Yeah, everything is beautiful. Leafs are one of the worst defensive teams in the league.

There was a time when Bozak/Kessel was top-3 scoring duo. I guess there was no problems there either.
- Aetherial

Team played some played pretty decent hockey, through a busy month with some adversity and is sitting in a playoff spot.

We can probably put the razorblades away.

Do you have the link for the effort stat? I can't find it...
- Blazed

You bring up an interesting point.

When the Leafs game is on, people SEE when Matthews does a flyby or a half-assed effort. They admit it during the game...

Then, somehow, when I call him out on it days later. That stuff never happened apparently.

You bring up an interesting point.

When the Leafs game is on, people SEE when Matthews does a flyby or a half-assed effort. They admit it during the game...

Then, somehow, when I call him out on it days later. That stuff never happened apparently.
- Aetherial

Mandela Effect.

Team played some played pretty decent hockey, through a busy month with some adversity and is sitting in a playoff spot.

We can probably put the razorblades away.
- Blazed

You hit on another interesting point.

What I am holding on to is that

They have had significant injures. They have had a tough sched. with back-to-back. Andersen got off to a poopty start which is normal for him. They have a number of new faces...

and still they are in a playoff spot.

Basically, I am hoping that this is the worst we see this season.
I hope the young stars on this team grow up over the next few years.

I am thinking that 21-22 is the year they need to win. After that, they have a big decision with Matthews. He will have a NTC clause in his final year, so they will need to figure out whether or not they can win with this core.

You hit on another interesting point.

What I am holding on to is that

They have had significant injures. They have had a tough sched. with back-to-back. Andersen got off to a poopty start which is normal for them. They have a number of new faces...

and still they are in a playoff spot.

Basically, I am hoping that this is the worst we see this season.
I hope the young stars on this team grow up over the next few years.

I am thinking that 21-22 is the year they need to win. After that, they have a big decision with Matthews. He will have a NTC clause in his final year, so they will need to figure out whether or not they can win with this core.
- Aetherial

This seems to be a pretty reasonable outlook.

Was reading some comments last night watching the game, haha Toronto has to have the most psycho fans in the NHL.

Leafs are in a playoff spot. Tavares, Hyman, Dermott have all been injured, they've had a particularly high amount of B2B with a questionable second tender. The majority of the losses were closes games.

Imagine at any point in Leaf history being told the Leafs will have two young 22yo ppg stars, one from Toronto, yet current fans are content to run one or even both out town. Only in Toronto.

Matthews has 12 goals in 16 games +7 and people say he can't play without the 'number 1C' lol.
- Blazed

Leafs are in a great spot actually. Peak in the 2nd half.

Let's wait til the end of the year then and see where he stands.

You think he will perform up to his salary?

We'll see.


- Aetherial

You didn’t like him when he was a 40 goal rookie. So let’s not pretend it’s the salary you have the problem with.
You have an issue with him and that’s fine but let’s not make it about his salary ffs

You didn’t like him when he was a 40 goal rookie. So let’s not pretend it’s the salary you have the problem with.
You have an issue with him and that’s fine but let’s not make it about his salary ffs
- shack67

I have grown to not like him because his controller is disconnected to often and his antics this summer suggest he is clearly still a child. I also think he was a better overall player in his first year than he is now and it is entirely the result of effort.

Let's not deflect though... your point is all about it being too early for me to assess him.

That's the beauty of numbers. Let's wait until the end of the season and see where he stands. I will gladly admit if I am wrong, you can retract your "embarrassing" comment if I prove to be right in my criticisms.

... and I don't know what fairyland you live in, but salary carries with it expectations.

I have grown to not like him because his controller is disconnected to often and his antic this summer suggest he is clearly still a child. I also think he was a better overall player in his first year than he is now and it is entirely the result of effort.

Let's not deflect though... your point is all about it being too early for me to assess him.

That's the beauty of numbers. Let's wait until the end of the season and see where he stands. I will gladly admit if I am wrong, you can retract your "embarrassing" comment if I prove to be right in my criticisms.
- Aetherial

By the way that “embarrassing” comment wasn’t directed at you. I was thinking about jfj and a couple of other people.

But at the end of the season I’ll eat my words about Matthews if you’re right.

Kessel didn't win one by 22 either. They are basically the same player.
- daeth

😁😁😁

Skimmed thru the comments in the last thread. To be honest, I'm lost for words. Some of the stuff said was just mind boggling. Some Leaf fans are starting to lose there marbles. Mathews is elite, only player I'd give him up for is McDavid. So to me that makes him the second best center in the NHL. His production at such a young age is outstanding. He just turned 22 for (frank) sakes...

Skimmed thru the comments in the last thread. To be honest, I'm lost for words. Some of the stuff said was just mind boggling. Some Leaf fans are starting to lose there marbles. Mathews is elite, only player I'd give him up for is McDavid. So to me that makes him the second best center in the NHL. His production at such a young age is outstanding. He just turned 22 for (frank) sakes...
- Buck Norris

It's like Babs said today on overdrive. Matthews has got to want to go head to head with the best players, look them in the eye and be better than them and just beat them.

Skimmed thru the comments in the last thread. To be honest, I'm lost for words. Some of the stuff said was just mind boggling. Some Leaf fans are starting to lose there marbles. Mathews is elite, only player I'd give him up for is McDavid. So to me that makes him the second best center in the NHL. His production at such a young age is outstanding. He just turned 22 for (frank) sakes...
- Buck Norris

That’s exactly how I feel. He’s gonna score 50 plus every year but if he’s not a selke nominee he’s an overpaid bust.

That’s exactly how I feel. He’s gonna score 50 plus every year but if he’s not a selke nominee he’s an overpaid bust.
- shack67

If Matthews puts up 50 goals, he gets a pass on the Selke trophy. How many Selke trophies has OV won?

If Matthews puts up 50 goals, he gets a pass on the Selke trophy. How many Selke trophies has OV won?
- PatC80

Negative 9.

123 goals, 223 points in 228 games...but he isn’t Bergeron so he sucks.


We can’t have nice things.
- Steven_Seagull

Matthews only has 100 assists... What a glory hog.

Negative 9.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Exactly..

Matthews scores 50 goals, and we're still gonna criticize him?

If Matthews puts up 50 goals, he gets a pass on the Selke trophy. How many Selke trophies has OV won?
- PatC80

He won’t get a pass in this thread. It will become “he didn’t lead his team to the cup”

Exactly..

Matthews scores 50 goals, and we're still gonna criticize him?
- PatC80

if he hits 50 there's pretty much no way you can argue he's not worth his money

He won’t get a pass in this thread. It will become “he didn’t lead his team to the cup”
- shack67

Maybe not. Maybe if he had 25 PP goals and 25 even strength goals. Good with the man advantage and good at 5 on 5. Although, I guess we'd argue he's not good on the pk.

That’s exactly how I feel. He’s gonna score 50 plus every year but if he’s not a selke nominee he’s an overpaid bust.
- shack67

I don’t think he’ll play enough games if he keeps taking hits, to hit 50.

All this could be solved if the Leafs had a guy like Wilson. Or at least someone who’ll respond, like Kadri used to. They’re missing his presence, he played the right way.

if he hits 50 there's pretty much no way you can argue he's not worth his money
- daeth

I personally think he's worth it already. Matthews can dominate a game like only a few others can.

I don’t think he’ll play enough games if he keeps taking hits, to hit 50.

All this could be solved if the Leafs had a guy like Wilson. Or at least someone who’ll respond, like Kadri used to. They’re missing his presence, he played the right way.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You mean outside of the suspensions?

Exactly..

Matthews scores 50 goals, and we're still gonna criticize him?
- PatC80

It would be foolish.

In my opinion, at least.

I don’t think he’ll play enough games if he keeps taking hits, to hit 50.

All this could be solved if the Leafs had a guy like Wilson. Or at least someone who’ll respond, like Kadri used to. They’re missing his presence, he played the right way.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I hope he stays healthy. But I don’t think Kadri was much of a deterrent. They could use a big, tough player.