the difference b/w last year and this year: Komarov
- jimi james

Oh yeah, the team would be at the top of the standings if he was there.

Funny thing is, the system work last season and everybody loved him for it, but people didnt like his personel decisions and still dont (totally agree). At the beginning of the season, most of the people on here calling for Carlyles head were the ones loving how the leafs played, and would scoff at anyone who pointed out the shots on net or possession stats and they freaked out on anyone who said this team would fall apart, and this team had no leadership.

But now...its all Carlyles fault.

- Fakepartofme

Ya it's tough. Ottawa's not immune to it either. Obviously we don't know what happens off the ice, but when you bench, scratch, trade or buyout players who are obviously good hockey players, and then replace them with size, leadership, clutch, grit and toughness, you should know what the end result is going to be.
When you look at the players that have left the Leafs lately, their success and their comments about RC say everything you need to know.

Balance and correct deployment is key. You need discipline, strength, skill, speed, intelligence to be successful. If you have the puck, the other team doesn't. Simple concept. In football, when you have the lead, do you just give your opponent the ball and defend the rest of the game? No. You drive. And you score again.

It takes upwards of 70 games for skill to overcome luck in the standings. We're getting there, slowly, and we can watch it happen in real time.

Where's Frenchie, need something to cheer us up....

16
Conner Bleackley
Ht/Wt:6' 0"/200 lbs
Position:C
Team: Red Deer (WHL)

who we're slated to pick. Need background!
- mykokes

That pick looks pretty Bleak to me.

This was a solid team last year playing the same system that's being played this year. And the 'short season' argument is lame ....they were simply a pretty darn good team. They intimidated teams with physical play and were one of the better skating teams in the league. This year they're obviously a step behind in most games and they've been out-punched on most nights.

Why? What changed? G'tending on the whole hasn't been worse. The PP is still great. The obvious issues to me ...

1. The PK has gone from top 5 to bottom 5.
2. Any Dman not named Phaneuf and Gunnarson has been horrid in the DZone and at 5 on 5 play.
3. Kadri, Franson, Gardiner in particular have taken big steps backwards.
4. They've lost the physical edge that really defined them last year.
5. No forecheck.

Carlyle may not be to blame for all of that but like it or not part of his job is to keep these guys playing to their potential.
- The Law

Again, Im not a huge fan of Carlyle and Im not against firing him....my point is, the issue is so much deeper than just coach and people need to realize that.
Phaneuf has not been great in his own D zone either, so you can lump him in with the rest of the group....heck just last night on the stall goal I believe, the puck gets easily chipped by him and gives no effort in trying to come back...he gives up on the play.

I truly believe its no coincidence this team went south once Bolland was injured...he brought so much to this team.

Jonas Siegel
@jonasTSN1050
No skate for the Leafs this morning in DC. Jonathan Bernier expected to start against the Caps.

I swear the Islander pick is conditional.....am I wrong?

Edit: Buffalo will receive a first-round pick in 2014 or 2015 at New York's choice, if the pick is a top 10 selection at the 2014 draft. If the pick is outside the top 10, then this will remain a 2014 pick.
- mykokes[46]

hmm. fair enough. that said, i think NYI will suck again next year anyway.

That pick looks pretty Bleak to me.
- Woderwick

Don't worry, it should be top 10 by the deadline
Rejoice Leaf Nation! We can go back to talking about tanking

i still like him

he's useless in a dump n turnover offense tho.

he is the guy you stick in front of the net while the other four cycle the puck in the zone... sorta like what everyone else is doing to the leafs non stop
- Dozzer

fixed!

and did you ever notice that our dump attempts always happen when the puck carrier passes the flat-footed guy and gets fired around to the weak side... the same weak side that is the last guy out of our zone? the opposing team ALWAYS has 2 players on the puck first.

can he play D?
- Dozzer

Not for Carlyle.

hmm. fair enough. that said, i think NYI will suck again next year anyway.
- DoubleDown

Nah, they'll have Miller by then.

#FreeCarlyle

Oh yeah, the team would be at the top of the standings if he was there.
- Pecafan Fan

It's about atitude, agression, setting the tone and opening up lanes therefore controlling the pace numbnuts

i still like him

he's useless in a dump n chase offense tho.

he is the guy you stick in front of the net while the other four cycle the puck in the zone... sorta like what everyone else is doing to the leafs non stop
- Dozzer

I still think he can turn it around.

Well heck at this point.....Im just really hoping he can

Maybe...but he's but stuck with absolutely crap D. You cannot fire the coach yet, until you give him a chance with better D....and better depth forwards.
- Fakepartofme

no D available.. Gleason is not a step up from liles, those are the only players available. Other teams are looking for the same thing now..and the leafs will have to overpay with picks and prospects to get one.

what you describe is a recipe to end up a few spots out of the playoffs.. again in middle ground ..to far from the bottom and out of the playoffs. no mans land ..where the leafs wallow

no D available.. Gleason is not a step up from liles, those are the only players available. Other teams are looking for the same thing now..and the leafs will have to overpay with picks and prospects to get one.

what you describe is a recipe to end up a few spots out of the playoffs.. again in middle ground ..to far from the bottom and out of the playoffs. no mans land ..where the leafs wallow
- senstroll

There are plenty available.

Jonas Siegel
@jonasTSN1050
No skate for the Leafs this morning in DC. Jonathan Bernier expected to start against the Caps.
- Fruitcakenipple

so it's like they are playing a game but with less goals against! that's a start!

Don't worry, it should be top 10 by the deadline
Rejoice Leaf Nation! We can go back to talking about tanking
- mykokes

It is very exciting. This will fill these pages with many variations of mock drafts and personal opinion on guys we've never heard of. Frenchie will become King.

It's about atitude, agression, setting the tone and opening up lanes therefore controlling the pace numbnuts
- jimi james

and how many minutes did he play?

Jonas Siegel
@jonasTSN1050
No skate for the Leafs this morning in DC. Jonathan Bernier expected to start against the Caps.
- Fruitcakenipple

he will also get the next 5 starts because Reimer has to be the blame for last nights loss. i mean, for a guy that has sat at the end of the bench for 25 days he was terrible. he should have been ready and the only result should have been a shutout. completely unacceptable to come off the bench after a month and not blank the other team.

grabovski 2G, 2A tonight. any other former leafs on the caps?

Ya it's tough. Ottawa's not immune to it either. Obviously we don't know what happens off the ice, but when you bench, scratch, trade or buyout players who are obviously good hockey players, and then replace them with size, leadership, clutch, grit and toughness, you should know what the end result is going to be.
When you look at the players that have left the Leafs lately, their success and their comments about RC say everything you need to know.

Balance and correct deployment is key. You need discipline, strength, skill, speed, intelligence to be successful. If you have the puck, the other team doesn't. Simple concept. In football, when you have the lead, do you just give your opponent the ball and defend the rest of the game? No. You drive. And you score again.

It takes upwards of 70 games for skill to overcome luck in the standings. We're getting there, slowly, and we can watch it happen in real time.
- Stringer74

(frank) I hate agreeing with a sens fan

the bolded is an important fact. If you got candid comments from the current leafs about RC..i dont think they are good.

the constant misuse of talent, Gardiner in the pressbox for Fraser?? Grabo on the 3rd line, alienating Macarthur its very telling

It is very exciting. This will fill these pages with many variations of mock drafts and personal opinion on guys we've never heard of. Frenchie will become King.
- Woderwick

I'm eagerly awaiting his first mock draft, and which player he suggests we draft first!

Though i'd love to see the Leafs find a way to stockpile 2015 1sts.........like can't we trade Kessel to Calgary for their 2014 1st, 2015 1st and 2015 2nd?

I really don't like our defense. I really really don't

Phaneuf and Franson both are awkward morons with 0 hockey IQ and Randy doesn't seem like the best coach to get the most from Gards and Reilly.

Ranger is awful which goes without saying. Fraser hasn't been the same since his injury and Gunnerson is alright but doesn't play tough at all.

Not to mention this clarkson signing is turning into a debacle of epic proportions.

What is Nonis's direction for this team again? I'm confused.
- Sheppy99

I no longer believe it is the players.

They look like they really have no plan, or no idea what to do in their own end. They are almost as bad on offense.

So.. no leadership, no heart, no understanding ... but they have enough raw talent that they will finish just out of the playoffs, and get a poopty draft pick.

There are not too many "dinosaur" coaches left in the league, but the Leafs have had 2 in a row now.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/...edgie-152747409.html?vp=1

You've been warned.

no D available.. Gleason is not a step up from liles, those are the only players available. Other teams are looking for the same thing now..and the leafs will have to overpay with picks and prospects to get one.

what you describe is a recipe to end up a few spots out of the playoffs.. again in middle ground ..to far from the bottom and out of the playoffs. no mans land ..where the leafs wallow
- senstroll

They are available, you just have to pay.
Gleason is a step up defensively, thats it.
Continuing with the current D is recipe to end up a few spots out of the playoffs.

and how many minutes did he play?
- Fakepartofme

does it matter? atitude isnt about minutes