The Athletic: Maple Leafs and Panthers rosters weakened the most during the off season

[Leafshater67]

Thats not getting smoked. Sorry but you're striking out like Joey Gallo.

Smoked is blown out in 4 straight games by 3-5 goals a game.

Argue about semantics if you want but they failed yet again and now they don’t even have a proven starting goalie.

Florida also, after Ekblad has a paper thin defence and its own goalie issues to boot. I don’t see either team making it far in the playoffs and I’ll be surprised especially if the leafs don’t find a way to choke in the first round again.

I am not hopeful to say the least.

 

[AvroArrow]

Argue about semantics if you want but they failed yet again and now they don’t even have a proven starting goalie.

Florida also, after Ekblad has a paper thin defence and its own goalie issues to boot. I don’t see either team making it far in the playoffs and I’ll be surprised especially if the leafs don’t find a way to choke in the first round again.

I am not hopeful to say the least.

So in your opinion, who is the best team in the Atlantic today ?

When i'm looking at the best teams in the Atlantic it's certainly not Montreal/Detroit/Buffalo/Ottawa so lets get them out of the way. Florida after butchering their roster is another easy no. Boston with their aging declining core who still hasn't signed Bergeron/Krejci and barely made playoffs ? no. Tampa after losing McDonagh and Palat ? no. Leafs lost Campbell (who sucked ass for majority of the season) and Mikheyev

This is the easiest the Atlantic division has ever been for Toronto. Tampa is no longer a power house. Florida is going to be a bubble playoff team. Boston might miss entirely. I think Toronto wins the division and makes the ECF this year.

Florida got significantly worse
Tampa got significantly worse
Boston got worse and is aging
Ottawa/Detroit are on the rise but still haven't proven themselves as a playoff team

Leafs core is still intact and they lost a bottom 6 winger and Campbell. Mikheyevs "production" is easily replaced. Murray is still a question mark. Knies and Robertson are expected to join the team around game 72-73 for a playoff push.

 

[JimmyApples]

Not sure of any teams fans, Leaf fans can be "Shocked" at bad goaltending. Did you miss their goaltending last year? 32nd in the NHL after the all-star break.

That was before y’all took on one of the worst contracts in the league. At least Campbell was cheap

 

[Leafshater67]

So in your opinion, who is the best team in the Atlantic today ?

When i'm looking at the best teams in the Atlantic it's certainly not Montreal/Detroit/Buffalo/Ottawa so lets get them out of the way. Florida after butchering their roster is another easy no. Boston with their aging declining core who still hasn't signed Bergeron/Krejci and barely made playoffs ? no. Tampa after losing McDonagh and Palat ? no. Leafs lost Campbell (who sucked ass for majority of the season) and Mikheyev

This is the easiest the Atlantic division has ever been for Toronto. Tampa is no longer a power house. Florida is going to be a bubble playoff team. Boston might miss entirely. I think Toronto wins the division and makes the ECF this year.

Florida got significantly worse
Tampa got significantly worse
Boston got worse and is aging
Ottawa/Detroit are on the rise but still haven't proven themselves as a playoff team

Leafs core is still intact and they lost a bottom 6 winger and Campbell. Mikheyevs "production" is easily replaced. Murray is still a question mark. Knies and Robertson are expected to join the team around game 72-73 for a playoff push.

How is Tampa no longer a power house? They just ended up in the final and beat a better version of the leafs than we will see next season in the first round.

Tampa very much still is a power house. Losing two important pieces sucks but I wouldn’t sleep on them.

 

[AvroArrow]

How is Tampa no longer a power house? They just ended up in the final and beat a better version of the leafs than we will see next season in the first round.

Tampa very much still is a power house. Losing two important pieces sucks but I wouldn’t sleep on them.

Because they lost McDonagh and Palat, and struggled in the 1st round with those 2 in the line up

Losing McDonagh and Palat is MUCH bigger than losing a 3rd liner and Jack Campbell. I don't think you realize how crucial those 2 guys were to their success, especially McDonagh. He's one of the games top shut down D-men and was the most annoying D-man on their team to play against.

"A better version of the Leafs" is honestly quite debatable and they are better it isn't by a whole lot.

Whereas the difference between Tampa last year vs this upcoming season is masssssssive.

 

[T REX]

Because they lost McDonagh and Palat, and struggled in the 1st round with those 2 in the line up

Losing McDonagh and Palat is MUCH bigger than losing a 3rd liner and Jack Campbell. I don't think you realize how crucial those 2 guys were to their success, especially McDonagh. He's one of the games top shut down D-men and was the most annoying D-man on their team to play against.

"A better version of the Leafs" is honestly quite debatable and they are better it isn't by a whole lot.

Whereas the difference between Tampa last year vs this upcoming season is masssssssive.

Massive? Buwahahahahahahahah

Hedman, Kuch, STammer, Point, VASY

Too bad you are wrong and we'd make you guys wilt under pressure again.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

So in your opinion, who is the best team in the Atlantic today ?

When i'm looking at the best teams in the Atlantic it's certainly not Montreal/Detroit/Buffalo/Ottawa so lets get them out of the way. Florida after butchering their roster is another easy no. Boston with their aging declining core who still hasn't signed Bergeron/Krejci and barely made playoffs ? no. Tampa after losing McDonagh and Palat ? no. Leafs lost Campbell (who sucked ass for majority of the season) and Mikheyev

This is the easiest the Atlantic division has ever been for Toronto. Tampa is no longer a power house. Florida is going to be a bubble playoff team. Boston might miss entirely. I think Toronto wins the division and makes the ECF this year.

Florida got significantly worse
Tampa got significantly worse
Boston got worse and is aging
Ottawa/Detroit are on the rise but still haven't proven themselves as a playoff team

Leafs core is still intact and they lost a bottom 6 winger and Campbell. Mikheyevs "production" is easily replaced. Murray is still a question mark. Knies and Robertson are expected to join the team around game 72-73 for a playoff push.

Boston made the play offs by 23 points, and a 40 goal differential better than the Isles. They're going to struggle next year. Nothing about the 2022 Eastern Playoffs were close, the bubble burst months before the season ended.

Tampa and Florida are still good teams. The Atlantic is going to be up for grabs between them and Toronto. In all likelihood whichever team is least injured will carry the division.

 

[AvroArrow]

Boston made the play offs by 23 points, and a 40 goal differential better than the Isles. They're going to struggle next year. Nothing about the 2022 Eastern Playoffs were close, the bubble burst months before the season ended.

Tampa and Florida are still good teams. The Atlantic is going to be up for grabs between them and Toronto. In all likelihood whichever team is least injured will carry the division.

As of right now Boston doesn't have a top 6 C. Also Ottawa is significantly stronger than they were last year, they're going to give Boston a run for the last spot. Also since January Ottawa was one of the leagues best teams, they are going to surprise a lot of people.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

As of right now Boston doesn't have a top 6 C. Also Ottawa is significantly stronger than they were last year, they're going to give Boston a run for the last spot. Also since January Ottawa was one of the leagues best teams, they are going to surprise a lot of people.

Yes that's all true, but their lack of a top 6 now doesn't mean last year they squeaked into the playoffs. It was a huge margin between 8 and 9.

 

[AvroArrow]

Massive? Buwahahahahahahahah

Hedman, Kuch, STammer, Point, VASY

Too bad you are wrong and we'd make you guys wilt under pressure again.

You don't think losing McDonagh and Palat is massive ? Good for you I guess. It took 2 extremely questionably officiated games for Tampa to advance over Toronto, now losing those 2 guys and Leafs lose Campbell/Mikheyev, replay that series. How do you think it turns out ? lol

McDonagh and Palat are 2 very good players and your GM just gave out one of the worst contracts in the league to D-man who can't actually defend, that's going to be one of the worst contracts in the league. Tampa had a good run but their window is closed now. They will be a playoff team for sure, but just a middle of the pack team, not the powerhouse people are used to. Who is going to play the top 6 LW ?

You trying to imply losing McDonagh and Palat isn't "Massive" is just laughable. Your best left winger and #2 shutdown D-man are both gone for free.

Yes that's all true, but their lack of a top 6 now doesn't mean last year they squeaked into the playoffs. It was a huge margin between 8 and 9.

There's been huge additions from Ottawas side as well, also if Ottawa had played the first 2 months of the season like they did since January, they would have made playoffs. They added Debrincat/Giroux and are getting Batherson back. Tkachuk/Stueztle/Norris will all be better, people are not giving them enough credit. I like dunking on the Sens and their fans but they are going to be a good team this year, people will be surprised.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Palat and McDonagh are the type of guys you miss more when you don't have them. Definitely significant losses and puts more emphasis on health being a factor.

But I think the Bolts are still fine. Maybe they're trending more towards a tight checking identity even for the regular season, as their 2nd wave guys have a bit less offense than in some years past, but I'm sure Vasi don't mind if it means being solid defensively. They've still got arguably the best group of top guys for each position, gamebreaking #1 PP and fantastic leadership.

I actually like that they'll be able to give Cal Foote a bigger role. He's got some great tools but at some point you need these kids to play. Now that they're in a more of a top 3 situation, usually the young guy ends up with the teams best defenseman. There's probably going to be some growing pains, but playing alongside papa Victor isn't too shabby of a place to learn.

I also think what happened in the rest of the division works well for Tampa. Young teams got a lot better, but still didn't exceed the Bolts. Florida lost a lot too and Boston has the injuries to deal with. And no matter how the Leafs goalie situation pans out, those guys don't touch Vasi.

Seems like a good off-season to take the hit with the losses.

 

[Golden_Jet]

You don't think losing McDonagh and Palat is massive ? Good for you I guess. It took 2 extremely questionably officiated games for Tampa to advance over Toronto, now losing those 2 guys and Leafs lose Campbell/Mikheyev, replay that series. How do you think it turns out ? lol

McDonagh and Palat are 2 very good players and your GM just gave out one of the worst contracts in the league to D-man who can't actually defend, that's going to be one of the worst contracts in the league. Tampa had a good run but their window is closed now. They will be a playoff team for sure, but just a middle of the pack team, not the powerhouse people are used to. Who is going to play the top 6 LW ?

You trying to imply losing McDonagh and Palat isn't "Massive" is just laughable. Your best left winger and #2 shutdown D-man are both gone for free.


There's been huge additions from Ottawas side as well, also if Ottawa had played the first 2 months of the season like they did since January, they would have made playoffs. They added Debrincat/Giroux and are getting Batherson back. Tkachuk/Stueztle/Norris will all be better, people are not giving them enough credit. I like dunking on the Sens and their fans but they are going to be a good team this year, people will be surprised.

Yep, we disagree a lot, but your being very fair on the Sens, especially the top 6.
FYI if Murray can stay healthy he’ll play good for you guys, it’s the starting and stopping that screw up his consistency, as takes a few games to get in his groove again. Cheers.

 

[T REX]

You don't think losing McDonagh and Palat is massive ? Good for you I guess. It took 2 extremely questionably officiated games for Tampa to advance over Toronto, now losing those 2 guys and Leafs lose Campbell/Mikheyev, replay that series. How do you think it turns out ? lol

McDonagh and Palat are 2 very good players and your GM just gave out one of the worst contracts in the league to D-man who can't actually defend, that's going to be one of the worst contracts in the league. Tampa had a good run but their window is closed now. They will be a playoff team for sure, but just a middle of the pack team, not the powerhouse people are used to. Who is going to play the top 6 LW ?

You trying to imply losing McDonagh and Palat isn't "Massive" is just laughable. Your best left winger and #2 shutdown D-man are both gone for free.


There's been huge additions from Ottawas side as well, also if Ottawa had played the first 2 months of the season like they did since January, they would have made playoffs. They added Debrincat/Giroux and are getting Batherson back. Tkachuk/Stueztle/Norris will all be better, people are not giving them enough credit. I like dunking on the Sens and their fans but they are going to be a good team this year, people will be surprised.

Massive? No. While McD is important he is not considered one of our core pieces at each position. He was a No 1 on many teams. Still having Hedman is the only reason it's not "massive". Also, Palat is replaceable. Had an awful stretch and only had 5 points in last year's playoffs. He is up and down. I am meh on him. If you don't think those 5 players are all world...then you are probably a leaf fan still crying over officiating. ANd that is nice.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

It took 2 extremely questionably officiated games for Tampa to advance over Toronto,

Still trying to find excuses?

 

[NoTeeth]

That was before y’all took on one of the worst contracts in the league. At least Campbell was cheap

Campbell WAS cheap. Not anymore. Not sure I'll put Murray in the list of worst contracts given he only has 2 years left.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Not sure I'll put Murray in the list of worst contracts given he only has 2 years left.

Quite a lot of unintended pessimism in that quote...

 

[NoTeeth]

Quite a lot of unintended pessimism in that quote...

No Murray to be found.

Tyler Seguin, Seth Jones and more: NHL's 10 worst contracts, 2022 edition

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Don't agree with this for the Leafs. With Spezza gone and Simmonds and Clifford not likely getting full time duties, the Leafs are going to have a much faster 4th line with the likes of NAK, Gaudette, Malgin, Holmberg, Anderson or possibly even Robertson and Steeves battling for spots and will likely provide more offense.

I expect the defense will be better with Liljegren taking another step and having a full year of a motivated Giordano. Question mark will be if Muzzin starts declining hard.

Goaltending I see as equal at worst and has potential to be much better than last year.

Where I do possibly see them as being weaker is the offense that Mikheyev brought.

Not sure I see them putting up 115 pts again. DET, OTT and Buffalo I think will be better but FLA, TB and Boston are worse. I would think the Leafs should get at least 110 pts.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

No Murray to be found.

Tyler Seguin, Seth Jones and more: NHL's 10 worst contracts, 2022 edition

And that was not the point...

 

[Pyrophorus]

Massive? Buwahahahahahahahah

Hedman, Kuch, STammer, Point, VASY

Too bad you are wrong and we'd make you guys wilt under pressure again.

Dragged in by the refs.

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

Campbell WAS cheap. Not anymore. Not sure I'll put Murray in the list of worst contracts given he only has 2 years left.

Of course not. He’s a Maple Leaf. Maple Leaf= good

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I don’t see how the Leafs weakened. Goaltending is the only thing they changed and it seems like a lateral move there- Samsonov is better than Mrazek and Murray could rebound and be as good as if not better than Campbell (who isn’t that great).

You are basing this on a wing and a prayer/wishing upon a star analysis.

 

[Prairie Habs]

No Murray to be found.

Tyler Seguin, Seth Jones and more: NHL's 10 worst contracts, 2022 edition

Now only is the list terrible, but Dom left out goalies because his brutal system is even worse at evaluating goalies than skaters. So Murray wasn't even eligible to be on the list.

Dragged in by the refs.

Yeah, the refs calling interference that one time on an obvious instance of interference is why the lightning have 11 series wins in the last 3 years and the leafs have 0.

 

[NoTeeth]

Of course not. He’s a Maple Leaf. Maple Leaf= good

And once someone leaves the Leafs they are great, right?

 

[WeThreeKings]

You don't think losing McDonagh and Palat is massive ? Good for you I guess. It took 2 extremely questionably officiated games for Tampa to advance over Toronto, now losing those 2 guys and Leafs lose Campbell/Mikheyev, replay that series. How do you think it turns out ? lol

McDonagh and Palat are 2 very good players and your GM just gave out one of the worst contracts in the league to D-man who can't actually defend, that's going to be one of the worst contracts in the league. Tampa had a good run but their window is closed now. They will be a playoff team for sure, but just a middle of the pack team, not the powerhouse people are used to. Who is going to play the top 6 LW ?

You trying to imply losing McDonagh and Palat isn't "Massive" is just laughable. Your best left winger and #2 shutdown D-man are both gone for free.


There's been huge additions from Ottawas side as well, also if Ottawa had played the first 2 months of the season like they did since January, they would have made playoffs. They added Debrincat/Giroux and are getting Batherson back. Tkachuk/Stueztle/Norris will all be better, people are not giving them enough credit. I like dunking on the Sens and their fans but they are going to be a good team this year, people will be surprised.

You guys did the same thing with Morgan Reilly.