The Case For Bringing Back The Core

[Antropovsky]

Marner has a horeshoe up his as*. Another parting gift by Dubas, to create chaos and get fired a month before Marners NMC kicks in.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Most important thing to me is that none of them Walk without us getting anything for them. Sign or trade

 

[Beanzy]

They absolutely can't run it back. They had their chance... 7 times. Even with a new GM and HC, I just don't see this group of bums having what it takes for playoff success.

 

[Gabriel426]

Seems like he really didn't mix well with the Leafs program.

Bc he is a warrior and got options. Where as our top Leafs are gardeners in a war.

 

[PromisedLand]

Marner gotta be traded, get value for him then re-tool.

Marner is just too weak both physically and mentally for playoff hockey

 

[Boxscore]

Here's the biggest issue with brining back the core -- next season becomes a ticking time bomb and if the Leafs fail again the team is in a tricky position with the expiring contracts. The players might look to bail, or if you want to trade a couple, other teams know you need to move them. This summer the Leafs are in better position to make a viable hockey trade and get excellent value back for a core piece. Next year it's all or nothing.

 

[Roo]

Carolina about to go down 3-0. If they lose to FLA do they give up on their core?

 

[Dreakmur]

Carolina about to go down 3-0. If they lose to FLA do they give up on their core?

Has their core failed 7 years in a row? If so, yes!

 

[Aashir Mallik]

Carolina about to go down 3-0. If they lose to FLA do they give up on their core?

yea…the core which didn’t even play

 

[hamzarocks]

Carolina about to go down 3-0. If they lose to FLA do they give up on their core?

There core is missing Svech with injury and Pacioretty whi they acquired ti be a big piece with injury as well

That said they are too patient and should have went after Meier or another high end youngish forward.

They need to shore up there offesive core moving forward

They have Morrow, that KHL elite prospect and picks

This is the 2nd time they will be swept in the ECF in 5 years (2019 to bruins) if they lose game 4

 

[HolyCrap]

He is not coming back unless a miracle happens.
He is literally the first UFA who didn’t even hide it that he is not coming back.

Yup. That’s what I was referring too.

 

[Trapper]

They absolutely can't run it back. They had their chance... 7 times. Even with a new GM and HC, I just don't see this group of bums having what it takes for playoff success.

The only thing we know for sure is a new GM.
We have no idea if the core or coach move. Keefe hasn’t been fired.

 

[Azail]

Why do the 40 million dollar tinmen need to be inspired?

How about; you have a chance to go down in Hockey history in Hockey mecca, you're all paid an insane amount, try not to f***ing suck for once you parasites.

I played somewhat high end sports in my teens/20s (nowhere near pro) and I don't even remember a 'pre-game' speech from a coach. The idea that a coach has to get a bunch of full grown adults amped up to play is such a ridiculous statement from someone that has obviously never played competitive sports lol.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

You cannot under any circumstance let any of the core walk away for nothing...that's amateur hour.

 

[KMNRB]

I am okay if they sign a reasonable long term contract. Then in two years Matthews/Nylander/Marner will still be in their prime and Tavares' money can be used for other core pieces (goalie/D/power forward). We just have to make sure no more NMC and we can always trade them later, rather than rushing to make trades that we will likely regret.

But if the three are only willing to sign ridiculous contract (effectively taking up Tavares' money in the cap balance), then the team will never be able to truly compete for the cup. In that case, trade them while we can.

That's why the most frustrating articles in the past two weeks are neither related to Dubas or Shanahan, but that Matthews has the leverage to ask for whatever he wants. It is becoming more and more apparent that the agents are working the media. Now that we have been exposed to such media manipulation before (in their last contract negotiation), we should become immune to such articles and stick to comparables on other teams as what contracts are deemed as fair.

 

[Nineteen67]

Very curious what the players were dissatisfied with. According to all reports the players like playing for Keefe.

 

[Nineteen67]

Carolina about to go down 3-0. If they lose to FLA do they give up on their core?

They’re in the semi finals

 

[Donnie740]

And who chases in this lineup? Second line I'm ok with a third and fourth but who chases on the first?

That’s the fault of the GM for constructing such an unbalanced team full of soft finesse players.

Dubas still has no clue what kind of players it takes to win in the playoffs and I doubt he ever will.

 

[Boxscore]

Carolina about to go down 3-0. If they lose to FLA do they give up on their core?

Carolina's highest paid forwards are Aho (8.4) and Svechnikov (7.7). The rest are under 5.5 and Pax is a UFA. Aho and Svechnikov each make significantly less than Matthews, Marner and Tavares. And Svechnikov isn't playing.

The Hurricanes are a better constructed and more balanced team than the Leafs. They also don't have a player likely about to ask for 14+ million a year, which will limited the depth quality and supporting pieces.

 

[Donnie740]

If rumors are true, Shanahan blocked some Dubas trade and forced Dubas to make move he was not agree with...

Dubas was likely trying to trade future first round picks from the 2030’s for Cam Talbot when Shannahan blocked him.

You know the tough grit players like O’Reilly and Schenn were definitely not the choice of Dubas because he’s ALWAYS gone for soft finesse guys. I fully believe he was instructed by Shannahan on those deadline acquisitions.

 

[Wrong Wilson]

So, some players are unhappy with no change, and others are unhappy with change. Sounds like a rift in the dressing room.

 

[Donnie740]

I played somewhat high end sports in my teens/20s (nowhere near pro) and I don't even remember a 'pre-game' speech from a coach. The idea that a coach has to get a bunch of full grown adults amped up to play is such a ridiculous statement from someone that has obviously never played competitive sports lol.

Teams are a reflection of their leader. This is just as true in business as it is in sports.

If the leader is a disorganized clusterfcuk, everyone else is going to be chaos too.

If the leader is a defeated gimp everyone else is just going yo go through the motions.

 

[Donnie740]

So, some players are unhappy with no change, and others are unhappy with change. Sounds like a rift in the dressing room.

Guy like O’Reilly and Schenn are proven champions and tough hard nosed players. They fully understand what it takes to win in the playoffs and what’s going to fail miserably.

O’Reilly and Schenn are both UFAs and likely won’t be back, so do you really think they’d be politically correct and hold back during exit interviews?

 

[Azail]

Teams are a reflection of their leader. This is just as true in business as it is in sports.

If the leader is a disorganized clusterfcuk, everyone else is going to be chaos too.

If the leader is a defeated gimp everyone else is just going yo go through the motions.

Rod Brind'amour is considered one of the best leaders/motivators in the game. Is he failing considering they are down 0-3?

I have to be clear here, I am not defending Keefe. But to suggest a coach needs to motivate fully grown adults to actually play hard I don't buy.

 

[Goose]

Remember when the core four was Bozak, Kessel, JVR and Lupul?

I get that things aren’t perfect and their cap hits suck, but things have improved.

I don’t know if breaking up this core makes sense or not, I’m on the fence, but I do think this core gives us a shot at a cup. How good a shot I’m not sure, but the talent’s there.