Toughness is kind of a young man's game and Wilson is right in that sweet spot of age. That's kind of why he got his big contract. I'd be skeptical that McQuaid or anybody his age would be willing (or able) to deal with Wilson. Even Simmons seems like his tough days are fading.
- JohnFergusonJr

Trust me I truly love pugilism, McQuaid 100% is a more accomplished heavyweight than Wilson.

McQuaid in this version of the NHL is a true heavyweight he throws absolute bombs, I actually think Wilson would decline that dance.

Trust me I truly love pugilism, McQuaid 100% is a more accomplished heavyweight than Wilson.

McQuaid in this version of the NHL is a true heavyweight he throws absolute bombs, I actually think Wilson would decline that dance.
- Blazed

They're about the same size and they did actually fight three years ago.

But winning the "fight" and playing the game are two different battles. Like having Polak. Good at one thing, a liability at everything else.

So if we go .500 the rest of the way we’ll finish with the 6th best point total in franchise history.. the sixth best! And that’s only 7 points less then the leafs all time most points in the modern era. I don’t give a (frank) what y’all think we need or how bad babs is or willie holding out or Marner slumping yada yada, be (frank)ing happy we have this team.. bunch of whiners

They're about the same size and they did actually fight two years ago.

But winning the "fight" and playing the game are two different battles. Like having Polak. Good at one thing, a liability at everything else.
- JohnFergusonJr

Oh for sure, McQuaid is very close to retirement. As a 7D I don't even like it because I think Ozhiganov is solid. Still it would be very pleasant to have Wilson skate by the bench like an idiot screaming 'who wants to (frank)ing go?' and have McQuaid say sure.


I watched that fight and McQuaid handed him a pretty easy L. McQuaid landed a pretty solid bomb on Matt Martin back in the day too.

So if we go .500 the rest of the way we’ll finish with the 6th best point total in franchise history.. the sixth best! And that’s only 7 points less then the leafs all time most points in the modern era. I don’t give a (frank) what y’all think we need or how bad babs is or willie holding out or Marner slumping yada yada, be (frank)ing happy we have this team.. bunch of whiners
- Puck-us-all

It means nothing if you aren't winning President's trophies.

And as for the Gardiner talk, he's still more beneficial than detrimental, even if he does have his downsides and isn't perfect.

In terms of 5 on 5 play, Gardiner has been on the ice for 65 goals for and 48 against. By comparison, Rielly has been on the ice for 87 goals for and 64 against. More offense but also more goals against, playing against harder lines. But relatively similar for their respective pairings and match-ups.

And replacing him next year with another guy in the system won't be that easy, especially in the short term.

How was Nylander as center? I missed the game

And as for the Gardiner talk, he's still more beneficial than detrimental, even if he does have his downsides and isn't perfect.

In terms of 5 on 5 play, Gardiner has been on the ice for 65 goals for and 48 against. By comparison, Rielly has been on the ice for 87 goals for and 64 against. More offense but also more goals against, playing against harder lines. But relatively similar for their respective pairings and match-ups.

And replacing him next year with another guy in the system won't be that easy, especially in the short term.
- JohnFergusonJr

It won't and I mostly agree with it I just don't care anymore. Much like JVR and Bozak he's a perfect cap casualty. Lets move on from that era of Leafs. Unless you're Rielly and Kadri of course.

How was Nylander as center? I missed the game
- Aaron_85

Dangerous as hell.

Keep him away from defensive responsibilities and the Leafs don't have a better puck carrier.

I've always been high on Johnsson upside but 10 shots tonight? That's actually impressive. He might very well be a suitable LW for Matthews.

He just seems to have 'the touch' around the net. Not particularly exceptional in any skill and not very big. Gets looks all the time.

Trust me I truly love pugilism, McQuaid 100% is a more accomplished heavyweight than Wilson.

McQuaid in this version of the NHL is a true heavyweight he throws absolute bombs, I actually think Wilson would decline that dance.
- Blazed

I’d take him for a mid round pick.

He could be a sweet fit next to Dermott. He could also suck there...but for a mid round pick it’s worth trying to see if the Leafs actually do need some TUFFness.

I’ll still pull for a Krieder/McQuaid trade.

Marner seems to hit a bit of slump? Perhaps he is a bit too predictable now? Always drag pass.

At this rate, he won’t get paid like his dad thought he deserved.

Right now Nylander >>>. Marner

Surprising, I know.
- gamerdoc

You’ll get destroyed on here for saying that.

You’ll get destroyed on here for saying that.
- Santo_44

95% of the Leafs fans all forgot why Willie was picked at #8 and had 2x 61 pts seasons. Similar to how everyone forgot who EK65 was after a dozen under par games...
These 2 guys are, IMO, both outstanding skaters

It doesn't matter.

There is absolutely nothing that suggests this team is in any way different than last year's team.

Boston is going to take their lunch money, again.
- Aetherial

Losing going into 3rd period of game seven is "taking their lunch money"?

You’ll get destroyed on here for saying that.
- Santo_44

By who? Anyone who disagrees with that likely unable to work a computer let alone string 2 compotent sentences together.

So if we go .500 the rest of the way we’ll finish with the 6th best point total in franchise history.. the sixth best! And that’s only 7 points less then the leafs all time most points in the modern era. I don’t give a (frank) what y’all think we need or how bad babs is or willie holding out or Marner slumping yada yada, be (frank)ing happy we have this team.. bunch of whiners
- Puck-us-all

You’ll get destroyed on here for saying that.
- Santo_44

Marner hasn’t been as good as he was since the Matthews contract.

He hasn’t been that bad but he seems to be making a couple bad mistakes per game. Could be the long season and a bit of a slump or he is a bit distracted at the moment.

While they were leading in that game, that doesn't tell the story of the series. The Bruins were pretty dominant and were up 3-1 in games. The Leafs had to claw back into it and force a game 7 but it could have easily been over in 5. It was admirable that they did it, but they were never in control and if they had won game 7 it would have been more that the Bruins faltered rather than the Leafs were the better team.

They've gotten better this year but so have the Bruins. I obviously hope you're right but so far I haven't seen much to indicate that they are clearly the better team. At best it's a toss up right now which is why I think home ice would be huge, any little edge will help.
- 13sundin13

Do you forget that Anderson crap thé bed for 3 out of 7 games in last years playoff against Boston. If he would of been on his game we would of won in 6, instead,lost in 7. (He was bad in game 7 too)

Leafs should get Ho-Sang.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

NO

You’ll get destroyed on here for saying that.
- Santo_44

Unfortunately, he is right. Marner is in a bit of a funk the last couple weeks and Nylander has really picked up his game.

Losing going into 3rd period of game seven is "taking their lunch money"?
- burn

The way they beat the Leafs is taking their lunch money.

The way they beat the Leafs is taking their lunch money.
- Aetherial

I'm assuming Gardiner just blindly threw his lunch money up the middle of the cafeteria.

How was Nylander as center? I missed the game
- Aaron_85

Looked good vs the bottom 6 👍

I liked willie down the middle

They're about the same size and they did actually fight three years ago.

But winning the "fight" and playing the game are two different battles. Like having Polak. Good at one thing, a liability at everything else.
- JohnFergusonJr

McQuaid took it to Wilson pretty good.