Gotta take the good with the bad I guess but
I want him out.
- PatC80

Me too. Even after that poopshow he pulled tonight, I won't lie, I feel kinda bad for him.
He's gonna get lynched.

Agreed.


Way too much
- Tumbleweed

Please.

Having had the unfortunate experience of watching the leafs all season and playoffs (stuck in Waterloo), he would be, hands down; T.O's best defense-man.

Definitely need improvements on D. Definitely don't need to pay for it to get it from Vancouver's scrap heap.
- Unholy_Goalie

Good D come free from where?
We need some so let is on this source.

Ty

Dermott can replace Gardiner. I think relatively easily .
- PatC80

yup yup yup.

Dermott's a better skater as well.

Borgman returns.

Add some experience on the right side - maybe find another Hainsey type.

and keep Polak as #7.

False.

Best in the NHL at it. You should care because it creates a lot of offensive breaks and chances.
- Unholy_Goalie

No.
Best in the nhl? Meh dunno about that.
Id gladly give up a few goals to save many and never see him on our blue line again

Vancouver fans

Again, best shutdown center in the league, who has two elite wingers with him vs. a 20 year old in his 2nd ever playoff series. He wasn't invisible because he sucked. He was invisible because they smothered him. He had no help on his wings in comparison to Bergeron. And on top of all that, his shoulder could be (frank)ed up.

If it turns out he's healthy and in 5 years from now he's still not producing in the playoffs, even against poopty opponents, then we can worry. But right now, the criticism can stay at home because it was a giant uphill battle to begin with.
- Unholy_Goalie

I'm not happy with Matthews performance, but I'm also not in any way worried about his play long-term. He'll be fine.

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
2m
Replying to @reporterchris
Jake Gardiner had tears in his eyes as he spoke to reporters. Says he let a lot of people down.

Matthews????..Show me the money..
- Fruitcakenipple

While Gardiner was awful, it is tough when the team as a whole has no concept of defense and the goalie lets a goal in on every mistake.

Dermott can replace Gardiner. I think relatively easily .
- PatC80

Maybe eventually, but not immediately, it's not a guarantee. It's like saying Kapanen can replace JVR. Yeah, maybe eventually but anybody expecting him to score 36 goals next year? I wouldn't.

And then you need to replace Dermott lower on the depth chart too.

yup yup yup.

Dermott's a better skater as well.

Borgman returns.

Add some experience on the right side - maybe find another Hainsey type.

and keep Polak as #7.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Dermott is looking good 👍

yup yup yup.

Dermott's a better skater as well.

Borgman returns.

Add some experience on the right side - maybe find another Hainsey type.

and keep Polak as #7.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I do wonder how different this team is going to be. Potentially a pretty big overhaul. Bozak/JVR are iffy. Komo can (frank) himself with a rake.
Gards may be run out the door. Do we keep Pleks for a depth C?

Vancouver fans
- ClarksonDavid

Lets all tee it up ok 😂😂👍🍺

yup yup yup.

Dermott's a better skater as well.

Borgman returns.

Add some experience on the right side - maybe find another Hainsey type.

and keep Polak as #7.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Agreed.
I may want to keep Polak too

Again, best shutdown center in the league, who has two elite wingers with him vs. a 20 year old in his 2nd ever playoff series. He wasn't invisible because he sucked. He was invisible because they smothered him. He had no help on his wings in comparison to Bergeron. And on top of all that, his shoulder could be (frank)ed up.
- Unholy_Goalie

What are your thoughts on Nylander's upcoming contract UG? Do we pay him long term, bridge him or try to lowball him long term. The Eichel contract really screws us as he got paid without even a sniff at the playoffs and was paid for potential.

No.
Best in the nhl? Meh dunno about that.
Id gladly give up a few goals to save many and never see him on our blue line again
- Fakepartofme

At one point in the season, yes, they showed a stat that Gardiner had completed the most stretch passes in the entire NHL. He's definitely among the leaders, if not #1.

I'm not saying he's a legit #1 D and give him an 8 year deal, but if you get rid of him, the positives he brings to the team aren't easily replaced.

Like I said, Carlson at 7.5 million and trade Gardiner? That might work. But just get rid of Gardiner and not replacing him? Not going to end well.

And Babcock likes Gardiner too, don't forget that.

Maybe eventually, but not immediately, it's not a guarantee. It's like saying Kapanen can replace JVR. Yeah, maybe eventually but anybody expecting him to score 36 goals next year? I wouldn't.

And then you need to replace Dermott lower on the depth chart too.
- Unholy_Goalie

another player that doesn't show up in the playoffs.

Again, best shutdown center in the league, who has two elite wingers with him vs. a 20 year old in his 2nd ever playoff series. He wasn't invisible because he sucked. He was invisible because they smothered him. He had no help on his wings in comparison to Bergeron. And on top of all that, his shoulder could be (frank)ed up.

If it turns out he's healthy and in 5 years from now he's still not producing in the playoffs, even against poopty opponents, then we can worry. But right now, the criticism can stay at home because it was a giant uphill battle to begin with.
- Unholy_Goalie

total disappearance, zero pushback.

We will wait to see if he is injured.

Other people pushed through it UG. Was Matthews the ONLY guy being smothered?

Also... people can't have it both ways. Don't talk about Boston's first line smothering him while someone else talks about how defensively responsible he was... if he was playing against Boston's first line, he did next to nothing on the defensive end either.

Nylander IMPROVED away from him That is a fact. Hyman was one of the best Leafs forwards... FACT. The problem on that line was Matthews.

before the season you still mentioned him as the 'unsung hero'
- MaximusAurelius

I didnt mention him, i thought he would improve.
Went out on a limb and picked him in whoever's predictions list.
I was wrong.
As of game 5

Please.

Having had the unfortunate experience of watching the leafs all season and playoffs (stuck in Waterloo), he would be, hands down; T.O's best defense-man.
- Whiskey-Tango

But what would do in the 53 games he doesn't play

While Gardiner was awful, it is tough when the team as a whole has no concept of defense and the goalie lets a goal in on every mistake.
- Aetherial

You hit it here. It's easy to hang it on Gardiner at -5 but really that 4th and 5th goal by Andersson just can't go in. Eventually he has to make a save at the correct time...which he just didn't. To be fair Rask was equally brutal just Boston found a way to score.

Maybe eventually, but not immediately, it's not a guarantee. It's like saying Kapanen can replace JVR. Yeah, maybe eventually but anybody expecting him to score 36 goals next year? I wouldn't.

And then you need to replace Dermott lower on the depth chart too.
- Unholy_Goalie

Easy. Borgman.
Dermott has shown how valuable he is

another player that doesn't show up in the playoffs.
- MaximusAurelius

I have said for years they won't miss him. A great touch around the net is just not enough.

What are your thoughts on Nylander's upcoming contract UG? Do we pay him long term, bridge him or try to lowball him long term. The Eichel contract really screws us as he got paid without even a sniff at the playoffs and was paid for potential.
- Beercules

He should make less than Pastrnak.

Matthews gets 10, Marner gets 8 and Nylander gets 6.

If you sign Tavares or even Evander Kane, consider trading him as part of a package for a legit #1 D under the age of 25.

Alright I'm out. It was a good season, gents. It shouldn't have ended the way it did, but hopefully we gained some experience, and I am thoroughly sorry about all of your playoff brackets

What are your thoughts on Nylander's upcoming contract UG? Do we pay him long term, bridge him or try to lowball him long term. The Eichel contract really screws us as he got paid without even a sniff at the playoffs and was paid for potential.
- Beercules

Matthews Marner & Reilly are the big dawgs.
Nylander hasn’t got there IMO
Low ball him