catching is the problem today not pitching
- Sammich

Why doesn't Martin earn his paycheck and learn to catch a (frank)in knuckleball. So we don't have to drag around Thole each 5th day

so do the leafs have another throw away season next year, by signing players to be dealt at the deadline, or do they play the kids from the get go and see where they end up?
- LeafsBlueline

Its premature to know atm.. i dont think it would be a throw away year though.

i) babs doesnt coach to lose, except for lastnight. I guarentee he's pissed that his all time coaching record took a huge hit this season. He is a winner and wants to win and will not partake in another season like this one.

ii) the leafs brass know that they are actually quite a bit better than their record shows. To take a huge gamble and "tank" again doesnt help anyone. It burns a year of all contracts and that hurts especially for the young kids. They already (maybe foolishly) burned Nylanders first year so they aren't going to willingly do that again.

iii) this season was all about figuring out what they had with this team, and now they know. They know that Kadri can be a good #2C. They know Gards can handle a top 4 role. They know they need better goaltending. They learned their weaknesses and how to correct them.

iiii) they dont need another top 5 pick in next years draft. The Leafs already have one of the best prospect pools in the league. Sure it would be nice, but not at the expense of hindering the development of their young players. They have a team in place that have a proven record of drafting well so that'll be key going forward. They won't trade picks because thats how you keep the prospect pool strong.

iiiii) Im going to let you guys in on a secret. Most Leafs fans aren't as happy about losing as some in here. We all knew this season was going to be rough because of the changing of the guard. We knew we had to trade away the core and needed a good pick in this draft and for that reason we embraced the tank. But hardly anyone is saying "30th place? Thats was fun i cant wait to do that again" which makes me wonder exactly how many of you need a psych evaluation. Believe it or not the organization is in the business of making money. Strangly enough the tank probably helped business because it spurred investor confidence. People are excited about the direction of the club and want to buy jerseys and tickets now. Another year of tanking would turn people off.

No one knows who'll be a Leaf next year. I believe shanny and Co. want to sign Stamkos. But Stamkos isnt going to waste a year of his life and career losing. Sure he can still be a fan favourite if they suck, but thats not what he wants. To say we need one more year of losing is borderline moronic. There is little to gain and far too much to lose from tanking again. Im not saying they'll be contenders next season, or even make the playoffs. But they need to at least try. It would go against every moral fiber of being a Toronto Maple Leaf. They set the bar of expectations extremely low because that was the smart thing to do. But some fans took it far too literal (pain etc) and full on believe the Leafs will be bad for many more years to come. So in conclusion, the fans that enjoy losing and think by losing again next year is the right thing to do, may i suggest try to find the passion to want to win again. Because if you don't you shouldn't consider yourself a fan.

It's a very flawed lottery

Being last place is now even more important that ever for a rebuilding team. To ensure a top 5 draft pick you NEED to be last or 2nd last. What a joke

Why doesn't Martin earn his paycheck and learn to catch a (frank)in knuckleball. So we don't have to drag around Thole each 5th day
- domi_legend

can we not?

First sim after officially clinching 30th place:

TOR
WPG
CBJ

Its premature to know atm.. i dont think it would be a throw away year though.

i) babs doesnt coach to lose, except for lastnight. I guarentee he's pissed that his all time coaching record took a huge hit this season. He is a winner and wants to win and will not partake in another season like this one.

ii) the leafs brass know that they are actually quite a bit better than their record shows. To take a huge gamble and "tank" again doesnt help anyone. It burns a year of all contracts and that hurts especially for the young kids. They already (maybe foolishly) burned Nylanders first year so they aren't going to willingly do that again.

iii) this season was all about figuring out what they had with this team, and now they know. They know that Kadri can be a good #2C. They know Gards can handle a top 4 role. They know they need better goaltending. They learned their weaknesses and how to correct them.

iiii) they dont need another top 5 pick in next years draft. The Leafs already have one of the best prospect pools in the league. Sure it would be nice, but not at the expense of hindering the development of their young players. They have a team in place that have a proven record of drafting well so that'll be key going forward. They won't trade picks because thats how you keep the prospect pool strong.

iiiii) Im going to let you guys in on a secret. Most Leafs fans aren't as happy about losing as some in here. We all knew this season was going to be rough because of the changing of the guard. We knew we had to trade away the core and needed a good pick in this draft and for that reason we embraced the tank. But hardly anyone is saying "30th place? Thats was fun i cant wait to do that again" which makes me wonder exactly how many of you need a psych evaluation. Believe it or not the organization is in the business of making money. Strangly enough the tank probably helped business because it spurred investor confidence. People are excited about the direction of the club and want to buy jerseys and tickets now. Another year of tanking would turn people off.

No one knows who'll be a Leaf next year. I believe shanny and Co. want to sign Stamkos. But Stamkos isnt going to waste a year of his life and career losing. Sure he can still be a fan favourite if they suck, but thats not what he wants. To say we need one more year of losing is borderline moronic. There is little to gain and far too much to lose from tanking again. Im not saying they'll be contenders next season, or even make the playoffs. But they need to at least try. It would go against every moral fiber of being a Toronto Maple Leaf. They set the bar of expectations extremely low because that was the smart thing to do. But some fans took it far too literal (pain etc) and full on believe the Leafs will be bad for many more years to come. So in conclusion, the fans that enjoy losing and think by losing again next year is the right thing to do, may i suggest try to find the passion to want to win again. Because if you don't you shouldn't consider yourself a fan.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You really spent this long to write a load of garbage?

Its premature to know atm.. i dont think it would be a throw away year though.

i) babs doesnt coach to lose, except for lastnight. I guarentee he's pissed that his all time coaching record took a huge hit this season. He is a winner and wants to win and will not partake in another season like this one.

ii) the leafs brass know that they are actually quite a bit better than their record shows. To take a huge gamble and "tank" again doesnt help anyone. It burns a year of all contracts and that hurts especially for the young kids. They already (maybe foolishly) burned Nylanders first year so they aren't going to willingly do that again.

iii) this season was all about figuring out what they had with this team, and now they know. They know that Kadri can be a good #2C. They know Gards can handle a top 4 role. They know they need better goaltending. They learned their weaknesses and how to correct them.

iiii) they dont need another top 5 pick in next years draft. The Leafs already have one of the best prospect pools in the league. Sure it would be nice, but not at the expense of hindering the development of their young players. They have a team in place that have a proven record of drafting well so that'll be key going forward. They won't trade picks because thats how you keep the prospect pool strong.

iiiii) Im going to let you guys in on a secret. Most Leafs fans aren't as happy about losing as some in here. We all knew this season was going to be rough because of the changing of the guard. We knew we had to trade away the core and needed a good pick in this draft and for that reason we embraced the tank. But hardly anyone is saying "30th place? Thats was fun i cant wait to do that again" which makes me wonder exactly how many of you need a psych evaluation. Believe it or not the organization is in the business of making money. Strangly enough the tank probably helped business because it spurred investor confidence. People are excited about the direction of the club and want to buy jerseys and tickets now. Another year of tanking would turn people off.

No one knows who'll be a Leaf next year. I believe shanny and Co. want to sign Stamkos. But Stamkos isnt going to waste a year of his life and career losing. Sure he can still be a fan favourite if they suck, but thats not what he wants. To say we need one more year of losing is borderline moronic. There is little to gain and far too much to lose from tanking again. Im not saying they'll be contenders next season, or even make the playoffs. But they need to at least try. It would go against every moral fiber of being a Toronto Maple Leaf. They set the bar of expectations extremely low because that was the smart thing to do. But some fans took it far too literal (pain etc) and full on believe the Leafs will be bad for many more years to come. So in conclusion, the fans that enjoy losing and think by losing again next year is the right thing to do, may i suggest try to find the passion to want to win again. Because if you don't you shouldn't consider yourself a fan.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

(I) agreed
(II) disagree - Leafs roster was one of the worst iced teams in the NHL. Finishing near or at the bottom is probably what was expected. Management is too smart and knew this roster was downright terrible.
(III) I think they knew all this before the season started so no revelations over a losing season, which was beyond their control.
(IIII) agreed - talent pool is very good and should be elite after next years draft. Leafs can already start to look to try to sign good free agents (Stamkos?) to compliment their young guns.
(IIIII) agreed - I don't think any was happy about putting a bad team on the ice. I think the smart fan realized it was the best way to move forward for this franchise rather than do what the Leafs have always done and continue with mediocrity. By the end of the season, losing was "acceptable" simply to increase odds at winning lotto and come away with worst case 4th overall pick. Sucked getting there but good to be here and able to move in another direction now for the better.

Next year might not be a pretty season but it sure as hell should be more fun to watch as I expect to see a lot more of Nylander, Brown and other Marlies guys. Also, because Marner can't play in AHL and has nothing left to prove on OHL, could see him on the Leafs roster too. Add Zaitsev and possibly Matthews (please?) and better free agents....team will be more fun to watch - although I am still going to expect a top 10 pick next year (due to our thin defense and terrible goaltending).

End of day, Leafs are rapidly moving in the right direction. Good news for all Leaf fans.

SabresBuzz ‏@SabresBuzz 2h2 hours ago
I hope the Leafs enjoy selecting 4th overall. Good luck winning three lotteries. 30th place in over rated


SabresBuzz ‏@SabresBuzz 2h2 hours ago
I hope the Leafs enjoy selecting 4th overall. Good luck winning three lotteries. 30th place in over rated




- nbboy

Jack may want to dissuade his buddy Jimmy from playing in Toronto, where Jack recently was dealt a plate of food poisoning. Weird. Eichel was the only Sabres player to be stricken by the food poisoning during a team dinner. Coincidence?


Eichel should tell Vesey to stay away from Toronto's restaurants and from Nazem Kadri.

Garf



- nbboy

What an idiot.

The Leafs don't have a player that can hold Reinhart's jock let alone Eichel's.
- SABRES 89

Nylander is a pretty good player, well see......


Nylander 22 games 6g7a 13pts

Eichel first 22 games 7g4a 11pts

reinhart first 22 games 4g3a 7pts

Yes, one more bad bad year
- walshyleafsfan

Don't count on it. I don't think Babcock could stomach another bottom-dweller season.

What's the circus up to now?

@Senators: The Senators will host a news conference this morning at 11 a.m. to make a significant hockey announcement. #Sens

Don't count on it. I don't think Babcock could stomach another bottom-dweller season.
- gravyface

If you listen to Babcock....


@kevin_mcgran: Babcock on off-season: "We'll be prepared for free agency and make sure we have a team that isn't missing the playoffs." #TMLTalk

What's the circus up to now?

@Senators: The Senators will host a news conference this morning at 11 a.m. to make a significant hockey announcement. #Sens
- burn

Dave Cameron, start to #PackYourpoop

Nylander is a pretty good player, well see......


Nylander 22 games 6g7a 13pts

Eichel first 22 games 7g4a 11pts

reinhart first 22 games 4g3a 7pts
- burn

Yeah but

*runs away*

Dave Cameron, start to #PackYourpoop
- lumlums

Don't count on it. I don't think Babcock could stomach another bottom-dweller season.
- gravyface

I think you're probably right. I doubt they'll make the playoffs but I'd be very surprised if they finished last again.

If you listen to Babcock....


@kevin_mcgran: Babcock on off-season: "We'll be prepared for free agency and make sure we have a team that isn't missing the playoffs." #TMLTalk
- burn

Dave Cameron, start to #PackYourpoop
- lumlums

What's the circus up to now?

@Senators: The Senators will host a news conference this morning at 11 a.m. to make a significant hockey announcement. #Sens
- burn

prob coach and GM related

It's one of those movies I could probably quote from start to finish. So good.

Do you prefer redux or original? Redux for me.
- daeth

The added scenes in Redux are interesting and it's amazing with or without them, but I think the original is tighter.

- gravyface

this is a far cry from what he said last summer. I for one don't think they are entertaining another tank job at all. They will be icing a team that is as competitive as as they possibly can and will be trying to win as much as possible. as others have stated, still believe this will end up around a bottom 8 - 12 finish.

If you listen to Babcock....


@kevin_mcgran: Babcock on off-season: "We'll be prepared for free agency and make sure we have a team that isn't missing the playoffs." #TMLTalk
- burn

code words for we're a sign Stamkos

If you listen to Babcock....


@kevin_mcgran: Babcock on off-season: "We'll be prepared for free agency and make sure we have a team that isn't missing the playoffs." #TMLTalk
- burn

playoffs probably means Stamkos, a Dman, and a tender needs to happen.

God I hope he's right.

@JeffMarek: "I think I am done playing in the NHL", Pavel Datsyuk to leave Detroit after playoffs freep.com/story/sports/c…