Re-tooling For One More Run With This Core

[Hoglund4MvP]

I hope our big guns take to heart what a game of inches these series can be and take that into future playoffs with them and play that much harder in a series. If you're up 1-0 in a series, you don't no-show for the first 10 minutes of Game 2. If you're up 2-1 on the road you don't settle for the split. You get a partial breakaway you make sure you score.

Starts from the coach. Coach teaching them that 2-2 split against these big scary monsters Tampa is okay. Need a coach who will get it in their heads to lay the smack down, leave no survivors. Make them believe back to back wins was a decade ago, this team is trash compared to you now, put them in their place.

Coach isn't the right leader for these guys needs to be removed from the room. This team doesn't have it mentally and Keefe isn't the guy to do anything about it.

 

[Apex Predator]

I posted this in the Gio thread but it’s probably better here. If the plan is to bring the core back and it touch the defenseman besides Holl this is what they are working with.

Leafs have about 15 million in cap space(assuming they trade Mrazek, Kerfoot, Holl) to resign Liljegren and Sandin, sign two goalies, a top 6 forward(LW), bottom 6 players and one depth defenseman.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Well, Kucherov was apparently sick during the Toronto series so that would explain the sluggishness. Florida's also playing Tampa without Brayden Point. As far as Vasi is concerned, I think it can both be true that he wasn't at the top of his game and Toronto was slicing and dicing him up as well. If you look back on the various teams Tampa has played during their 2.5 year run, Toronto was definitely one of the strongest rosters they had to face.

I won't take anything away from our offense but there was some goals where I was saying to people that normally Vasi doesn't give that up. The dude is a freak and will probably go down as the best/most talented goalie in history.

 

[zeke]

I posted this in the Gio thread but it’s probably better here. If the plan is to bring the core back and it touch the defenseman besides Holl this is what they are working with.

Leafs have about 15 million in cap space(assuming they trade Mrazek, Kerfoot, Holl) to resign Liljegren and Sandin, sign two goalies, a top 6 forward(LW), bottom 6 players and one depth defenseman.
View attachment 550849View attachment 550850

I'd peg Lilly and Sandin at about $2m each.

Engvall and Kase about $1.5m each.

Obviously you want Mrazek gone. I'd like to get Campbell at a similar caphit.

I want all the kids fighting over the 4th line spots.

That leaves a few million left to sign a backup goalie or upgrade the forwards. You could also try to use kerfoot's caphit to upgrade at forward too.

Well, Kucherov was apparently sick during the Toronto series so that would explain the sluggishness. Florida's also playing Tampa without Brayden Point. As far as Vasi is concerned, I think it can both be true that he wasn't at the top of his game and Toronto was slicing and dicing him up as well. If you look back on the various teams Tampa has played during their 2.5 year run, Toronto was definitely one of the strongest rosters they had to face.

Oh here we go letting the rumor run wild.

Here's the actual:

So he felt a little ill before game 7.

 

[Nineteen67]

I posted this in the Gio thread but it’s probably better here. If the plan is to bring the core back and it touch the defenseman besides Holl this is what they are working with.

Leafs have about 15 million in cap space(assuming they trade Mrazek, Kerfoot, Holl) to resign Liljegren and Sandin, sign two goalies, a top 6 forward(LW), bottom 6 players and one depth defenseman.
View attachment 550849View attachment 550850

Mrazek‘s buyout is going to take Kessels spot. A little less $ off the cap but I think it’s three years.

 

[ULF_55]

Well, Kucherov was apparently sick during the Toronto series so that would explain the sluggishness. Florida's also playing Tampa without Brayden Point. As far as Vasi is concerned, I think it can both be true that he wasn't at the top of his game and Toronto was slicing and dicing him up as well. If you look back on the various teams Tampa has played during their 2.5 year run, Toronto was definitely one of the strongest rosters they had to face.

Probably applies to both teams, Nylander food poisoning, Matthews not at 100%, Bunting wasn't 100% (obvious). Kase coming off another.

We shouldn't provide excuses for the Leafs nor the Lightning.

 

[Stephen]

Probably applies to both teams, Nylander food poisoning, Matthews not at 100%, Bunting wasn't 100% (obvious). Kase coming off another.

We shouldn't provide excuses for the Leafs nor the Lightning.

Well, I think it just confirms that Tampa and Toronto are the big boys in the Atlantic and there's also Florida, but don't dismantle the program.

 

[Stephen]

I'd peg Lilly and Sandin at about $2m each.

Engvall and Kase about $1.5m each.

Obviously you want Mrazek gone. I'd like to get Campbell at a similar caphit.

I want all the kids fighting over the 4th line spots.

That leaves a few million left to sign a backup goalie or upgrade the forwards. You could also try to use kerfoot's caphit to upgrade at forward too.



Oh here we go letting the rumor run wild.

Here's the actual:

View attachment 550856

So he felt a little ill before game 7.

Honestly, I don't care when Kucherov got sick, how many times he threw up, or how many games he wasn't at 100% other than to say he wasn't tip top against us, but the counter is Florida also doesn't have to play Brayden Point at all.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Well, I think it just confirms that Tampa and Toronto are the big boys in the Atlantic and there's also Florida, but don't dismantle the program.

I would say that we are very close. We need yo sort the goaltending situation out, find another Bunting type to play with Tavares and I think a new 4th line. If we can have a 4th line that plays with speed, a little bit of bite and can actually contribute to some goals here and there, I think we are in pretty good shape. The defense is coming along nicely. I expect Liljegren to be a big contributor this year in the top 4 and replace Holl with someone new. Sandin hopefully comes in with more strength and hopefully his skating improves.

 

[Gallagbi]

I'd peg Lilly and Sandin at about $2m each.

Engvall and Kase about $1.5m each.

Obviously you want Mrazek gone. I'd like to get Campbell at a similar caphit.

I want all the kids fighting over the 4th line spots.

That leaves a few million left to sign a backup goalie or upgrade the forwards. You could also try to use kerfoot's caphit to upgrade at forward too.



Oh here we go letting the rumor run wild.

Here's the actual:

View attachment 550856

So he felt a little ill before game 7.

I can't predict the Lilj and Sandin deals, I'm still hoping they come in towards Dermotts last deal.

We should pass on Kase IMO and work in some youth.

 

[notDatsyuk]

No, you said he was a 3rd liner caliber player. Saying he's the 3rd best center on the Leafs doesn't even make sense as a deflection, because he's obviously 2nd best.

Aren't you the Islanders fan who said the Leafs should trade Matthews for Pageau and Cizikas but the Islanders would say no?

I said he should be 3C (or 3W) on the Leafs, with Nylander as 2C, obviously because I think Nylander would be better. (That's just my opinion, you don't have to agree or disagree.)

I have posted on the Islanders' board (and several others), but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't make that silly a statement (except tongue in cheek).

 

[Dreakmur]

I suppose I'll try one more time, then give up.

To be the 3C on the Leafs, you don't have to be the 65th best C in the league, just the third best on the Leafs.

Just like Draisaitl doesn't have to be the 33rd best C in the league, he just has to be behind McDavid.

You said they were pretending Tavares was a 2C. He’s absolutely elite as a 2C, and probably a 1C on a large number of teams.

Sure, he’s not worth 11 million, but being overpaid doesn’t make him worse on the ice.

 

[deprw]

I didn't say Tampa were bad. Nor, did I say what you said in your last paragraph. Those are invented straw man arguments.

I said they were off in a few of their games i.e., not in their groove and optimal level for decent chunks of a few games.

We should stop making excuses. More importantly, got to hope that the players, coaches and management don't make excuses like some to the fans here do.

Like said I'd say that Tampa being off is more of an excuse. I think we were also off in some games and it's normal that your play goes up and down, but it's how you keep it consistently good and minimize your lows.

I think Dubas is at the moment thinking what to do with the roster. Keefe has been always talking about preparation, which I could question when our PP went stale. Matthews should take notes of how McDavid performs this time of year. McDavid was flat last year and made huge strides. Our stars should and can be better like our organization as whole. I don't think there is any fans or employee that is happy about how things went.

I just find this odd that we're always making these excuses for our opponents and other franchises. If we fail we fail, but at least we pushed Tampa to the brink. Last year we got pushed to the brink by Canadiens. Next year our game should be above this year, so we can expect better results.

 

[RoadWarrior]

The leafs need to rid themselves of the slackers on the ice and behind the bench.

Keefe can't motivate these guys. He's too passive.

Nylander and Kerfoot are speedy floaters who don't do the grunt work in the corners or front of the net. Both should be gone and replaced with tenacity.

Justin Holl -> why is he on the ice? This is a guy who might get paid $1M in on the open market as a 7th d man and the leafs are on the hook with this guy for 2 more years at $2.1M. Load and fire out of a cannon.

As far as goaltending is concerned Campbell is a decent 1B guy who can be effective for maybe 40 games per season but he's not a stud and hasn't really proven anything in the playoffs. Need an upgrade here too. If they can rid themselves of Mrazek then it creates an opportunity to retain Campbell.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Like said I'd say that Tampa being off is more of an excuse. I think we were also off in some games and it's normal that your play goes up and down, but it's how you keep it consistently good and minimize your lows.

I think Dubas is at the moment thinking what to do with the roster. Keefe has been always talking about preparation, which I could question when our PP went stale. Matthews should take notes of how McDavid performs this time of year. McDavid was flat last year and made huge strides. Our stars should and can be better like our organization as whole. I don't think there is any fans or employee that is happy about how things went.

I just find this odd that we're always making these excuses for our opponents and other franchises. If we fail we fail, but at least we pushed Tampa to the brink. Last year we got pushed to the brink by Canadiens. Next year our game should be above this year, so we can expect better results.

McDavid is better in part because the Oilers picked up Kane who combined with Drai creates an almost unstoppable line.

But for some reason Keefe wouldn't put both Nylander and Marner on a line with Matthews at the same time. Another coaching miss.

The PP died because they had no big point shot. Liljegren has a big point shot but Keefe refused to play him. More bad coaching.

 

[zeke]

Honestly, I don't care when Kucherov got sick, how many times he threw up, or how many games he wasn't at 100% other than to say he wasn't tip top against us, but the counter is Florida also doesn't have to play Brayden Point at all.

Kuch ended the season smoking red hot, and is smoking red hot now against the Panthers.

He wasn't against his, because we are good.

 

[zeke]

I can't predict the Lilj and Sandin deals, I'm still hoping they come in towards Dermotts last deal.

We should pass on Kase IMO and work in some youth.

I think Kase is good value at near his current caphit, and we'd still have a bunch of spots open for the kids.

 

[zeke]

I said he should be 3C (or 3W) on the Leafs, with Nylander as 2C, obviously because I think Nylander would be better. (That's just my opinion, you don't have to agree or disagree.)

I have posted on the Islanders' board (and several others), but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't make that silly a statement (except tongue in cheek).

Tavares' Scoring Rank amongst Centers:

21-22: #15
20-21: #11
19-20: #16
18-19: #7


Helluva 3rd line C there.

 

[notDatsyuk]

You said they were pretending Tavares was a 2C. He’s absolutely elite as a 2C, and probably a 1C on a large number of teams.

Sure, he’s not worth 11 million, but being overpaid doesn’t make him worse on the ice.

Tavares' Scoring Rank amongst Centers:

21-22: #15
20-21: #11
19-20: #16
18-19: #7


Helluva 3rd line C there.

I don't know if I'm not explaining it well, or you are both just missing my point.

Yes, Tavares would be a good 2C on a lot of teams, and even a 1C on some. But that's not what I'm saying.

ON THE LEAFS, with Matthews and Nylander, he is, in my opinion, the third best centre ON THE LEAFS.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I don't know if I'm not explaining it well, or you are both just missing my point.

Yes, Tavares would be a good 2C on a lot of teams, and even a 1C on some. But that's not what I'm saying.

ON THE LEAFS, with Matthews and Nylander, he is, in my opinion, the third best centre ON THE LEAFS.

it's just that you were caught by taking up an impossible to defend position and are now trying to pretend you were claiming something different. Nobody believes you meant he was the 3rd best center on the Leafs

 

[Dreakmur]

I don't know if I'm not explaining it well, or you are both just missing my point.

Yes, Tavares would be a good 2C on a lot of teams, and even a 1C on some. But that's not what I'm saying.

ON THE LEAFS, with Matthews and Nylander, he is, in my opinion, the third best centre ON THE LEAFS.

Nylander has shown multiple times that he can't play centre....

 

[myleafs]

Honestly Tampa looks about the same, but they're dominating in special teams vs. Fla and not getting the heavy PP time they did against us.

Kucherov looks 100 x better against Florida than against the Leafs. Not taking anything away from the Leafs but in this particular case something was off with Kucherov that is back now. There have been reports he was sick during the 1st round.

 

[myleafs]

I hope our big guns take to heart what a game of inches these series can be and take that into future playoffs with them and play that much harder in a series. If you're up 1-0 in a series, you don't no-show for the first 10 minutes of Game 2. If you're up 2-1 on the road you don't settle for the split. You get a partial breakaway you make sure you score.

Is our core 4 up front willing to block shots and lay their body on line the way Tampa does? Cause this is the kind of mindset/commitment it takes to win the big one.

 

[myleafs]

Like said I'd say that Tampa being off is more of an excuse. I think we were also off in some games and it's normal that your play goes up and down, but it's how you keep it consistently good and minimize your lows.

I think Dubas is at the moment thinking what to do with the roster. Keefe has been always talking about preparation, which I could question when our PP went stale. Matthews should take notes of how McDavid performs this time of year. McDavid was flat last year and made huge strides. Our stars should and can be better like our organization as whole. I don't think there is any fans or employee that is happy about how things went.

I just find this odd that we're always making these excuses for our opponents and other franchises. If we fail we fail, but at least we pushed Tampa to the brink. Last year we got pushed to the brink by Canadiens. Next year our game should be above this year, so we can expect better results.

I dont understand...were'nt we up 3-1 pushing the habs to the brink?

 

[Gallagbi]

Kucherov looks 100 x better against Florida than against the Leafs. Not taking anything away from the Leafs but in this particular case something was off with Kucherov that is back now. There have been reports he was sick during the 1st round.

He has time, spaxe and options right now which the Leafs rarely allowed 5on5