Tremendous Free Agency For Toronto

[Evilhomer]

They are different than last year but I'm not sure better. Not worse either though. Matthews is what matters. How hurt was he playing last year? And if he was hurt is he back to full strength?

If is drop-off in production last year was due to a lingering injury, and he is back to full strength, they are a slightly better (and different) team than last year. (possibly a 115+ point team)

However, if his performance last year was more indicative of who he is and the year before was just his 'career' year, then they are likely the same as last year in terms of how good they are.

I'm leaning more toward the first one, and betting on Matthews being closer to what he was 2 years ago than last year, and thus the team being somewhat better (but not a lot better).

As for the Division, I think Buffalo is still a year away from contending with the Leafs. Power is only in his 2nd year and as much talent as he has on the backend, D-men usually take a few season to reach their potential. They have big time questions in net, and the forward group is just still so young. I think Buf will eventually be a bigger threat than Ottawa, but I think Ottawa is a step ahead of Buffalo next year and ultimatly more likley to challenge the Leafs and Florida for the top spot in the division.

I don't think Florida is any threat to win the division. They simply went on an unrepeatable run last season.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

It’s pretty much universal in the GTA.


Agreed about Nylander but he’s much better than Bunting

I lived in the GTA for years no It's not

 

[Gaberd2608]

The silly part about this is that I would be willing to bet that in about 4 months everyone on this site will be loving Bertuzzi. Barring long-term injuries, I think he will score 40 goals on this team.

40 is a bit ambitious but I see Bertuzzi as a rich mans Bunting. I think he flirts with 30 goals and 50-60 points if he stays healthy. I think he will be a better fit with Matthews and Marner as well. We tried Knies with the bros but they will hang him out to dry like in the playoffs and he will get hurt again. I think Bertuzzi can handle his own and has enough experience.

I think people will like Bertuzzi , Domi, and Klinberg once they get going here. They are all exciting players. I take Bertuzzi over Bunting, Domi over Kerfoot, and Klinberg over Holl 100% of the time.

As for Domi, I think he will settle down here. He was talking on the radio about growing up in Toronto and what it means to be a Leaf. I think he is going to be a huge low risk high reward signing.

 

[al secord]

Bunting became a major detriment to the team with his stupid over the top antics and becoming a major target of the refs

Wait until the refs get a load of Domi.

 

[Racer88]

Wait until the refs get a load of Domi.

Ya, I’m kind of worried about that as well. Lol

 

[mjd1001]

I don't think Florida is any threat to win the division. They simply went on an unrepeatable run last season.

Maybe. And I do think they might be back to having big questions in goal.
But it wasn't just the playoff run. They had a very slow start, but the 2nd half of the year they played on a 104 point pace. then the playoff run. And the year before they were the presidents trophy winning team, and it looks to me like Tkachuk makes them a better team than without him.

 

[Evilhomer]

Maybe. And I do think they might be back to having big questions in goal.
But it wasn't just the playoff run. They had a very slow start, but the 2nd half of the year they played on a 104 point pace. then the playoff run. And the year before they were the presidents trophy winning team, and it looks to me like Tkachuk makes them a better team than without him.

Florida is a fine team, but I don't think they are a threat to win anything. They barely got out of the first round, and then went on an unrepeatable, overtime-dominant run that I don't think will be a good indicator of what they will be this season. They may finish in the top 3 in the Atlantic by virtue of Boston and Tampa dropping, but I would be willing to bet Florida doesn't get out of the first round next season.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Here’s a chart showing the effectiveness of our forwards in the playoffs last season. Leading the way were our Big Four and Knies. Everyone else was basically out for a skate, I’m very surprised Acciari didn’t come out better here, O’Reilly I knew was losing his minutes but that’s still disappointing to see given what we gave up for them. Guess Knies was the straw who was stirring the drink on that line, which bodes very well for us and him.

The good news, and it’s to this thread’s point, Bertuzzi and Domi come out a lot better here than all the rest of our forwards. They’re the red arrows.