Oh Jesus Christ! I'm in no trying to see the Habs as a serious cup contender. I see the holes in the team. They are MASSIVE. What bugs me is seing someone like you, gluck, or Burn, feel the need to protect a team that has shown NOTHING. They have disappointed the fan base over and over again. You diehard fans are THE problem. Stop it FFS!!!
- habman75

The fans don't make any decisions. The team can do whatever they want and the fans will still show up. The ownership group would like nothing more than to win a cup as well since it'd mean more money, they just haven't been any good at it.

Blaming the fans is kind of laughable.

No, they have not been in the league for 100 years.
- habman75

The Leafs have 13 cups to show for their first 50 years.

Should Chicago and New York fans have boycotted their teams, with longer droughts and fewer cups?

Here's the thing, he's playing a far different, far tougher role in Toronto.
- RogerRoeper

But he demands that role with his attitude and cap hit. He's a good player no doubt. But if he played in Nashville or Florida he'd probably be nominated for a norris. Toronto media loves to destroy careers.

The Leafs aren't that bad. People act like we're a girlfriend of Jian Gomeshi.

The leafs were (frank)ed when they resigned him, they couldn't let him walk and he's their best dman and captain. If he hit the open market he might actually make more then he is now. I like him, like his game most nights. I do think he plays more mins then he should. i just wish he played more like he did when he was in Calgary. He threw a nice hit on I think versteeg tonight to squash that rush. I just wish he played the body more. He did it all the time in Calgary but since in TO whenever he does it he has to fight and I think that's slowly got into his head
- LeafsBlueline

Leafs beat arguably the best team in the league. Phaneuf plays nearly 25 mins against the best from chicago, who were mostly invisible until the 3rd. Phaneuf finishes with a +1 and fans come here to complain about he is overpaid and should of been traded/let go?

F off

But he demands that role with his attitude and cap hit. He's a good player no doubt. But if he played in Nashville or Florida he'd probably be nominated for a norris. Toronto media loves to destroy careers.
- LeafsBlueline

He was actually making more in Calgary if you look at the cap max.

I don't understand this rant given you responded to a post about how Kane and Kessel are equals. its a team game.

And BTW, I picked the Habs to go to the finals before the season started. their holes aren't massive at all. In the East they are a legit contender.
- RogerRoeper

Listen Roeper, I respect your opinion. But the habs are still 2 solid defencemen short, and one solid centre short (Galchenyuk in a year or two hopefully) before being a true contender. But the Leafs need to stop accepting mediocracy. I am not saying this as a troll, I am saying this as a fan of hockey. No original six team should be going through the purgatory the Leafs have. Not a single one...

The fact is Kessel puts up slightly more points with less talent. This we know.

Is anyone going to try to tell me Kane is such a better "Overall" player. He's just like Kessel.
- RogerRoeper

They are both offense-first players with minimal defensive ability. People compare them a lot because they are directly comparable in that sense. Similar numbers, similar role.

The only major difference is Kane has played on a better team and has had the opportunity to play tons of playoffs games and has been an elite playoff performer.

No, they have not been in the league for 100 years.
- habman75

Van and St. Louis have gone almost as long without a Cup. The Rangers have one Cup in the last seventy years. Does it bother you that their fans keep supporting the team?

Oh Jesus Christ! I'm in no trying to see the Habs as a serious cup contender. I see the holes in the team. They are MASSIVE. What bugs me is seing someone like you, gluck, or Burn, feel the need to protect a team that has shown NOTHING. They have disappointed the fan base over and over again. You diehard fans are THE problem. Stop it FFS!!!
- habman75

did you abandon the habs when they were the worst team in the east a few seasons ago?

Fans defending the team they have supported for decades annoys you? F off

The fans don't make any decisions. The team can do whatever they want and the fans will still show up. The ownership group would like nothing more than to win a cup as well since it'd mean more money, they just haven't been any good at it.

Blaming the fans is kind of laughable.
- daeth

This, this is the problem Daeth!

did you abandon the habs when they were the worst team in the east a few seasons ago?

Fans defending the team they have supported for decades annoys you? F off
- GardinerExpress

LOL. k.

Leafs beat arguably the best team in the league. Phaneuf plays nearly 25 mins against the best from chicago, who were mostly invisible until the 3rd. Phaneuf finishes with a +1 and fans come here to complain about he is overpaid and should of been traded/let go?

F off
- GardinerExpress

Yup, haters gonna hate. imagine if Phaneuf had a Keith or Weber or Chara to play with? He has had a revolving door of partners since he became a leaf. I personally believe Franson is only on the top pairing so when the leafs trade him at the dead line he can be called a "top pairing". I'm not sure he's worth 7 mil but I do think he is the leafs best dman. Reilly is slowing creeping in on that tho

Listen Roeper, I respect your opinion. But the habs are still 2 solid defencemen short, and one solid centre short (Galchenyuk in a year or two hopefully) before being a true contender. But the Leafs need to stop accepting mediocracy. I am not saying this as a troll, I am saying this as a fan of hockey. No original six team should be going through the purgatory the Leafs have. Not a single one...
- habman75

So you don't think the Habs can contend in the East after going to the conference finals 6 months ago?

This, this is the problem Daeth!
- habman75

Why? To motivate them to get better?

Making millions per playoff game is already all the motivation they need as a corporation (Bell and Rogers). It wouldn't make a tiny bit of difference. They'd love to win a cup. The myth that they don't want to win is silly. They just don't know how to, or at least haven't known how to since 1967.

Duncan Keith was brutal tonight. Phaneuf was far better. No one will remember or care.

Listen Roeper, I respect your opinion. But the habs are still 2 solid defencemen short, and one solid centre short (Galchenyuk in a year or two hopefully) before being a true contender. But the Leafs need to stop accepting mediocracy. I am not saying this as a troll, I am saying this as a fan of hockey. No original six team should be going through the purgatory the Leafs have. Not a single one...
- habman75

The habs are also a Subban injury away from being a non playoff team. their 8-2-1 record disguises the fact that they have given up as many goals as they have scored. the division leading pens by comparison, are +19.

Do you think the habs are cup contenders year in and out? they have had some miserable years as well. nothing like winning a couple rounds to have the fans planning a parade for the next 5 years though!

So you don't think the Habs can contend in the East after going to the conference finals 6 months ago?
- RogerRoeper

Absolutely, yes, but they will be hammered in the west.

did you abandon the habs when they were the worst team in the east a few seasons ago?

Fans defending the team they have supported for decades annoys you? F off
- GardinerExpress

Meh. Ignore him. He's not a troll apparently. Like all the other slimy little poops that call themselves Scabs fans.

Blaming the fans for sticking with their team regardless is very much an American/Quebec thing. Guys don't know the meaning of loyalty. It's unfortunate.

I was at the game tonight. It was one of the best games I have been to in a long time. Even after the game on the Go Train I talked to quite a few people. Blackhawks and Leafs fans who all agreed it was a great game. Reimer looked amazing

Absolutely, yes, but they will be hammered in the west.
- habman75

Boston's the only team in the East that plays a game that could work against a top team in the West so don't feel bad about that. Maybe Pittsburgh too but I am not sure.

The habs are also a Subban injury away from being a non playoff team. their 8-2-1 record disguises the fact that they have given up as many goals as they have scored. the division leading pens by comparison, are +19.

Do you think the habs are cup contenders year in and out? they have had some miserable years as well. nothing like winning a couple rounds to have the fans planning a parade for the next 5 years though!
- GardinerExpress

Where the (frank) does this come from?

Meh. Ignore him. He's not a troll apparently. Like all the other slimy little poops that call themselves Scabs fans.

Blaming the fans for sticking with their team regardless is very much an American/Quebec thing. Guys don't know the meaning of loyalty. It's unfortunate.
- walshyleafsfan

He's a pretty good poster, not a troll. He's just off his game tonight

Duncan Keith was brutal tonight. Phaneuf was far better. No one will remember or care.
- RogerRoeper

Phaneuf played good tonight. No one can complain about hi performance.

Boston's the only team in the East that plays a game that could work against a top team in the West so don't feel bad about that. Maybe Pittsburgh too but I am not sure.
- daeth

Agreed, I think Pittsburgh migh surprise this year.