How stupid do you think Tavares feels that he signed here without even considering he might not be top Banana with Matthews also in Toronto? What an idiot.
- ClarksonDavid

Wouldn't that be a benefit though to share the spotlight?

Not guaranteed.

Without making assumptions, it is entirely possible that this guy was able to get all the background checks he needed to get his PAL (posession acquisition license) years and years ago, had the gun for any length of time leading up to yesterday then for whatever reason went off last night.
- BlueBallz

he might just be mad that Leafs haven't traded for Karlsson yet

Wouldn't that be a benefit though to share the spotlight?
- Glak18

Depends who you ask and what team they cheer for.

he might just be mad that Leafs haven't traded for Karlsson yet
- plantheparade

no way he comes now...he avoids shots like crazy

We don't have very many.

Polytechnique...struggling to think of others off the top of my head. I think the University of Alberta had one a decade ago.
- AdamFrench

There was high school shooting out west a few years ago, I believe

There was high school shooting out west a few years ago, I believe
- Fakepartofme

In Saskatchewan, right?

Interesting. I know gun control is a touchy subject in the US, as I own many myself even automatic. Although I still believe the biggest issue here is not the gun itself, but the person using it. I remember writing a paper based off patterns I noticed at the time in most of the cases. I predicted that even with a full out right ban or even restrictions on certain types, that explosives would play a bigger part in the future. I personally feel it is a lot easier to manufacture explosives then it is to obtain a restrictive firearm and still have devastating affects.

Even if you look around the world the same patterns are there. Take London, England for example. I believe sometime in 2017 they surpassed NYC in violent crimes where most murders took place using knives.

My question has always been why and what would lead a person to commit these planned and horrific acts? I kind of blame the media because they don't talk about the facts of the case which causes others to use simple reasoning like "they are just losers or a piece of poop". Which can be a valid reason, but no one discusses and releases the exact reason why the act was done and it causes speculation. One of the most common factors in all serial killings in schools in the US is caused by bullying of some sort. I am not referring to name calling or just making fun, but physical abuse, out casting and actions that drastically dictates another persons life. Another common factor in all cases, the instigators always become the victims and those people never take accountability for their actions. I don't think it's a gun issue, I think it's a respect issue for another life.
- Glak18

Definitely a touchy issue which has been politicized far too much on both sides to engage in sincere bipartisan consultation in an effort to actually save lives instead of score political points.

Access and availability are undeniably factors but on their own won't, as you say, eliminate all violent behaviour but certainly curtails the ability of would be killers to kill so many so quickly. You are right to say, IMO, that the underlying issues of respect and mental illness are in themselves more important as they are the root of the violence and not the tools used to cause said violence.

Definitely a touchy issue which has been politicized far too much on both sides to engage in sincere bipartisan consultation in an effort to actually save lives instead of score political points.

Access and availability are undeniably factors but on their own won't, as you say, eliminate all violent behaviour but certainly curtails the ability of would be killers to kill so many so quickly. You are right to say, IMO, that the underlying issues of respect and mental illness are in themselves more important as they are the root of the violence and not the tools used to cause said violence.
- BlueBallz

I blame the 40 hour work week

In Saskatchewan, right?
- PatC80

I think so.

he might just be mad that Leafs haven't traded for Karlsson yet
- plantheparade

I assume that Karlsson is smarter than Tavares... Gotta think that Karlsson wants to avoid playing second fiddle to Morgan Rielly.

Wouldn't that be a benefit though to share the spotlight?
- Glak18

Yes, we mostly share that same thought here.

That was a facetious response with tongue firmly in cheek because this is some of the nonsense that is being put out there by some of the butt hurt masses as a way to cope with the Leafs adding a really good player at no cost but cap space.

Yes, we mostly share that same thought here.

That was a facetious response with tongue firmly in cheek because this is some of the nonsense that is being put out there by some of the butt hurt masses as a way to cope with the Leafs adding a really good player at no cost but cap space.
- BlueBallz

Contrary to what others say about me, I have no issues and not surprised JT signed in Toronto. I just look at the fact that they gained, but in all honesty lost a chunk of the team, even though the reasoning I have heard is "they didn't matter anyway". To me they had to of at least mattered a little last year.

Contrary to what others say about me, I have no issues and not surprised JT signed in Toronto. I just look at the fact that they gained, but in all honesty lost a chunk of the team, even though the reasoning I have heard is "they didn't matter anyway". To me they had to of at least mattered a little last year.
- Glak18

They mattered enough to get the kids more playoff experience by keeping them for the run instead of trading them at the TDL.

Contrary to what others say about me, I have no issues and not surprised JT signed in Toronto. I just look at the fact that they gained, but in all honesty lost a chunk of the team, even though the reasoning I have heard is "they didn't matter anyway". To me they had to of at least mattered a little last year.
- Glak18

Losing Bozak and in particular JVR is addition by substraction.
Now only need to get rid of Gardiner, and Leafs have a team that can actually play to win a Stanley Cup.

Contrary to what others say about me, I have no issues and not surprised JT signed in Toronto. I just look at the fact that they gained, but in all honesty lost a chunk of the team, even though the reasoning I have heard is "they didn't matter anyway". To me they had to of at least mattered a little last year.
- Glak18

bozak is probably in decline at 32. jvr is a 29 year old winger coming off a career high in goals and shooting %. bringing them back was probably a downgrade on its own.

tavares and a young forward on a elc should at least keep us at par...but probably an upgrade over last year.

the potential of our young guys to get better while maintaining at least a similar performing roster is the key.

bozak is probably in decline at 32. jvr is a 29 year old winger coming off a career high in goals and shooting %. bringing them back was probably a downgrade on its own.

tavares and a young forward on a elc should at least keep us at par...but probably an upgrade over last year.

the potential of our young guys to get better while maintaining at least a similar performing roster is the key.
- Tumbleweed

I can't believe Bozak is 32.

I can't believe Bozak is 32.
- AdamFrench

Time flies man.

I can't believe Carey Price is 31.

Losing Bozak and in particular JVR is addition by substraction.
Now only need to get rid of Gardiner, and Leafs have a team that can actually play to win a Stanley Cup.
- plantheparade

That may be the case, but that's still production and depth that has to be accounted for. The assumption JT will make up for all of it would be impossible.

Time flies man.

I can't believe Carey Price is 31.
- Scabeh

Some weird ones for sure. I was looking at the Devils on capfriendly...Marcus Johansson is 27? WTF? Seems like a year ago he was a "promising young player."

bozak is probably in decline at 32. jvr is a 29 year old winger coming off a career high in goals and shooting %. bringing them back was probably a downgrade on its own.

tavares and a young forward on a elc should at least keep us at par...but probably an upgrade over last year.

the potential of our young guys to get better while maintaining at least a similar performing roster is the key.
- Tumbleweed

Again may all end up being valid, but just like all other teams extremely unknown until it happens.

The production for some young guys on the Flyers (Patrick, Konency, Lindblom) could skyrocket next year, but those are unknown factors. Yes, you can assume their development will increase, but by how much?

Some weird ones for sure. I was looking at the Devils on capfriendly...Marcus Johansson is 27? WTF? Seems like a year ago he was a "promising young player."
- AdamFrench

a friend my age has a 13 year old kid that was a baby like 2 days ago it feels

Contrary to what others say about me, I have no issues and not surprised JT signed in Toronto. I just look at the fact that they gained, but in all honesty lost a chunk of the team, even though the reasoning I have heard is "they didn't matter anyway". To me they had to of at least mattered a little last year.
- Glak18

I get it. Sometimes people get off on the wrong foot and things have a tendency to escalate quickly, especially when dealing with issues that exacerbate tribalism. Sports is a big one and we see what may have started out as an honest question or critique devolve into name calling and exchanges of ridiculous strawman arguments being attributed to entire groups of people. I really try to avoid those pitfalls because living in an echo chamber is not a good way to live or learn.

I was somewhat surprised by the JT signing only because history was against it, however, the circumstances surrounding the Leafs franchise currently are much different than most of the past several decades.

The Leafs kept their pending UFAs for the playoff run/experience, IMO and that was worth losing them for nothing but the cap space which allowed for the JT signing. I don't know if that was a Lou decision a Dubas decision or a mutually agreed upon position.

Defensively speaking JVR, Bozak and Komorov were pretty bad. JVR's net frontj presence and goal scoring ability will likely be the biggest loss as I don't think there is anyone currently able to fulfill that exact role/skillset. JT can score goals for sure but not in the exact same fashion. Bozak was a good faceoff guy and a go to guy i the shootout. That could cost a couple points in the standings but shootout results are somewhat random. The Leafs were brutal two seasons ago in the shootout and that was with Bozak in the lineup. I don't think anyone is going to miss Uncle Leo.

There are internal replacements for the losses albeit inexperienced ones. I prefer to reserve judgement until I see these guys play at least a few regular season games to gauge what combinations work best but I think JT makes the offseason overall a net gain even with the aforementioned departures.

Again may all end up being valid, but just like all other teams extremely unknown until it happens.

The production for some young guys on the Flyers (Patrick, Konency, Lindblom) could skyrocket next year, but those are unknown factors. Yes, you can assume their development will increase, but by how much?
- Glak18

Which 3 goalies' careers are going to be destroyed by Flyers upcoming season?

a friend my age has a 13 year old kid that was a baby like 2 days ago it feels
- daeth

It's all the hormones in the milk.

Again may all end up being valid, but just like all other teams extremely unknown until it happens.

The production for some young guys on the Flyers (Patrick, Konency, Lindblom) could skyrocket next year, but those are unknown factors. Yes, you can assume their development will increase, but by how much?
- Glak18

tavares on his own has the ability to make players better. so it's likely 1-2 players are going to benefit just from him.

based on matthews/marner/nylander's 1st couple years, i'd be surprised if they didn't improve this year. they're not unknowns at this point, just a question of how high their ceilings are.

there are no guarantees...but lots of reasons to be excited for the leafs.