winning the game for his team. I don't even know if Nick Paul deserves all the praise he got here. I think Brodie was just that bad. That rush should have been a nothing play.
The only pairing I feel confident about in our own zone is Gio-Lil. I only trust our no.1 when the puck is going away from our net.
I think it's time to free up cap space in muzzin/holl/kerfoot and say bye to Sandin because we need a good trade piece to bring someone in (Brodie's decline can be offset if he moves 1 step down on the depth chart, he's turning 33, time to accept he's declining).
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I think Matthews and Marner likely understand that the roster right now is an unfinished product.
ULF_55
Moderator
Can players get better after age 26?
Yes, obviously!
So Clifford, Simmons, Tavares aren't getting better, but there is still growth to be had amongst the forwards.
Defense, Liljegren and Sandin are just starting out, nowhere near their prime. Here is where the have to work in some more youth, not eliminate it.
Leafs are patient fans, we'll be okay, and things will get done in a reasonable and methodical manner.
Yes, obviously!
So Clifford, Simmons, Tavares aren't getting better, but there is still growth to be had amongst the forwards.
Defense, Liljegren and Sandin are just starting out, nowhere near their prime. Here is where the have to work in some more youth, not eliminate it.
Leafs are patient fans, we'll be okay, and things will get done in a reasonable and methodical manner.
DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
- Jan 17, 2017
- 35,587
- 57,228
It’s hard to argue we’re a better team now, perhaps all these guys walking away for nothing, all the squandered draft picks, is starting to catch up with us. Hoping Knies is the late season wildcard.
DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
- Jan 17, 2017
- 35,587
- 57,228
He only played two games against TB and two against Edmonton, he didn’t even have one point in the playoffs, which is kind of incredible given how the Avs filled the net. Not against the move, he plays hard, but it a real warm body, tertiary add imo.
