Once again, skidding into the playoffs...

[Mess]

The team is built better, but we will still need the Core to rise to the occasion, which has never happened.

Leafs have 4 forwards that eat up > 1/2 their salary cap, which is a poorly thought out plan because it really comes down to those 4 forwards having to carry the load offensively. Leafs are only going to go as far as those core 4 carry them. When a Marner puts up 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 games making $11 mil you're team will be in trouble,

It also makes a team vulnerable because the opposition really only needs to focus on those 4 core players and if they keep them in check or play them at par, then they have a huge advantage because then their depth players have far better quality because their cap is management isn't broken.

So not only is the core too expensive but also unfortunately too soft. In a physical series there is very little push back ability. Rising to the occasion in a system and style of play that is not conducive to their preferred style where they have more time and space to excel during regular season.

Better coaching, better Dcore with Tanev and Carlo and much better goaltending and we have to hope things work out.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

What are my expectations? Pretty much the same as the last few years I suppose.

I’ve maintained the opinion that when the core learns to match and exceed the physicality and intensity of their playoff opponents, success can be achieved. We’re just too heavily invested in them to ever succeed without them taking it to the opponents top dogs.? They’ll earn more than anyone that will line up opposite them so outperform them and show you’re worth it.

For my expectations to change I’ll need to see something to convince me they’re different this season. Still waiting.

 

[Fogelhund]

Leafs have 4 forwards that eat up > 1/2 their salary cap, which is a poorly thought out plan because it really comes down to those 4 forwards having to carry the load offensively. Leafs are only going to go as far as those core 4 carry them. When a Marner puts up 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 games making $11 mil you're team will be in trouble,

It also makes a team vulnerable because the opposition really only needs to focus on those 4 core players and if they keep them in check or play them at par, then they have a huge advantage because then their depth players have far better quality because their cap is management isn't broken.

So not only is the core too expensive but also unfortunately too soft. In a physical series there is very little push back ability. Rising to the occasion in a system and style of play that is not conducive to their preferred style where they have more time and space to excel during regular season.

Has a team ever won the Stanley Cup, with forwards outside of their expected top four carrying the load, regardless of pay scale?

 

[Mess]

Has a team ever won the Stanley Cup, with forwards outside of their expected top four carrying the load, regardless of pay scale?

Just look at TB and their 2 Cups and their Core players.

Brayden Point lead the playoffs in goals with 14 both years while Kucherov lead the playoffs in points and Hedman top 5 in playoff scoring.

For the Leafs this would need to be Matthews leading the team and playoffs in Goals and Marner leading the playoffs in points and Willy and JT being among the top 10 in playoff scorers.

 

[Fogelhund]

Just look at TB and their 2 Cups and their Core players.

View attachment 998598

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Brayden Point lead the playoffs in goals with 14 both years while Kucherov lead the playoffs in points and Hedman top 5 in playoff scoring.

For the Leafs this would need to be Matthews leading the team and playoffs in Goals and Marner leading the playoffs in points and Willy and JT being among the top 10 in playoff scorers.

It's likely that way for all teams. Problem is... where are our guys when it counts? They need to be the best players on the ice, when it counts. If a team shuts down McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman and RNH... they aren't doing squat.

 

[notDatsyuk]

It also makes a team vulnerable because the opposition really only needs to focus on those 4 core players and if they keep them in check or play them at par, then they have a huge advantage because then their depth players have far better quality because their cap is management isn't broken.

Better coaching, better Dcore with Tanev and Carlo and much better goaltending and we have to hope things work out.

It's even worse than that. Marner pretty much disappears if you say 'boo', so they can double team Matthews. The second line being without much of a LW means that Nylander often has to enter the zone and hold the puck until Tavares arrives, while being double- or triple-teamed.

Hopefully Knies and McMann will help alleviate some of the pressure on Matty and Willy this year.

 

[Fogelhund]

We will require at least two of the big four, to be amongst the leaders of the playoffs in scoring, to have a chance.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Bottom line is this is Berubes team. Learn from how many times Keefe was thrown under the bus by these guys and operate as if few of these players are going to do him any favours when the big chips are in the middle.

I've seen this of late. Giving depth players more ice time, mixing lines, having players ride the bench a couple of shifts, balance defensemen ice time. This is an important message to send, a reminder just in case they forget, "you earn what you receive". Maybe this will be ingrained come playoffs.

It's funny, I think of this Leafs managemenet/coaching: Shanahan, a legit 50 goal scoring power forward who played hockey with as much will as skill, Berube, a guy who didn't have the most talent but carved out not only a career in the NHL by willing to take one for team whenever needed but also found a successful coaching career, Brad who played in the high expectations in Calgary and now Toronto accustomed to the hot seat. My gut would say "no team is going to be too flaky with this group".

Look, none of them are going to change the spots of the core. It's why at least Brad was smart enough to ask Marner to waive and he is not making contract decisions until after the playoffs. This is important. Also give credit to Berube for at least identifying the reality of the team. I think he is going to continue to support his players and especially guys like Laughton as when he plays his game he is going to be a competitor who won't take a shift off. A coach needs those types. The higher up in the pecking they are the better of course, but it's important to have a motor and he's dropped the gloves once already, the guy cares and hasn't ducked the media so give him that.

The team still wins and loses with it's core. Once you stack the salary distribution in such a manner this is unavoidable. The supporting cast can make a big difference though in creating match up problems and stealing a game or two for them in the playoffs. All it takes is one big goal in a players career to find ascension.

 

[weems]

Not feeling too confident about the teams chances outside of the first round.

The one thing I do feel better about this season is our first pairing of McCabe - Tanev and our goal tending.

If we plan on going on a big run, We need these four players to have huge playoffs.

 

[Stephen]

This sounds more like fan fiction than reality... The team looks terribly coached and propped up by some good goaltending.

Oh yeah, as opposed to when they were well coached in the past during their glory years?

 

[Maple Leaf]

Maybe the core players do not have that killer instinct you ever think about that?

 

[Stephen]

Bottom line is this is Berubes team. Learn from how many times Keefe was thrown under the bus by these guys and operate as if few of these players are going to do him any favours when the big chips are in the middle.

I've seen this of late. Giving depth players more ice time, mixing lines, having players ride the bench a couple of shifts, balance defensemen ice time. This is an important message to send, a reminder just in case they forget, "you earn what you receive". Maybe this will be ingrained come playoffs.

It's funny, I think of this Leafs managemenet/coaching: Shanahan, a legit 50 goal scoring power forward who played hockey with as much will as skill, Berube, a guy who didn't have the most talent but carved out not only a career in the NHL by willing to take one for team whenever needed but also found a successful coaching career, Brad who played in the high expectations in Calgary and now Toronto accustomed to the hot seat. My gut would say "no team is going to be too flaky with this group".

Look, none of them are going to change the spots of the core. It's why at least Brad was smart enough to ask Marner to waive and he is not making contract decisions until after the playoffs. This is important. Also give credit to Berube for at least identifying the reality of the team. I think he is going to continue to support his players and especially guys like Laughton as when he plays his game he is going to be a competitor who won't take a shift off. A coach needs those types. The higher up in the pecking they are the better of course, but it's important to have a motor and he's dropped the gloves once already, the guy cares and hasn't ducked the media so give him that.

The team still wins and loses with it's core. Once you stack the salary distribution in such a manner this is unavoidable. The supporting cast can make a big difference though in creating match up problems and stealing a game or two for them in the playoffs. All it takes is one big goal in a players career to find ascension.

The core guys on the Leafs just don’t consistently demonstrate committed, workmanlike play styles or seem to have any leadership mentality to integrate and empower all the Team B guys for me to think they are a serious competitor. There are so many times when they just don’t seem to care about playing hard to secure points in winnable games and struggle with motivation. The top guys are ice time and cookie monsters and I wonder if they’ve even met Team B. There’s nothing there that tells me they’re gearing up towards anything. It’s 2-3 good games. 2-3 bad games. 2-3 good games. Doing just enough for the house not to burn down.

 

[Nineteen67]

Based on the lineup I don’t really see a lack of compete and most nights they are trying their best to win.
Goaltending has been great for most of the year and the D plays more consistent than previous yrs.

 

[notbias]

Oh yeah, as opposed to when they were well coached in the past during their glory years?

What's your favourite thing about the new coaching system? Is it the reliance on good goaltending? Maybe being a .500 team against playoff teams? Is it regressing in almost all stats?

The core guys on the Leafs just don’t consistently demonstrate committed, workmanlike play styles or seem to have any leadership mentality to integrate and empower all the Team B guys for me to think they are a serious competitor. There are so many times when they just don’t seem to care about playing hard to secure points in winnable games and struggle with motivation. The top guys are ice time and cookie monsters and I wonder if they’ve even met Team B. There’s nothing there that tells me they’re gearing up towards anything. It’s 2-3 good games. 2-3 bad games. 2-3 good games. Doing just enough for the house not to burn down.

All feelings, nothing is based on fact.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

What's your take on this teams complete lack of compete running into the final 20 games of the season? They are 4-5-1 in their last 10 right now, while duking it out for first in our division. The saving grace this year is the two teams we are competing with for that position are also fairly inconsistent right now. The Leafs have the worst last 10 GP out of any team in a playoff position right now (maybe outside of NJ). Does anyone really think this team is going to do damage this year? Seems like our goaltending has finally started to return to the mean after outperforming for the first 3-4 months of the season.

So, the question is, given the recent performance, what are your expectations this post season? I'm guessing another first round exit. Rather keep my expectations low and be surprised, than have high expectations and be disappointed. This is the way.

They have won 3 of their last 4.

That's not a skid.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

What's your favourite thing about the new coaching system? Is it the reliance on good goaltending? Maybe being a .500 team against playoff teams? Is it regressing in almost all stats?



All feelings, nothing is based on fact.

It's not having cowardly Keefe as the head coach.

 

[notbias]

It's not having cowardly Keefe as the head coach.

I appreciate the well thought out response that is backed by factual information and is written like an adult and not a child using name calling, thank you.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I appreciate the well thought out response that is backed by factual information and is written like an adult and not a child using name calling, thank you.

That's what he is he's a coward, not because he's a horrible at his job although he is that too.

But because of his fake tough guy act that he tried to pull here for 5 years and is now trying to pull in NJ.

Thing is it doesn't work when anytime you call out your team you IMMEDIATELY walk it back because you aren't a man and don't have the guts to stick to your guns.

Hence why he's called cowardly Keefe.

Because he is a coward.

 

[notbias]

That's what he is he's a coward, not because he's a horrible at his job although he is that too.

But because of his fake tough guy act that he tried to pull here for 5 years and is now trying to pull in NJ.

Thing is it doesn't work when anytime you call out your team you IMMEDIATELY walk it back because you aren't a man and don't have the guts to stick to your guns.

Hence why he's called cowardly Keefe.

Because he is a coward.

Can you post the quotes of him walking back all his comments? Full quotes, please.

Also, is that your definition of a coward?

I remember Keefe having to clarify his comments, not walking them back, maybe I am mistaken, but if clarifying comments makes you a coward, I am wondering how many coaches are cowards, I know Torts is considered one by this definition, but I wonder who else.

 

[Evilhomer]

What's your favourite thing about the new coaching system? Is it the reliance on good goaltending? Maybe being a .500 team against playoff teams? Is it regressing in almost all stats?

My favourite thing is that the rest of divsion and conference has regressed to the point where the Leafs can win it.

 

[mclaren55]

They have won 3 of their last 4.

That's not a skid.

I’m looking at their last 10 as my sample. As stated in the post you quoted.

 

[Confucius]

Just look at TB and their 2 Cups and their Core players.

View attachment 998598

View attachment 998600

Brayden Point lead the playoffs in goals with 14 both years while Kucherov lead the playoffs in points and Hedman top 5 in playoff scoring.

For the Leafs this would need to be Matthews leading the team and playoffs in Goals and Marner leading the playoffs in points and Willy and JT being among the top 10 in playoff scorers.

The guys that get hot will win. It’s why I have stated many times playoffs are a crap shoot. Mind you some players are more likely to get on a roll than others.

 

[bax]

Your absolutely correct with that. But I personally think this D core is the best we had since the Pat Burns days. They are playing the same style as well.

Some may find it nerve racking and boring. But in the end it wins games in the playoffs.

And goaltending. Now if they can just outscore their opponents...

 

[Racer88]

I guess I'm in the minority. I'm expecting us to win the cup.

The eternal optimist

 

[Racer88]

The guys that get hot will win. It’s why I have stated many times playoffs are a crap shoot. Mind you some players are more likely to get on a roll than others.

True but when you have 1 series win in 8 try’s , you pretty much suck at the playoffs