Mike Augello: Podcast Sunday – Off The Post Radio and The Leafs Convo

As a lifelong Leaf fan, I so hope for success. But with every Leaf playoffs season I feel I can’t lose, regardless of the outcome.
The entertainment factor either way is guaranteed.
- Woderwick


I'm not there with you, wodsie. I don't find decades of losing entertaining. Leaf fans need to demand and expect more from a historical franchise like this with deep pockets. It's pathetic. Word is ownership expressed to Keith Pelley the new MLSE president that they are not happy with teams lack of playoff success. I was pleased to read that and the one hope I do have is that significant changes are made.

As a lifelong Leaf fan, I so hope for success. But with every Leaf playoffs season I feel I can’t lose, regardless of the outcome.
The entertainment factor either way is guaranteed.
- Woderwick


I'm not there with you, wodsie. I don't find decades of losing entertaining. Leaf fans need to demand and expect more from a historical franchise like this with deep pockets. It's pathetic. Word is ownership expressed to Keith Pelley the new MLSE president that they are not happy with teams lack of playoff success. I was pleased to read that and the one hope I do have is that significant changes are made.
- fifty__missions

Now I have to go back and retrieve my reply.
Hang on a sec.

In response to 50.

The evolution of survival techniques.
The entertainment I get from losing comes from witnessing the melt downs.
This year could be super juicy and it’s probably accompanied with some actual dramatic change should they lose this round.

I know…I’m a sick (frank).

Same shït different year.
Great regular season.
First round blowout.
Shït defense and goal tending.
Move a few deck chairs around on the Titanic.
Rinse and repeat.

At least this will be over quickly. 🤦🏼‍♂️

Same shït different year.
Great regular season.
First round blowout.
Shït defense and goal tending.
Move a few deck chairs around on the Titanic.
Rinse and repeat.

At least this will be over quickly. 🤦🏼‍♂️
- .HOHO.

They may surprise us, HOHO.

Free Drexie!

I appreciate the leafs for finding new ways to embarrass themselves each year.

Ah well, only game 1.

Can still improve and turnaround
- Fakepartofme

This is why they’ll never win.

“Oh well, maybe next year.”

Everybody stay in your seats. No loud rock music in the building because we’re trying to appeal to the Kpop audience. Keep buying our jerseys. If you’re a real fan from a working class family, just save up for a couple years and maybe you can afford tickets in the nosebleeds. It’s exactly what we want when we allow players to chase personal stats at the end of the season, because that sort of thing is how you end up on legends row. Championships aren’t important as long as we’re taking in the cheddar.

When Keefe eventually gets fired you already know what he’s going to say. Shanny has his fingers in everything, and he demanded that they commit to this core because each of the players have their own individual fanbases, and he doesn’t want to alienate any of them. He clearly forced Tre to give Nylander that contract. If trading Marner would better the team then I’m all for it but I don’t think that’s the right move.

They’re in a pickle. The window is starting to close. With that core they should’ve had more success than they’ve had. And not doing anything to address it tells me that it’s just all about the money. They embarrassed their fans with the product they put on the ice. Matthews will leave.

I'm gonna stop with the predictions.

I'm gonna stop with the predictions.
- GalacticStone

Me too.

Didn’t realize that’s 8 straight playoff games with 2 goals or less for a team with this much offensive talent… yikes.

Same shït different year.
Great regular season.
First round blowout.
Shït defense and goal tending.
Move a few deck chairs around on the Titanic.
Rinse and repeat.

At least this will be over quickly. 🤦🏼‍♂️
- .HOHO.

Win or lose ...I think this goes 7 games.

1. Domi needs to get his head straight
2. Samsonov needs to be better
3. Lack of foot speed from D makes puck retrieval and getting exits started difficult
4. Too many dumb plays - Reaves stepping in on Edmunston hit leads to 2-on-1
5. Third line was getting caved. Missing Willie and McMann hurt
6. Other poop

I'm gonna stop with the predictions.
- GalacticStone

I predict you don’t

This is why they’ll never win.

“Oh well, maybe next year.”

Everybody stay in your seats. No loud rock music in the building because we’re trying to appeal to the Kpop audience. Keep buying our jerseys. If you’re a real fan from a working class family, just save up for a couple years and maybe you can afford tickets in the nosebleeds. It’s exactly what we want when we allow players to chase personal stats at the end of the season, because that sort of thing is how you end up on legends row. Championships aren’t important as long as we’re taking in the cheddar.

When Keefe eventually gets fired you already know what he’s going to say. Shanny has his fingers in everything, and he demanded that they commit to this core because each of the players have their own individual fanbases, and he doesn’t want to alienate any of them. He clearly forced Tre to give Nylander that contract. If trading Marner would better the team then I’m all for it but I don’t think that’s the right move.

They’re in a pickle. The window is starting to close. With that core they should’ve had more success than they’ve had. And not doing anything to address it tells me that it’s just all about the money. They embarrassed their fans with the product they put on the ice. Matthews will leave.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

They need to make some uncomfortable decisions. A culture shift in leadership is in order starting at the top. That means Shanny, Keefe, and possibly Tavares. One possibility is ushering the captain out the door. The Leafs could eat some salary, JT could choose his destination with a new contract with his new team in his pocket.

Another possibility that many will not want to hear is Marner. This guy is not a $12M playoff performer. You simply can't pay him that. Justin Bourne said it very well last night - in the playoffs especially, Marner refuses to go north-south. He curls off and goes east-west every single time he has the puck. Sure he possesses the puck a lot, but that gets nothing done in the playoffs with the middle of the ice clogged. He's a good skater but is never a threat with speed because he's constant curling off to avoid contact.

As a lifelong Leaf fan, I so hope for success. But with every Leaf playoffs season I feel I can’t lose, regardless of the outcome.
The entertainment factor either way is guaranteed.
- Woderwick

I'm not there with you, wodsie. I don't find decades of losing entertaining. Leaf fans need to demand and expect more from a historical franchise like this with deep pockets. It's pathetic. Word is ownership expressed to Keith Pelley the new MLSE president that they are not happy with teams lack of playoff success. I was pleased to read that and the one hope I do have is that significant changes are made.
- fifty__missions

Hear hear!

I'm 55 years old. And I come to my love of the Leafs all on my own.

My parents weren't into sports at all, and my older brother is a Habs fan. We are French Canadian.

I've been watching the Leafs since I was a kid. Watching them on an old 12 inch black and white TV I had on my dresser in my bedroom.

I've probably missed watching less than 10 percent of the games since then. Hell, even as a teanager at parties, I'd find a tv and watch the game.

I can tell you that when they lost to the Habs back in the bubble, I condemned them and even bought Kraken swag as I was going to switch teams. But the Leafs are like heroin. Terrible for you, but an addiction all the same.

I just couldn't believe how inept they were while losing to such a crappy team when the path to the cup was easy and clear. Such a disgrace.

There were considerable successes over the years of course. The early nineties to early two thousands was remarkable. 4 semi finals in 10 years and one of the highest winning percentages over that decade.

I just can't figure out this team though.

I mean, Matthews is incredible right? So much better than I ever imagined. I thought he was going to be like a Sundin (which is awesome). But here we are with one of the greatest natural goal scorers of all time.

Marner is a wizard. And kills penalties. Pretty spectacular player in his own right. I'm not the biggest fan though and it's mostly about his maneurisms and personality. Oh, and lack of confidence in him to come up big in the biggest games.

I do love Willy. He's really developed and blossomed.

JT is the quintessential professional and so composed. Maybe he could be a little more emotional, but he certainly showed some when scoring the overtime goal last year to pull them through. And I thought there was an indication from the last game against the Panthers how hard they targeted him. Obviously, they feel he's a straw that stirs the drink.

But then, you see a game like they played last night. How disappointing. But it doesn't surprise me or even upset me. I feel detached. Of course I cheer and shout and get excited. But it's not nearly the same for me since they lost that series to the Habs.

Like I can't get too attached. Or maybe it's just my age or place in my life where other things feel more important?

It's also a bit about being resolved to the fact that the Leafs are just too LEAFY! Like I expect crap like Kadri being suspended 2 years in a row, or Nylander missing games for the first time in years, or your goalie crapping the bed at the most inopportune time, or Tavares getting knocked out by Perry in game 1 (I still think that was an on purpose accident, without trying to hurt him that bad). Or Sundin breaking his arm, or Berard losing an eye, or a bad call (Holl's pick play), the Gretzky high stick...

It feels like this team is outright cursed. That I'm just a fan that is meant to be punished for a lifetime.

There have been a number of really good to great players over the years. Many capable of reversing this curse. But alas we still live with it.

But then again, it's game 1, and a win in the next game gives us home ice advantage. There are plenty of roller-coaster moments throughout a season and especially the playoffs.

The Bruins just seem far more poised and stoic. Until they're not.

I guess we'll see.

But this organization has to demand more. And I believe they will. I would think that if there isn't some considerable success this playoff, that major changes are coming. Be it Keefe, Shanahan or more. I do think Tree will stay somehow. I just can't think there are better options for GM out there right now.

And I think they could even move off of Marner.

So, to sum it all up, I'm always hopeful but guardedly so.

GO LEAFS GO

I miss missing the playoffs every year.

I miss missing the playoffs every year.
- gravyface

Trust me you don’t…

Trust me you don’t…
- dozerD10

Buddy, guy, I do. 40 years of this. I've seen it all.

1. Domi needs to get his head straight
2. Samsonov needs to be better
3. Lack of foot speed from D makes puck retrieval and getting exits started difficult
4. Too many dumb plays - Reaves stepping in on Edmunston hit leads to 2-on-1
5. Third line was getting caved. Missing Willie and McMann hurt
6. Other poop
- Canada Cup

Willy has to play

Woll should be the starter, always should have

Sammy (frank)ing sucks

Did Matthews get 70 yet? Way too much focus on this instead of preparing for playoffs. Poor coaching. Poor leadership.

That John Tavares trade is looking better and better!!

1. Domi needs to get his head straight
2. Samsonov needs to be better
3. Lack of foot speed from D makes puck retrieval and getting exits started difficult
4. Too many dumb plays - Reaves stepping in on Edmunston hit leads to 2-on-1
5. Third line was getting caved. Missing Willie and McMann hurt
6. Other poop
- Canada Cup

Agree with everything except #5. Holmberg line crushed the Geekie line most of the night. Spent most of their time in the ozone ...heavily beat them on scoring chances and high danger stuff. Krok looked a little rusty but I really like Holmberg and Robertson last night ...maybe a bit bc I was worried they'd get buried.

But I agree our bottom 6 should get even better if McMann and 88 are back.

Willy has to play

Woll should be the starter, always should have

Sammy (frank)ing sucks
- Santo_44

If they play better in front of Woll, great. But last night, Hasek would have had trouble.

Man I age poorly and look like a (frank)ing loser !!!



- Brukie

You’re proving my point in my post in the former blog.

BORING!!!!