Again Babcock just said when nylander is back in the press conference.

Either it’s done or he is putting enormous pressure on Dubas....

Maybe....
You can make a pretty good argument for a couple guys on this team.
Tied for 1st overall in the league.
Weird being a leaf fan right now.
- bryant

we're seeing more great plays from a leaf each game than we used to see in a month lol

That's true but it's also true of any team in every sport. When you stop playing to win and play to not lose you make mistakes.
- Aaron_85

Torts use to say "safe is death".

This is why I'd like the Leafs to get some more guys that can play a different style. More size, more grit, more cycling, more possession but still keep the obviously skilled and speedy core players.

we're seeing more great plays from a leaf each game than we used to see in a month lol
- daeth

You think we should sign Jason Blake for the playoffs? He seems to get a lot of shots on goal. Could be useful when it matters.

Yeah they probably will be and if they lose in the playoffs, they'll just have to learn the hard way I guess. It would still be better if they had better habits earlier rather than later. A top pair RHD would definitely go a long way to help them though, no doubt about it.
- Unholy_Goalie

Goals are just coming in bunches now and with the PP only getting more lethal, it'll be tough to have them pull a 180 and start playing a shutdown game. They can do it, they know how, but they don't need to yet. It'll come though.

Once February/March rolls around, they need to tighten up or it'll be a short playoff run.

is marner the leafs best player
- daeth

After Matthews, possibly.

Again Babcock just said when nylander is back in the press conference.

Either it’s done or he is putting enormous pressure on Dubas....
- bryant

Or he's just saying the safest thing possible because if he says anything other than that, it's a poop storm of headlines "Babcock indicates Nylander is a goner" etc.

Auston Matthews IS. A. LEAF.
- Steven_Seagull

should've taken Laine... Gary Lawless, Spatso

"Mathews too injury prone"....

how long until that donkey SImmons asks the stupid questions?

Again Babcock just said when nylander is back in the press conference.

Either it’s done or he is putting enormous pressure on Dubas....
- bryant

Or hes saying that so theres no tampering. Or adding fuel to the Media speculation fire.

Goals are just coming in bunches now and with the PP only getting more lethal, it'll be tough to have them pull a 180 and start playing a shutdown game. They can do it, they know how, but they don't need to yet. It'll come though.

Once February/March rolls around, they need to tighten up or it'll be a short playoff run.
- gravyface

That should start from the beginning of the season. Way easier to do a gradual 180 in November than a month before the playoffs start.

Or he's just saying the safest thing possible because if he says anything other than that, it's a poop storm of headlines "Babcock indicates Nylander is a goner" etc.
- Unholy_Goalie

Nah he is going out of his way to mention nylander. No one asked a question about him. He just brought him up 2/3 times when discussing the upcoming season.

Torts use to say "safe is death".

This is why I'd like the Leafs to get some more guys that can play a different style. More size, more grit, more cycling, more possession but still keep the obviously skilled and speedy core players.
- Unholy_Goalie

Sure and theres a couple guys I'd like to add too around the league. Trades wont happen right now though for them. We can only hope they trade for a dman to help Hainsey.

Torts use to say "safe is death".

This is why I'd like the Leafs to get some more guys that can play a different style. More size, more grit, more cycling, more possession but still keep the obviously skilled and speedy core players.
- Unholy_Goalie

I’m with you on that

Torts use to say "safe is death".

This is why I'd like the Leafs to get some more guys that can play a different style. More size, more grit, more cycling, more possession but still keep the obviously skilled and speedy core players.
- Unholy_Goalie

OK... So we should restart the rebuild?

OK... So we should restart the rebuild?
- TrashPanda

Yes. By trading for Sam Bennett. Kids got some jam.

That should start from the beginning of the season. Way easier to do a gradual 180 in November than a month before the playoffs start.
- Unholy_Goalie

They can score at ease though, for the most part, and they're still missing Nylander. Tough to convince the youths that they should start trapping for the next 50 minutes

Sure and theres a couple guys I'd like to add too around the league. Trades wont happen right now though for them. We can only hope they trade for a dman to help Hainsey.
- Aaron_85

Luckily they have Nylander as a trade chip to get that help on D. Just hope it's used wisely and brings in the right guy. Every game that St. Louis loses should be considered a win. Grabbing a guy like Pietrangelo for Nylander would be a huge help.

Yes. By trading for Sam Bennett. Kids got some jam.
- Aaron_85

Brown for Bennett. All day.

Luckily they have Nylander as a trade chip to get that help on D. Just hope it's used wisely and brings in the right guy. Every game that St. Louis loses should be considered a win. Grabbing a guy like Pietrangelo for Nylander would be a huge help.
- Unholy_Goalie

I agree. Tough trade to make because they have no cap space.

Also I'd target Ekblad first if I could.

Brown for Bennett. All day.
- Unholy_Goalie

Yeah for sure. Dubas should see if Calgary would do that. I'd toss in a prospect or mid to late pick.

They can score at ease though, for the most part, and they're still missing Nylander. Tough to convince the youths that they should start trapping for the next 50 minutes
- gravyface

They were scoring like crazy at the start and then cooled off, then heated up again. Goals aren't as easy to come by in the playoffs though, neither are powerplays especially against other top teams, 1st string goalies etc.

Nobody said it was easy but it's necessary. How many years did the Capitals score 270-300 goals, 1st in their division, 1st in the league and then bust in the playoffs? I don't want the Leafs to be one of those teams.

And it's not about trapping for 50 minutes. It's just about keeping the puck. Having possession. Creating offensive zone time. Keeping their defense on their heels instead of being on yours hoping one of the 40 shots they get doesn't deflect and tie the game. I'm not saying trap, I'm saying control the game.

I agree. Tough trade to make because they have no cap space.

Also I'd target Ekblad first if I could.
- Aaron_85

Nylander would cost them less AAV than Pietrangelo would to extend. They could keep Parayko as his replacement.

I would too but I really doubt Florida moves him. He's too big, too young, too valuable for them to give up on this early. Florida has no fans anyway so all they have to do is tank again and keep adding to Barkov, Ekblad etc. and they'll be on the Leafs and Sabres tails in a couple years.

But if they feel like making that deal, absolutely, Nylander+ for Ekblad, no problem.

Yeah for sure. Dubas should see if Calgary would do that. I'd toss in a prospect or mid to late pick.
- Aaron_85

As would I. Bennett would look very good beside Kadri and/or Matthews.

And the thing I like about Bennett is that he'll fight if he has to. The idea of Matt Martin protecting a team on the 4th line is silly but when Bennett is on the ice, playing a regular shift at the same time as some of your better players, it really comes in handy when things get tough.

so this is it?

projectile UG vomit all over the walls...

so this is it?

projectile UG vomit all over the walls...


- Arctic_AARDVARK

Until 3AM