A Buffalo vs Toronto comparison is fair as they've both been bottom feeders for a number of years, but, in order for the Leafs to move up the standings, in the East or in the Atlantic, they're going to have to accomplish two things.

#1...they're going to have to cut down on goals against, only Columbus allowed more goals in the East, 252 vs 246. Adding youth to an already young lineup won't help this as young players struggle defensively, as a general statement.

#2...they're going to have to score more if they hope to even have a sniff at catching Montreal or Ottawa, they're both more offensively talented. Scoring more and improving only slightly defensively would put the Leafs on par with the Sens.

Expect a bottom five league finish.

Just my 2 cents....
- LeftCoaster

fair... i give them the window of bottom 10 because if some of the kids get up to NHL speed sooner than later offensive production will increase

the playoffs? only if everything goes right including critical injuries to key players on playoff bubble teams

honest question... what if the grievance takes longer to settle than when the second buyout window is?

would that mean they cant buy him out anyways?
- Dozzer

Id wager Lou goes to the league and files some sort of counter grievance.

- nbboy

I live in Vancouver but can't see what would make Toronto drastically better to live in than Buffalo for a hockey player. In terms of the country's themselves yes I would live in Canada anyday over the U.S but playing pro hockey it seems marginal at best. 5x the commute time, the same s^%t weather, higher taxes, and media pressure galore on 3 sports franchises that haven't won anything since 93'. Toronto has nice areas but it's just a big city like anywhere else.

Isn't the 2ND buyout window really small?

I think itmay be closed now.
- Atomic Wedgie

i honestly dont know

Id wager Lou goes to the league and files some sort of counter grievance.
- poohcrumbs

i think its less of a concern than the media makes it out to be

if cowen and his agent play the injury card to avoid the buyout then the leafs can just send him to robidas island for the year and there isnt much cowen's camp can do about it due to their own move to avoid the buyout

The Leafs have a good injection of offensive talent incoming, but it's all rookies. Hopefully Andersen can stop a beach ball bouncing toward the net from centre in super slo mo, that will shave about fifty goals off in comparison to Bernier. We'll see.
- Zezel

I've seen Anderson play a fair bit being on the coast here, he's good, I also saw him struggle in the playoffs a few years ago. Hopefully he's good for the Leafs.

A lot of people were pretty happy about acquiring Bernier, it's a wait and see I'd say.

I live in Vancouver but can't see what would make Toronto drastically better to live in than Buffalo for a hockey player. In terms of the country's themselves yes I would live in Canada anyday over the U.S but playing pro hockey it seems marginal at best. 5x the commute time, the same s^%t weather, higher taxes, and media pressure galore on 3 sports franchises that haven't won anything since 93'. Toronto has nice areas but it's just a big city like anywhere else.
- teamvanek

Windows?

I've seen Anderson play a fair bit being on the coast here, he's good, I also saw him struggle in the playoffs a few years ago. Hopefully he's good for the Leafs.

A lot of people were pretty happy about acquiring Bernier, it's a wait and see I'd say.
- LeftCoaster

andersen is far more established than bernier was

also.. with LouLams track record regarding goalies i feel quite fine about where the leafs sit in that positon

i think its less of a concern than the media makes it out to be

if cowen and his agent play the injury card to avoid the buyout then the leafs can just send him to robidas island for the year and there isnt much cowen's camp can do about it due to their own move to avoid the buyout
- Dozzer

Lou is gonna end his career. Why piss the old man off?

fair... i give them the window of bottom 10 because if some of the kids get up to NHL speed sooner than later offensive production will increase

the playoffs? only if everything goes right including critical injuries to key players on playoff bubble teams
- Dozzer

Building takes time, the Leafs now have some really talented kids but the fans need to give them time and have patience to let them grow.

Buffalo was just voted the most livable city for young families in the entire country. It's improved drastically since Pegula's took over. You should try going to a hockey town sometime Country boy
- teamvanek

country boy? I live in uptown toronto.

who did that vote? sponsored by Waste Management Inc?

I do'nt see Buffalo here

https://ourworld.unu.edu/...rlds-most-liveable-cities

I live in Vancouver but can't see what would make Toronto drastically better to live in than Buffalo for a hockey player. In terms of the country's themselves yes I would live in Canada anyday over the U.S but playing pro hockey it seems marginal at best. 5x the commute time, the same s^%t weather, higher taxes, and media pressure galore on 3 sports franchises that haven't won anything since 93'. Toronto has nice areas but it's just a big city like anywhere else.
- teamvanek

i'd even say lake erie is cleaner than lake ontario

thats not saying much tho

I live in Vancouver but can't see what would make Toronto drastically better to live in than Buffalo for a hockey player. In terms of the country's themselves yes I would live in Canada anyday over the U.S but playing pro hockey it seems marginal at best. 5x the commute time, the same s^%t weather, higher taxes, and media pressure galore on 3 sports franchises that haven't won anything since 93'. Toronto has nice areas but it's just a big city like anywhere else.
- teamvanek

Have you been to Buffalo? Jeez. It's a total dump.

country boy? I live in uptown toronto.

who did that vote? sponsored by Waste Management Inc?

I do'nt see Buffalo here

https://ourworld.unu.edu/...rlds-most-liveable-cities
- prock

okay prock... lets back off on the city bashing... like wedgie said... all cities have their good and bad aspects.... including toronto

andersen is far more established than bernier was

also.. with LouLams track record regarding goalies i feel quite fine about where the leafs sit in that positon
- Dozzer

As I said, Anderson's a good goaltender! I've seen him be really good, lights out good. But like all players he's struggled too.

For your sake, I hope the team can be better defensively in front of him this year.

Have you been to Buffalo? Jeez. It's a total dump.
- prock

i am only letting this go because i am certain you didnt see the warning i just gave you

this ends now.

oh i dont dispute that at all... i like buffalo... everytime i have gone its been a great time and everyone was very kind and fun

i find that working class cities usually have the best people

i only brought the forbes article up because i am not a fan of someone stating opinion as fact without backing it up is all.
- Dozzer

There is nothing wrong with the people. The city is just a desolate wasteland. Honestly, you can walk around downtown Buffalo, past about 11pm, and you will literally not see a single person in the streets.

But at least you can walk around after dark.

honest question... what if the grievance takes longer to settle than when the second buyout window is?

would that mean they cant buy him out anyways?
- Dozzer

2nd window already closed. I don't think the window matters. They attempted to buyout in the 1st window, I believe that if the league decides he can be bout out they will allow it without the window.


Like I said earlier, I think the leafs will end up paying Cowan full salary this year and the league will move forward with it as if a regular buyout.

Building takes time, the Leafs now have some really talented kids but the fans need to give them time and have patience to let them grow.
- LeftCoaster

i agree.... why rush it? why place unreasonable expectations on kids who cant even buy booze yet?

patience... leafs hockey will be a lot more exciting in 2-3 years

step one: clear burdensome contracts
step two: improve prospect pool
step three: give prospects ice time and let them begin to develop

and thats where they stand this year... there is no guarantees that the prospects will be stars at the moment either.

There is nothing wrong with the people. The city is just a desolate wasteland. Honestly, you can walk around downtown Buffalo, past about 11pm, and you will literally not see a single person in the streets.

But at least you can walk around after dark.
- prock

there are areas of toronto that are no better

As I said, Anderson's a good goaltender! I've seen him be really good, lights out good. But like all players he's struggled too.

For your sake, I hope the team can be better defensively in front of him this year.
- LeftCoaster

i always liked andersen... and remember this season he started more than half the games and took over in the playoffs and posted great numbers when gibson shat the bed

2nd window already closed. I don't think the window matters. They attempted to buyout in the 1st window, I believe that if the league decides he can be bout out they will allow it without the window.


Like I said earlier, I think the leafs will end up paying Cowan full salary this year and the league will move forward with it as if a regular buyout.
- burn

isnt this his last season with this contract?

pay him, but send him to robidas island since his camp played the injury card.

You mean at the ACC? Sure, they'll both have big years.
- teamvanek

So think they'll set a record for NHL arrest warrants issued on a year?

isnt this his last season with this contract?

pay him, but send him to robidas island since his camp played the injury card.
- Dozzer

It is last year.

Maybe what ends up happening.

honest question... what if the grievance takes longer to settle than when the second buyout window is?

would that mean they cant buy him out anyways?
- Dozzer

I think that since they already filed for the buyout, if the case is decided in the Leafs favour, then it goes through. Don't know for sure.