Leafs were a far better team Phil-less.
- bixll

Ugh, this year yes....

... just don't look at last year..

We have different opinions. You are entitled to have yours too.

Not a Kessel fan.

Kessel not near as lazy playing for the Pens was he??
- bixll

I'm sure he's the exact same player. Probably helps having a good team around you and not being the guy.

- AdamFrench

Your Opinion. That's what I don't get. Move on.
- bixll

Its not my opinion.
These are facts that have changed since Phil was traded.

Hall of fame coach
New system
Better goalie
a huge influx of young star talent
No Dion
Minimum filler players (traded or in the AHL).

The above is not opinion... they're facts.

Now imagine all the above with Phil.....the same phil that was in serious discussion for the conn smythe last year.

Im not a huge fan of phil...but to say the team is better because he left without considering all the change that has also occurred. is incorrect.

Players we aren't getting...

Fowler
Lindholm
Hamilton
Shattenkirk
Dumba
Trouba

I seriously doubt any are available and if St. Louis does trade Shattenkirk, I don't see where is contract demands will fit with the plan and time frames in Toronto... even if he does agree to re-sign.

If we are looking in the off-season, which prospects are out there that you might get for JVR, (assuming you also have to take back a salary dump)
- Aetherial

Dion Phaneuf it is!

Whoa.
Sosh not a top line guy. Zaitsev on the 3rd line would be waste...he plays well with Rielly.
If this is next years prediction.....you may see Matthews on the top line.
Kari, sosh and koma is still around....are a great 3rd line.
- Fakepartofme

Sosh is not a top line guy but he is a good energy guy and grinder who has good hands and can score....if not on the 4th line. Also, I would think he would be better at shutting down top lines over Nylander.

Nylander, Bozak and Marner could make up for lost Gs if JVR got traded....besides Nylander's offense is being wasted on the Kadri line and Nylander's D isn't good enough yet for that role.

Zaitsev on the 3rd pairing is the kind of quality we need on the 3rd because that would mean our top 4 is that much better. Zaits paired with Rielly makes that a great 2nd pairing. Rielly needs someone a little better than Zaits to be a top pairing D...IMO.

So the talk about Rychel being the target for LV out of the Leafs DID come before the season. I guess the "experts" assumed he would be in the lineup.

Looking around at predictions:

Bozak
Leivo (eligible?)
Carrick
Martin
Komarov

Too many scenarios and this feels like a waste of time that I am already wasting. Either way there really isn't anyone that could be lost that any of us should care aboot.
- markmark

What about Uncle Leo?

Tomorrow....we begin to find out.
A wall is definitely a possibility.

Hoping not.
- Fakepartofme

you don't honestly believe that they'll build a wall do you?

seriously, the republicans are replacing Obamacare/ACA ? building a wall? opening coal mines? changing the tax code?


will be smoke and mirrors and many declared victories.... a marketing campaign nothing more.

Well look what finally washed up on the shores of Leafs Nation.

Now all we need is to find The Law, and we are all accounted for.
- Atomic Wedgie

I am partial to, "Your an idiot".
- Aetherial

It's great too

I once thought the cake was a lie until I took an arrow to the knee.
- Tee-Dot

Whitcher 3 vs Skyrim

Go!

Dion Phaneuf it is!
- Symba007

You know...a Dion at 4million would look great playing with Gardiner on the 2nd line.

I think.

you don't honestly believe that they'll build a wall do you?

seriously, the republicans are replacing Obamacare/ACA ? building a wall? opening coal mines? changing the tax code?


will be smoke and mirrors and many declared victories.... a marketing campaign nothing more.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Leafs hitting a wall.

Nothing relating to politics.

You know...a Dion at 4million would look great playing with Gardiner on the 2nd line.

I think.
- Fakepartofme

He'd look a hell of a lot better than Hunwick and Marincin.

Leafs hitting a wall.

Nothing relating to politics.
- Fakepartofme

Tkachuk is having a real good rookie season.

What about Uncle Leo?
- Garnie

AW would like a word with you in his Paddling Room.

Its not my opinion.
These are facts that have changed since Phil was traded.

Hall of fame coach
New system
Better goalie
a huge influx of young star talent
No Dion
Minimum filler players (traded or in the AHL).

The above is not opinion... they're facts.

Now imagine all the above with Phil.....the same phil that was in serious discussion for the conn smythe last year.

Im not a huge fan of phil...but to say the team is better because he left without considering all the change that has also occurred. is incorrect.
- Fakepartofme

The team is better without Phil because the team is no longer ALL ABOUT PHIL.

I agree with all of you points on how we have improved. But we have been able to do all of that because Phil was gone.

The Leafs are not the Penguins. Phil sits in a room with Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Kunitz, Fleury....a big group of leadership that has won the Cup. It's not a room with Phil and Phaneuf controlling the radio and deciding not to salute the fans.

The Leafs are much better without Phil last season, this season and in the future. I'm feel the same with the idea of moving out JVR.

Give me a Wayne Simmonds type and Trouba type with one more 3/4 D...maybe Orlov cause he hits like a truck, then plan the parade.

Leafs hitting a wall.

Nothing relating to politics.
- Fakepartofme

Since they pretty much revamped the line up and got a hall of fame coach.

Imagine this current team with Kessel on Matthews wing.

I dont miss Kessel because of matthews but to imply the team has played better as a result of his departure....a bit a stretch IMO.
- Fakepartofme

Agreed. We can't conclude they are better off without Kessel or that the same team would not be better now with Kessel.

I do think though that the team did not need that influence and work ethic around a bunch of young players. I feel the same way about JVR.

Sosh is not a top line guy but he is a good energy guy and grinder who has good hands and can score....if not on the 4th line. Also, I would think he would be better at shutting down top lines over Nylander.

Nylander, Bozak and Marner could make up for lost Gs if JVR got traded....besides Nylander's offense is being wasted on the Kadri line and Nylander's D isn't good enough yet for that role.

Zaitsev on the 3rd pairing is the kind of quality we need on the 3rd because that would mean our top 4 is that much better. Zaits paired with Rielly makes that a great 2nd pairing. Rielly needs someone a little better than Zaits to be a top pairing D...IMO.
- underhill14

What about:

Reilly #2D (Mystery JVR + deal)
Gards - Zait
Carrick - Hunwick/Polak/Marincin/Corrado

What about:

Reilly #2D (Mystery JVR + deal)
Gards - Zait
Carrick - Hunwick/Polak/Marincin/Corrado
- BKups

Can't believe we acquired Mike Reilly

Dion Phaneuf it is!
- Symba007

You bump your head?

But you are failing to include all the other factors that have gone into their improvements.
The first year without Phil...the leafs were a last place team.
Now we have a better goalie, a year under Babs, amazing young talented forwards.

something we didnt have when Phil played here.
- Fakepartofme

Leafs had more points while trying to lose than they did with Phil the year before.

Its not my opinion.
These are facts that have changed since Phil was traded.

Hall of fame coach
New system
Better goalie
a huge influx of young star talent
No Dion
Minimum filler players (traded or in the AHL).

The above is not opinion... they're facts.

Now imagine all the above with Phil.....the same phil that was in serious discussion for the conn smythe last year.

Im not a huge fan of phil...but to say the team is better because he left without considering all the change that has also occurred. is incorrect.
- Fakepartofme

Maybe I am wrong but Andersen is here b/c of the Kessel trade
and to some extent the new young star talent.