in fairness.. gustavsson got an unfair shake playing in Wilsons open offense system.

this is one of those situations where a goalie would leave toronto only to have success somewhere else and 80% of leaf fans would be crying in two years about how we werent patient enough.

we honestly have no clue as to what we have... reimer needs seasoning in the minors to get over this funk.. keep gus and maybe try and get mason out of columbus.. he'd be cheap and he prolly just needs a change of scenery
- Dozzer

I agree with that, and take the stats with a grain of salt accordingly. Unfortunately from what I've seen on the ice, he doesn't have the competitiveness to make the clutch, Fuhr-like, saves and he allows too many stinkers. Those aren't results of a system. Cujo and Eddie were both able to make it work under a similar run n gun system because they kept the softies to a minimum and came up clutch when the team needed to be bailed out. I just haven't seen any evidence of those qualities with Jonas.

in fairness.. gustavsson got an unfair shake playing in Wilsons open offense system.

this is one of those situations where a goalie would leave toronto only to have success somewhere else and 80% of leaf fans would be crying in two years about how we werent patient enough.

we honestly have no clue as to what we have... reimer needs seasoning in the minors to get over this funk.. keep gus and maybe try and get mason out of columbus.. he'd be cheap and he prolly just needs a change of scenery
- Dozzer

i really doubt it...

OMG YES
- noename09

I just want to keep a tab of all the posters on here that say Gus should go.

That way when he either becomes a starter with the Leafs ( ), or with another team ( ) I can remind you all of my stance on the issue vs almost everyone else's

And if Gus posts a .920+ sv% over the remaining games?

Still needs to go?
- mfreedman

Doesn't need to go, imo, but the Leafs would be crazy to enter another season with Gustavsson and Reimer as the 'go-to' combo.

Just need a veteran option to turn to unless Gus falters

In a more defensively responsible system (not much more, but more none-the-less)

How do you expect a goalie to have a competative save percentage in the NHL under the system Wilson employed?

Go back in time to a man named Grant Fuhr.

While playing in EDM's run n' gun offense, Fuhr never managed a sv% over .900, yet was regarded as a great goaltender. All they cared about was the team's stats. When Gus was playing regularly, his stats weren't great, but the team was in 4th in the conference.

Gus' stats havent been in his favour because of the system in front of him.

Now that we will have one, his numbers will climb. Guaranteed.
- mfreedman

I covered the stats argument in a reply to Dozzer.

True that. And who can blame them, really? If, say, a basketball franchise started up in Winnipeg that a) really sucked and b) was located in a terribly inconvenient location (a la Florida and Phoenix), I wouldn't make much of an effort to get into it... Win and they will come.

Isn't also true that Miami isn't really a great sports city to start out with? I know the Marlins struggled to draw, not sure about the Heat or Dolphins in recent years.

Although bixll's tale of Tampa Bay Lightning giveaways might suggest otherwise

I'm happy for them too though, this isolated troll aside... I find my attitudes towards fan bases are more directed towards particular fans...

For example, at the end of this year I plan to make fun of Prock for his attitudes towards the Senators and Jason Spezza in particular... But have no desire to troll the fan base in general
- Mr_Clean

agree on all points

and it is nice to see spezza finally healthy again.. he is a true talent.. and without him your sens just arent the same team

the wilson defenders always like to bring up how he is 6th or whatever all time for coaching wins

so what

his winning percentage was only around 0.535% for his career.. nothing special at all.
- Dozzer

Lenny Wilkens, one time coach of the Toronto Raptors, became the all time winniningst coach in NBA history when he was the the Raptors.

He also became the all time losingest coach in NBA history

i really doubt it...
- noename09

"one of those situations?"... I don't recall that ever happening with the Leafs specifically.
EDIT: I know it wasn't your post, just wanted to point out that having players leave Toronto only to blossom elsewhere has been the one thing Leafs fans haven't had cause to complain about the past few years

I just want to keep a tab of all the posters on here that say Gus should go.

That way when he either becomes a starter with the Leafs ( ), or with another team ( ) I can remind you all of my stance on the issue vs almost everyone else's
- mfreedman

<---- remember that face. feel free to rub Monster's stanley cup ring in it.

I agree with that, and take the stats with a grain of salt accordingly. Unfortunately from what I've seen on the ice, he doesn't have the competitiveness to make the clutch, Fuhr-like, saves and he allows too many stinkers. Those aren't results of a system. Cujo and Eddie were both able to make it work under a similar run n gun system because they kept the softies to a minimum and came up clutch when the team needed to be bailed out. I just haven't seen any evidence of those qualities with Jonas.
- 1979AD

Im just sick of expecting better things...i can only be so optimistic and I can only "hope for better things" for so long...how many more gambles can this team afford to take?

I agree with that, and take the stats with a grain of salt accordingly. Unfortunately from what I've seen on the ice, he doesn't have the competitiveness to make the clutch, Fuhr-like, saves and he allows too many stinkers. Those aren't results of a system. Cujo and Eddie were both able to make it work under a similar run n gun system because they kept the softies to a minimum and came up clutch when the team needed to be bailed out. I just haven't seen any evidence of those qualities with Jonas.
- 1979AD

so he isnt worth keeping because he doesnt compare to HoF calibre goaltenders?

leaf fans need to realize that not every player who dons the blue and white jersey is going to be that good. some guys will only be average and it will require a good team all around to be successful.

i really doubt it...
- noename09

well.. you said there was going to be a big trade this year

and you got an army jersey

your calls have been a touch off this year

....... just teasin man.. i've been wrong more than anyone lol

Lenny Wilkens, one time coach of the Toronto Raptors, became the all time winniningst coach in NBA history when he was the the Raptors.

He also became the all time losingest coach in NBA history
- banedlolol

good example... great one actually.

What if the next CBA includes an option for a one-time buy-out of any contracts, penalty free?

Would the Canucks buy out Loooouuuuuu?
- Leeman4Gilmour

Too many years I think. It works nice for guys with 1 or maybe 2 years left on their deals. Connolly and Lombo fit there nicely. We should all be praying that its included in the new CBA. To buy both those guys out would cost about 5 milly in cash. Luongo would cost about 30-35 milly in cash!!

Our team is so good.

grabo is more than justified (one look at the FA centres this season and it isnt hard to figure out why).. and you cant compare his UFA contract to Kessel's RFA contract.. completely different circumstances

Connolly was the second best centre on the market this past season... Burke took a chance and grabbed him.. he hasnt really panned out but he's not signed long term by any means.. so.. in fairness.. it was a reasonable chance to take.

Komi should start to look better as Carlyle's systems take hold.. he also becomes a tradable asset next season as he will be making less than his cap hit.
- Dozzer

I love Grabo but I disagree on the justified front. I think Burkie knew he wasn't going to make a deadline splash and got hosed slightly.

I think under $5 is justified for that contract length, maybe $4.75 or in that neighborhood.

Currently Grabo making more than Corey Perry, Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Hossa, Jeff Carter, Kesler and in the neighborhood of Martin St. Louis, Mike Richards.

I understand some of the contracts above are circumvented but didn't seem like any home town discount involved at all with Grabo and I would have thought there could have been one.

agree on all points

and it is nice to see spezza finally healthy again.. he is a true talent.. and without him your sens just arent the same team
- Dozzer

No doubt, I am very glad he's produced this season because I and many other Senators fans had to defend him so much... At the start of the season Oilers fans wouldn't trade Hemsky for him straight up, he was overpaid, etc... But he's finally proven to be the above average #1 centre that we'd always hoped for, and that's huge for this franchise moving forward

so he isnt worth keeping because he doesnt compare to HoF calibre goaltenders?

leaf fans need to realize that not every player who dons the blue and white jersey is going to be that good. some guys will only be average and it will require a good team all around to be successful.
- Dozzer

He's only worth keeping on a short term 2-way contract because he hasn't shown the qualities exhibited by HOF calibre goaltenders, yes. I'm not saying he has to be Ed Belfour to keep around, I'm just saying he doesn't have what it takes to be a good #1 in this league, IMO.

I just want to keep a tab of all the posters on here that say Gus should go.

That way when he either becomes a starter with the Leafs ( ), or with another team ( ) I can remind you all of my stance on the issue vs almost everyone else's
- mfreedman

for the love of God do it...honestly...because if we roll with him again you guys will see how many times Ive said we need to get rid of him.

I swear we all had this exact convo at the beginning of this year...thinking Reimer and Gus would be fine, where I said...no...it wont.

He's only worth keeping on a short term 2-way contract because he hasn't shown the qualities exhibited by HOF calibre goaltenders, yes. I'm not saying he has to be Ed Belfour to keep around, I'm just saying he doesn't have what it takes to be a good #1 in this league, IMO.
- 1979AD

I dont know.. the only thing I see wrong with his game is his head.. if he can figure out how to maintain his composure I think he'd be a very good goalie. The skills are there.. but his confidence has been massacred by inconsistant coaching and a terrible defensive system in front of him.

well.. you said there was going to be a big trade this year

and you got an army jersey

your calls have been a touch off this year

....... just teasin man.. i've been wrong more than anyone lol
- Dozzer

No doubt, I am very glad he's produced this season because I and many other Senators fans had to defend him so much... At the start of the season Oilers fans wouldn't trade Hemsky for him straight up, he was overpaid, etc... But he's finally proven to be the above average #1 centre that we'd always hoped for, and that's huge for this franchise moving forward
- Mr_Clean

agreed.

as a leafs fan I still hate him tho lol

for the love of God do it...honestly...because if we roll with him again you guys will see how many times Ive said we need to get rid of him.

I swear we all had this exact convo at the beginning of this year...thinking Reimer and Gus would be fine, where I said...no...it wont.
- noename09

You are a wise man, sir. Wiser than me (I thought you'd be ok with Reimer).

But then, concussions can throw off anyone's season, obviously.

agreed.

as a leafs fan I still hate him tho lol
- Dozzer

I wouldn't have it any other way

we are fine

Gus has a .920 sv% under Carlyle

Burke will focus on getting Nash..since thats what we need now that Gus is solid
- senstroll

besides the fact that Gustavsson lets in at least one clunker a game and is more inconsistent than jiri crha, he's a ufa.