dude. Seriously, pose the question to Dreger or MacKenzine on twitter and literally ask them if it's a factor. Guarantee the answer is yes. There have been several instances where players openly say they prefer to play in softer markets due to less media pressure.

it is not uncommon at all.
- Big_Lightnin

i might have to get a twitter account just to ask that question.

i think it's (frank)ing ridiculous.

so what.. torontos media is marginally more intense than montreals? calgarys?.. bostons? jesus.. if torts can survive with larry brooks, is toronto really that bad? colorado? vancouvers is off the edge to. ottawa isn't the easiest. garrioch was torturing players for years. detroit is a popular market.. philly is ruthless..

i mean hey, who knows. you very may well be right. but if were to the point we're going to make the media and the fanbase scapegoats as to why the franchise can't ice a contender.. because pro players are to intimidated by the market? professionals who have been dealing with media in one form or the other since they were teenagers? won't come to toronto to play hockey?

it's insanity. there's a flip side to that coin. a chunk of pro players would embrace the chance in toronto just for the chance to be the guy who brought a cup here. as intense as the market is.. 50 years without a cup? you'd be (frank)ing mark messier in new york. legendary forever. with great risk comes great reward.

Good call on Cujo. Thought Almo was traded here, but he did sign.

The only names I could come up with were Blake, Lindros, and Allison. None of them were really big names (maybe Blake), but we overpaid to get him here. Badly.

I don't disagree that it's been a blessing in disguise, in some ways. Thank God Richards isn't in a Leaf uniform now!
- Leeman4Gilmour

This was a discussion done a long time ago.. and Dozzer and I posted lists.... it is BS...

Can we talk about Lupul's amazing end to end... rush...

you guys are starting to bore the place out.

- DoctorNHL

We can't really argue about that, so it's no fun.

That moment, when GM's are scared of bringing in big salary cap players. The price tag on luu will NOT be high at all. Plus nucks need a center, make them take grabo
- Mapleleafs_91

they can't take Grabo's contract

That moment, when GM's are scared of bringing in big salary cap players. The price tag on luu will NOT be high at all. Plus nucks need a center, make them take grabo
- Mapleleafs_91

I dont believe that adding Luongo to our team makes us a better now or in the long run.

Who cares, leafs are finally good, grab a vet goaltender, run a luu and reimer tandem, kick the habs ass in playoffs. The end
- Mapleleafs_91

pull your head out of your ass. unless lu can play first line C or top pairing defense.. those less quality stats then what we have aren't going to pull out any miracles in the playoffs.

i might have to get a twitter account just to ask that question.

i think it's (frank)ing ridiculous.

so what.. torontos media is marginally more intense than montreals? calgarys?.. bostons? jesus.. if torts can survive with larry brooks, is toronto really that bad? colorado? vancouvers is off the edge to. ottawa isn't the easiest. garrioch was torturing players for years. detroit is a popular market.. philly is ruthless..

i mean hey, who knows. you very may well be right. but if were to the point we're going to make the media and the fanbase scapegoats as to why the franchise can't ice a contender.. because pro players are to intimidated by the market? professionals who have been dealing with media in one form or the other since they were teenagers? won't come to toronto to play hockey?

it's insanity. there's a flip side to that coin. a chunk of pro players would embrace the chance in toronto just for the chance to be the guy who brought a cup here. as intense as the market is.. 50 years without a cup? you'd be (frank)ing mark messier in new york. legendary forever. with great risk comes great reward.
- joel878

Toronto is the home to all 3 sports networks... and CBC... you tell me another city with that much coverage...

Can we talk about Lupul's amazing end to end... rush...

you guys are starting to bore the place out.

- DoctorNHL

I was just having fun he was starting to get really angry might pop a vein or something.

Yes that was freaking ridiculous. Might have developed a man crush

Were not going to trade for Lou - are you crazy...the guy is no longer the goalie we need or want...his contract is out of this world and Van actually thinks they are going to get a prize package for him.

It's over, Lou and T.O. do not mix - he can barley take the heat out in tree hugging Vancouver...he would melt away in Toronto and leave there in a straight jacket.

My arguement is childish because I disagree with your views? There is lots of reason to bring him here too other than the contract a lot of the views are people speculative and opinions not facts.
- Yeti1181

no, your argument is childish because you refused to drop the same angle after i already addressed it.

seriously? 90% of the pro luongo views are nothing short of speculative.

allright fine. do you honestly believe luongo is a legit top flight starter for the next 10 years of his career? better (frank)ing think about it.. and honestly answer yes.. because the second he's not? that contract is a burden.

that's to speculative for you? feel free to take a moment and research all the other massive long term contracts that have been signed in the last so many years.

We can't really argue about that, so it's no fun.
- Leeman4Gilmour

If you guys want to fight pick a good reason at least.... we just pounded the Canes... our goalies are 4-0-2 in the last 6 games... most would be happy...

Why do you want luongo so bad? Much better options in net. Bernier Reimer would hopefully push each other to preform better.
- yea-ok-buddy

Its not that i want Luu so bad, you guys always say NO dont give up significant assets, etc etc. Guys like Miller will receive significant assets. Guys like Luu, realistically should not. Luu should come at an affordable rate when Gillis stops acting like a moron and actually takes whatever he can get.

I like luu because i think hes the best veteran goaltender to acquire at the moment. Kipper is older and does not want to leave, Khab is terrible, Miller will cost a fortune, Backstrom is worse than luu and is not leaving minny, Mike smith is an option but i really think he resigns with the team. Who does that leave? Luu

I think luu is good because he is statically one of the best shut out goaltenders in the league, won gold, and made the finals. See those squeakers like semins goal tonight? Guarantee luu saved that. Why? Because Luu is a bigger goaltender.

I was just having fun he was starting to get really angry might pop a vein or something.

Yes that was freaking ridiculous. Might have developed a man crush
- Yeti1181

Dude think positively... what are the good points...

i might have to get a twitter account just to ask that question.

i think it's (frank)ing ridiculous.

so what.. torontos media is marginally more intense than montreals? calgarys?.. bostons? jesus.. if torts can survive with larry brooks, is toronto really that bad? colorado? vancouvers is off the edge to. ottawa isn't the easiest. garrioch was torturing players for years. detroit is a popular market.. philly is ruthless..

i mean hey, who knows. you very may well be right. but if were to the point we're going to make the media and the fanbase scapegoats as to why the franchise can't ice a contender.. because pro players are to intimidated by the market? professionals who have been dealing with media in one form or the other since they were teenagers? won't come to toronto to play hockey?

it's insanity. there's a flip side to that coin. a chunk of pro players would embrace the chance in toronto just for the chance to be the guy who brought a cup here. as intense as the market is.. 50 years without a cup? you'd be (frank)ing mark messier in new york. legendary forever. with great risk comes great reward.
- joel878

dude there's like 20 other team in the league...

I'm not saying it's the only reason, but it is a very big factor for a lot of players. For others, it's not a factor. Some others even thrive on it - want to be in the spotlight - and those are the guys you want.

Shane Doan wouldn't play here for max money. and by HERE I mean in Canada. Loves it in Phoenix where nobody gives a poop about him. He's said it repeatedly.

Heart and soul guy we'd love to have wear the C in Toronto, and he doesn't like the media.

Good call on Cujo. Thought Almo was traded here, but he did sign.

The only names I could come up with were Blake, Lindros, and Allison. None of them were really big names (maybe Blake), but we overpaid to get him here. Badly.

I don't disagree that it's been a blessing in disguise, in some ways. Thank God Richards isn't in a Leaf uniform now!
- Leeman4Gilmour

the 2000's free agent signings have been nothing to write home about for the leafs. but things could always be worse.

richards.

remember how bad everyone wanted that one?

would still rather take that contract than luongo's.

pull your head out of your ass. unless lu can play first line C or top pairing defense.. those less quality stats then what we have aren't going to pull out any miracles in the playoffs.
- joel878

You know what covers up defensive lapses and allows for more offence? Elite goaltending.

I dont believe that adding Luongo to our team makes us a better now or in the long run.
- yea-ok-buddy

Boom.

This.

It really doesn't matter what it would cost to get Lu, even if the price has dropped substantially.

The question is this: Would you even take Luongo for free? If you got him for literally nothing (except maybe a 7th rounder, just to make it official), would you want him?

No. I'll roll with our younger, cheaper goalies who might turn into something special. The fact that they're even playing better than Lu at the moment is just the icing on the cake.

the 2000's free agent signings have been nothing to write home about for the leafs. but things could always be worse.

richards.

remember how bad everyone wanted that one?

would still rather take that contract than luongo's.
- joel878

Luongo or Lecavalier?

Neck and neck for worst contract in the history of the salary cap era. Who do you take?

Its not that i want Luu so bad, you guys always say NO dont give up significant assets, etc etc. Guys like Miller will receive significant assets. Guys like Luu, realistically should not. Luu should come at an affordable rate when Gillis stops acting like a moron and actually takes whatever he can get.

.
- Mapleleafs_91

But that won't happen this season. They don't HAVE to trade him until cap issue sets in next October.

Toronto is the home to all 3 sports networks... and CBC... you tell me another city with that much coverage...

- DoctorNHL

who cares?

i live just outside of calgary. i bet you 5 days a week the flames poopshow is being discussed on my local networks, tsn, sportsnet west.. and is on the front page of literally every single major newspaper in the area.

are we to come to the conclusion that theres a certain level of media scrutiny that drives players away? alot of insane media is okay.. but there's a line?

Lets all move on...

what do you think of this...?

If you guys want to fight pick a good reason at least.... we just pounded the Canes... our goalies are 4-0-2 in the last 6 games... most would be happy...
- DoctorNHL

When Uggie isn't here, we tear ourselves apart. We need him to be the whipping boy.

But that won't happen this season. They don't HAVE to trade him until cap issue sets in next October.
- Big_Lightnin

Yet the team is crying over a centerman to come their way, when they have luu fiddling his thumbs on the bench. Great logic

no, your argument is childish because you refused to drop the same angle after i already addressed it.

seriously? 90% of the pro luongo views are nothing short of speculative.

allright fine. do you honestly believe luongo is a legit top flight starter for the next 10 years of his career? better (frank)ing think about it.. and honestly answer yes.. because the second he's not? that contract is a burden.

that's to speculative for you? feel free to take a moment and research all the other massive long term contracts that have been signed in the last so many years.
- joel878

In ten years the cap will have increase enough that 5.3 million won't be that constrictive as a contract as it is now. I believe he can be very capabale for at least 7 years look at brodeur.

Yes I was going back to the same arguement because you kept using the same arguement people have tried for three years with Lou.

Lets all move on...

what do you think of this...?


- DoctorNHL

I find it fascinating that there are two other cracked watermelons there.

How many do you need to break to prove you can do it?