The real bright spot in the Leafs lineup is the offensive depth. If the Leafs are going to continue to improve this year, they are going to have to do it with goaltending, team defense and special teams.
They are unlikely to be able to upgrade their defense much through trade. Players like Streit, Oduya Holden and the like do nothing for this team. They already have placeholders on defense. - Aetherial
Leafs might have the deepest top 9 in the league and proved in the playoffs that team defense can work. If Reilly has a better year (he should) and Hainsey can be better than Hunwick (not too much to ask) - the D should be better overall.
Leafs might have the deepest top 9 in the league and proved in the playoffs that team defense can work. If Reilly has a better year (he should) and Hainsey can be better than Hunwick (not too much to ask) - the D should be better overall. - Schennski
If he is used as a top 4, it isn't the end of the world. If he's paired with Gardiner say, he can mainly focus on strictly defense. Making sure if Gards gives up the puck (which happens often) then he is there to back him up. Similar to what Methot did with Karlsson, just not on that level.
If he is used as a top 4, it isn't the end of the world. If he's paired with Gardiner say, he can mainly focus on strictly defense. Making sure if Gards gives up the puck (which happens often) then he is there to back him up. Similar to what Methot did with Karlsson, just not on that level. - LeafGuy89
you mean what Marner, Matthews and Kadri had to do while on the ice with Gardiner?
If he is used as a top 4, it isn't the end of the world. If he's paired with Gardiner say, he can mainly focus on strictly defense. Making sure if Gards gives up the puck (which happens often) then he is there to back him up. Similar to what Methot did with Karlsson, just not on that level. - LeafGuy89
I would like Gardiner - Zaistev is the top pair (minutes wise)
and Reilly - Hainsey is the 2nd pair (but gets the tough matchup)
Location: The Attack Line of Drouin, Galchenyuk, Lehkonen - Brandon Smille Joined: 09.24.2008
Jul 28 @ 2:54 PM ET
Most Hated Leafs by fans! (Modern era)
5. Bryan McCabe
He was really good for four seasons and mediocre in two! KILL HIM!
4. Tomas Kaberle
(frank) being one of the best offensive defenders to lace them up for the Leafs! SHOOT THE PUCK YOU BEAK NOSED (frank)!
3. Jason Blake
I know you got cancer brev and played your heart out, but you are overpaid at 4 million! Nobody will ever be overpaid more than you! *glances at contracts in 2017* Er...well...still...poop.
2. Andrew Raycroft
We're still all pissed that Rask is a top tier goalie and that you're in the Italian League while still holding the record for most wins in a season by a Leafs goalie. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? This team has been around for centuries...(frank).
Not only are the players the most hated, but the fans are BY FAR the most hated, annoying, entitled, ignorant, delusional, and blind in the league. Not just in hockey, but in all North American sports, and it's not even close with the exception of the Players, and Yankees.
And what makes it all better, is that the Leafs have been absolutely terrible for the most part for the last 30+ years - with an occasional good season sprinkled in, but never even getting to the Finals. And I'm pretty sure only reaching the conference finals once in the last 25 years! Yet somehow, the terrible fans still think they are God's gift to the hockey world, despite being in the bottom 5 in winning percentage over the past 30 years.... It just amazes me how ridiculous it is
I know not all Leaf fans are this way, but the terrible ones definitely outnumber the decent ones.
Not only are the players the most hated, but the fans are BY FAR the most hated, annoying, entitled, ignorant, delusional, and blind in the league. Not just in hockey, but in all North American sports, and it's not even close with the exception of the Players, and Yankees.
And what makes it all better, is that the Leafs have been absolutely terrible for the most part for the last 30+ years - with an occasional good season sprinkled in, but never even getting to the Finals. And I'm pretty sure only reaching the conference finals once in the last 25 years! Yet somehow, the terrible fans still think they are God's gift to the hockey world, despite being in the bottom 5 in winning percentage over the past 30 years.... It just amazes me how ridiculous it is
I know not all Leaf fans are this way, but the terrible ones definitely outnumber the decent ones. - Dukey3030
Location: Tavares is sledge hockey level - Islesrbettr, ON Joined: 08.02.2006
Jul 29 @ 11:08 PM ET
Not only are the players the most hated, but the fans are BY FAR the most hated, annoying, entitled, ignorant, delusional, and blind in the league. Not just in hockey, but in all North American sports, and it's not even close with the exception of the Players, and Yankees.
And what makes it all better, is that the Leafs have been absolutely terrible for the most part for the last 30+ years - with an occasional good season sprinkled in, but never even getting to the Finals. And I'm pretty sure only reaching the conference finals once in the last 25 years! Yet somehow, the terrible fans still think they are God's gift to the hockey world, despite being in the bottom 5 in winning percentage over the past 30 years.... It just amazes me how ridiculous it is
I know not all Leaf fans are this way, but the terrible ones definitely outnumber the decent ones. - Dukey3030
