Way off, IMO. Even if this team was perfect, we still could have lost. It takes way more than a perfect team to win. Look at Tampa.
You guys are acting like this was the only shot to win a cup
Backup goaltender aside, we were better this year than last year.
I expect there will be tweaks, and we'll be better next year than this year. It's called growth. Junk will be moved out and hopefully with better personel in all positions, including coaches.
The foundation of this team is just fine.
- UsernameUnknown

Agreed, a lot of hysterics today as expected.

Agreed, a lot of hysterics today as expected.
- Zezel

There are steps to be made to improve the team, and despite Max's awful opinions, I fully expect Dubas to make those improvements. Nothing dramatic needs to happen.
The fact that people lost faith in the Shanaplan already is saddening, although, as you said, expected.

Agreed, a lot of hysterics today as expected.
- Zezel

honestly like your positive attitude.
how much patience can you give the leafs organization though?
it's not like in recent years they have offered great playoff runs - all that while having the deepest pockets in nhl.

Agreed, a lot of hysterics today as expected.
- Zezel

I am hysterical.

There are steps to be made to improve the team, and despite Max's awful opinions, I fully expect Dubas to make those improvements. Nothing dramatic needs to happen.
The fact that people lost faith in the Shanaplan already is saddening, although, as you said, expected.
- UsernameUnknown

step 1: tank and draft top level talent (easy one, we can all do that with a bit of patience)
step 2: with the incredible amount of capspace and deep pockets, add a UFA star and some other good players (easy one as well)
step 3: improve the team through trades and other depth moves (this is where we are right now - not going well).

something like this?

Bruins ruined my bracket

How is yours against your son?
- Aaron_85

Well I only got Boston right out of all 8 predictions. Washington might save me.

My 4 year old boy got St-Louis, San Jose (who he has winning the cup) and also picked the Hurricane so.... I might get defeated once again by a kid who's pick revolves in: "That logo looks cool".

Leafs lost to a better team. I think Babcock job is safe but this time next year with the same results may not be the same tune.

I like Marleau but I think his time is done.
Brown gets traded to the Oilers.
Johnsson or Kapanen gets moved unless they take a team friendly contract. Cap hit of
2.3 mil per player on a 3 yr deal.
IDK what they'll do with Sparks.

The worst part of all of this is that NOTHING material is going to change except we will lose a couple decent players in order to keep Marner.
- Aetherial

I dont agree, at minimum Gardiner and Hainsey are gone

I would expect some of Zietsev, Brown or Kadri and maybe Marleau could also be gone.

I don't necessarily think there's something fundamentally wrong going forward, and things can be fixed, but the team is definitely not as far advanced as some initially thought.

Losing Gardiner is a massive help. They need to wait until Marleau and Horton (for bonus reasons) are gone. They will probably trade Nylander for defensive help at some point next year, especially if Bracco looks like a mainstay.

They'll have to wait for Sandin/Lillybust to graduate. Once they have a core of Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Rielly and Andersen and decide to commit to filling out the roster with not only skill, but size, then they should find some success in the playoffs.

They're a shoe in for the playoffs next year and will play Boston again, so they have a year to sort some of it out. I'd move Johnsson as well if i was management.

Muzzin looks like a decent 2nd pairing guy, although i question the timing of the trade. To me, a trade like that should have occurred this offseason, but whatevs.
- walshyleafsfan

In 2 years, Andersen and Rielly are up again. Rielly is going to cost a fortune. I suspect Andersen is gone, out of sheer finances.

In 2 years is Sandin really a top-4 NHL D? It doesn't look like Lilybust is.

honestly like your positive attitude.
how much patience can you give the leafs organization though?
it's not like in recent years they have offered great playoff runs - all that while having the deepest pockets in nhl.
- MaximusAurelius

Growing up in the Ballard years, and missing the playoffs for years after Sundin, this is great. This is a golden age. They're gonna be a playoff lock for years, that's what matters. Look at Washington, how long did it take them to get there? They were dead last three seasons ago. I'd be tuning out if I was a Sens fan. Next season is gonna be rad. It's the best time ever to be a Leafs fan.

step 1: tank and draft top level talent (easy one, we can all do that with a bit of patience)
step 2: with the incredible amount of capspace and deep pockets, add a UFA star and some other good players (easy one as well)
step 3: improve the team through trades and other depth moves (this is where we are right now - not going well).

something like this?
- MaximusAurelius

Why is it that everything Dubas has already done is easy, but everything he hasn't makes him a horrible GM.
Step 3 is what all teams are perpetually trying to do. That's not a shanaplan thing. That's literally what GMs do. Muzzin was a great depth move. Ennis was a good depth signing.
I'm willing to bet that next year's lineup won't look like this years lineup because Dubas will change stuff. I know, crazy right!?

Tell me more about 5 on 5 goal differential.

... because apparently that is somehow not a dumb stat.

In a single game sample, yeah it is a dumb stat, so are all analytics on a sample that small.

So, let's ignore the number.

Matthews was matched against the 3rd and 4th lines for much of his time. What did he generate last night?
- Aetherial

recording a goal against as a negative to a player on the ice while both teams are playing with the same players on the ice seems reasonable

doing it while your team has no goalie in the net...tells you nothing

I dont agree, at minimum Gardiner and Hainsey are gone

I would expect some of Zietsev, Brown or Kadri and maybe Marleau could also be gone.
- senstroll

Zaitsev will be a Leaf for the next 3 years at least. Deal with it.

yes. That absolutely has to be removed from the stat.

I find it shocking that it is in there frankly? I don't know how much difference is makes over the course of a season, or a career, but it definitely doesn't make sense.
- Aetherial

your best players are on the ice with your net empty, last i checked Barkov had 10 or 12 minuses from this exact thing

Way off, IMO. Even if this team was perfect, we still could have lost. It takes way more than a perfect team to win. Look at Tampa.
You guys are acting like this was the only shot to win a cup
Backup goaltender aside, we were better this year than last year.
I expect there will be tweaks, and we'll be better next year than this year. It's called growth. Junk will be moved out and hopefully replaced with better personnel in all positions, including coaches.
The foundation of this team is just fine.
- UsernameUnknown

Naw UU, I know this isn't their only shot. In fact, I didn't think they were ready this year... although I did hope there was a possibility.

The concerns aren't about the window being closed. It is about the cap, who are we going to lose? It is about the goalie with the .850 sv. pct in Game 7... It is also about the drama Babcock v Dubas, Babcock v. Matthews, Babcock v. Marner now? The stubborn and sometimes nonsensical usage of players.

There is a lot to address.

Way off, IMO. Even if this team was perfect, we still could have lost. It takes way more than a perfect team to win. Look at Tampa.
You guys are acting like this was the only shot to win a cup
Backup goaltender aside, we were better this year than last year.
I expect there will be tweaks, and we'll be better next year than this year. It's called growth. Junk will be moved out and hopefully replaced with better personnel in all positions, including coaches.
The foundation of this team is just fine.
- UsernameUnknown

After a night of cooling off. A few thoughts.

This team is probably what people would of predicted before the season started. A little better than last year, but a young inconsistent team still.

I defended babs a bit but at this point I’m not sure what to say. Trotting ennis Marleau nylander our for 1:10 of every power play is mind boggling. And Matthews / Tavares shouldn’t of left the ice in the third period.

I hate nylanders guts. The giveaway with the empty net because he was afraid to get his sums him up in a nutshell. I unfortunately he’s going nowhere. Can’t sell an asset at an unbelievably low stock price.

Freddy was very good for most of the series. But arguably two back breaking goals once again in game 7.

I have no clue what goes on behind the scenes. But I can’t imagine a world where these players don’t hate Babcock. Scratching mike modano for the last game of his career and letting him retire with 1499 games played tells me a lot about the kind of guy he is. As does his 0 adjustments throughout the series / year. Did nothing to change a stagnant power play for 89 games and an awful pk

Well I only got Boston right out of all 8 predictions. Washington might save me.

My 4 year old boy got St-Louis, San Jose (who he has winning the cup) and also picked the Hurricane so.... I might get defeated once again by a kid who's pick revolves in: "That logo looks cool".
- Scabeh

I felt it was an upset year so I have the islanders, BJs , blues, Colorado and Dallas. Bruins and sharks ruined my perfect bracket. My 4 year old nephew had the jets winning. Poor kid.

I didnt play for money or else I likely dont make as many upset picks.

your best players are on the ice with your net empty, last i checked Barkov had 10 or 12 minuses from this exact thing
- senstroll

At the very least the +'s should also be removed.

... I would be surprised at that Stat for Barkov? Seems like a helluva lot?

Why is it that everything Dubas has already done is easy, but everything he hasn't makes him a horrible GM.
Step 3 is what all teams are perpetually trying to do. That's not a shanaplan thing. That's literally what GMs do. Muzzin was a great depth move. Ennis was a good depth signing.
I'm willing to bet that next year's lineup won't look like this years lineup because Dubas will change stuff. I know, crazy right!?
- UsernameUnknown

Except Dubas didn't do it.

After a night of cooling off. A few thoughts.

This team is probably what people would of predicted before the season started. A little better than last year, but a young inconsistent team still.

I defended babs a bit but at this point I’m not sure what to say. Trotting ennis Marleau nylander our for 1:10 of every power play is mind boggling. And Matthews / Tavares shouldn’t of left the ice in the third period.

I hate nylanders guts. The giveaway with the empty net because he was afraid to get his sums him up in a nutshell. I unfortunately he’s going nowhere. Can’t sell an asset at an unbelievably low stock price.

Freddy was very good for most of the series. But arguably two back breaking goals once again in game 7.

I have no clue what goes on behind the scenes. But I can’t imagine a world where these players don’t hate Babcock. Scratching mike modano for the last game of his career and letting him retire with 1499 games played tells me a lot about the kind of guy he is. As does his 0 adjustments throughout the series / year. Did nothing to change a stagnant power play for 89 games and an awful pk
- dragus84

And yet with Babs, both Shanahan and Yzerman who played for him, selected him to coach teams they were running, so who knows.

In 2 years, Andersen and Rielly are up again. Rielly is going to cost a fortune. I suspect Andersen is gone, out of sheer finances.

In 2 years is Sandin really a top-4 NHL D? It doesn't look like Lilybust is.
- Aetherial

I honestly think Sandin will be a top 4 defenseman, he looks so good. Obviously no guarantee though. Lillybust will be a good enough NHL defenseman if paired with the right guy. And he's gonna be cheap for a few years. They'll definitely resign Rielly. There'll be players coming and going, but the core is there. I think Andersen will get resigned as well. They're fine from a cap perspective of they can move Marleau. If they chose to move Nylander (don't know if they will) I think they'll be a host of teams wanting him.

Growing up in the Ballard years, and missing the playoffs for years after Sundin, this is great. This is a golden age. They're gonna be a playoff lock for years, that's what matters. Look at Washington, how long did it take them to get there? They were dead last three seasons ago. I'd be tuning out if I was a Sens fan. Next season is gonna be rad. It's the best time ever to be a Leafs fan.
- Zezel

game 6 and 7 made me miss the heart and effort of Grabovski.
didn't have nearly the skillset Nylander has.
but boy, you know he'd put 110% in to win a game.
eventually, that's what makes the difference in playoffs.

Why is it that everything Dubas has already done is easy, but everything he hasn't makes him a horrible GM.
Step 3 is what all teams are perpetually trying to do. That's not a shanaplan thing. That's literally what GMs do. Muzzin was a great depth move. Ennis was a good depth signing.
I'm willing to bet that next year's lineup won't look like this years lineup because Dubas will change stuff. I know, crazy right!?
- UsernameUnknown

The Ennis signing was a good move. I suspect there will be other, similar moves. I have no idea what the Petan trade was about, then again, the cost was pretty much nil.

I am more interested in coaching changes somewhere.

I don't know how you explain away horrific special teams play, unless you chalk it up to effort... and if the whole team is made up of players unwilling to pay the price, they are F'd.

I honestly think Sandin will be a top 4 defenseman, he looks so good. Obviously no guarantee though. Lillybust will be a good enough NHL defenseman if paired with the right guy. And he's gonna be cheap for a few years. They'll definitely resign Rielly. There'll be players coming and going, but the core is there. I think Andersen will get resigned as well. They're fine from a cap perspective of they can move Marleau. If they chose to move Nylander (don't know if they will) I think they'll be a host of teams wanting him.
- walshyleafsfan

I remember how badly I wanted Nylander traded before he signed.

I don't how it wasn't crystal (frank)ing clear to everyone that this is NOT someone you want on the team.

Now his value is (frank)ed.

The Ennis signing was a good move. I suspect there will be other, similar moves. I have no idea what the Petan trade was about, then again, the cost was pretty much nil.

I am more interested in coaching changes somewhere.

I don't know how you explain away horrific special teams play, unless you chalk it up to effort... and if the whole team is made up of players unwilling to pay the price, they are F'd.
- Aetherial

DJ Smith will be fired and we'll all be on board until the PP falters again.