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

[Leafs87]

I am curious about this. Assuming they get out of this round, I am still doing a major shake up if they cant get past Carolina.

Marner being the obvious play with the contract situation. I can't recall Tavares contract situation but if he is up, he's one they could let go as well. Obviously they would need to be replaced accordingly which isn't easy but it would pretty much be out of necessity to roll that dice.

I'm thinking the core brought back if they fail this year ought to be matthews, knies, and Nylander.

Not that I am thrilled with matthews either, but you have to bet on him as the entire era is defined under his name. He should only leave if the leafs decide to do a blow up which I don't think should be the case.

Agreed. As much as I’m not a Marner fan per se, at this point your only option is to bring him back if you can. If not the team will likely take a serious step back. Matthews 100% is “the guy” and it’s a shame he’s frequently injured because when he’s healthy, he’s a top 5 player

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Game 7 is make or break for the Core 4 era. It either finally pays off for them or it's the end of the core 4 era.

 

[Danarqhy]

This is the end for this core. Unbelievable how gutless this team is when the chips are down. It's like they forgot there was even a game tonight, getting completely shit on in every zone, every stat, just completely dominated.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I don’t know how they can move forward coherently with this group. Six first round exits, two second round exits, and a “qualifying round” loss for good measure.

They don’t necessarily need to tear it all the way down to the studs, but there simply has to be a change. Presumably Marner will be gone and I think they need to give some real thought to moving on from Tavares this summer as well.

 

[Reality Check]

They need to blow it up and trade for McDavid.

Give up Ryan Reaves if you have too.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Let Marner and probably Tavares walk, try to sign 2 other UFA top 6 forwards in their place.

 

[SladeWilson23]

That performance can't happen. They can't possibly run it back, can they?

 

[De Montreal]

Listen, it was not the result they wanted, but I think losing in the 2nd round in 7 games against the Stanley Cup champions is not bad, it's actually top 3 in terms of result for the organization

How would you rank every annual Maple Leafs elimination, from the worst to the less worst? Starting in 2017 and the start of the Auston Matthews era.

BEST
1. 2025 (honestly aside from those game 5 and 7, it was a good performance)
2. 2023 (slayed the dragon, lost to the eventual cup finalist)
3. 2022 (gained a lot of respect on the handshake line there)
4. 2017 (there was actually lot of promise)
5. 2024 (fact that it was a OT dagger hurt more)
6. 2018 (allowing 4 goals in a game 7 is incredible even by the Leafs standard)
7. 2020 (they were the ultimate favorite and got dummied by PLD and Josh Anderson?)
8. 2021 (losing to a long time rival, while heavily favorite)
9. 2019 (leading 3-2 in the series before blewing it, it's a classic)
WORST​

Of course the ''it was 4-1'' serie would rank very high but it was before the start of the Auston Matthews era, so I dont think it qualify.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Ufa market sucks this year, but we simply can't sign Marner again. Especially not at whatever the contract he's gonna want.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I knew things were bleak for the Leafs when they were up a couple goals in game 3 with a 2-0 series lead.

 

[La Bamba]

Time to blow it up, what a weak core they have

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Marner gone
Tavares gone

retool around Matthews

but i would also recommend to ship Rielly to any takers, he's a horrible #1D

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Who cares lmfao

Fans will tell us it’s their year again in October no matter what happens

 

[Devilsfan992]

Tavares at a minimum has to go. Team needs a shake up

 

[La Bamba]

They're best off building around Nylander and Knies up front but they're not smart enough to do it

 

[Toby91ca]

I can’t imagine they keep Woll do they?

 

[Devilsfan992]

I can’t imagine they keep Woll do they?

Yes they have to

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Matthews = pre-2016 Joe Thornton.

 

[Hoglander]

Marner walks, team starts to unravel, assets get wasted trying to stay relevant, all in a slow downward spiral towards the next eventual rebuild.

That's gotta be depressing for Leaf fans.

 

[Coffey]

Always next year?

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

How bad does Marner want to win? If he does, it's not happening in Toronto.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Tavares at a minimum has to go. Team needs a shake up

Marner is the one who needs to go first. Shanny as well. I'm okay with keep JT for cheap

 

[Devilsfan992]

Marner is the one who needs to go first. Shanny as well. I'm okay with keep JT for cheap

I don't see him signing for a good cost for a team like the leafs. His value makes more sense for a young team who needs veteran presence, with cap space to spend.

 

[Bouboumaster]

Where do they go?
In the trashcan!!!

Matthews to Montréal, we need a second line center!

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

C'mon, did anyone actually believe they were getting past Florida

None of their top forwards are dogs. They're floaty regular season get my 6 apples against Chicago soy boys.

Floridas top players would prefer to put someone through the glass than score a goal. They're thugs that happen to be good at hockey.

That's the difference. That's how you win in the playoffs. Leafs have to let Marner walk