What pisses you off the most about our team?

[MLSE]

Backup Goaltending and Depth

 

[ZEBROA]

Fans blaming one player. It is a team game.

Missuse of players. Bad in game coaching.

 

[1specter]

The entire philosophical underpinning of the Shanaplan is looking pretty shabby these days.

Traditionally, teams win games by outshooting, outscoring, out hitting, out defending and out goaltending the opposition. With some overlap between those categories and other nuances that glue it all together into a coherent team game.

Dubas and Shanahan have basically put all of our eggs into the first two baskets and conceded everything else to the opposition, going cheap on everything that isn't Big 4. And they don't even do a good job protecting and enhancing the Big 4. If they're skill guys who are poor defensively, why not build a protective supporting cast around them vs heavier teams and have defensive redundancy and reliable goaltending to back up them? AKA build a normal supporting cast.

Lack killer instinct? Why not bring previous cup champions to help instead of just bringing in old players indiscriminately? Thornton, Foligno, Spezza, Simmonds, Giordano have never been effective playoff performers or cup winners. They're just old. The only cup winners they managed to bring in were Muzzin, Bogosian and Clifford twice, and NAK. That's just not cutting it.

Goalies are voodoo? How about the fact that we paid the same 3rd round pick in draft capital to get 4 games out of David Rittich as Detroit did to secure Ville Husso's rights?

The slow burn incompetence that took an up and coming team to a nothing special middle of the pack team with so many holes, it's just sickening.

I agree with you on 99.9%, but I don't think we should disrespect Giordano or even Spezza like that. Spezza was one of the select few who showed some heart in the playoffs while Gio has been an absolute stud on D, he's only been on the ice for 4 even strength goals this season which is the lowest of the d-men (not including Liljegren, Mete or Muzzin who have played <5 games).

 

[Leafblooded]

I hate that the big 4 make half the salary. It's just not fair, this is a team sport

 

[ACC1224]

I hate that the big 4 make half the salary. It's just not fair, this is a team sport

Team sports are never fair nor should they be.

 

[TMLAM34]

I’d say it starts with our general manager. He locked up the core four but lost/traded players that actually showed heart along the way.

Kadri, Brown, Hyman, Moore, Marchment.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

It kind of pisses me off that a team that hasn't had a top pairing RD in what feels like a decade, allowed Lindholm to go to the Bruins for peanuts.

The rich get richer.

How do we ever have a chance in this league when our rivals just keep making great decisions, constantly? Definitely feel myself losing interest, another Bruins cup feels very probable at this point.

 

[Nineteen67]

That 19-20 Leaf team was very unlikeable too

- Looked terrible before Babcock was fired
- Kaskisuo had his NHL debut in net and we left him out to dry against the pens, lost 6-1 with the only goal from Spezza (who else)
- Lost to a f***ing zamboni driver
- inconsistent efforts

The core is the most unlikable in the history of the team.

 

[Nineteen67]

Chose Simmonds at 1.5m over Perry at 750K who Kypreos said "begged the Leafs to sign him".

Paid more for a broken down Foligno when Bennett was there for the taking.

Bennett + 6th (2 seconds)

• 2021-Apr-12 Traded from Calgary Flames with round 6 pick in the 2022 draft (Gustav Karlsson) to Florida Panthers for Emil Heineman and round 2 pick in the 2022 draft (David Goyette)

Foligno (1st + 2 4ths)

• 2021-Apr-11 Traded from Columbus Blue Jackets to San Jose Sharks for round 1 pick in the 2021 draft (Corson Ceulemans) and round 4 pick in the 2022 draft (Dennis Hildeby)
• 2021-Apr-11 Traded from San Jose Sharks to Toronto Maple Leafs for round 4 pick in the 2021 draft (Ethan Cardwell)

Marchment for Malgin.

Small mistakes that keep adding up and today Jordie Benn is out toughest player.

I’ve heard Kyper and others talk about the Leafs turning Perry away and it’s just too unbelievable to think it’s true. Probably is, though.

 

[ToneDog]

I’ve heard Kyper and others talk about the Leafs turning Perry away and it’s just too unbelievable to think it’s true. Probably is, though.

Kyper has said it on more than one occasion. It is true IMO.

 

[Hellcat]

Which is really baffling to me in the fact that he wouldn’t want to build the Leafs the same way.

I think Shanny thinks he's done that but his blindspot is wanting too many Lambo's in the garage and not having enough effective value contracts. My personal opinion is last years team is the peak of what we will see in the Shanny plan years. This team needs a significant trade to 1) Change the chemistry on the team 2) to wake them up - give them a sense of urgency - complacency has set in 3) Improve team speed and I'm sending Sandin down ASAP, the kid obviously has talent but he's trying way to hard to be the hero, he needs to learn the game better at the AHL level, he's hurting this team right now..

As long as you are getting equal or better value, go big trade a Nylander, a Rielly a Brodie, a Knies .. make it a shock to the teams system, I could be projecting as a fan but the team is playing like no one's job but Keefe's is at stake, if I was Dubas I would make a minor trade like Kerfoot, Holl, etc and then state after that , I'm looking to improve this team based on how we played this year no one is off the table and this is not the last one.

 

[Twine Tickler]

the thing that pisses me off about this team is their "B" game. I wish we had more impactful players in the top 6 at dragging us into the fight when we don't have our legs or when we are mentally not engaged.

Our talent is unquestionable. We have commitment from our players and a desire to win, but we just don't have that bulldog mentality a la Darcy Tucker, Gary Roberts, Shayne Corson, Tie Domi...etc.

Naz was the last guy to wear the blue and white that embodied that version of heart and soul. So many people used him as the scape goat for our playoff failures, and it was completely wrong. People always forget in Naz's last game, he was the only player to show up for our team. He came to the defense of his NHL legend teammate who was cheapshotted into the dasher. A play right out of the school of Darcy Tucker. Passion for days, and he bled blue and white. How many games did Naz take off in his time as a Leaf? not many. His competitiveness wouldn't allow that. I remember a shift in Game 3 of the 2016-17 playoffs where we had started the game off flat as can be, and Naz came out and had an epic energy shift that changed the outcome of that game single handedly. He dragged our team into the fight.



We don't have that with our current group.

Our players have heart, the desire to want to be the best, but they tend to look down the bench for someone else to kickstart that momentum into our favor. We need more guys with 1 leg over the boards, frothing at the mouth, looking to make an impact when we are stuck in the mud.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

I hate that the big 4 make half the salary. It's just not fair, this is a team sport

Yep.

When I look at the top 20 players in points (none of which are our 11 million dollar forwards) and see the average aav of those players, I'm filled with a rage that I'm not even able to control.

That's what pisses me off the most about this team.

 

[ToneDog]

Yep.

When I look at the top 20 players in points (none of which are our 11 million dollar forwards) and see the average aav of those players, I'm filled with a rage that I'm not even able to control.

That's what pisses me off the most about this team.

Marner has 1 more goal than Engvall, Malgin and Lily and is making more and producing less than all his comparables. Such a bad contract to hand him given that you already had 2 $11m players IMO. Add what it cost to make room for that contract and here we are. Just shows what an amateur our GM was/is.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

the thing that pisses me off about this team is their "B" game. I wish we had more impactful players in the top 6 at dragging us into the fight when we don't have our legs or when we are mentally not engaged.

Our talent is unquestionable. We have commitment from our players and a desire to win, but we just don't have that bulldog mentality a la Darcy Tucker, Gary Roberts, Shayne Corson, Tie Domi...etc.

Naz was the last guy to wear the blue and white that embodied that version of heart and soul. So many people used him as the scape goat for our playoff failures, and it was completely wrong. People always forget in Naz's last game, he was the only player to show up for our team. He came to the defense of his NHL legend teammate who was cheapshotted into the dasher. A play right out of the school of Darcy Tucker. Passion for days, and he bled blue and white. How many games did Naz take off in his time as a Leaf? not many. His competitiveness wouldn't allow that. I remember a shift in Game 3 of the 2016-17 playoffs where we had started the game off flat as can be, and Naz came out and had an epic energy shift that changed the outcome of that game single handedly. He dragged our team into the fight.



We don't have that with our current group.

Our players have heart, the desire to want to be the best, but they tend to look down the bench for someone else to kickstart that momentum into our favor. We need more guys with 1 leg over the boards, frothing at the mouth, looking to make an impact when we are stuck in the mud.

That video makes me so freaking sad to watch. Look at the excitement of that crowd. I remember vividly how united the entire fanbase was about the future this young team. It was the most exciting time to be a leaf fan since I can even remember.

And then the unprecedented dramatic overpayments ruined everything.

Imagine telling a fan back then that in six years this core still hadn't won ONE SINGLE FREAKING PLAYOFF SERIES!!!! It would seem impossible. Unfathomable.

 

[Chief Leaf]

Another thing that pisses me off about them is...they seem to say they don't care what the media thinks (well we know which players say that and not all our players do interviews and state it out loud).... But,.... instead of going around the point Matthews and Marner state that type of thing, yet,... what they forget to realize is that the media sometimes hits on the exact same thoughts and frustrations that the fans are feeling so, it basically comes down to they don't care what anyone thinks. That is just a shitty attitude and ya you can try to block it out (negativity and/or feedback) but let me tell you if ALL the gab being thrown around was good,...they would listen and cherish it.

These players seem to lack heart and what a team concept really is and means. I recall momentum swings were created by the small player laying out the opposition showing no fear going into the boards and creating a hit that would rile up the team and the team would come out and carry the momentum swing on. Bunting tries to do that but it almostt seems expected of him and the rest of the team seem to be happy it wasn't them in the corner.

lol just a few weeks ago, Keefe behind the bench talking to the players but they all seemed to tune him out,...the media and fans caught on, and the very next gaame,..LMAO They all gathered around Keefe like mountains around a mole hill,..and it seemed so staged. I wouldn't put it past them to be laughing at that moment behind the scenes.

Ever since Dubas slacked off in the dress code, the players egos shot through the roof and it really shows. I don't know if they prepare more for Mr. Dressup or the Hockey game/battle that is suppose to take place. I know if Marner ripped a pocket off Matthews pregame pyjama shirt,...there might be a scrap taking place.


It really has to be up to Shanahan to rid Dubas, possibly Keefe and let the NEW GM bring the balls and either find players that can compliment and make even further room for our snipers and/or pretty players by way of trades. The milk is spoiled and no-one wants to take a sip, when they should be chugging it!

 

[tmlms13]

Media

 

[cupcrazyman2]

That Holl Of Famer on our blueline.

 

[cupcrazyman2]

I hate that the big 4 make half the salary. It's just not fair, this is a team sport

This team has won nothing & nobody on this team should have been resigned to no more than $7M AAV til they win something.Then & only then they could revisit their contracts.

 

[Notsince67]

I'd say my biggest problem is the lack of edible concessions at the game and the price of beer

 

[DopeyFish]

the "fans" who whine every damn chance they get

 

[Jojalu]

They do not play for each other.

Yes they do. You can see it when Benn scored. You can see how happy Matthews and Nylander are when others find success.

 

[Captain Crunch]

I think Shanny thinks he's done that but his blindspot is wanting too many Lambo's in the garage and not having enough effective value contracts. My personal opinion is last years team is the peak of what we will see in the Shanny plan years. This team needs a significant trade to 1) Change the chemistry on the team 2) to wake them up - give them a sense of urgency - complacency has set in 3) Improve team speed and I'm sending Sandin down ASAP, the kid obviously has talent but he's trying way to hard to be the hero, he needs to learn the game better at the AHL level, he's hurting this team right now..

As long as you are getting equal or better value, go big trade a Nylander, a Rielly a Brodie, a Knies .. make it a shock to the teams system, I could be projecting as a fan but the team is playing like no one's job but Keefe's is at stake, if I was Dubas I would make a minor trade like Kerfoot, Holl, etc and then state after that , I'm looking to improve this team based on how we played this year no one is off the table and this is not the last one.

My problem is I do not trust Dubas, which also means I don't trust Shanny (he has drunk Dubas' kool-aid since the day he hired him, and that's why it looks like Shanny is afraid to put his stamp on how this team should be constructed). I only want Dubas to acquire players at the deadline if it doesn't include draft picks.
And I would consider extending them if we won at least 3 rounds. Anything less, and I hope and pray that they both are shown the door.

 

[Captain Crunch]

It kind of pisses me off that a team that hasn't had a top pairing RD in what feels like a decade, allowed Lindholm to go to the Bruins for peanuts.

The rich get richer.

How do we ever have a chance in this league when our rivals just keep making great decisions, constantly? Definitely feel myself losing interest, another Bruins cup feels very probable at this point.

Everything this management team does/decides is all on Dubas. Unless this team wins at least 3 playoff rounds, I hope and pray Dubas and Shanahan are shown the door. And as for any trades this season, I hope no draft picks of our own are included.

 

[AcerComputer]

Team has almost no chance of winning a cup as currently configured. The team is unlikeable, and their identity is that of a gutless team. It's been like that since Kadri left. Ultimately they are top heavy, no depth., and as a GM you can't rely on signing guys for $1M and hope they produce like top 6 guys making $5M+. Hyman has also been a huge loss for us.