Where do the Leafs go if they blow it yet again?

[Clode]

Honest question from a non-leaf fan. How deep into the playoffs to the Leafs have to get before it isn't considered blowing it?

Conference Finals imo

 

[Dread Clawz]

Honestly it’s kinda hopeless for them when they lose this year

Marner will likely walk. Tavares may stay at a reduced cap

But losing Marner puts them at risk of even being a playoff team

And no picks to fall back on.

I will just be depressed a couple days later in the year than I normally am

If they let Marner walk they have a ton of cap space to reshape their roster.

 

[Green Blank Stare]

No state tax remains undefeated.

Kraken for the win?

 

[BB79]

Kraken for the win?

Pretty sure Washington state probably has crappy taxes

 

[jackjohnson]

Leafs offseason plan:

 

[JKG33]

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 9 times? Surely that wouldn't happen, right?

It honestly blows my mind that this team remained intact after the loss to Montreal in the covid cup. Every failure since has been extremely predictable. This team is exactly what the haters think it is

 

[The Eyeball Kid]

In a couple days we'll know whether the series is over or if we're going to game 7. Until then this feels premature.

If Marner/Matthews has two great games and wins the series it would be funny to watch the flip flopping on here.

Not being snarky but, what do you see to even consider that happening?

 

[GordonGraham]

They will try to keep it together and say the lost cause they lost their #1 goalie but they should let Tavares and Marner walk

 

[Zalos]

They haven't been eliminated yet, so let's not go too far ahead. However, if they lose next game, just trade or let go Marner.

Also, if they get any attractive offers for Matthews, I'd do it. He's in his 'peak' years. You could get a lot. You keep Nylander as your star and you can resign Tavares for cheaper as 2C.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Matthews to LA

 

[Michoulicious]

Run it back

Yessss

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Let Nylander leave - he deserves more.

He's already waiting for a stretch pass at the Anaheim blue line.

 

[Michoulicious]

Give Marner $15M and have sportsnet and the fans on here tell us that the team is “different this year”

They play different.

They told me so on the TV

 

[The Eyeball Kid]

Might as well ride this train until it completely derails and crash.

It kind of just did.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Treliving would need to get creative. They just traded a lot of futures and don’t have much in the bank.

I’m not sure what they do about that aging defence though other than maybe sign Ekblad? Their best dman is a 35 year old Tanev, and Mccabe and Rielly aren’t in their 20’s anymore either. What kind of trades seem realistic?

I’ve been wrong about competitive windows before but this year really feels like it’s now or never for them. Too many key players are aging and the division has several young teams on the rise.

Ekblad would be a great acquisition for them, but I think he re-signs in Florida on the cheap. They could go after Gavrikov also. They really need to makeover that forward core though. I wouldn't even re-sign Tavares, he's aging and it's not like he lights the world on fire in the playoffs.

 

[Skiiiiiiinerrr]

Ekblad isn't exactly holding his value. It would be a typical move for them though. Rinse, repeat.

 

[POVERTY]

The only thing I'm going to remember from the Matthews era in Toronto is "Ceci shoots! and he missed the net by a mile..."

 

[Miller Time]

When they lose, Marner will bolt and Matthews will be the main target of fan vitriol ... Bet he forced his way out of town in short order.

 

[Leaf Fans]

They will have no choice, but to try again next year, if they lose this year. Every other team who lose or have lost will do the same.

 

[T REX]

They showed up flat to a pivotal game 5 at home after blowing a 2-0 series lead... if they get bounced this year, what can the Leafs do at this point? The effort displayed in this game ON HOME ice is absolutely pathetic.


Are the "big 4" the biggest collection irredeemable chokers in the NHL and maybe of all time? Do the Leafs finally break them up and start shipping out some big pieces?

Leafs will lose any trade like they lose in the playoffs. No one is gonna overpay for losers

 

[99GoHabsGo99]

Run it back, bad luck year.

 

[Canadienna]

Not being snarky but, what do you see to even consider that happening?

Consider it as a possibility? Let's be realistic here. If you don't even consider it possible then go bet your life savings on FLA winning the series.

The series is 3-2. I'm well aware of the Leafs struggles in the past, but the reality is they only have to win 2 games to win the series. It's not some impossible feat and hockey fans love to proclaim a series is over before it actually is.

Also not a Leafs fan, and not cheering for them to win. I'm just saying we can at least wait until the body is cold before we decide where to bury it.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

What can they do? Sure they can let Marner and Tavares walk but other then that? I dunno.

I get the talk trading Matthews but c'mon that ain't gonna happen

 

[Bounces R Way]

Mexico, the Dominican, Southern Italy or somewhere I'm guessing. Go into hiding where the sport of ice hockey exists barely even as a solid cognitive concept for most people.

Maybe Marner and Matthews can hold a meeting of the minds at Mitch's Muskoka mansion. Merhaps.

 

[winnipegger]

Forcing Matthews out seems crazy but if he puts up another zero points in the last game I genuinely fear for his safety in Toronto. These are traumatized people. Losing 4 in a row to end the season and Matthews puts up zero goals in the series just seems untenable. If you're hurt don't play. There's no excuse. Yzerman won a cup on one knee.