Thoroughly unexcited.

[Gilmour1996]

Both. Anyway if Bettman wanted to tilt interest to the U S, he never would have let Mathews end up as a Leaf or allow Edmonton to win what, 3 of 4 1st overall picks, one of them being Connor McDavid.

He didn't need to. Things were tilted just fine the way they were. Plausible deniability, lol.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I don't understand your Kraken comment to be honest but I liked your post anyway for two reasons: 1. I too look forward to the development of the young guys (especially Knies). 2. In the late 70s Coke or Pepsi or something came out with a bunch of Leafs posters. I didn't particularly like the advertising in the poster so I used scissors to cut out the image of a skating Ian Turnbull and taped him to my bedroom wall.

Jebus, I just searched and you can still find it.

Ian Turnbull Hockey Skills Poster - Pepsi CAHA - French & English side - 1978 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Ian Turnbull Hockey Skills Poster - Pepsi CAHA - French & English side - 1978 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Because I thought you were quitting the Leafs.

 

[Gary Nylund]

We are 5 days away from the start the start of, 6 days away from the first Leaf game, how can you not be excited?

You are damn right I'm watching Crosby VS Bedard on Tuesday.

Then Wednesday you got the Leafs, I can't wait to see what unfolds this season.

I can't wait to see what Knies, Minten and Woll can do.

I can't wait to follow Cowan development, Between Knies, Cowan, Minten and Woll it looks like the next waive of reinforcements is on the way.

I can't wait to see what our new top 6 can do now that it's actually a top 6, not a top 4 with 2 guys you hope work out.

I can't wait to see what Treliving first trade is, we still haven't gotten that.

My excitement grows by the second.

For me personally, all those years of early playoff exits have a lot to do with it. The teams on pace to go down in history as the biggest bunch of underachievers in Maple Leaf history, that's not all that exciting.

 

[authentic]

For me personally, all those years of early playoff exits have a lot to do with it. The teams on pace to go down in history as the biggest bunch of underachievers in Maple Leaf history, that's not all that exciting.

You can still be excited for these games though which basically don’t count until April. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it

 

[Gary Nylund]

You can still be excited for these games though which basically don’t count until April. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it

I'm sure many people are indeed excited, I'm just not one of them.

 

[nuck]

You can still be excited for these games though which basically don’t count until April. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it

True enough. For this team its an 82 game exhibition. But I still want to see which players show another gear and (and whether Keefe does) so the regular season matters to me that way. I feel Jowl's pain but just when I think I am out, they pull me back in, and they will get him too.

 

[Razz]

Strange seeing this thread after being tuned out for the last couple of seasons.

This team is the most exciting for me in quite some time. The core is now squarely in their prime, we have a nice injection of youth and a bunch of badly needed grit.

I really think this team is going to be a good one.

 

[horner]

Be excited
For the first time in a long time we are injecting young players into our lineup on elc contracts

Knies Minten and Cowen in the next 2 years.
This could be our 2nd line in the next 3 yrs.

Goaltending
Woll , Hildeby

Now it is time to work on our defence

 

[ACC1224]

We are 5 days away from the start the start of, 6 days away from the first Leaf game, how can you not be excited?

You are damn right I'm watching Crosby VS Bedard on Tuesday.

Then Wednesday you got the Leafs, I can't wait to see what unfolds this season.

I can't wait to see what Knies, Minten and Woll can do.

I can't wait to follow Cowan development, Between Knies, Cowan, Minten and Woll it looks like the next waive of reinforcements is on the way.

I can't wait to see what our new top 6 can do now that it's actually a top 6, not a top 4 with 2 guys you hope work out.

I can't wait to see what Treliving first trade is, we still haven't gotten that.

My excitement grows by the second.

Most are excited but you’ll always have the Eeyores moaning about past seasons. sucks to be them but easily ignored.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Strange seeing this thread after being tuned out for the last couple of seasons.

This team is the most exciting for me in quite some time. The core is now squarely in their prime, we have a nice injection of youth and a bunch of badly needed grit.

I really think this team is going to be a good one.

I'm pretty sure this team will be good during the regular season, but it's also pretty much the same team that keeps choking in the playoffs.

These guys have been in their prime for a while now as evidenced by the Hart Trophy, 1st team all-star selections etc. but when the playoffs start, production drops off and the longer the games go, the more it drops off. And with the season on the line, Marner plays the worst game of his life in game 3 against Florida.

I thought the team that went into the playoffs was a good one too, we added ROR, Schenn was fantastic and still, when the pressure got cranked up the core mostly folded again. Maybe this season will be different, who knows. All we know for sure right now is that we're going to have to wait until April to find out.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Most are excited but you’ll always have the Eeyores moaning about past seasons. sucks to be them but easily ignored.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana

Better to know, than not to know. That's the way I've always felt anyway but if reality is too harsh and you're happier living in a dream world then hey, you do you.

 

[Razz]

I'm pretty sure this team will be good during the regular season, but it's also pretty much the same team that keeps choking in the playoffs.

These guys have been in their prime for a while now as evidenced by the Hart Trophy, 1st team all-star selections etc. but when the playoffs start, production drops off and the longer the games go, the more it drops off. And with the season on the line, Marner plays the worst game of his life in game 3 against Florida.

I thought the team that went into the playoffs was a good one too, we added ROR, Schenn was fantastic and still, when the pressure got cranked up the core mostly folded again. Maybe this season will be different, who knows. All we know for sure right now is that we're going to have to wait until April to find out.

Agree to disagree I guess. There's a big difference between acquiring rentals for grit and building the team from the off-season with it. Schenn, Ror, and Accari were temporary leafs and you can't change a team dynamic with a dozen games at the end of the season.

And while I'm as disappointed as the rest of you on how things have gone in the past, that has no bearing on the future. The list of teams that had similar issues and suddenly broke out is quite long.

We'll see how it goes. I personally think the Youth and heart we added is exactly what this team needed.

I'm fully aware this team can win the President's trophy and there will be an army of goofs spouting the same old crap as they always have. We'll see...

 

[justashadowof]

I'm predicting we'll all be super-stoked at this team's increased offensive production in the first 3 or so month of the season. Whether Keefe can get some quality two way play from rookies and 4 free agents not noted for being good two way players, is the big question.

 

[mjd1001]

This team will do fine. They might fly out of the gate or they might slump a bit, but by the end of the year they will be at, or near the division lead. The fun part of the season is to watch what is happening around them.
Does Ottawa or Buffalo take a big step forward and provide the Leafs with a potential challenge int he playoffs they haven't seen yet?
How do the Leafs play against the Devils or Carolina in their meetings.

I don't think the regular season will be much different than it has been. Maybe if Matthews is fully healthy he takes a run at the goal scoring title this year, but again, watching what is happening around them will be fun.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Agree to disagree I guess. There's a big difference between acquiring rentals for grit and building the team from the off-season with it. Schenn, Ror, and Accari were temporary leafs and you can't change a team dynamic with a dozen games at the end of the season.

And while I'm as disappointed as the rest of you on how things have gone in the past, that has no bearing on the future. The list of teams that had similar issues and suddenly broke out is quite long.

We'll see how it goes. I personally think the Youth and heart we added is exactly what this team needed.

I'm fully aware this team can win the President's trophy and there will be an army of goofs spouting the same old crap as they always have. We'll see...

What is it you disagree with exactly?

The past does not dictate the future, but if we're talking about what might happen in the future (like you're doing when you say this team can win the Presidents trophy), then past performance is all we have to go on. I mean when people say for example that Matthews is a dominant hockey player, that's based on what he's done in the past, no?

I think this team is far more likely to win the Presidents trophy than it is to win the cup. Unfortunately, I don't care much about the Presidents trophy, what I want is the cup. But like you said, we'll see how it goes.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I'm predicting we'll all be super-stoked at this team's increased offensive production in the first 3 or so month of the season. Whether Keefe can get some quality two way play from rookies and 4 free agents not noted for being good two way players, is the big question.

Goaltending and how badly the D drops off is the big question for me. Gio looks to be pretty much cooked, can Klinberg play D at all, can Brodie bounce back and can Liljegren take a big step forward - how those questions are answered will be pretty important IMO. But in the playoffs it's likely to come down to goaltending, and can the core not have their production drop off by 20% or so, not Nylander but the other 3 high priced "elite" forwards who take up all that cap space.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Yes, this team will be judged on how it eventually does in the playoffs, but I don't see how you can't be excited to watch this team through 82 games. To watch Marner dancing through the offensive zone and his wizadry with the puck, Matthews continuing to improve his two way game and scoring, Nylander showing his skill with the puck, Knies puck pursuit and dogged determination, Domi and Bertuzzi adding elements we didn't have, perhaps getting a small sample of Minten and his potential as a 3C, the power play is going to be exciting to watch, Reaves possibly pounding that puke Bennett at some point, etc. If you're a fan of this team, I don't know how you can't be excited for the coming season. The President's Trophy is not out of the question for this team if they can figure out their defence and play to their potential.

 

[Strangle]

Duhatschek notebook: Why the Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup, and other preseason thoughts

To start, the Leafs have the chops to be the best team in the best division in hockey. But do they have enough to end the drought?

theathletic.com

I agree with this writer

Weaker division at the top, nice path to the finals (again) for the Leafs.

Who I think are better this year than they were last year.

(Of course, I always think the team will win the cup. Every year. Unless they’re rebuilding of course, then I think they’ll pick 1st overall every year, or snag a 1st OA level talent in the draft every year they’re tanking)

GO LEAFS GO

 

[Gary Nylund]

Yes, this team will be judged on how it eventually does in the playoffs, but I don't see how you can't be excited to watch this team through 82 games. To watch Marner dancing through the offensive zone and his wizadry with the puck, Matthews continuing to improve his two way game and scoring, Nylander showing his skill with the puck, Knies puck pursuit and dogged determination, Domi and Bertuzzi adding elements we didn't have, perhaps getting a small sample of Minten and his potential as a 3C, the power play is going to be exciting to watch, Reaves possibly pounding that puke Bennett at some point, etc. If you're a fan of this team, I don't know how you can't be excited for the coming season. The President's Trophy is not out of the question for this team if they can figure out their defence and play to their potential.

It's all those years of playoff underachieving, it's that simple. If you can forget about the way this team tends to fold like a cheap suit when the going gets tough then sure, there's a lot of talent to watch so by all means enjoy.

I do find it a bit strange the way people keep talking about the Presidents trophy. To me 1st overall means nothing if you fail in the playoffs and by the same token, 13th overall it just fine, going deep in the playoffs means so much more than any of those November hot streaks we're all so used to by now.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Yes, this team will be judged on how it eventually does in the playoffs, but I don't see how you can't be excited to watch this team through 82 games. To watch Marner dancing through the offensive zone and his wizadry with the puck, Matthews continuing to improve his two way game and scoring, Nylander showing his skill with the puck, Knies puck pursuit and dogged determination, Domi and Bertuzzi adding elements we didn't have, perhaps getting a small sample of Minten and his potential as a 3C, the power play is going to be exciting to watch, Reaves possibly pounding that puke Bennett at some point, etc. If you're a fan of this team, I don't know how you can't be excited for the coming season. The President's Trophy is not out of the question for this team if they can figure out their defence and play to their potential.

It's the memory of Marner playing below replacement level with the season on the line in game 3 against Florida. He's a great regular season player, no doubt about it but until that memory fades, it's hard to get excited about anything he does in November.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

It's all those years of playoff underachieving, it's that simple. If you can forget about the way this team tends to fold like a cheap suit when the going gets tough then sure, there's a lot of talent to watch so by all means enjoy.

I do find it a bit strange the way people keep talking about the Presidents trophy. To me 1st overall means nothing if you fail in the playoffs and by the same token, 13th overall it just fine, going deep in the playoffs means so much more than any of those November hot streaks we're all so used to by now.

I can understand the way you feel, it's frustrating as hell when they underachieve in the playoffs. But it's a new season, and I do feel they have as good an opportunity to exorcise those playoff demons as they have ever had. Of course, they do need to find that 2-4 defensive defenceman. As for the President's Trophy and their potential for a great season, I'd rather have a team like Toronto that plays well for an entire season than be like the Florida Panthers, who played like crap most of the year, catch lightening in a bottle, only to lose in the long run anyways. The Cup is the goal after all. Their fanbase watched a pretty crappy product for most of the season who only made the playoffs because Pittsburgh shit the bed by losing to a pathetic Hawks team on the last game of the season. But I don't watch the Leafs only for the end goal, I want entertainment along the way. I feel this team can deliver on that.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I can understand the way you feel, it's frustrating as hell when they underachieve in the playoffs. But it's a new season, and I do feel they have as good an opportunity to exorcise those playoff demons as they have ever had. Of course, they do need to find that 2-4 defensive defenceman. As for the President's Trophy and their potential for a great season, I'd rather have a team like Toronto that plays well for an entire season than be like the Florida Panthers, who played like crap most of the year, catch lightening in a bottle, only to lose in the long run anyways. The Cup is the goal after all. Their fanbase watched a pretty crappy product for most of the season who only made the playoffs because Pittsburgh shit the bed by losing to a pathetic Hawks team on the last game of the season. But I don't watch the Leafs only for the end goal, I want entertainment along the way. I feel this team can deliver on that.

Yeah this team can deliver on the entertainment front, no doubt about that. I want to hope that things will be different in the playoffs this time around but I just can't get my hopes up too high. If I knew they hired the best shrinks in the business to help Marner get his head together, that would help a lot in that regard but he was just so bad, I don't feel like he's a player we can count on. And when you have 11 million tied up in a player, you need him to produce in the biggest moments if you want to go anywhere.

My biggest hope is Reaves - maybe he can bring about an attitude change in the group? Not sure how likely that is though, thinking he can save the day for us seems like a laughable stretch but who knows, stranger things have happened I guess. Maybe if the team shows signs of growing a pair as the season goes on I'll get more excited, we'll see.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Yeah this team can deliver on the entertainment front, no doubt about that. I want to hope that things will be different in the playoffs this time around but I just can't get my hopes up too high. If I knew they hired the best shrinks in the business to help Marner get his head together, that would help a lot in that regard but he was just so bad, I don't feel like he's a player we can count on. And when you have 11 million tied up in a player, you need him to produce in the biggest moments if you want to go anywhere.

My biggest hope is Reaves - maybe he can bring about an attitude change in the group? Not sure how likely that is though, thinking he can save the day for us seems like a laughable stretch but who knows, stranger things have happened I guess. Maybe if the team shows signs of growing a pair as the season goes on I'll get more excited, we'll see.

Once bitten, twice shy. I feel you brother.

 

[kb]

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana

Better to know, than not to know. That's the way I've always felt anyway but if reality is too harsh and you're happier living in a dream world then hey, you do you.

The past does not dictate today, or the future. By that logic, all 31 teams who didn't win last season should just fold, because the past guarantees the future.

This does not apply to sports. World events? Sure. History repeats itself over and over again.

 

[saffronleaf]

got two tix to the home opener as a birthday gift

lets goooo. crush the habs and laughkovsky