The 'I called it' and 'What was I thinking' thread

[Bomber0104]

who would have thought, right? especially when the team added a ton of character in place of the departed players who were fine for a crappy team but completely ill suited for a winning team like the Leafs that puts a premium on defensive hockey.

Pretty hilarious to think that Leo Komarov is a better player overall than David Clarkson. Then factor in the contract situation where the Leafs balk at Komarov @ 2 million yet hand out Clarkson $40 million of guaranteed cash and you see why the Leafs are year-in, year-out the running joke of the NHL.

 

[The Apologist]

They showed us. Really to regret losing the KGM line, it's amazing, that line had one good year, and 2 bad ones when they no longer snuck up on teams, and people think we lost the Triple Crown line or something. Some of us are old enough to remember the Sittler or Gilmour lines, missing those lines is understandable, but KGM? it's silly really to be sad over such a mediocre line.

Gilmour Andreychuk man. Talk about 1-2 punch.

Kessel and JVR could be that.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Gilmour Andreychuk man. Talk about 1-2 punch.

Kessel and JVR could be that.

One of my favourite #2 lines was Korolev, Valk, and Berezin if we want to talk about truly meaningful 2nd lines.

Not only were they relevant in helping the Leafs make the playoffs, they actually were difference makers in the playoffs.

 

[leafs in five]

What I find funny is he continually calls the 2012-2013 team coached by the same coach he is now calling a loser, a winning powerhouse team(the one that blew a 3 goal lead in game 7). I know, it makes no sense to me either.

you spent all summer calling the Leafs a winning team. i refer to this when i use that label.

 

[Menzinger]

Didnt he carry Washington to the playoffs? Or Mac in Ottawa? Both played significant roles on those powerhouses right?

Grabo are/were second line players: they were replaced by Bolland a third liner, and Clarkson a 4th line talent - it's not hard to understand that both were bad moves.

 

[The Apologist]

Grabo are/were second line players: they were replaced by Bolland a third liner, and Clarkson a 4th line talent - it's not hard to understand that both were bad moves.

Grabo was not a second line player here. He was the 3c. He was replaced by Bolland as a 3c. Bolland btw was doing an excellent job until the injury.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Called it:
- The David Clarkson contract would be the laughing stock of the league
- Nazem Kadri would have a sophomore slump
- Randy Carlyle would not repeat last season
- Leo Komarov will be sorely, sorely missed
- Tyler Bozak would have a great year

What was I thinking
- Joffrey Lupul would stay healthy all year and put up 65 - 70 points
- Jonathan Bernier would be our #2 goalie
- Cody Franson would solidify his status as a Top 4 defenseman
- Jake Gardiner would solidify his status as a Top 4 defensman
- Our penalty kill while regressing will stay in the Top 5 of the league

I expected Lupul to do better as well. It became obvious that once Kadri - Lupul became our second most important offensive pair, the increase competition really exposed their defensive deficiencies. You can't have a line like that and, no, we're not going to be able to afford the KGM line as a "third" line. While, Bolland, Holland, Clarkson could form such a line, I just don't see big numbers coming out of that line.

May need to consider the following to spread our talent:

Lupul - Bolland - Clarkson

Holland - Kadri - Ashton ( or Kadri at wing, Holland centre)

you spent all summer calling the Leafs a winning team. i refer to this when i use that label.

The team should've at least been a WC-competitor last season. We simply under performed, Bolland was gone, Gardiner didn't develop as much while Franson started taking more risks in order to boost his offensive numbers for his upcoming contract. The top line was over utilised, as was Phaneuf, and Bernier was hit with an injury which affected him even when he returned.

 

[The Apologist]

I expected Lupul to do better as well. It became obvious that once Kadri - Lupul became our second most important offensive pair, the increase competition really exposed their defensive deficiencies. You can't have a line like that and, no, we're not going to be able to afford the KGM line as a "third" line. While, Bolland, Holland, Clarkson could form such a line, I just don't see big numbers coming out of that line.

May need to consider the following to spread our talent:

Lupul - Bolland - Clarkson

Holland - Kadri - Ashton ( or Kadri at wing, Holland centre)

The team should've at least been a WC-competitor last season. We simply under performed, Bolland was gone, Gardiner didn't develop as much while Franson started taking more risks in order to boost his offensive numbers for his upcoming contract. The top line was over utilised, as was Phaneuf, and Bernier was hit with an injury which affected him even when he returned.

They were a WC competitor though.
Eventually missing doesnt change that fact.

 

[cookie]

WWIT:
Thought Lupul would produce at course to a 60 point clip while also going to the dirty areas... Didn't happen.
Reimer and Bernier would split duties nearly fifty fifty.
Kadri would produce near 60 points and get better defensively.
Gardiner would hit the 40 point mark
Franson would hit the 40 point mark
Phaneuf would flirt with the 35-40 range.
And Kulemin would get at the very last 30 points.

 

[ConnorTO]

Kadri had a Sophomore Slump ?


50 points, 20 goals

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

Kadri had a Sophomore Slump ?


50 points, 20 goals

Lets hope so

 

[The_Chosen_One]

They were a WC competitor though.
Eventually missing doesnt change that fact.

JVR and Kessel saw their output fall right during the Olympic break. Next season, we'd see that production being maintained for the entire season. In addition, Kadri's 20 goal, 50 point "slump" season could transform to a 65-70 point one giving us stronger secondary scoring.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Kadri had a Sophomore Slump ?


50 points, 20 goals

Slump from his PPG pace of yesteryear.



I called it - I knew Clarkson's contract would be a bad one for us.

What was I thinking - I said it would be okay for a couple years and Clarkson would still be a useful player. Boy was I wrong. That's the last time I use optimism!

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Kadri had a Sophomore Slump ?


50 points, 20 goals

And that is good?

 

[fahad203]

And that is good?

Better than Yakupuv's second year slump.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

And that is good?

That is good, especially for a 23-34 year old.

 

[leafs in five]

And that is good?

even if he put up 70, these would have been 70 points on a bad defensive team that still might not have made the playoffs. so they would have been irrelevant, no? who cares if a player can put up points on a bad team? poolies, that's who. are you some kind of poolie?

 

[napoleon in rags]

I called it: When I saw the theme of this thread, I knew all the regular forum blowhards would waltz in and anoint themselves as seers and prophets.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

I called it: When I saw the theme of this thread, I knew all the regular forum blowhards would waltz in and anoint themselves as seers and prophets.

And here you are

 

[The Apologist]

I called it: When I saw the theme of this thread, I knew all the regular forum blowhards would waltz in and anoint themselves as seers and prophets.

I've actually seen quite a few WWIT here, not many of them from 'realists'

 

[diceman934]

One of my favourite #2 lines was Korolev, Valk, and Berezin if we want to talk about truly meaningful 2nd lines.

Not only were they relevant in helping the Leafs make the playoffs, they actually were difference makers in the playoffs.

You are not serious about this line as a number 2 line....Berezin was the biggest puck hog ever, and soft! Berezin was not a defensive player in any way....he kept the puck until he lost it or shot it from anywhere. Not a very useful way to play hockey in the regular season never mind the playoffs. I thought I seen him pass the puck a few times but I may have been mistaken!

Valk was good defensively but very poor offensively. Volk was a black hole offensively and had a grand total of 12 pts in 45 playoff games.

Then Korolev best year was 1 pts more than Kadri this past season in the NHL when scoring was much higher. That was a good 3 line....and nothing more. Korolev 23 games as a Leaf in the playoffs and had 4 assists.....what difference did he make?

 

[Mace_37]

Mason Raymond would be one of the most under-rated signings of the year. I think I got that one?

For the first time in a decade last year, the Leafs finally had a respectable PK. I completely attributed this to dumping Ron Wilson. I figured the Leafs would continue that and sail into the second round of the playoffs... Wrong!

 

[FrozenJagrt]

I called it: When I saw the theme of this thread, I knew all the regular forum blowhards would waltz in and anoint themselves as seers and prophets.

... Which is the very premise of the thread, no?