The Rick Nash trade killed them. They sacrificed character for skill.
- flamminghead

naah we lost dubi and arty in that trade which are good character guys but losing prust and feds in free agency hurt just as much if not more.

luckily with the additions of clowe and dorsett and even brassard who seems like a great team player (look at how high he jumps when he celebrated the GWG last night haha) we've gotten some of that character back.

also we're missing staal that dude leveled people and is one of the biggest leaders on the team.

Ever try Hacker-Pschorr Weisse? (sp.)
- Tee-Dot

Yeah I had it once at a German restaurant. i really enjoyed it I'll probably buy it if I see it in a liquor store.

I feel like just about any of these teams could come out of the East. The Pens have a lot of firepower, but aren't getting hurt at a good time. Boston has a team that's been there so have a good chance. And Washington is definitely hot right now.

Though really any of Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa could pull out wins at the right time. The NY teams as well.

I don't think there's a team in the East that is unbeatable here.

That this discussion is even being had shows the parity in the league.

naah we lost dubi and arty in that trade which are good character guys but losing prust and feds in free agency hurt just as much if not more.

luckily with the additions of clowe and dorsett and even brassard who seems like a great team player (look at how high he jumps when he celebrated the GWG last night haha) we've gotten some of that character back.

also we're missing staal that dude leveled people and is one of the biggest leaders on the team.
- rangerdanger94

Marc Staal is a beast, he's my favorite d-man in the league. It'll be sad for you guys when he defects to the Canes in a few years.

East is simple..

Pittsburgh is just too good, Boston is a close 2nd and all the other teams are on the same level.

naah we lost dubi and arty in that trade which are good character guys but losing prust and feds in free agency hurt just as much if not more.

luckily with the additions of clowe and dorsett and even brassard who seems like a great team player (look at how high he jumps when he celebrated the GWG last night haha) we've gotten some of that character back.

also we're missing staal that dude leveled people and is one of the biggest leaders on the team.
- rangerdanger94

Yeah I do think the Gaborik trade was good for you guys. Should increase the playoff chances. The only problem is they will have some pretty steep competition in the first round.

East is simple..

Pittsburgh is just too good, Boston is a close 2nd and all the other teams are on the same level.
- jdacosta

pitt is really good when healthy, but unless they start getting healthy, they're VERY beatable.

hell, even when they are healthy, fleury is as likely to lose the series for them, as he is to play well (see last season)

I see the Leafs fans flooded the poll

You're most likely playing the Bruins and I would be shocked if it goes 6 games
- fudd1689

yeh i think the leafs will be able to take it in 5.. bruins have not been playing up to par the last couple weeks.

Yeah I had it once at a German restaurant. i really enjoyed it I'll probably buy it if I see it in a liquor store.
- flamminghead

It's only like 2.60 a 500ml bottle in Ontario...

Not a bad price considering the quality.

Marc Staal is a beast, he's my favorite d-man in the league. It'll be sad for you guys when he defects to the Canes in a few years.
- trolleytracks

The Rick Nash trade killed them. They sacrificed character for skill.
- flamminghead

Whats with Richards this year??? Not doing much. I am hearing rumblings of a compliance buyout at end of season to help with the cap? Any thoughts?

Whats with Richards this year??? Nopt doing much. I am hearing rumblings of a compliance buyout at end of season to help with the cap? Any thoughts?
- PAY-DIRT

richards has been a big underachiever/disappointment this season for sure. it's not due to a lack of effort...he just looks like he's forcing everything too much and nothing goes his way (broken sticks on empty nets, fans on good one timers, passes are just wide, misses the net, etc.) but he's known to perform in the playoffs so maybe he'll wake up then.

i doubt we'll buy him out at the end of this season since we have enough cap space to sign everyone. potentially in the summer of 2014 but it all depends.

Whats with Richards this year??? Not doing much. I am hearing rumblings of a compliance buyout at end of season to help with the cap? Any thoughts?
- PAY-DIRT

Hoping the same with Grabovski.

I see the Leafs fans flooded the poll

You're most likely playing the Bruins and I would be shocked if it goes 6 games
- fudd1689

You don't read the leafs blog that often huh?
If you did, you would know that most the Leaf fan votes probably went to other teams!!!!

No more self hating fans then leaf fans!

You don't read the leafs blog that often huh?
If you did, you would know that most the Leaf fan votes probably went to other teams!!!!

No more self hating fans then leaf fans!


- Cooshie

u should see the rangers thread

- rangerdanger94

You know, because that's where all the Staals go to play

richards has been a big underachiever/disappointment this season for sure. it's not due to a lack of effort...he just looks like he's forcing everything too much and nothing goes his way (broken sticks on empty nets, fans on good one timers, passes are just wide, misses the net, etc.) but he's known to perform in the playoffs so maybe he'll wake up then.

i doubt we'll buy him out at the end of this season since we have enough cap space to sign everyone. potentially in the summer of 2014 but it all depends.
- rangerdanger94

First the Rags need to actually make the playoffs. One step at a time...

Eklund: Who is for REAL and Who is Primed to Get Knocked Out in Round 1?
- Eklund

Washington and Toronto are pretenders in the East.

Anything could happen in the West. Well, almost anything.

FOR REAL:
Piitsburgh and Montreal in the East.

Chicago and Los Angeles in the West.

Darkhorse: Washington/Ottawa

PRETENDERS:

NYI and NYR in the East.

Anaheim and Vancouver in the West.

Darkhorse: St. Louis
- PAY-DIRT

I'm not necessarily saying that Montreal is a paper tiger, but if you look at their record it's padded by their 11-1 record against the SE. Subtract the worst division in the league (who is not well represented in the playoffs) and their record is just ok. Like I said, I'm not saying it really means anything but it's food for thought.

You shouldn't be shocked if it goes 6 games. Don't so chronically underestimate the Leafs... I think they could go 7 with any team in the conference except maybe a fully healthy Pittsburgh.
- Mr_Clean

I can't see the Leafs beating Pittsburgh in 7 games but I also don't see them getting walked over either. For some reason Toronto matches up pretty well against Pittsburgh. It doesn't help that Fleury is absolutely awful against the Leafs. The only team in the east that really scares me is Boston, I think the Leafs can be competitive against everyone else.

I can't see the Leafs beating Pittsburgh in 7 games but I also don't see them getting walked over either. For some reason Toronto matches up pretty well against Pittsburgh. It doesn't help that Fleury is absolutely awful against the Leafs. The only team in the east that really scares me is Boston, I think the Leafs can be competitive against everyone else.
- Jeffmt

same with the Isles

FOR REAL:
Piitsburgh and Montreal in the East.

Chicago and Los Angeles in the West.

Darkhorse: Washington/Ottawa

PRETENDERS:

NYI and NYR in the East.

Anaheim and Vancouver in the West.

Darkhorse: St. Louis
- PAY-DIRT

Noticed the Leafs are missing from the list?

Washington and Toronto are pretenders in the East.

Anything could happen in the West. Well, almost anything.
- woopstash

The Canucks will probably take it all again.

Noticed the Leafs are missing from the list?

- Cptmjl

The Leafs are a middle ground team in my opinion. They may or may not win a round.