I never said I would be upset about it. But it is preventing them from winning another cup. But leafs have won nothing and will be in same situation but will have 0 cups.

Also Leafs have been to playoffs twice in the past 12 years. So dont be bragging to much because u lost in first round. It is six year drought for sabres.
- hanleyaj

And Eichel n Co. will be dominating the league (and the Atlantic!) for years to come on the back of a perennial backup. Now I've heard it all! #delusional.

And Eichel n Co. will be dominating the league (and the Atlantic!) for years to come on the back of a perennial backup. Now I've heard it all! #delusional.
- canada_dry

I'm gonna come.

I never said I would be upset about it. But it is preventing them from winning another cup. But leafs have won nothing and will be in same situation but will have 0 cups.

Also Leafs have been to playoffs twice in the past 12 years. So dont be bragging to much because u lost in first round. It is six year drought for sabres.
- hanleyaj

I think you misunderstood my post. I stated that the Leafs haven't won a playoff series in 14 years, which is very pathetic. I was certainly not bragging.

I sincerely hope we end up like Chicago, in cap hell because of 3 Stanley Cups.

HAHAHAHAHA. I have read a lot of stupid things on this site, but you sir take the cake.

1) Matthews is not only already better than Eichel but hit 40 goals with 2 (!) 11 game goalless streaks. Thats 1/4 of the season he didnt even score, and he still finished with 40! Where do you get off he cant carry a team?

2) Lupul himself has said he isnt getting a second opinion, so much for your professional medical opinion that he'll be able to play.

Here are some facts that may be hard to swallow for someone who had to justify Zemgus Girgensons as an All Star not too long ago.

Matthews > Eichel
Marner >>>> Reinhart
Nylander >> Baby Nylander

Andersen >>>> Lehner (lol good luck with that).

But please, keep thinking that everyone is underrating that fill in squad of yours and overrating ours. Maybe you'll beat out Florida for the basement....maybe.
- canada_dry

1.) you did not help your case with goal droughts. You hurt it because everyone hits goal droughts. But do u really think he is going to score 4 goals in a game every season.

2.) https://theathletic.com/1...rey-lupuls-health-status/
good luck with that

3.)Eichel = Matthews sorry but it is true.
OReilly> Marner
Reinhart Risto>Reilly
Kane>Marleau
Okposo=JVR
Lehner > Anderson He stats are better Fact.

HAHAHAHAHA. I have read a lot of stupid things on this site, but you sir take the cake.

1) Matthews is not only already better than Eichel but hit 40 goals with 2 (!) 11 game goalless streaks. Thats 1/4 of the season he didnt even score, and he still finished with 40! Where do you get off he cant carry a team?

2) Lupul himself has said he isnt getting a second opinion, so much for your professional medical opinion that he'll be able to play.

Here are some facts that may be hard to swallow for someone who had to justify Zemgus Girgensons as an All Star not too long ago.

Matthews > Eichel
Marner >>>> Reinhart
Nylander >> Baby Nylander

Andersen >>>> Lehner (lol good luck with that).

But please, keep thinking that everyone is underrating that fill in squad of yours and overrating ours. Maybe you'll beat out Florida for the basement....maybe.
- canada_dry

I don't disagree with you're thinking, but it's a bit premature to label each of those Leafs as better then their Sabres counterparts, save maybe Marner over Reinhart. And statistically speaking, Andersen and Lehner had darn near the exact same numbers last year. So I guess I don't see how Andersen is far away a superior goalie that that is the comparison on which you choose to try to throw in his face. Just an observation

1.) you did not help your case with goal droughts. You hurt it because everyone hits goal droughts. But do u really think he is going to score 4 goals in a game every season.

2.) https://theathletic.com/1...rey-lupuls-health-status/
good luck with that

3.)Eichel = Matthews sorry but it is true.
OReilly> Marner
Reinhart Risto>Reilly
Kane>Marleau
Okposo=JVR
Lehner > Anderson He stats are better Fact.
- hanleyaj

Yes and he hit 2 major ones and still hit 40 there genius. 1 4 goal game doesnt make much of a difference when talking about 22 straight without one.

Even IF Lupul's dead money goes on the books, which is HIGHLY unlikely..he is GONE at the end of the year.

Haha Oreilly better than Marner? You realize Marner had more points in his rookie season last year than OReilly has had for Buffalo in a season period?! Nice try though.

And LMAO @ Lehner being better than Andersen. [FACT!!!!] Andersen has put up 4-5 winning seasons as a STARTER in this league, Lehner has NEVER had a winning season (besides going 5-3 as a backup back in like 2012). Keep drinking that Koolaid, Robin will definitely save the city there Batman!

You know you're sad when you're dissing a team whose 3 3rd liners (Marleau, Kadri, Komarov) would easily be top line guys on your squad. Enjoy the view from the bottom there bud.

1.) you did not help your case with goal droughts. You hurt it because everyone hits goal droughts. But do u really think he is going to score 4 goals in a game every season.

2.) https://theathletic.com/1...rey-lupuls-health-status/
good luck with that

3.)Eichel = Matthews sorry but it is true.
OReilly> Marner
Reinhart Risto>Reilly
Kane>Marleau
Okposo=JVR
Lehner > Anderson He stats are better Fact.
- hanleyaj

Sabres must've done well last year then. All these great players

Never said any of that but okay we can their. Oilers will be good team and regular for playoffs because Mcdavid. But like Capitals will never go far. Drasiatl is overrated and will not be able to put up enough points on his own to make up for salary. Lucic was terrible signing from day one. They go from having one of the best forward groups at amazing salaries to worst forward groups not counting top line. defense is still bad. Kelbom is good top pair guy but besides that they are not very good. Espically with Sekera done for most of the season. With no money to sign anyone else they will never go far.

Meanwhile sabres just overhauled their defense and will be in much better salary situation because Eichel and reinhart will sign for alot cheaper. They already have much better depth players and very good prospects. I still think sabres will make it conference finals before Oilers.
- hanleyaj

Good luck with all that.

Yes and he hit 2 major ones and still hit 40 there genius. 1 4 goal game doesnt make much of a difference when talking about 22 straight without one.

Even IF Lupul's dead money goes on the books, which is HIGHLY unlikely..he is GONE at the end of the year.

Haha Oreilly better than Marner? You realize Marner had more points in his rookie season last year than OReilly has had for Buffalo in a season period?! Nice try though.

And LMAO @ Lehner being better than Andersen.
- canada_dry[FACT!!!!] Andersen has put up 4-5 winning seasons as a STARTER in this league, Lehner has NEVER had a winning season (besides going 5-3 as a backup back in like 2012). Keep drinking that Koolaid, Robin will definitely save the city there Batman!

You know you're sad when you're dissing a team whose 3 3rd liners (Marleau, Kadri, Komarov) would easily be top line guys on your squad. Enjoy the view from the bottom there bud.

Okay winning seasons does not mean your goalie is better. He played for one of the best teams in the league before leafs. Lehner had better season last year on team that worse in general. Meaning with defense improved he will have a much better season this year.

Also matthew had on 13 game drought which players will have. He scored forty goals. But eichel had better Points per game. He also played with ankle wrapped all season. And he was top 5 in league points per game after allstar break.

Orelliey one best two way centers in game He is better then marner all around.

Okay winning seasons does not mean your goalie is better. He played for one of the best teams in the league before leafs. Lehner had better season last year on team that worse in general. Meaning with defense improved he will have a much better season this year.

Also matthew had on 13 game drought which players will have. He scored forty goals. But eichel had better Points per game. He also played with ankle wrapped all season. And he was top 5 in league points per game after allstar break.

Orelliey one best two way centers in game He is better then marner all around.
- hanleyaj

Matthews scored 40 with two rookie linemates, one of them being Zach freakin Hyman. He had 22 games in a row (on two separate streaks) that he did not score and still did that. Ill wager itll be tough for him to be kept off the scoresheet for this long as well. To say he cannot carry a team while producing like he has on a line like that, is foolhardy at best. I would also take Matthews' defensive and takeaway game over Eichel's any day of the week. Keep living in fantasy land though.

And as for Andersen, what about when he played for a team with allegedly one of the WORST defences last year then? Coming off an injury from the World Cup as well. Logic is not your strong suit.

But dont take it from me, you guys are DEFINITELY getting to the conference finals ahead of Edmonton and Toronto on the back of Robin Lehner.....

Matthews scored 40 with two rookie linemates, one of them being Zach freakin Hyman. He had 22 games in a row (on two separate streaks) that he did not score and still did that. Ill wager itll be tough for him to be kept off the scoresheet for this long as well. To say he cannot carry a team while producing like he has on a line like that, is foolhardy at best. I would also take Matthews' defensive and takeaway game over Eichel's any day of the week. Keep living in fantasy land though.

And as for Andersen, what about when he played for a team with allegedly one of the WORST defences last year then? Coming off an injury from the World Cup as well. Logic is not your strong suit.

But dont take it from me, you guys are DEFINITELY getting to the conference finals ahead of Edmonton and Toronto on the back of Robin Lehner.....
- canada_dry

Hyman? Where? WHERE?

Matthews scored 40 with two rookie linemates, one of them being Zach freakin Hyman. He had 22 games in a row (on two separate streaks) that he did not score and still did that. Ill wager itll be tough for him to be kept off the scoresheet for this long as well. To say he cannot carry a team while producing like he has on a line like that, is foolhardy at best. I would also take Matthews' defensive and takeaway game over Eichel's any day of the week. Keep living in fantasy land though.

And as for Andersen, what about when he played for a team with allegedly one of the WORST defences last year then? Coming off an injury from the World Cup as well. Logic is not your strong suit.

But dont take it from me, you guys are DEFINITELY getting to the conference finals ahead of Edmonton and Toronto on the back of Robin Lehner.....
- canada_dry

I don't actually believe Hanley believes what he writes. But it does make for interesting back and forth

Maybe not so of a BOLD prediction but the leafs will miss the playoffs this year. They are by far the most overrated team in the league. They may have one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league. Their offense is so so so overrated. Leafs vastly overachieved last year. Every played exceed expectations. which never happens. THey had little to no injuries. They will be a good team but to expect a group of rookies going to sophmore slump season to make up for questionable defense is asking for alot. With the only improvement being 40 year old winger expect this team to missthe playoffs
- hanleyaj

Sophomore slumps are a myth.

Sophomore slumps are a myth.
- Zezel

are they?

NHL.com sucks, Stamkos isn't the 7th best center in the NHL lol

Crosby
McDavid
Malkin
Backstrom
Seguin
Tavares
Bergeron
Kopitar

maybe even Scheifele, Getzlaf, Thornton, and a few others

all better than Stammer, he's top definitely in that 10-15 range though.
- j.boyd919

Id put Stamkos ahead of Malki, Bergeron, Kopitar for sure. Backstrom is 50/50

My bold predictions:

Bolts, Leafs and Rangers Miss the Playoffs
Islanders, and Carolina make it.
Boston wins Atlantic
Washington Wins Metro
Winnipeg makes the playoffs
One of Edmonton or Calgary misses the playoffs

Claude Giroux has a rebound year
Ovechkin and Stamkos battle for the Art Ross
Nashville wins the Stanley Cup

Id put Stamkos ahead of Malki, Bergeron, Kopitar for sure. Backstrom is 50/50
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Stamkos ahead of Malkin...... not a chance. Malkin has 3 Stanley cups and is a career ppg player in the reguar season and the playoffs. Malkin is a beast.

I like you James, but you really need to put down the crack pipe.

I can't seriously believe anyone thinks the Lightning have a better team than Toronto.

Please James, put down the crack pipe.

That would be a bad idea. Stamkos does not play a strong defensive game nor does he really make the players around him better.
- Feds91Stammer

His defensive game has much improved over the years. I wouldn't call it a weak area for him. The latter I won't argue with.

Have coburns wheels fallen completely off? I dunno, in the bit I saw last year he still seemed effective. At least as effective as whoever the leafs 3rd guy is anyway.
And then of course the fairly large chasm between hedman /stralman and gardiner/Reilly at present


Plus, the bolts have been to the finals with a fairy similar roster. I think that should count for something. It's close no doubt, but it's certainly not crazy to think the bolts are the slightly better team. Hell, they were one of the league favs just one year ago and not much has changed really
- HB77

The Lightning D is nowhere near as bad as people think. At one time, it was in the league Top-10 with less depth than it has now. Last year was an aberration. Bishop was underachieving and Vasy struggled at first. Made the D look worse than it was. And Coburn is still solid. He won't be flashy or put up gaudy numbers, but I think most teams wouldn't mind having him on their 2nd or 3rd pairing.

Sustr on the other hand....

Id put Stamkos ahead of Malki, Bergeron, Kopitar for sure. Backstrom is 50/50
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Stamkos ahead of Malkin and Bergeron??? LOL okay.

Stamkos ahead of Malkin and Bergeron??? LOL okay.
- j.boyd919

Id take all 3 of those guys over Stammer .

My bold predictions:

Bolts, Leafs and Rangers Miss the Playoffs
Islanders, and Carolina make it.
Boston wins Atlantic
Washington Wins Metro
Winnipeg makes the playoffs
One of Edmonton or Calgary misses the playoffs

Claude Giroux has a rebound year
Ovechkin and Stamkos battle for the Art Ross
Nashville wins the Stanley Cup
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

OMG. Where do I start?

Bolts are not missing the playoffs again this year.

Boston may win the draft lottery, but they won't win the division.

Washington is going downhill fast. They are wildcard at best this year. Holtby is making them look a lot better than they are. They definitely did not improve this offseason.

I like Giroux, I really do. I wish him the best. But I don't think he is going to regain his early form. He's on the down slope.

Nashville is not going to win the Cup.

This year will determine whether Stamkos is cursed. If he stays healthy, then he becomes a top-5 center in the league and gets 40+ goals this year. Have you seen this kid train? He's a friggin cyborg and he is dying to prove himself again after these injuries.

Stamkos and Kucherov playing together should give any goaltender nightmares.