Solid read, Lucas.

What's going to be awesome is looking back on this thread near the end of the '15-'16 season and seeing how wrong I and everybody else were about various predictions we are making.

It's incredible. Everybody speaks like a foremost authority on what is and where things are going but really we are all a bunch of squirrels trying to get a nut.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this year, that's for sure.. I don't think there has ever been a season where tempering expectations was so forcefully pushed from management and through the media. They have essentially prepared us all for the worst.

Still, there will be some who still hold out hope, because they are conditioned to from years of the Leafs manufacturing it falsely.

Solid read, Lucas.

What's going to be awesome is looking back on this thread near the end of the '15-'16 season and seeing how wrong I and everybody else were about various predictions we are making.

It's incredible. Everybody speaks like a foremost authority on what is and where things are going but really we are all a bunch of squirrels trying to get a nut.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this year, that's for sure.. I don't think there has ever been a season where tempering expectations was so forcefully pushed from management and through the media. They have essentially prepared us all for the worst.

Still, there will be some who still hold out hope, because they are conditioned to from years of the Leafs manufacturing it falsely.
- TheThrill

Just watch, the decreased "pressure" will do wonders for the players. No longer is it MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR DIE, its now a work in progress and if the media doesn't screw it up, the Leafs will finally have a solid overall organization in another year or two.

It's not going to be a very long rebuild for Toronto and you don't have to be dead last anymore to get good picks in the draft .Babcock will bring a winning attitude and maintain it

Solid read, Lucas.

What's going to be awesome is looking back on this thread near the end of the '15-'16 season and seeing how wrong I and everybody else were about various predictions we are making.

It's incredible. Everybody speaks like a foremost authority on what is and where things are going but really we are all a bunch of squirrels trying to get a nut.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this year, that's for sure.. I don't think there has ever been a season where tempering expectations was so forcefully pushed from management and through the media. They have essentially prepared us all for the worst.

Still, there will be some who still hold out hope, because they are conditioned to from years of the Leafs manufacturing it falsely.
- TheThrill

i predict the leafs will win some games and lose some games.

They will have goals against and goals for.

i predict the leafs will win some games and lose some games.

They will have goals against and goals for.



- Dozzer

And I think depending on how Bernier plays, they could be a lot better than last year.

Probably not playoffs-bound better, but better nonetheless.

And I think depending on how Bernier plays, they could be a lot better than last year.

Probably not playoffs-bound better, but better nonetheless.
- Pecafan Fan

If Bernier plays like Price maybe. Have you seen the roster? It's a nightmare.

And I think depending on how Bernier plays, they could be a lot better than last year.

Probably not playoffs-bound better, but better nonetheless.
- Pecafan Fan

if captain caveman could learn to lead .....

imagine.. the leafs have a horrible first period.. phaneuf storms into the room and in high pitched squeaky ass voice pulls out "phaneuf's enough guys!"

and everyone would snap out of their funk.. cause captain tickle talk means business.

If Bernier plays like Price maybe. Have you seen the roster? It's a nightmare.
- AdamFrench

I think they'll end up around 10th place in the conference. 80-85 pts.

if captain caveman could learn to lead .....

imagine.. the leafs have a horrible first period.. phaneuf storms into the room and in high pitched squeaky ass voice pulls out "phaneuf's enough guys!"

and everyone would snap out of their funk.. cause captain tickle talk means business.
- Dozzer

And I think depending on how Bernier plays, they could be a lot better than last year.

Probably not playoffs-bound better, but better nonetheless.
- Pecafan Fan

hard to be worse than last year

Solid read, Lucas.

What's going to be awesome is looking back on this thread near the end of the '15-'16 season and seeing how wrong I and everybody else were about various predictions we are making.

It's incredible. Everybody speaks like a foremost authority on what is and where things are going but really we are all a bunch of squirrels trying to get a nut.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this year, that's for sure.. I don't think there has ever been a season where tempering expectations was so forcefully pushed from management and through the media. They have essentially prepared us all for the worst.

Still, there will be some who still hold out hope, because they are conditioned to from years of the Leafs manufacturing it falsely.
- TheThrill

um... every squirrel always gets nuts... lots of them.

hard to be worse than last year
- the_eye

and yet 3 other teams accomplished it with great proficiency.

If Bernier plays like Price maybe. Have you seen the roster? It's a nightmare.
- AdamFrench

Devils and Yotes are pretty horrid too. That's likely the bottom 3 next season in any random order.

i predict the leafs will win some games and lose more than they win games.

They will have goals against and goals for.



- Dozzer

That's gold Jerry!.

That's gold Jerry!.
- zazzle

Can Semin still produce?

Was taking a chance on Alex Semin a good move for the chemistry of the Canadiens? What are the chances he scores 20 goals next season? The TH panel debates.

well played TSN

Lucas Neilson: Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?
Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?
- Lucas.Neilson

Yeah.

I predict JVR+Kadri>Getzlaf+Perry next season

I disagree with you. Why wouldn't we get Babcock? The idea of getting a coach to come in and teach our young assets that it is ok to lose is setting a bad precedent. At least now when we are terrible Babcock will reward the hardest working players with ice time allowing us to find out who is unnecessary.

Plus with the length of the deal Babcock will be able to determine who is a long term solution and who gets kicked out the door. Then after 2,3,4,5 seasons (how ever long it takes) we will be a strong playoff contender with the best coach behind the bench and a team that learned early on that you have to give it your all and always play to win.

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? no-one
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? #2 is likely, yes
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? no
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? no
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? possibly
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? yes
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? yes, no, respectively
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? yes

I predict JVR+Kadri>Getzlaf+Perry next season
- mkolchenkov

I doubt your math skills. Show your work!

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? Nobody
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? No
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? No
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? No
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? No
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? Yes
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? No
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? No
- AdamFrench

Debbie D

Debbie D
- CanadianBodmon

wow his was way more negative than mine. I have at least some hope for kadri, JVR, bernier

I doubt your math skills. Show your work!
- Steven_Dean

JVR - 55g,31a,86p
Kadri - 34g,48a,82p
Total - 89g,79a,168p

Perry - 44g,39a,83p
Getzlaf - 36g,49a,85p
Total - 80g,88a,168p

Everyone knows goals are worth more, therefore:

JVR+Kadri>Perry+Getzlaf

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? PAP who has something to prove and Marner who makes the team with AWE
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? Yes. He has Caresi.
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? Yes. Kessel was holding Bozak back. Bozak is a young two-way superstar and should compete for the Selke.
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? Yes. Lupul has been working out with Max Pacciorety
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? Yes. JVR has 100 point potential.
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? Babcock wanted Dion. THERE'S A REASON
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? Yes. Rielly is the best player in the 2012 draft and will finally have a coach that understands him. Gardiner is an elite advanced stats machine.
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? Sadly still no, Babcock can't save this French monstrosity, but Reimer will have a career year with God as his witness.
- AdamFrench

Saved me a lot of typing. This is exactly what I wanted to say.