What were you dead wrong about with this team?

[Goose]

People are saying this team feels different, and I agree. I can raise my hand and say I was 100% wrong about a few things and am glad I was not put in charge of decision making.

1. Willy. I hated how he handled his contract situation and how soft I felt he played. I could probably have been called a Willy "hater" in fairness. Don't feel like that anymore. He's worth the money he fought for.

2. Domi. Wanted him gone after last year, and he's been fantastic this year, what a playoff asset.

3. Pac. Had no idea why he was on this team or why he was put back in the lineup after being out so long. I don't recognize him at all, he's transformed into some sort of beast out there.

 

[Eric bungay]

I had all the same thoughts plus how would they respond in the playoffs!
I have to admit I'm pleasantly surprised with how they have played so far in these playoffs! There's always room for improvement!
Another thing that I've noticed has been the maturity from Matty, Marner, Kines, Wee Willy they have been a treat so far in this year's playoffs to watch!
GO LEAFS GO

 

[Tak7]

For me, it's Berube.

I've really struggled with their style of play this year - felt too passive, and more focused on structure and positioning rather than truly going out and influencing the game. Seemed to neuter some of the stars in the process as well.

How can anyone complain at the moment though? They look so comfortable playing this game, and look absolutely locked in.

 

[al secord]

Panama as a goal song.

 

[Buds17]

Pacioretty has been a revelation.

Everyone who's been in the lineup also has collected at least one point thus far (save for Brandon Carlo, who is at least sporting a +2 rating).

I also wouldn't have bet on Toronto going back to Florida with a 2-0 lead in the series.

 

[ACC1224]

There must be something but right now I can't come up with anything I've been wrong about.

 

[Brobust]

Realizing that I made a lot of excuses for Dubas and Keefe and they both came pretty close to utterly destroying this team.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Just about everything

 

[A1LeafNation]

Before I can say anything...

1. I want to see what happens when Florida comes in hot and dirty in game 3

2. I want to see if the Leafs throw up another game 5 (Ottawa series) no show in game 5 6 7 in this series.

 

[All Mod Cons]

I've been praising Brad from the beginning as he quickly began building a team the way I think team's should be built.

Loved his signings. Loved his trades. Berube was a great move.

Glad we don't have Timmins. Liljegren or Robertson out on the ice.

I was definitely wrong about Holmberg. Didn't think he could fit into a playoff roster, but as a 4th liner, he's been doing a great job.

 

[Gary Nylund]

There must be something but right now I can't come up with anything I've been wrong about.

 

[Gary Nylund]

People are saying this team feels different, and I agree. I can raise my hand and say I was 100% wrong about a few things and am glad I was not put in charge of decision making.

1. Willy. I hated how he handled his contract situation and how soft I felt he played. I could probably have been called a Willy "hater" in fairness. Don't feel like that anymore. He's worth the money he fought for.

2. Domi. Wanted him gone after last year, and he's been fantastic this year, what a playoff asset.

3. Pac. Had no idea why he was on this team or why he was put back in the lineup after being out so long. I don't recognize him at all, he's transformed into some sort of beast out there.

Domi's done some good things. He's a good example of why I always say do NOT start grading players until the playoffs are over. I also base most of my evaluation on playoff performance so ... good stuff Domi!

 

[Leafs87]

My ppinion changed after the deadline but I was very sceptical of Tanev for 6 years, OEL for 4 and I thought the D would be too old and slow

 

[Gary Nylund]

My ppinion changed after the deadline but I was very sceptical of Tanev for 6 years, OEL for 4 and I thought the D would be too old and slow

I have to say, I had the same concerns but Tanev especially has blown me away with his stellar play. As far as the D being old and slow, I wasn't worried about that for the first couple of years but I do think it will be a problem in the future. Hoping we win the cup before it happens so I won't care much. GLG!!

 

[arso40]

Laughton and patches even Benoit

 

[HellasLEAF]

I am admiring their pushback. Meaning, we get scored on. Get down a goal or lose the lead, the team pushes hard and get the next goal. This has been impressing me all post season.

I was also dead wrong about their performances at home this playoff. Definitely an improvement.

 

[sunstersun]

Patches is probably the biggest reason for our success. He's playing like an 9mil forward.

 

[Aashir]

I didn't think Tanev would be this good

I thought he would be a good defencemen no doubt, but I thought he was going to be a good #3 or elite #4. Essentially I thought he was going to be Carlo.

He doesn't play 23-24 minutes, but he is one of the best defencemen who plays ~20 minutes.

 

[MK78]

1. Willy. I hated how he handled his contract situation and how soft I felt he played. I could probably have been called a Willy "hater" in fairness. Don't feel like that anymore. He's worth the money he fought for.

Are you talking about his first contract? That still bothers you?

And if it's the recent contract, why does that bother you? By that time he already transformed into a different player, and a 40 goal season, then he followed it up with 40 goal season in the new contract, and now a 45 goal season. And yeah he's having a great playoff so far, but he has showed up in big playoff games in years prior where the others haven't.

Willy was worth his initial contract, and he's been great on his new deal.

 

[Jojalu]

I have to say, I had the same concerns but Tanev especially has blown me away with his stellar play. As far as the D being old and slow, I wasn't worried about that for the first couple of years but I do think it will be a problem in the future. Hoping we win the cup before it happens so I won't care much. GLG!!

I was completely wrong about the Leafs D being able to chip in with any offense.

7 goals and 18 points so far from the backend. Didn't see that coming

 

[MK78]

Panama as a goal song.

Absolutely. That "you make my dreams come true" one was a freakin curse.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I was completely wrong about the Leafs D being able to chip in with any offense.

7 goals and 18 points so far from the backend. Didn't see that coming

Considering the way the season went, I don't think this falls into the being wrong about something category as I'm pretty sure NOBODY saw that coming. Off the top of my head, I'd say that this is probably the most surprising thing about the current playoff run, at least nothing else immediately comes to mind. OK maybe Patches PPG? Nah, the D as a group tops even that.

Tomorrow night can't some soon enough. I love what O'Dog said after the game - it's OK to sweep them (paraphrasing). GLG!!

 

[MK78]

I was completely wrong about the Leafs D being able to chip in with any offense.

7 goals and 18 points so far from the backend. Didn't see that coming

Especially that there was a point in the year where they didn't get a goal from D in a month!!!

 

[Gary Nylund]

Especially that there was a point in the year where they didn't get a goal from D in a month!!!

Maybe it's just that it's been so long since we've had playoff success but it feels a bit weird. Things just seem to be falling into place and I almost have to pinch myself to know it's really happening. Win game 3 (or even come away from Florida with a split) and the weirdness will be cranked up another notch, here's hoping. GLG!!

 

[al secord]

Absolutely. That "you make my dreams come true" one was a freakin curse.

Tell me about it. That was my wedding song.