No one is stopping Tampa.

No one.
- Scabeh

I think Nashville could beat them TBH. If they make it past Winnipeg

I think Nashville could beat them TBH. If they make it past Winnipeg
- Archaic

It depends on which Pekka Rinne shows up... The game 5 Rinne or the game 6 Rinne

It depends on which Pekka Rinne shows up... The game 5 Rinne or the game 6 Rinne
- PatC80

Inconsistant as hell.

And the Preds forward aren't scoring, Forsberg being the exception.... so if R1nne doesn't show up, they're screwed.

Inconsistant as hell.

And the Preds forward aren't scoring, Forsberg being the exception.... so if R1nne doesn't show up, they're screwed.
- Scabeh

They've laid an uncharacteristic number of eggs at home.

http://nationalpost.com/s...ston-matthews-like-a-star

Is Traikos onto something here?

Inconsistant as hell.

And the Preds forward aren't scoring, Forsberg being the exception.... so if R1nne doesn't show up, they're screwed.
- Scabeh

Game 7 at home, you have to think Rinne will be up to the challenge.. It's a do or die game. But yeah, even against the Avalanche he showed some inconsistencies.

If I'd be going into a conference finals, I'd definitely pick Holtby as my starting goalie.
(2. Vasilevskiy, 3. Rinne, 4. Hellebuyk, 5. Fleury).
- MaximusAurelius

Fleury has been the best goalie these playoffs by far.

The guy has 4 shutouts in 10 games, that's ridiculous.

Fleury has been the best goalie these playoffs by far.

The guy has 4 shutouts in 10 games, that's ridiculous.
- LeafGuy89

If you count the shutout he had in Game 7 last year against Washington, he has 5 shutouts in his last 12 starts.

Fleury has been the best goalie these playoffs by far.

The guy has 4 shutouts in 10 games, that's ridiculous.
- LeafGuy89

Yeah, I don't get Max's point on this one. (Shocking, I know.)

Fleury has been great all year, outstanding in the playoffs, he's one of best team guy out there and is simply put a great human being.

I wish him the (frank)ing cup.

Yeah, I don't get Max's point on this one. (Shocking, I know.)

Fleury has been great all year, outstanding in the playoffs, he's one of best team guy out there and is simply put a great human being.

I wish him the (frank)ing cup.
- Scabeh

I think it's that Holtby has the best sv% of any goalie in the playoffs. Longevity.

http://nationalpost.com/s...ston-matthews-like-a-star

Is Traikos onto something here?
- PatC80

Not really, no.

"That means giving him the captaincy to start next season. But it also means removing the anchor around his leg and putting him on a line with Marner — not Zach Hyman — and keeping them out there for as long as their young lungs can handle."

Except Babcock (and many others) believe you need a grinder on your scoring line to get the puck.

So you wouldn't remove Hyman - you'd remove Nylander.

FFS, it's pretty sad what goes for "sports journalism" these days.

Yeah, I don't get Max's point on this one. (Shocking, I know.)

Fleury has been great all year, outstanding in the playoffs, he's one of best team guy out there and is simply put a great human being.

I wish him the (frank)ing cup.
- Scabeh

Agree Fleury has been fantastic. Post helped a little last game, I have a feeling they will be crushed by a far superior team in the next round. Nothing to do with the season, they did well in the regular season against both Winnipeg and Nashville. Maybe the visiting teams were spending too much time before the games at the various pleasure palaces in Vegas.

Not really, no.

"That means giving him the captaincy to start next season. But it also means removing the anchor around his leg and putting him on a line with Marner — not Zach Hyman — and keeping them out there for as long as their young lungs can handle."

Except Babcock (and many others) believe you need a grinder on your scoring line to get the puck.

So you wouldn't remove Hyman - you'd remove Nylander.

FFS, it's pretty sad what goes for "sports journalism" these days.
- Atomic Wedgie

Any updates on your end who's going to be the next Leafs GM?

Not really, no.

"That means giving him the captaincy to start next season. But it also means removing the anchor around his leg and putting him on a line with Marner — not Zach Hyman — and keeping them out there for as long as their young lungs can handle."

Except Babcock (and many others) believe you need a grinder on your scoring line to get the puck.

So you wouldn't remove Hyman - you'd remove Nylander.

FFS, it's pretty sad what goes for "sports journalism" these days.
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm probably in the majority - Marner should be with Matthews. Marner's defense has improved and no one on the team can possibly feed the puck better to the best shot on the team. Hyman is a decent player, for me a keeper - but a good third or fourth liner. LW should on that line could be Marleau.

And play the snot out of that line

anyone want to make a cash wager on who the next GM is?
- senstroll

Bump ^

Willing to wager $50 that Dubas is the next GM.

Any updates on your end who's going to be the next Leafs GM?
- MaximusAurelius

It's likely Dubas, there is a likely reason they will not make an announcement prior to the draft though. If they announce Dubas before the draft and Hunter gets pissed off and goes elsewhere - Leafs strategies could be compromised

Hey Wedgie!

The Caps lost Kevin Shattenkirk, Justin Williams, Marcus Johnson, Nate Schmidt, Derrick Winnick and Karl Alzner over the summer. That's more than 25% of what was - by far - the NHL's best team last year.

You going in?

Not really, no.

"That means giving him the captaincy to start next season. But it also means removing the anchor around his leg and putting him on a line with Marner — not Zach Hyman — and keeping them out there for as long as their young lungs can handle."

Except Babcock (and many others) believe you need a grinder on your scoring line to get the puck.

So you wouldn't remove Hyman - you'd remove Nylander.

FFS, it's pretty sad what goes for "sports journalism" these days.
- Atomic Wedgie

Agreed.

Also, I think should Matthews get more ice-time (ie: PK, PP)

Any updates on your end who's going to be the next Leafs GM?
- MaximusAurelius

Jaromir Jagr

It's likely Dubas, there is a likely reason they will not make an announcement prior to the draft though. If they announce Dubas before the draft and Hunter gets pissed off and goes elsewhere - Leafs strategies could be compromised
- winsix

Lou is under contract until June 30th; Maybe they haven't announced it because there is no need to?

Lou wasn't fired, it's ok to let his contract run out.

Agreed.

Also, I think should Matthews get more ice-time (ie: PK, PP)
- PatC80

Maybe not the PK just yet, but I agree.

I'm not sure it's very good to prop up The Bozek (as a PP specialist) to dump Matthews (best player on the team). Reminds me of the Blackhawks killing Kane by taking away Panarin to prop up Toews with former "chemistry" with Saad.

Not really, no.

"That means giving him the captaincy to start next season. But it also means removing the anchor around his leg and putting him on a line with Marner — not Zach Hyman — and keeping them out there for as long as their young lungs can handle."

Except Babcock (and many others) believe you need a grinder on your scoring line to get the puck.

So you wouldn't remove Hyman - you'd remove Nylander.

FFS, it's pretty sad what goes for "sports journalism" these days.
- Atomic Wedgie

they have a whole sports science team that monitors/measures specific muscle fatigue and recommends max ice time for players (plus who the hell knows what else).

traikos needs to move out of the 1980's.

where babcock failed imo - having rested stars come the playoffs, and not maxing out their ice time then.

so Leafs end up with 25th pick. Unless there is an obvious player available (no idea who that is) maybe Merkley, similar to lilygrin.. high risk high reward type, I would trade down again. get more lotto tickets

Hey Wedgie!

The Caps lost Kevin Shattenkirk, Justin Williams, Marcus Johnson, Nate Schmidt, Derrick Winnick and Karl Alzner over the summer. That's more than 25% of what was - by far - the NHL's best team last year.

You going in?
- AdamFrench

Was this a Tanner question to me?

Michael Augello
‏ @MikeInBuffalo
2h2 hours ago
The philosophy of the #Leafs is to keep their firsts and you cannot question Mark Hunter's ability to find good players in the Draft, but I think Toronto is at the stage where their pipeline is well stocked and they can deal their #1 in a package to get a top 4 D.

to take a page from Wedgie. but why can't you question Hunter?