If you're referring to tanking, yes. Tanking is disgraceful.
- MJL

Do you find any irony in the fact that you are talking about how tanking, a great business decision, is disgraceful on the biggest business day in the sports world? Face the facts man sports aren't sports anymore, they are businesses now more than ever.

Yes, it proves that intentionally losing for 4 years doesn't automatically net you players who can win a championship unless they get major star power help from outside.
- jmatchett383

So being able to have cap space, promising young talent, and the roster flexibility the process gave us, does not factor in when luring a superstar to your team? You are completely missing the point of what the process was.

Is that from sources, or are you saying it? Which one?
- VladDrag

Just throwing it out there

Yes, it proves that intentionally losing for 4 years doesn't automatically net you players who can win a championship unless they get major star power help from outside.
- jmatchett383

Acquiring a star level talent like Lebron or Kawhi is part of the process.

So being able to have cap space, promising young talent, and the roster flexibility the process gave us, does not factor in when luring a superstar to your team? You are completely missing the point of what the process was.
- ChuckinKnucks

Yeah, I know, I'm being hyperbolistic, if that's a word.

But all in all, telling your fanbase to remain loyal to you when you intentionally lose for 4 years in a row is something I don't agree with.

I'm not a means to and end guy.

Acquiring a star level talent like Lebron or Kawhi is part of the process.
- StepfordSam

Thank you!

Yeah, I know, I'm being hyperbolistic, if that's a word.

But all in all, telling your fanbase to remain loyal to you when you intentionally lose for 4 years in a row is something I don't agree with.

I'm not a means to and end guy.
- jmatchett383

I hear ya, but again the NBA is not the NHL. The NBA is by far the worst league in all of professional sports. Teams in the NHL could not do this. Potentially, maybe one year but not 3-4.

Acquiring a star level talent like Lebron or Kawhi is part of the process.
- StepfordSam

I hear ya, but again the NBA is not the NHL. The NBA is by far the worst league in all of professional sports. Teams in the NHL could not do this. Potentially, maybe one year but not 3-4.
- ChuckinKnucks

And that was his original point, that the NHL and NBA are totally different. And I agree with him (and you) on those points.

Do you find any irony in the fact that you are talking about how tanking, a great business decision, is disgraceful on the biggest business day in the sports world? Face the facts man sports aren't sports anymore, they are businesses now more than ever.
- ChuckinKnucks

I'll repeat, tanking is disgraceful. A team like Toronto is one of the richest sports franchises in the NHL. They make a lot of money. They don't need Taveras to make money. They signed Taveras to win. Face that fact man.

And that was his original point, that the NHL and NBA are totally different. And I agree with him (and you) on those points.
- jmatchett383

I think the interesting point to all of this superstar crap is one player won't win you a championship. To go on down another road, I don't get why free agency comes to a standstill when Tavares couldn't make up his mind? Toronto is not going to win the cup next year regardless. I am sure they will score a ton of goals, but I don't see how a player that won one playoff series turn them into a real contender. TB, Pitt, Washington, and Bruins I still think are better.

I’m wondering if they have something else brewing. Probably grasping at straws and it’s nothing, but it’s odd that they haven’t announced the JVR signing yet.

EDIT: They just announced it lol.

I'll repeat, tanking is disgraceful. A team like Toronto is one of the richest sports franchises in the NHL. They make a lot of money. They don't need Taveras to make money. They signed Taveras to win. Face that fact man.
- MJL

Signing Tavares will not win them a cup, and I would argue could potentially ruin there chances of one down the road.
But we will see.

I’m wondering if they have something else brewing. Probably grasping at straws and it’s nothing, but it’s odd that they haven’t announced the JVR signing yet.
- Flyers1218

Still need a 3C. I'm not expecting anything earth shattering but I expect at least one more deal.

Signing Tavares will not win them a cup, and I would argue could potentially ruin there chances of one down the road.
But we will see.
- ChuckinKnucks

Taveras alone, no. What one player could. You may not think they'll win the Cup but that doesn't change the main reason why they signed him.

I'll repeat, tanking is disgraceful. A team like Toronto is one of the richest sports franchises in the NHL. They make a lot of money. They don't need Taveras to make money. They signed Taveras to win. Face that fact man.
- MJL

Also, I didn't specify one sigle team like you did. I just made mention of a general point, that I think it is funny how you are poo-pooing over a method of operating a business on the one day that the sports world hands out massive amounts of money. I think it is funny. No need to get your panties in a bunch.

Signing Tavares will not win them a cup, and I would argue could potentially ruin there chances of one down the road.
But we will see.
- ChuckinKnucks

Would u rather have jvr or Tavares?

Still need a 3C. I'm not expecting anything earth shattering but I expect at least one more deal.
- hereticpride

Isaac said they are done.

Would u rather have jvr or Tavares?
- rinaldo

Is that a serious question?

Do you find any irony in the fact that you are talking about how tanking, a great business decision, is disgraceful on the biggest business day in the sports world? Face the facts man sports aren't sports anymore, they are businesses now more than ever.
- ChuckinKnucks

I don't buy it's a business argument. It is a business, and asking your fan base to dole out money for an intentionally bad product isn't good business, to me. You can win without tanking and tank without winning, there is no guaranteed way to build a championship team.

Just my opinion.

Taveras alone, no. What one player could. You may not think they'll win the Cup but that doesn't change the main reason why they signed him.
- MJL

By signing JT, they are saying that the window is now. WIth that D core, and goaltending. I don't see how they are ready to really compete. Not to mention all the rumors of Matthews and Babcock not on the best of terms. I just think it is silly for them to throw cash at a guy like JT, when they have stars already, and will need to sign them in the not to distant future. It relates back to my previous point, how sports are becoming/acting like a business now more than ever. Hate the idea of making a move just to make it, which I think the leafs are doing.

Also, I didn't specify one sigle team like you did. I just made mention of a general point, that I think it is funny how you are poo-pooing over a method of operating a business on the one day that the sports world hands out massive amounts of money. I think it is funny. No need to get your panties in a bunch.
- ChuckinKnucks

I think it's obvious based on your response here who has their panties in a bunch. You brought up the business aspect. My point of view was from a sports perspective. Tanking to me is intentionally trying to lose. Teams spending money today are doing so to make their teams better. To try and win. How can you not see the difference there? I think that is funny. Actually I responded to what you posted, not the other way around.

Would u rather have jvr or Tavares?
- rinaldo

What does this even mean? Are you dense? How does this have anything to do with my point?

Is that a serious question?
- Flyers1218

Stfu

By signing JT, they are saying that the window is now. WIth that D core, and goaltending. I don't see how they are ready to really compete. Not to mention all the rumors of Matthews and Babcock not on the best of terms. I just think it is silly for them to throw cash at a guy like JT, when they have stars already, and will need to sign them in the not to distant future. It relates back to my previous point, how sports are becoming/acting like a business now more than ever. Hate the idea of making a move just to make it, which I think the leafs are doing.
- ChuckinKnucks

I agree that the Leafs have a few other areas to get better in but that doesn't change the fact that they got better today. Center is one of the most important positions in hockey and they now have two #1 centers along with Kadri which makes them awfully strong up the middle. NHL history is full of young players who clashed with their coaches only to grow and mature and become better players because their coaches pushed them.