Seeing that they were not that far off this past year, i would argue they could very well make it next year if they shore up the D a little bit and Nuge and Ebs play like they did last season.
- pbrsimps

PB it is not that they don't have talent.. I laugh at all those folks that say they don't have enough veterans.. Smyth, Horkoff, Khabulin.. etc..

The problem with the Oil is they don't have pluggers.. they are playing Gretzky Hockey without Semenko, McSorley, and all the other plugs...

To have a good team you need a lot of different parts.. you need McClements, you need Komarov's, Fraser's, Franson's, O'Brynes.. etc..

Always have been, always will be.
- Seabass2012

Well you don't have a fav listed so I thought maybe a Thrashers fan or something!!

PB it is not that they don't have talent.. I laugh at all those folks that say they don't have enough veterans.. Smyth, Horkoff, Khabulin.. etc..

The problem with the Oil is they don't have pluggers.. they are playing Gretzky Hockey without Semenko, McSorley, and all the other plugs...

To have a good team you need a lot of different parts.. you need McClements, you need Komarov's, Fraser's, Franson's, O'Brynes.. etc..
- DoctorNHL

I agree with that. I think if they had signed mcclement, it would have went a long way. Komorov would have been good for them too.

4th in TSN power rankings, scott cullen deserves the credit

We disagree..but that's ok. Yes I think with Burke still here this year with Carlyle we would be in the same position...I don't think the leafs are very strong still and if 82 games were to be played...we would be trying to sneak in again.
I'm glad we are in..and I like Nonis and Carlyle so we will see what happens..if they play in the playoffs like they have the last 2 weeks against the Bruins/Pens we will not win a game and barely score a goal...I hope they are working on learning how to gain the red line and dump the (frank)ing puck in..unbelievable how weak they have been at this the last couple weeks...almost unwatchable. Even last game made me laugh with Franson finally skating the puck to the red line and then he passes it right to their D on their blue line and the other team dumps it deep and start the cycle ( I know he fanned on the pass but it made me chuckle to myself )
- Garnie

Clearly you did not watch the same games as me.. as both the Bruins/Pens.. got a mighty helping hand from the Refs.. and we were still in all those games..

You might have forgotten that we took 3 of 4 points from the Bruins.. and in the playoffs there is no shoot-out.

The Pens have added to their squad.. but the Leafs did very well against them all season. The Pens might be over confident heading into the playoffs.. with their additions... but once the games get tight and hard.. they might just not have an answer.

So I definitely disagree with you.. on all accounts.. Burke makes too much noise for a humble team.. Nonis and his quiet nature.. has helped..

You sound like a Philly troll.. short season doesn't matter.. for a truculent team a short season is the hardest... no time to cure the bruises.. and we are still here.

This team will be ready for the post season.

I know it hurts but hey we did we a cup in 2006 Haha
- hallwillcrushu

Morris.... ..Tomorrow Robin...

Morris.... ..Tomorrow Robin...
- Fruitcakenipple

There is only one Oiler fan on this site. I am everyone.

There is only one Oiler fan on this site. I am everyone.
- robin_steele264

Boom done....Works every time...

Clearly you did not watch the same games as me.. as both the Bruins/Pens.. got a mighty helping hand from the Refs.. and we were still in all those games..

You might have forgotten that we took 3 of 4 points from the Bruins.. and in the playoffs there is no shoot-out.

The Pens have added to their squad.. but the Leafs did very well against them all season. The Pens might be over confident heading into the playoffs.. with their additions... but once the games get tight and hard.. they might just not have an answer.

So I definitely disagree with you.. on all accounts.. Burke makes too much noise for a humble team.. Nonis and his quiet nature.. has helped..

You sound like a Philly troll.. short season doesn't matter.. for a truculent team a short season is the hardest... no time to cure the bruises.. and we are still here.

This team will be ready for the post season.
- DoctorNHL

I stated the last couple weeks ( their play ) So if you have been watching the same games as me..if the Leafs ( I know they are our fav team ) play like they have, they will be blown out EVERY game against the Bruins or Pens. Now if they get back to playing with some intensity and some care( like good parts of the season ) we will for sure give them a run for their money especially if the Pens still have a couple key injuries.
So I'm not sure why we are having this discussion unless you haven't watched them since the Jersey game and even including that game. cheers...I'm on your team...Team Disagree!

4th in TSN power rankings, scott cullen deserves the credit
- MetroidPrime

How many times does it say luck in there??

Boom done....Works every time...
- Fruitcakenipple

Just be happy I put the window licker back in his kennel.

Clearly you did not watch the same games as me.. as both the Bruins/Pens.. got a mighty helping hand from the Refs.. and we were still in all those games..

You might have forgotten that we took 3 of 4 points from the Bruins.. and in the playoffs there is no shoot-out.

The Pens have added to their squad.. but the Leafs did very well against them all season. The Pens might be over confident heading into the playoffs.. with their additions... but once the games get tight and hard.. they might just not have an answer.

So I definitely disagree with you.. on all accounts.. Burke makes too much noise for a humble team.. Nonis and his quiet nature.. has helped..

You sound like a Philly troll.. short season doesn't matter.. for a truculent team a short season is the hardest... no time to cure the bruises.. and we are still here.

This team will be ready for the post season.
- DoctorNHL

Oh yeah...a Philly Troll boo on you!!!! Don't let your blue blood cramp your brain when talking hockey. How much are you betting on the Leafs vs Bruins 1st round? ( if that happens )

I agree with that. I think if they had signed mcclement, it would have went a long way. Komorov would have been good for them too.
- pbrsimps

With the incest that is Oil management.. I don't think they have learned anything... that is why I said I don't see them making the playoffs anytime soon.

They just can't handle a season..

Just be happy I put the window licker back in his kennel.
- robin_steele264

Every time...

Oh yeah...a Philly Troll boo on you!!!! Don't let your blue blood cramp your brain when talking hockey. How much are you betting on the Leafs vs Bruins 1st round? ( if that happens )
- Garnie

Unlike most I think the Leafs could beat the Bruins.. only problem is there wouldn't be many bodies left for the next round, and it would go 7 games.

I would prefer to leave that till later.. but if the Bruins keep on sucking.. than we might as well do the league a favour and knock them out.

Every time...
- Fruitcakenipple

60% of the time.

With the incest that is Oil management.. I don't think they have learned anything... that is why I said I don't see them making the playoffs anytime soon.

They just can't handle a season..
- DoctorNHL

Is that your diagnosis?

I stated the last couple weeks ( their play ) So if you have been watching the same games as me..if the Leafs ( I know they are our fav team ) play like they have, they will be blown out EVERY game against the Bruins or Pens. Now if they get back to playing with some intensity and some care( like good parts of the season ) we will for sure give them a run for their money especially if the Pens still have a couple key injuries.
So I'm not sure why we are having this discussion unless you haven't watched them since the Jersey game and even including that game. cheers...I'm on your team...Team Disagree!
- Garnie

They had a spell of 15 games where they only lost once in regulation.. then they lost 2 games in a matter of 4 games..

You are a fickle fan...

You might not deserve this run...

Is that your diagnosis?
- robin_steele264

No my diagnosis is to amputate the head.. and attach a much smarter one to the corpse.

Unlike most I think the Leafs could beat the Bruins.. only problem is there wouldn't be many bodies left for the next round, and it would go 7 games.

I would prefer to leave that till later.. but if the Bruins keep on sucking.. than we might as well do the league a favour and knock them out.
- DoctorNHL

I agree if RC gets that back to playing - dump deep and make them pay hockey - we can beat them...Score when Chara is resting...I don't think they have the greatest D or goaltending!!!!

cheers..gonna go watch the Sens dump the Pens!!!!

They had a spell of 15 games where they only lost once in regulation.. then they lost 2 games in a matter of 4 games..

You are a fickle fan...

You might not deserve this run...
- DoctorNHL

that's not nice...come on they have looked atrocious even in winning..but hey your the Doctor..you seem to have everything covered..good for you!!!!

No my diagnosis is to amputate the head.. and attach a much smarter one to the corpse.
- DoctorNHL

No need to worry for you fellas.


I'm looking forward to the playoffs too. Hoping for Leafs Habs.

Unlike most I think the Leafs could beat the Bruins.. only problem is there wouldn't be many bodies left for the next round, and it would go 7 games.

I would prefer to leave that till later.. but if the Bruins keep on sucking.. than we might as well do the league a favour and knock them out.
- DoctorNHL

I think the Bruins would be solid favourites, but I don't think it's the automatic sweep that a lot of fans seem to be assuming. People seem to be predicting the series based on the Bruins performance against the Ron Wilson Leafs last year, but this team is significantly different. The Bruins last year were 22 points clear of the Leafs, right now they are 4 points ahead of us. It's really not the brutal mismatch that it was.

I think the Bruins would be solid favourites, but I don't think it's the automatic sweep that a lot of fans seem to be assuming. People seem to be predicting the series based on the Bruins performance against the Ron Wilson Leafs last year, but this team is significantly different. The Bruins last year were 22 points clear of the Leafs, right now they are 4 points ahead of us. It's really not the brutal mismatch that it was.
- Zezel

Agreed unless the leafs of the last few games shows up.

Bruins have more scorers than the Sens for sure.

We keep giving up 50 shots and it will be sweep sweep time!!!!

Don't tell the doctor I said that..he gets all fussy!!!

The media in this town is stronger than any member of the team. Burke was the only GM that came close to proving otherwise.

The pen is mightier than the enforcer.

JFJ may have drafted Reimer, Gunnerson and Kulemin but he was so poor for this team, it is actually a sin that he is even mentioned here. It's kinda like saying the captain of the Titanic deserves credit for getting the boat to the iceberg so fast.

Burke and his management team made the Leafs of today. They developed those JFJ draft picks. They filled the cupboards back up. They drafted well and created a team that could compete. They had the foresight to make last year's Marlies team go deep into the playoffs by making sure certain players were available which ate up call up choices. That experience helped these young players develop this year. Burke was a lightning rod to this team and took much of the focus away from his players.

I hate that the media turned on someone who gave them something to write about every day. He always made himself available and always gave them a story despite the negative response to himself. He sacrificed himself for this team. His home life suffered, he lost his kid and still worked. He supported our troops, commited himself to charity events and demanded the same of his team.

Burke deserves a hero's sendoff. He may have missed on a few predictions, and overvalued a few players but that ownis should be on them for not working as hard as they could and holding up their end of the deal. Komi was never going to live up to his contact and Army was hurt too often, but the rest simply left him hanging. I salute Brian Burke for his selfless service to the Leafs, their fans and their media pool.
- stevecarpetman