Heaven forbid they move out an established body like Greening or Holland for one of the league's best prospects....
- ClarksonDavid

Fair enough, I wouldn't lose much sleep over it. Just means there are more moving parts to it, that's all. Not as simple as just saying "he's in".

Matthews showed some flashed of absolute brilliance... it's his ability to process and execute the game at such a high speed that draws the McDavid comparisons... but he has a long way to go put it all together.
- big_np

For sure, it took McDavid awhile to figure it out. But I wonder if playing in Switzerland vs pros will help him adjust easier.

Oilers ain't making it any time soon
- walshyleafsfan

Not anytime soon like this season, but within the next, say, six thousand years

Agreed. I personally (and it's only my opinion) think there's 1 more year of musical chairs to come without taking on unnecessary contracts as in the passed 2 years
- walshyleafsfan

Ya there's a second round of house cleaning that needs to happen, but for different reasons this time.

Not anytime soon like this season, but within the next, say, six thousand years
- Zezel

Negative

Not anytime soon like this season, but within the next, say, six thousand years
- Zezel

I think the Oilers are 3 years from contending. They might make it this year.

Negative
- walshyleafsfan

Yeah (frank) the Oilers, how do you (frank) up that many lottery wins? They should have picked Rielly instead of Yakupov.

I think the Oilers are 3 years from contending. They might make it this year.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think like the Leafs they'll make a step up and be in a fight for the wild card spots down to the wire. Z5000

Not with each other of course, in their respective conferences and divisions. TITS.

I think like the Leafs they'll make a step up and be in a fight for the wild card spots down to the wire. Z5000
- Zezel

That would be amazeballs..

TB, Fla, Pit, Wsh will be in, NYR and NYI probably too.. But the rest is anyone's guess.

For sure, it took McDavid awhile to figure it out. But I wonder if playing in Switzerland vs pros will help him adjust easier.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm sure it's helped huge. And going through the World Cup now with a future teammate in Rielly will help him ease into the NHL season a little easier. The comfort level to just let him play his game, not feeling obliged to defer to his teammates, etc. Just let the skill take over!

That would be amazeballs..

TB, Fla, Pit, Wsh will be in, NYR and NYI probably too.. But the rest is anyone's guess.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

It will be amazeballs. The goalies will steal a few for them this year too instead of give them away. I bet with the kids in the lineup they can pick up more points in the lameout as well.

Back injuries are no joke friends. As a retired arborist/tree climber, I would advise Lupul to quit now, or suffer long term pain for the rest of your life like I do...

Oilers vs. Leafs SCF in the future...search your feelings, you know it to be true
- Zezel

I searched. I'm still searching...

To be fair, there's a portion of Leafs nation that don't like Sundin. I mean, cmon, how (frank)ed up is that?
- walshyleafsfan

It ain't franked my friend.. it ain't franked! Sadly if you don't get why then that's a whole other story. Sundin couldn't hold Gilmour's Stick.... points aren't everything...
I could go on...

In all fairness though.. I'm a stickler for morals and beliefs and his lack of really hurt.

Pro rated contract in Dec. with the Nucks... frag that!

Sorry... LoL had to be said!

The one thing that doesn't get pointed out with Marner is that he will be 20 in May 2017.

If the Leaf's brass don't think London is the place, they could keep him up this year, lend him to the WJC, let him practice with the big boys, play less than 40 games to get him some real experience without burning the ELC and then let him start with the Marlies next year...if he's "not" ready.


There are a few tricky plans that the TITS Team might be able to put together which don't include London again.

Just a thought.

For sure, it took McDavid awhile to figure it out. But I wonder if playing in Switzerland vs pros will help him adjust easier.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

like.. a game?

if Lupul shows up healthy can they still LTIR him?

I think he will be a good player, but I don't think he has the complete game Matthews has.
- Aetherial

not even close. boy can he shoot though...
glad the leafs picked the right guy

For sure, it took McDavid awhile to figure it out. But I wonder if playing in Switzerland vs pros will help him adjust easier.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

also world championships and world cup will help a lot.
Matthews should be as ready as any prospect can be

I've said it before. And nended up getting banned for arguing after but. I believe
Marner gets his nine games. Plays world junior. (Captain) , then back to London. To play centre. Which he hasn't had to do in junior (he was drafted as a centre/wing)
And go for a deep run with the Knights.

Too many contracts as someone mentioned before. Sure we can make some trades. Maybe. But those guys have to play first. If Marner kills it and forces their hand maybe he could stay. But don't see it happening. Especially if prust made the team. Oh and we're gonna sign Russell apparently. Plus this staggers the big three contracts for the leafs. Could be why they let nylander play extra gams last year and burn his firs year

Hey at least we actually have stuff to argue about other than how much we suck. Things are looking up. Bring on training camps!!

EA Sports 2017 NHL
Matthews - 79
Marner - 74

Busts!

Craig button.


Tsn posts a list of guadreau comps - mackinnon, kucherov, tarasenko, monahan with ppg/g rates.


Button points out that guadreau at .89 isn't a seven mil player like tarasenko .81 or kucherov .71 or mackinnon .71 and is closer to Monahan .67

EA Sports 2017 NHL
Matthews - 79
Marner - 74

Busts!
- Unholy-Goalie

Don't they have a bad reputation for getting stuff like that wrong?

Don't they have a bad reputation for getting stuff like that wrong?
- burn

They're right... We're (frank)ed!