They could always upset someone for a matchup in the 2nd round.

WE CAN DREAM.
- Scabeh

The next Steve Mason

Gimme Kapanen

I think we can all agree that we want anyone but Boston. But Buffalo or Montreal would be fantastic.
- Monkeypunk

I've seen a few around here who would like to get back at the Bruins for last year.

Most here won't remember, but I did say Matthews would have a hard time vs Bergeron last playoffs.... and it happened.

I also said it would be a learning experience that would make Matthews better, just like Crosby was much better the 2nd time he faced Detroit after facing (and getting destroyed) by Zetterberg in their first final.

I think the Leafs would look much better this time around vs Boston.

Gimme Kapanen
- BINGO!

Hmmm no

Damn those leafs fans who want to add a quality young dman. Damn them!
Hamilton - good nowhere near a tire fire
Manson- decent, not a tire fire
Muzzin - ok, not a tire fire
Pesce - good nowhere near a tire fire
Parayko - really good, nowhere near a tire fire.
- Fakepartofme

precisely... why would you want any of those guys?

quite frankly, I know Nylander will be slow to start, but can anyone come up with a legitimate argument for not dealing him for a higher end defenseman? Is there a non-emotional argument that can made? Don't think so.

Hmmm no
- Puck-us-all

Okay well what if I ask really nicely?

Okay well what if I ask really nicely?
- BINGO!

How many more Finns do you need?

An interesting thought on Parayko.

If he’s indeed very available.

Trading Gardiner +one of Kap/Johnnson+a high conditional pick for him. Makes sense?

The Blues could flip Gards at the deadline.

Also keep in mind the Sabres have their 1st round pick...they won’t want to tank. Adding Gardiner until the TDL helps them not tank.
- Santo_44

if the Blues stink this year, they(The Blues) have the option of deferring the pick until 2020

I've seen a few around here who would like to get back at the Bruins for last year.

Most here won't remember, but I did say Matthews would have a hard time vs Bergeron last playoffs.... and it happened.

I also said it would be a learning experience that would make Matthews better, just like Crosby was much better the 2nd time he faced Detroit after facing (and getting destroyed) by Zetterberg in their first final.

I think the Leafs would look much better this time around vs Boston.
- Scabeh

Having Tavares line up against Krejci instead of Bozak might help....

Just a guess

if the Blues stink this year, they(The Blues) have the option of deferring the pick until 2020
- BorjeFan4Ever

Ahh

That’s why Sabres fans aren’t busting a nut every time they lose.

How many more Finns do you need?
- AdamFrench

Just Kapanen and Kakko and then we'll be good.

Having Tavares line up against Krejci instead of Bozak might help....

Just a guess
- Santo_44

Indeed.

Leafs are a better team than last year.

And I'm sure some guys learned quite alot from facing a good veteran team like Boston last playoffs. Which should bring a better contribution from some players who didn't do so well last time.

Just Kapanen and Kakko and then we'll be good.
- BINGO!

I have officially joined the Kakko bandwagon.

Okay well what if I ask really nicely?
- BINGO!

I don’t know.. give it a try and we’ll see

Just Kapanen and Kakko and then we'll be good.
- BINGO!

You guys are getting Tarasenko. That's an AF4!

I've seen a few around here who would like to get back at the Bruins for last year.

Most here won't remember, but I did say Matthews would have a hard time vs Bergeron last playoffs.... and it happened.

I also said it would be a learning experience that would make Matthews better, just like Crosby was much better the 2nd time he faced Detroit after facing (and getting destroyed) by Zetterberg in their first final.

I think the Leafs would look much better this time around vs Boston.
- Scabeh

I hate to sound like a broken record on this topic... but the issue for the Leafs is going to be officiating - nothing else.

If you compare the playoff series in 2013 and the one from last year against the officiating that the Bruins received in the subsequent rounds of the playoffs, the results are telling. Bruins got away with murder in the 2013 series, in fact I'm surprised Chara was able to move his arms after the first round. Last year the nonsense with the Kadri suspension, and Marchand running around doing stupid sh_t... if that repeats itself no way the Leafs win the series.

And before you go off on "just another Leaf fan complaining about officiating"... why is the Leafs have the fewest powerplay opportunities?

You guys are getting Tarasenko. That's an AF4!
- AdamFrench

I'm really curious in which direction the Blues are going moving forward.

You keep hearing rumors about Tarasenko, Pietrangelo, Parayko..... but I don't see them going "sell everything" mode just yet.... too many good players on that team for them to fail this badly...

Damn those leafs fans who want to add a quality young dman. Damn them!
Hamilton - good nowhere near a tire fire
Manson- decent, not a tire fire
Muzzin - ok, not a tire fire
Pesce - good nowhere near a tire fire
Parayko - really good, nowhere near a tire fire.
- Fakepartofme

several of these guys legitimately have not been good in this season. Many much longer than that.

Starting with Dougie Hamilton. He's got all the tools, but it doesn't seem to be coming together as a good dman in recent years. It's really no coincidence he's going on his 4th team in 5 seasons.

I hate to sound like a broken record on this topic... but the issue for the Leafs is going to be officiating - nothing else.

If you compare the playoff series in 2013 and the one from last year against the officiating that the Bruins received in the subsequent rounds of the playoffs, the results are telling. Bruins got away with murder in the 2013 series, in fact I'm surprised Chara was able to move his arms after the first round. Last year the nonsense with the Kadri suspension, and Marchand running around doing stupid sh_t... if that repeats itself no way the Leafs win the series.

And before you go off on "just another Leaf fan complaining about officiating"... why is the Leafs have the fewest powerplay opportunities?
- BorjeFan4Ever

Well someone needs to be last.

Might as well be you guys!

I've seen a few around here who would like to get back at the Bruins for last year.

Most here won't remember, but I did say Matthews would have a hard time vs Bergeron last playoffs.... and it happened.

I also said it would be a learning experience that would make Matthews better, just like Crosby was much better the 2nd time he faced Detroit after facing (and getting destroyed) by Zetterberg in their first final.

I think the Leafs would look much better this time around vs Boston.
- Scabeh

As Santo added, having Tavares will help significantly, as will having more experience for all of the kids.

But I just can't . . you know, no matter how I say it, I'll come across like I'm whining, but the officiating when the Leafs play Boston is absolutely lop-sided.

I hate the Bruins.

Gimme Kapanen
- BINGO!

what are you giving back in return?

As Santo added, having Tavares will help significantly, as will having more experience for all of the kids.

But I just can't . . you know, no matter how I say it, I'll come across like I'm whining, but the officiating when the Leafs play Boston is absolutely lop-sided.

I hate the Bruins.
- Monkeypunk

Agreed.

Somehow, Montreal always had great success against them in the playoffs though.

Tampa
Leafs
Boston

Washington
Columbus
Pittsburgh

NY Islanders
Philadelphia
- plantheparade

Buffalo is 10 games above .500, i dont see them dropping out of the playoffs and the islanders getting in.

Buffalo is 10 games above .500, i dont see them dropping out of the playoffs and the islanders getting in.
- Fakepartofme

Really? You point out the Islanders and not Philly being in there?

The Islanders are currently in a playoff spot.

Grab a coffee Fake!

I'm really curious in which direction the Blues are going moving forward.

You keep hearing rumors about Tarasenko, Pietrangelo, Parayko..... but I don't see them going "sell everything" mode just yet.... too many good players on that team for them to fail this badly...
- Scabeh

absolute parallel with the Flyers... inconsistent goaltending and that's what you get... Blues might be fragile... goalie lets in one stinker and they fold up the tent and go home... watched a few games this year, that's what it looks like to me.

and then there's the O'Reilly effect...