The Leafs steadily improved throughout they year, and over the course of the last 60 or so games, were top 10. Got close to top 5, when you look at the last 20 or so games. They're not at the level of the Caps at this point, but you're going to find out very quickly that they'll be a top team in no time. They will likely win their division next year, and will be a top team in the East. Top 3 or 4 in the East.

There is no doubt the Caps are a better team, but that series was more a testament to how far the Leafs have come, rather than "anything can happen".
- prock

While the leafs have showed they are way ahead of the curve and impressed me they were an inexperienced group that gave up a lot of goals. The caps should not had much trouble with them.

The Leafs steadily improved throughout they year, and over the course of the last 60 or so games, were top 10. Got close to top 5, when you look at the last 20 or so games. They're not at the level of the Caps at this point, but you're going to find out very quickly that they'll be a top team in no time. They will likely win their division next year, and will be a top team in the East. Top 3 or 4 in the East.

There is no doubt the Caps are a better team, but that series was more a testament to how far the Leafs have come, rather than "anything can happen".
- prock

Sure, but the oilers and the ducks are also both in that category over the last 20. In fact, ahead of Toronto by your metric.
I'd bet st. loo is too. (Maybe not ahead - but one of the better teams down the stretch.

Also, like your reference to the leafs, there's a pretty decent chance the oilers and ducks will also be top teams in their conference, vying for a divisional title.
(A division that this season anyway, was significantly better than the Atlantic imo. Although a healthy tbay and fla next season could certainly change that


Sure, the caps and pens are the favs that are left. But forgetting Pitts for a second,(as there's no guarantee the leafs coulda pushed them as well) if Washington gets through, there are a number of teams that can absolutely match what the leafs did. And with a few bounces going the other way.....
- HB77

I was strictly speaking the east when talking about how the Leafs stack up. I agree the ducks and oilers are in a similar spot. these are the teams taking over their respective conferences. I'm not saying the Leafs are the only team that can push the Caps. I'm saying that "anything can happen", then referring to the late seed Leafs giving the Caps a hard time, is a bit disingenuous.

there are some teams that can give the Caps a tough series. other than the Pens, I really doubt any of them get the better of the Caps in a 7 game series though. ( and even Pens are underdogs right now)

While the leafs have showed they are way ahead of the curve and impressed me they were an inexperienced group that gave up a lot of goals. The caps should not had much trouble with them.
- jordan456789

you're welcome to think that. they're the most talented team in the division. with an extra year experience, they win the division next year. they'll be a top 3 or 4 team in the east.

- bloatedmosquito

isn't there a lottery draw you should be watching?

you're welcome to think that. they're the most talented team in the division. with an extra year experience, they win the division next year. they'll be a top 3 or 4 team in the east.
- prock

- golfingsince

where is your lottery draw?

don't worry, the Leafs were once in your spot. if you get rid of your management, draft high for 5 years, get lucky with a few top players, you can be in the same spot as the Leafs in 5 or 6 years. another 2 or 3 after that and you'll be a playoff team again. the next 10 years will be bad for you guys, but there is a light at the end of your long tunnel. well, once you get rid of Henning I guess. so there isn't light yet. but one day there will be.

where is your lottery draw?

don't worry, the Leafs were once in your spot. if you get rid of your management, draft high for 5 years, get lucky with a few top players, you can be in the same spot as the Leafs in 5 or 6 years. another 2 or 3 after that and you'll be a playoff team again. the next 10 years will be bad for you guys, but there is a light at the end of your long tunnel. well, once you get rid of Henning I guess. so there isn't light yet. but one day there will be.
- prock

God it's going to be funny when you miss the playoffs next year.

isn't there a lottery draw you should be watching?
- prock

can't wait!

where is your lottery draw?

don't worry, the Leafs were once in your spot. if you get rid of your management, draft high for 5 years, get lucky with a few top players, you can be in the same spot as the Leafs in 5 or 6 years. another 2 or 3 after that and you'll be a playoff team again. the next 10 years will be bad for you guys, but there is a light at the end of your long tunnel. well, once you get rid of Henning I guess. so there isn't light yet. but one day there will be.
- prock

Glad you are so happy with a first round exit. Keep those expectations low.

Glad you are so happy with a first round exit. Keep those expectations low.
- bloatedmosquito

Absolutely, you're damn right I am. the improvement throughout the year, overcoming the team starting right near the bottom of the league (expected with rookies), to play like a top team for 3/4 of the season, A first round appearance, and the fight they put up against the best team in the league?

You're damn right I'm happy about that. It was never about the standings to us this year, it was about what the young team showing their capable of down the line. And they've shown us they're capable of being an elite team.

If you think an elite team is low expectations, it's a shame the Canucks have never met those low expectations. The best they ever had were epic choke artists designed to frustrate a fanbase of arsonists.

God it's going to be funny when you miss the playoffs next year.
- golfingsince

Summer 2016 - "Leafs will be last place by a long shot"
Christmas 2016 - "Leafs will choke and fall far short of a playoff spot"
All-star break 2017 - "Leafs will choke and end up in 9th place and get a crappy pick".
Last week of season - "NYI and Florida will catch the Leafs".
First week of Playoffs - "The Caps will walk all over the Leafs and sweep in 4 easy games"
Now - "1967!!!! Can't wait till you miss the playoffs next year".

You're a sad pathetic little man.

I was strictly speaking the east when talking about how the Leafs stack up. I agree the ducks and oilers are in a similar spot. these are the teams taking over their respective conferences. I'm not saying the Leafs are the only team that can push the Caps. I'm saying that "anything can happen", then referring to the late seed Leafs giving the Caps a hard time, is a bit disingenuous.

there are some teams that can give the Caps a tough series. other than the Pens, I really doubt any of them get the better of the Caps in a 7 game series though. ( and even Pens are underdogs right now)
- prock

Fair enough

I may have kind of blended what I thought tanners meaning was into yours as well. My bad.

And yeah- I'd guess the leafs are among the top half of playoff teams in the east next year.
I still like a heathy bolts team better for the division though.

Fair enough

I may have kind of blended what I thought tanners meaning was into yours as well. My bad.

And yeah- I'd guess the leafs are among the top half of playoff teams in the east next year.
I still like a heathy bolts team better for the division though.
- HB77

Bolts could make a bit of a comeback.

I actually haven't even read the blog

Absolutely, you're damn right I am. the improvement throughout the year, overcoming the team starting right near the bottom of the league (expected with rookies), to play like a top team for 3/4 of the season, A first round appearance, and the fight they put up against the best team in the league?

You're damn right I'm happy about that. It was never about the standings to us this year, it was about what the young team showing their capable of down the line. And they've shown us they're capable of being an elite team.

If you think an elite team is low expectations, it's a shame the Canucks have never met those low expectations. The best they ever had were epic choke artists designed to frustrate a fanbase of arsonists.
- prock

I keep my expectations low when I read your posts.

I keep my expectations low when I read your posts.
- bloatedmosquito

Yes, I'd imagine you have to keep your expectations low. I can see you having issues reading them. I'll try keep my words down to 2 syllables or less.

Yes, I'd imagine you have to keep your expectations low. I can see you having issues reading them. I'll try keep my words down to 2 syllables or less.
- prock

Your posts focus more on the canucks than the leafs. Your hate for the Canucks is stronger than your love for the leafs. Shame.

Your posts focus more on the canucks than the leafs. Your hate for the Canucks is stronger than your love for the leafs. Shame.
- bloatedmosquito

Umm, this thread has been primarily about the Leafs. It was completely focused on the Leafs, until you arrived. The Canucks were not really mentioned at all, as a point of conversation, until then.

Who is obsessed here? Why are you involving yourself in this conversation? Jelly much?

Umm, this thread has been primarily about the Leafs. It was completely focused on the Leafs, until you arrived. The Canucks were not really mentioned at all, as a point of conversation, until then.

Who is obsessed here? Why are you involving yourself in this conversation? Jelly much?
- prock

No. It's about caps and pens. Not leafs. You brought the leaf and canuck topics into the thread.

Go check. Run along.

No. It's about caps and pens. Not leafs. You brought the leaf and canuck topics into the thread.

Go check. Run along.
- bloatedmosquito

There was discussion about the Caps having a tough time with the Leafs, and some other poster's perception of what that means in terms of the Caps, going forward.

Nice try though, chump.

Looking back, it's even in the blog.

No one cares about the Canucks. They don't matter.

There was discussion about the Caps having a tough time with the Leafs, and some other poster's perception of what that means in terms of the Caps, going forward.

Nice try though, chump.

Looking back, it's even in the blog.

No one cares about the Canucks. They don't matter.
- prock

Except you.

Except you.
- bloatedmosquito

Beat it, you tool.

Beat it, you tool.
- prock