Honestly I'm starting to think the real heart and soul of this team is Morgan Rielly. I think he understands what it's like in the down times here and how good it can be in the good and he gives a damn every single game.

I'm wondering if the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs should be Captain Morgan.

If there's a chance at a legit #1 D in the right age range and they need to move Nylander to do it, they'd be stupid to pass on it.
- Unholy_Goalie

I've been saying since last season Leafs should consider trading Nylander for a young #1D, but most on here were still on their Nylander >>>> Marner dream.

It's quite obvious that by next year's playoff, probably even Kapanen will have passed Nylander on Babcock's depth chart.

Honestly I'm starting to think the real heart and soul of this team is Morgan Rielly. I think he understands what it's like in the down times here and how good it can be in the good and he gives a damn every single game.

I'm wondering if the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs should be Captain Morgan.
- Blazed

I would be fine with that...

If it was a true stud in his early 20's I'd consider it. I don't know I'm still hesitant.
- Blazed

Obviously you don't move him for an old guy or a poop guy, you get fair value. Or you rip somebody off and get more than he's worth. Either way, the Leafs need to improve their D and if they can replace Nylander with a UFA under 30 like Kane or Tavares, you absolutely have to look at improving the D because it's a huge difference maker in the playoffs.

Agreed. Not sure Karlsson or Doughty is the answer.

You come up with Seth Jones though, and then we can talk.

Or a smaller, but still significant deal for Nurse maybe?
- Aetherial

I think Dumba is a possibility without touching the holy trinity. 1st and Lilybust is a good start to any package.

Meh, too many passengers. Been prepared for the early exit since they came out in game 1 like a bunch of terrified schoolgirls.
- Aetherial

They need more experience . Did matthews even play tonight . Didn't see him with the crappy CBC NO definition TV

Polak misplayed the 2on1 brutally.

Dermot was a bad break. He pinched, but when he tried to play it down low it bounced off the defender.
- burn

Yep he did. Played alright besides that

Agreed. Not sure Karlsson or Doughty is the answer.

You come up with Seth Jones though, and then we can talk.

Or a smaller, but still significant deal for Nurse maybe?
- Aetherial

Karlsson is definitely not the answer. I thought we wanted to get better defensively?

I don't know how anybody can complain about how Polak has played, he has by far made the least amount of errors in his own end.

It's not an angry decision. It's moving a surplus in one area to fill a need in another.

If the Leafs sign Kane or Tavares as UFAs, you basically replace, if not increase, the offense you are losing and you can improve the blueline, which is by far the biggest need on the team.

Evander Kane at 6.5 million and 26 years old and move Nylander, Gardiner and a 1st for Karlsson or Doughty with an extension and the team is bigger, tougher, stronger, same offense and much better defense.
- Unholy_Goalie

Jesus Christ.
Ya lets trade nylander and gardiner to our division rivals.
Take a break guys.

Oh ffs.
Stop.
Its embarrassing for you.
You're mad..we get it...but dont go nuts
- Fakepartofme

i think you're madder than I am.
it's a fact that needing to score 2 goals is more difficult than 1.
and it's the worst start for team morale to give up such a goal in biggest game of season.

Honestly I'm starting to think the real heart and soul of this team is Morgan Rielly. I think he understands what it's like in the down times here and how good it can be in the good and he gives a damn every single game.

I'm wondering if the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs should be Captain Morgan.
- Blazed

Dougie Marner for Captain. Tarana boy, he'll be here from start to finish.

I thought he tried to play it to the middle when he should've played it down the boards...
- Corn_Logg

Bad bounce is bad bounce, he pinched trying to make a play, makes something happen. That's what they wanted. He didn't miss his pinch he just had a bad bounce

I would be fine with that...
- Hockey_Reverend

Give Matthews an A and let him concentrate on his game out there I don't really like the thought of a 21 year old captain in Toronto especially when he's not scoring.

I've been saying since last season Leafs should consider trading Nylander for a young #1D, but most on here were still on their Nylander >>>> Marner dream.

It's quite obvious that by next year's playoff, probably even Kapanen will have passed Nylander on Babcock's depth chart.
- MaximusAurelius

So who is trading a young number 1 D....the hardest position to fill in the league.
Who?

Supreme Court:

No cross border beer.

Night keeps getting worse.

from that first shot on, to win Leafs needed to score at least two goals.
that's quite more difficult than just needing to score 1 goal for the win.
so yes - it was a huge difference.
in addition, it was a huge difference in morale and mindset - not a surprise that the D played those 2 on 1s bad; they didn't trust andersen 100% to stop the shooter.
- MaximusAurelius

Hardly

Honestly I'm starting to think the real heart and soul of this team is Morgan Rielly. I think he understands what it's like in the down times here and how good it can be in the good and he gives a damn every single game.

I'm wondering if the next captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs should be Captain Morgan.
- Blazed

I agree, only guy who was showing any real fight. He would make a good captain.

I think Dumba is a possibility without touching the holy trinity. 1st and Lilybust is a good start to any package.
- Blazed

problem with that is that Liljegren will be better than Dumba in 2 years from now.

I'll repeat what I said before.

- JVR, Gardiner, Nylander out. They won't help Leafs in winning a Cup.

Bad bounce is bad bounce, he pinched trying to make a play, makes something happen. That's what they wanted. He didn't miss his pinch he just had a bad bounce
- burn

Gardiner has pinched more than any other D this series and it always works out great.. until it doesn't.

Supreme Court:

No cross border beer.

Night keeps getting worse.
- Hockey_Reverend

what?

Dougie Marner for Captain. Tarana boy, he'll be here from start to finish.
- Unholy_Goalie

I love me some Dougie Marner too but same thing, let's keep that kinda pressure off a 20 year old scorer.

Dougie Marner for Captain. Tarana boy, he'll be here from start to finish.
- Unholy_Goalie

Babcock will get Komorov another year at 3mill plus the C

Jesus Christ.
Ya lets trade nylander and gardiner to our division rivals.
Take a break guys.
- Fakepartofme

For a multiple time Norris winner who can win a series by himself?

Yeah, you do (if he's 100% healthy and signed to an extension). And then you pound Nylander and Gardiner through the boards like the Bruins have been with Evander Kane. Then you laugh.

Fine. Not to Ottawa. To another team. The point is, get equal value for him on the blueline and replace him with a young UFA.

I don't know how anybody can complain about how Polak has played, he has by far made the least amount of errors in his own end.
- LeafMan

His only job is to defend so if he can't play a 2 on 1 properly, (frank) him, he sucked, it's his fault.