The annoying thing is, an analyst will give their opinion and then SN runs with it as fact with other articles about this original opinion.

Like This:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ture-leafs-beyond-season/

From this morning and from someone who is not Friedman.

This "opinion" quickly becomes fact according to SN.
- RogerRoeper

It’s hardly reporting opinion as fact. The headline is a question - does WN have a future? The first sentence says no one knows what is going to happen. The article then just repeats Friedmann’’s opinion

I have to assume that Babs knows more than we think.. I think he's telling us fans ( sorry UG, I don't call you a Leafs fan) that Willy will sign on Dec 1.
- PatC80

They've been pretty transparent about that. This management team works as a group. As Babs has said about Dubas - someone has to make the final decision and that's his (Dubas') job - but they talk about everything and everyone.

Would you? I know he brings leadership and the kids like him . . . and I'll admit that I was against signing Marleau, but was impressed by him last year. This year, I'm less impressed, and next year I'm expecting to be frequently irritated with him if they overplay him.

To me he is showing steady and predictable decline. I would hope that we have something in the farm that can replace his declining production and capabilities.
- Monkeypunk

Bizarre, random tangent:

I was in LeafSports last night, and they had Marleau's used sticks for sale.

Holy frank, it was like a piece of rebar. I couldn't bend the thing.

Complete opposite to what the kids are using these days.

Ennis' stick was probably a 70 flex, with an ice cream scoop at the end.

blah blah blah blah

I have read (red) you talking down for 10 plus years


I would have thought the leafs won 8 cups based on your post in the last decade

I am 47, never seen them even in the finals

but go on, please
- homiedclown

So I'm the biggest troll yet you can't provide a single link of me trolling.

I don't need to go on. You made the claim. Back it up or shut up. Troll.

You could be 147 years old and you'll never have seen the Sabres win a cup.

Bizarre, random tangent:

I was in LeafSports last night, and they had Marleau's used sticks for sale.

Holy frank, it was like a piece of rebar. I couldn't bend the thing.

Complete opposite to what the kids are using these days.

Ennis' stick was probably a 70 flex, with an ice cream scoop at the end.
- Atomic Wedgie

That's because Marleau can actually flex it...I'm sure he's 220 or something.

Marner probably uses a 50 flex....something I wish I had back in the day.

It’s hardly reporting opinion as fact. The headline is a question - does WN have a future? The first sentence says no one knows what is going to happen. The article then just repeats Friedmann’’s opinion
- Canada Cup

I'm going to have to agree with Roger here.

I was listening to The FAN590 this morning - they were interviewing some guy from a French Canadian media outlet.

He was stating as absolute fact that if Nylander signs a contract, he will not be in a Leafs uniform next year. The entire 10 minute interview revolved around how Nylander is justified in holding out (dude said Nylander shouldn't sign a contract at any price) because the Leafs have already committed to trading him.

It was franking ridiculous.

I'm going to have to agree with Roger here.

I was listening to The FAN590 this morning - they were interviewing some guy from a French Canadian media outlet.

He was stating as absolute fact that if Nylander signs a contract, he will not be in a Leafs uniform next year. The entire 10 minute interview revolved around how Nylander is justified in holding out (dude said Nylander shouldn't sign a contract at any price) because the Leafs have already committed to trading him.

It was franking ridiculous.
- Atomic Wedgie

They are going to get a discount on him through years 2+ for him.

If this is a long term deal they will get around 500k off each year... so the contract could be around 6.25-6.50...IMO that’s going to be good value...I don’t think they could get a better one through trade.

Also more importantly we want to keep Matthews happy here...no offence to Johnsson but he isn’t Nylander and I’m sure AM would much rather have Willie on his wing for the next 5 years.

Does Nylander suit up against the Sabres next week?

Does Nylander suit up for the Sabres next week?
- TheMussel

fixed

They are going to get a discount on him through years 2+ for him.

If this is a long term deal they will get around 500k off each year... so the contract could be around 6.25-6.50...IMO that’s going to be good value...I don’t think they could get a better one through trade.

Also more importantly we want to keep Matthews happy here...no offence to Johnsson but he isn’t Nylander and I’m sure AM would much rather have Willie on his wing for the next 5 years.
- Santo_44

I am praying that he signs at the last minute, so that fans of other teams can lose their franking minds screaming "conspiracy! CBA circumvention! It's not fair! WAh wah wah wah wah!"

It will be franking glorious.

I may have to go to Vancouver just to walk around in a Nylander jersey and smell the salty tears.

fixed
- TrashPanda

we all know the answer to that

we all know the answer to that
- TheMussel

I'm going to miss him.

I'm going to have to agree with Roger here.

I was listening to The FAN590 this morning - they were interviewing some guy from a French Canadian media outlet.

He was stating as absolute fact that if Nylander signs a contract, he will not be in a Leafs uniform next year. The entire 10 minute interview revolved around how Nylander is justified in holding out (dude said Nylander shouldn't sign a contract at any price) because the Leafs have already committed to trading him.

It was franking ridiculous.
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't see a scenario where the Leafs sign Nylander to a long term deal at a fair price and then trade him.. I think the only way he would be moved is if they can't agree on a contract.
If Nylander signs for less than the reported $6.9M per, he'll outplay that in 2 years, making it a good value contract, not an anchor.

Meanwhile, in Florida:

we all know the answer to that
- TheMussel

Is it, that Alex sucks?

I'm going to have to agree with Roger here.

I was listening to The FAN590 this morning - they were interviewing some guy from a French Canadian media outlet.

He was stating as absolute fact that if Nylander signs a contract, he will not be in a Leafs uniform next year. The entire 10 minute interview revolved around how Nylander is justified in holding out (dude said Nylander shouldn't sign a contract at any price) because the Leafs have already committed to trading him.

It was franking ridiculous.
- Atomic Wedgie

the entire situation and the related "reporting" (which is 99% speculative) is hot garbage.

1) Nylander is allowed to hold-out... he's not breaking any rules and he's playing the one card he has
2) Leafs don't have to sign him - they can allow him to miss the entire season and it really only hurts Nylander for the most part
3) No one in the media KNOWS anything about what has been offered and when.
4) No one KNOWS what WN's agent and Father have said or done

its boring at this point.

I hope he signs a 2-3 year bridge deal. That allows him to bet on himself, and by then Marleau's CAP hit will be gone, and the CAP will likely have gone up 5-8$. Marner and Matthews would be signed or whatever.

Time to move on.

I am praying that he signs at the last minute, so that fans of other teams can lose their franking minds screaming "conspiracy! CBA circumvention! It's not fair! WAh wah wah wah wah!"

It will be franking glorious.

I may have to go to Vancouver just to walk around in a Nylander jersey and smell the salty tears.
- Atomic Wedgie

He will be “overpaid” no matter what according to other fans.

Willie, Matthews, Johnsson/Kap will connect for many goals. Leaf haters are not going to enjoy this.

Does Nylander suit up for the Sabres next week?
- TheMussel

Alex?

No. He sucks.

Is it, that Alex sucks?
- PatC80

He's almost PPG in the A. I don't think he'll ever be William but could well still be a top 6 player. He's got the skill.


But yes he sucks.

Meanwhile, in Florida:


- Atomic Wedgie

I don't get why Betteman is so against moving franchises. The NFL is so much more popular, and they have no fear of moving teams for rather insignificant reasons (read into why the Rams left St-Louis).

And if I hear one more person tell me Florida has amazing young talent and will be better next year I am going to scream.

the entire situation and the related "reporting" (which is 99% speculative) is hot garbage.

1) Nylander is allowed to hold-out... he's not breaking any rules and he's playing the one card he has
2) Leafs don't have to sign him - they can allow him to miss the entire season and it really only hurts Nylander for the most part
3) No one in the media KNOWS anything about what has been offered and when.
4) No one KNOWS what WN's agent and Father have said or done

its boring at this point.

I hope he signs a 2-3 year bridge deal. That allows him to bet on himself, and by then Marleau's CAP hit will be gone, and the CAP will likely have gone up 5-8$. Marner and Matthews would be signed or whatever.

Time to move on.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Not moving on just yet;

1)Nylander is being a little greedy, and he's breaking my heart..

2)Leafs have to sign him to a long term deal at a reasonable cap hit to heal my broken heart

He's almost PPG in the A. I don't think he'll ever be William but could well still be a top 6 player. He's got the skill.


But yes he sucks.
- TheMussel

Woohooo!!! I got one right..

Meanwhile, in Florida:


- Atomic Wedgie

It's like watching a Finland Latvia world junior relegation game in Montreal

Meanwhile, in Florida:


- Atomic Wedgie

You sure that's not Ottawa? I know spatso has Florida as his location, but he's so close to the Melnyk leaks and city machinations that he must be living in Ottawa.

*spatso in orange*

You sure that's not Ottawa? I know spatso has Florida as his location, but he's so close to the Melnyk leaks and city machinations that he must be living in Ottawa.
- AdamFrench

Maybe he's mistaken the BB&T centre for the Canadian Tire Centre this whole time and he's actually been watching the Panthers.

Would explain why he thinks the team has potential.