The Core Has To Go

[authentic]

I would say, because as long as he's here we'll never win the cup, and we burn off two more prime years of two superstars, assuming we keep them.

Moving JT should be priority one.

If we're able to I'm all for it, somehow I don't think it'll get done though

 

[seventieslord]

Remove the captaincy while having him remain with the team? Can't say I'm overly enamoured with that idea.

It happens all the time. And don't worry, he wouldn't be here that long after that.

 

[justashadowof]

Who wears the C and A's is unbelievably overrated. Actual leadership doesn't sort itself out that way on a sports team. You could pretty much tell that O'Reilly rapidly became the leader during this playoffs.

 

[ULF_55]

Who wears the C and A's is unbelievably overrated. Actual leadership doesn't sort itself out that way on a sports team. You could pretty much tell that O'Reilly rapidly became the leader during this playoffs.

True, of course bullies and management can stifle leaders.

I'm curious how many revolts might take place in the room.

If I were forced to guess, I'd say the Jets have had locker room issues starting way back with Byfuglien and Kane days. (By the way I've guessed at Big Buff's spelling. Too lazy to look up.)

And stripping the C from a player who is still there from that time isn't something to disregard.

 

[daveleaf]

I still think Matthews is playing injured right now. And it'd be crazy to get rid of him.

While healthy, Marner and Nylander do NOT show up in playoffs. At all. Even during the regular season they're streaky as hell. Nylander is gonna want too much on his next contract, Mitch has to go though.

Tavares needs to be demoted to less important roles, he's getting older and it shows you can't be playing him maximum time on the ice anymore against 20 year old determined NHLers. I still want him to retire in the blue and white.

I thought Nylander played very well, not a lot of puck luck. At this point I'm starting to believe he is mentally fragile.

 

[OptimusReim]

Trade Mitch for quality depth and deepen our team

 

[ToneDog]

I completely agree - - the contracts for Matthews and Marner were terrible, but they were at least young players with their best days ahead.

Pyjama Boy was obviously on the downside of his career with ZERO upside.

The only thing worse than a soft skilled player is a soft skilled player who’s slow and old.

Overpaid Tavares and had no clue what trickle down effect it would have on the 3 amigos. It is sad because it was great to see a hometown star wanting to come home. Meanwhile the hometown guy we should have signed is up 1-0 in the WCF.

 

[daveleaf]

True, of course bullies and management can stifle leaders.

I'm curious how many revolts might take place in the room.

If I were forced to guess, I'd say the Jets have had locker room issues starting way back with Byfuglien and Kane days. (By the way I've guessed at Big Buff's spelling. Too lazy to look up.)

And stripping the C from a player who is still there from that time isn't something to disregard.

Reily is a leader. I hope they keep O'Reily.

 

[Gabriel426]

I think wearing the C for Leafs is a curse. Those who wore the C for the Leafs always ended up being traded or MGT tried to trade them.

Keon left the league bc he couldn’t move to another team.
Sittler was traded.
Vaive was traded
Ramage was unprotected at expansion draft
Clark was traded for Sundin.
Gilmour traded for picks.
Sundin was supposed to be traded to the Nucks.
Dion was traded.
The tradition will continue with JT.

If I am a player, I would never be a Leafs Capt, bc it is a curse. Just have a whole bunch of As from now on.

 

[ToneDog]

I think wearing the C for Leafs is a curse. Those who wore the C for the Leafs always ended up being traded or MGT tried to trade them.

Keon left the league bc he couldn’t move to another team.
Sittler was traded.
Vaive was traded
Ramage was unprotected at expansion draft
Clark was traded for Sundin.
Gilmour traded for picks.
Sundin was supposed to be traded to the Nucks.
Dion was traded.
The tradition will continue with JT.

If I am a player, I would never be a Leafs Capt, bc it is a curse. Just have a whole bunch of As from now on.

We already have enough As.

 

[Gabriel426]

We already have enough As.

Just a letter anyway. Doesn’t mean anything since the only A who showed he can rise to the occasion and lead is Reilly.

 

[Trapper]

We already have enough As.

As in holes?

 

[Racer88]

As in holes?

One less as of Friday. Lol

 

[Boxscore]

I don't see the organization making any drastic changes to the core other than a potential Marner or Nylander move. Unfortunately, if we're being completely honest, I think it's time we address the elephant in the room -- we need a lot more out of Matthews come playoffs as well as a slight attitude adjustment.

Matthews has scored at a 36 goal pace in the playoffs and has never showed an "extra gear" the way guys like Draisaitl, McDavid, MacKinnon, Pastrnak, Tkachuk, and even Jack Hughes this year, have.

When it comes to his next contract, or keeping him as the face of the franchise, this needs to be considered and addressed. We cannot give him a blank check this time or commit to a term that ONLY benefits him and not the club.

If Matthews truly loves being a Leaf, he needs to take less so we can ice a more complete team around him. And he needs to focus completely on hockey and not following the Bieber tour bus in the summers.

When Crosby wanted to score more goals, he spent the summer shooting thousands of pucks. When he wanted to improve faceoffs, he spent another summer working on that daily. That's the kind of commitment that should be expected from Matthews if he's asking to be the highest paid player in the game.

No matter what other moves the Leafs make, there's a good chance nothing changes until the issues with Matthews are properly addressed. Unfortunately, it appears everyone in the organization, media, and fandom is petrified to even question Matthews. I get it. He's my favorite player on the team but it's time to be honest.

 

[Boxscore]

I think wearing the C for Leafs is a curse. Those who wore the C for the Leafs always ended up being traded or MGT tried to trade them.

Keon left the league bc he couldn’t move to another team.
Sittler was traded.
Vaive was traded
Ramage was unprotected at expansion draft
Clark was traded for Sundin.
Gilmour traded for picks.
Sundin was supposed to be traded to the Nucks.
Dion was traded.
The tradition will continue with JT.

If I am a player, I would never be a Leafs Capt, bc it is a curse. Just have a whole bunch of As from now on.

What team is willing to offer decent assets for an aging Tavares with two years left on a massive deal? It would have to be a legit contender for him to agree. I don't see one that has the assets or salary space to make this move. Unless it's a hockey move. Do the Canucks swap Miller for Tavares straight up? Does Tavares agree to go to Vancouver?

Moving Tavares is a tall order, especially during a summer when the front office, core player contracts, and likely coaching staff, require much attention and resources.

 

[facelessjoe1990]

Does anyone know what Nylander is going to ask for his next contract?
Unfortunately I think we might have to trade both Nylander and Marner.

 

[Mr Knies Guy]

Does anyone know what Nylander is going to ask for his next contract?
Unfortunately I think we might have to trade both Nylander and Marner.

Nylander for his next contract? July 1, 2024 from one of the other 31 teams. He won’t be re-signing in TO, IMO


As for the core, all captaincies should be stripped except for Rielly. Tavares lauding his own play off the puck and showing zero concern or accounts for the playoff failure is an abomination.

 

[thusk]

I don't see the organization making any drastic changes to the core other than a potential Marner or Nylander move. Unfortunately, if we're being completely honest, I think it's time we address the elephant in the room -- we need a lot more out of Matthews come playoffs as well as a slight attitude adjustment.

Matthews has scored at a 36 goal pace in the playoffs and has never showed an "extra gear" the way guys like Draisaitl, McDavid, MacKinnon, Pastrnak, Tkachuk, and even Jack Hughes this year, have.

When it comes to his next contract, or keeping him as the face of the franchise, this needs to be considered and addressed. We cannot give him a blank check this time or commit to a term that ONLY benefits him and not the club.

If Matthews truly loves being a Leaf, he needs to take less so we can ice a more complete team around him. And he needs to focus completely on hockey and not following the Bieber tour bus in the summers.

When Crosby wanted to score more goals, he spent the summer shooting thousands of pucks. When he wanted to improve faceoffs, he spent another summer working on that daily. That's the kind of commitment that should be expected from Matthews if he's asking to be the highest paid player in the game.

No matter what other moves the Leafs make, there's a good chance nothing changes until the issues with Matthews are properly addressed. Unfortunately, it appears everyone in the organization, media, and fandom is petrified to even question Matthews. I get it. He's my favorite player on the team but it's time to be honest.

Draisaitl mcdavid had been on thebice for 27 goal against together... just as exemple matthews and marner together 14

You talked about mackinnon, lets see last yea how many game he didn't had a huge impact...
Gm 1 : 1 assist in a 3-2 win
Gm 2 : 1 goal in a 4-1 lost
Gm 3 1 assist insurance goal with 2 min left in the game... i
Gm 4 nothing in a 6-3 win
Gm 5 3 goal in a 5-4 lost
Gm 6 no pts in a 3-2 win

He had a real 1 real good gm in 6 and colorado still won and we there how watch ho good mack was... but matthews and or marner doing the same thing... how watch how trash they was...

the reality its matthews and marner cant score 2-3-4 goal every game...and when they dont, leafs lost every time

 

[authentic]

I think wearing the C for Leafs is a curse. Those who wore the C for the Leafs always ended up being traded or MGT tried to trade them.

Keon left the league bc he couldn’t move to another team.
Sittler was traded.
Vaive was traded
Ramage was unprotected at expansion draft
Clark was traded for Sundin.
Gilmour traded for picks.
Sundin was supposed to be traded to the Nucks.
Dion was traded.
The tradition will continue with JT.

If I am a player, I would never be a Leafs Capt, bc it is a curse. Just have a whole bunch of As from now on.

Sundin was traded to the Nucks.

 

[authentic]

Draisaitl mcdavid had been on thebice for 27 goal against together... just as exemple matthews and marner together 14

I love how defense gets ignored in all these conversations.

Someone on the main board told me they would rather have Crosby going forward than Matthews in the playoffs. I was like sure if you want someone who scores less, hits less, steals the puck less, gives it away more, blocks less shots, wins less faceoffs and takes more penalties then sure.

 

[justashadowof]

Morgan Rielly seems to be more captain material than Tavares or Matthews.

Sundin was traded to the Nucks.

He was a free agent.

 

[hamzarocks]

New GM needs to threaten to scratch Tavares every single game of the season if he doesn't waive his NMC.

If only thus were possible

Healthy scratches, stripped of tbe C, 10 mins a game with plugs. No PP time

Unfortunately a 25-35 pt 4th line tavares would only kills the leafs and tank his value simultaneously

He really should waive his deal if he wants to be remembered a bit better

Hes a total failure as a captain, but if he waives he wont get that hate even Sundin got (despite Mats being twice the player JT is and a leaf legend)

He will be getting heavy boo's if the team underperforms again as he is an outsider and not an original core piece who underperformed both in the reg season and playoffs and whose deal cost us good depth (2 of kap/AJ/hyman/kadri)

 

[authentic]

Morgan Rielly seems to be more captain material than Tavares or Matthews.


He was a free agent.

Yeah I figured that almost immediately after I typed, knew someone would correct me anyway

 

[justashadowof]

I think wearing the C for Leafs is a curse. Those who wore the C for the Leafs always ended up being traded or MGT tried to trade them.

Keon left the league bc he couldn’t move to another team.
Sittler was traded.
Vaive was traded
Ramage was unprotected at expansion draft
Clark was traded for Sundin.
Gilmour traded for picks.
Sundin was supposed to be traded to the Nucks.
Dion was traded.
The tradition will continue with JT.

If I am a player, I would never be a Leafs Capt, bc it is a curse. Just have a whole bunch of As from now on.

Here's the difference:

George Armstrong wasn't traded but his teams won cups.
Ted Kennedy wasn't traded but his teams won cups.
Syl Apps wasn't traded but his teams won cups.
Bob Davidson wasn't traded but he won a cup as captain.
The only cup winning captain to get traded was Hap Day but he was back coaching the team in a few years.

A little discussed factoid: Gordie Howe played 9 more seasons in Detroit after losing his captaincy.

 

[Gabriel426]

Here's the difference:

George Armstrong wasn't traded but his teams won cups.
Ted Kennedy wasn't traded but his teams won cups.
Syl Apps wasn't traded but his teams won cups.
Bob Davidson wasn't traded but he won a cup as captain.
The only cup winning captain to get traded was Hap Day but he was back coaching the team in a few years.

A little discussed factoid: Gordie Howe played 9 more seasons in Detroit after losing his captaincy.

Need to win Cups or you are traded, that’s not a good deal, lol.

Sundin was traded to the Nucks.

He wasn’t. He was signed in the off season