Hmmm

Why is komorov playing as much as he is anyway, looks horrible out there too

Why is komorov playing as much as he is anyway, looks horrible out there too
- ClarksonDavid

meh

the offensive players aren't scoring. komarov is what he is

meh

the offensive players aren't scoring. komarov is what he is
- daeth

Komorov has been the worst player offensively this year, he’s been horrible and playing like 20 minutes a game seems like lately

I hope they don't rush Matthews back to help.

Komorov has been the worst player offensively this year, he’s been horrible and playing like 20 minutes a game seems like lately
- ClarksonDavid

Plus PP time. (frank) off Babs

It is going to be epic here when the Sens pass us.

blow it up

meh

the offensive players aren't scoring. komarov is what he is
- daeth

Been quite a while now. Poor offense, terrible defense.

Swap goalies with Ottawa and we would be swapping standings with them also.

blow it up
- MikeBabcock

obviously not... but don't plan any parades this year either.

we are starting to be reminded this is still very early on in a work in progress.

Why is komorov playing as much as he is anyway, looks horrible out there too
- ClarksonDavid

Because Babcock plays guys that "work hard" in hopes that the more talented players are forced to work harder to get more shifts.

It's not impossible that they both pull a Skinner and have their best offensive years as rookies. They're both good players but they may not be the point a game guys we're hoping they'll be.
- daeth

Tough to tell anything when the whole team, except Andersen, just looks bad for most of the season.

obviously not... but don't plan any parades this year either.

we are starting to be reminded this is still very early on in a work in progress.
- Aetherial

That's right and goes back to my earlier point that this team isn't quite at the signing Marleau types phase yet.

Tough to tell anything when the whole team, except Andersen, just looks bad for most of the season.
- Aetherial

They've been more inconsistent than bad but their high shooting percentage early in the season covered it up for them. Very similar to the season where Carlyle and Kessel were scoring their way out of problems and then imploded to end the season. This team is too talented and the division is too weak for them to miss the playoffs but they won't be going far until they get through these growing pains and plug the leaks.

It is going to be epic here when the Sens pass us.
- Aetherial

lets not get too crazy here

That's right and goes back to my earlier point that this team isn't quite at the signing Marleau types phase yet.
- Unholy_Goalie

I think the Marleau signing was a "might as well" sort of thing. GIve yourself a shot at winning this year.

He is also a class and character guy, something always useful for a young team.

I also don't think it damages them cap wise going forward. It would not surprise me to see that contract gone to another team in year 3.

They've been more inconsistent than bad but their high shooting percentage early in the season covered it up for them. Very similar to the season where Carlyle and Kessel were scoring their way out of problems and then imploded to end the season. This team is too talented and the division is too weak for them to miss the playoffs but they won't be going far until they get through these growing pains and plug the leaks.
- Unholy_Goalie

Yeah pretty balanced assessment.

I think the Marleau signing was a "might as well" sort of thing. GIve yourself a shot at winning this year.

He is also a class and character guy, something always useful for a young team.

I also don't think it damages them cap wise going forward. It would not surprise me to see that contract gone to another team in year 3.
- Aetherial

It looked like a Babcock wants this guy he knows and likes and we need an old guy on the team sort of thing. I'd rather have taken Jagr at 1 year and 1 million. I have nothing against him as a guy, it's just not the right time or price for him.

He has 4.5 million on that final year. I really doubt he goes anywhere unless he gets hurt. But if they need to pay Matthews 11 or 12, Marner and Nylander 7 or 8 and then replace all the depth guys plus fix the blueline, it gets problematic in 2018/2019.

lets not get too crazy here
- daeth

It sounds crazy but if the Sens get on a roll and win their games in hand, they are only 6 pts behind the Leafs and still 50 or so games in the season.

Ottawa is a terrible team, but I think if we are honest with ourselves, the Leafs have been very lucky to come away with some of the points they have. Been lucky in OT and the shootout also.

I know the Leafs have the talent, but I would feel more comfortable if they had played more solid 60 minutes games this year and less really inexcusable losses.

Yeah pretty balanced assessment.
- Aetherial

And Andersen went from always deep in his net sieve to stone wall. When he's not injured, he's always been pretty inconsistent but at this rate, if he either gets hurt, or goes back to sucking the bag, the Leafs already weakened offense, is going to be needed to score even more and that's pretty scary.

It sounds crazy but if the Sens get on a roll and win their games in hand, they are only 6 pts behind the Leafs and still 50 or so games in the season.

Ottawa is a terrible team, but I think if we are honest with ourselves, the Leafs have been very lucky to come away with some of the points they have. Been lucky in OT and the shootout also.

I know the Leafs have the talent, but I would feel more comfortable if they had played more solid 60 minutes games this year and less really inexcusable losses.
- Aetherial

The Bruins can catch and pass the Leafs but the Sens are pretty much (frank)ed and finished. Even the Habs could ride Price up the standings, but not the Sens.

It looked like a Babcock wants this guy he knows and likes and we need an old guy on the team sort of thing. I'd rather have taken Jagr at 1 year and 1 million. I have nothing against him as a guy, it's just not the right time or price for him.

He has 4.5 million on that final year. I really doubt he goes anywhere unless he gets hurt. But if they need to pay Matthews 11 or 12, Marner and Nylander 7 or 8 and then replace all the depth guys plus fix the blueline, it gets problematic in 2018/2019.
- Unholy_Goalie

Yeah, I was telling people a couple months ago that the salary structure could get bad in that 3rd year.

I think they will continue to drop vets though. JVR Bozak Komarov and I am guessing Gardiner will be gone also. They will be replaced by at least a couple younger players.

Somehow, they will work out the cap

(besides Marner and Nylander look like they will be signing cheap bridge deals at this point. That still have a lot to prove.

It sounds crazy but if the Sens get on a roll and win their games in hand, they are only 6 pts behind the Leafs and still 50 or so games in the season.

Ottawa is a terrible team, but I think if we are honest with ourselves, the Leafs have been very lucky to come away with some of the points they have. Been lucky in OT and the shootout also.

I know the Leafs have the talent, but I would feel more comfortable if they had played more solid 60 minutes games this year and less really inexcusable losses.
- Aetherial

I think they've proven without a doubt that even when they have an off game they can win. Half their games have been off games ffs. The odds are heavily in Toronto's favour here when it comes to making the playoffs. The only thing that could crush that would be Matthews missing the rest of the season.

They're not as good as their record indicates but they're still easily and unquestionably better than Ottawa. Have you seen Ottawa play? Toronto's worst game of the year is pretty much the average Ottawa game at this point. No offense and no goaltending. They are a mess.

The Bruins can catch and pass the Leafs but the Sens are pretty much (frank)ed and finished. Even the Habs could ride Price up the standings, but not the Sens.
- Unholy_Goalie

Boston seems the most likely. They're actually a pretty decent team assuming they can stay healthy.

Yeah, I was telling people a couple months ago that the salary structure could get bad in that 3rd year.

I think they will continue to drop vets though. JVR Bozak Komarov and I am guessing Gardiner will be gone also. They will be replaced by at least a couple younger players.

Somehow, they will work out the cap

(besides Marner and Nylander look like they will be signing cheap bridge deals at this point. That still have a lot to prove.
- Aetherial

Well if JVR is a causality of Marleau, that's a mistake, especially if he walks for nothing. If they trade him for younger, cheaper players, then fine.

Bozak and Komarov can go (frank) themselves but Bozak will likely be held on to because they need his faceoff skills and refuse to put Marner and/or Nylander at center because Babcock is a hard ass.

I trust Lou with the cap but he's always flown close to the Sun with that one and if they don't keep him as GM, then what?

Marner and Nylander could get the Kadri / Rielly treatment in the form of 8 year 6.5 million dollar deals that you're glad you did after a year or two.