no Barrie or Ceci is 10 mill off the books right off the bat

Sry I said “Tavares trade” earlier, he wasn’t traded for.

But that signing was so puzzling and I really feel like it started the downward trend.

Not trying to troll just trying to discuss the reason for the lack of playoff success. You guys can still right the ship because of how young the core is, and it’s been a huge positive having Nylander live up to the standards of his contract. He looks great.

But committing that $$ to a C(Tavares) when you already had a 1C/2C combo at the time of Matthews and Kadri was extremely foolish. Then you eventually move Kadri. And add Barrie(another offensively minded defenseman). Now it’s much harder to fill in the roster depth and address the areas of need.

I would look to trade Tavares ASAP for a legit 1D. You don’t need Tavares, never did. It was a pointless acquisition.
- SimpleJack

He was (frank)ing awful tonight.

Almost 5 month pause, then 1 week of disappointing hockey and again nothing until, what, January? Should’ve just scrapped the season. Sure I’m bitter, but it’s only once you don’t have a team in it that you realize how ridiculous this whole thing is.
- bartsch

Cry me a river, lol If the Leafs had not rolled over and died you would be all over this.

Still plenty of teams that would KILL to have a young forward trio as good as Nylander/Marner/Matthews.

You have the hard part taken care of.

Now just fill in the lesser parts.

Typically I’d say needing a 1D would be a big deal, but having Tavares as a trade chip to acquire one makes it much more attainable. So start there.

He was (frank)ing awful tonight.
- fifty__missions

Meh, just one game. I bet lots of ur guys were awful tonight, it happens. My point is overall he’s definitely lived up to his contract.

Still plenty of teams that would KILL to have a young forward trio as good as Nylander/Marner/Matthews.

You have the hard part taken care of.

Now just fill in the lesser parts.

Typically I’d say needing a 1D would be a big deal, but having Tavares as a trade chip to acquire one makes it much more attainable. So start there.
- SimpleJack

Trade the guy who has a full no trade clause? Just so easy.

After pondering this game and loss, I’ve come to the conclusion that I pretty much don’t give a frank.

Kapanen was hot trash this "post-season". So was Holl. And a bunch of others.
- fifty__missions

Holl played ok.

Cry me a river, lol If the Leafs had not rolled over and died you would be all over this.
- joegreif17

You need to work on your reading. Analyze and interpret, kiddo. English isn’t even my first language 🤣 but I’m willing to give you lessons.

This Leafs team reminds me of the Flyers teams pre Hextall(as GM). All forwards no defense/goaltending. I think you guys might have to trade JT or Marner for a legit D man. Nylander isn’t going to get it done.

Holl played ok.
- burn

On a good team, he is at the very, very best a third pair guy, and more likely a 7-8 on the depth chart. That kind of "ok", yeah.

Look at how much depth Carolina has on their blueline. I’m sure they’d love Tavares in exchange for Slavin. Or what about to Columbus for Jones/Werenski. I’m just throwing out ideas.

Look when you don’t score a 5x5 goal for the last 183 minutes of a series...

There’s plenty of blame to go around...

This Leafs team reminds me of the Flyers teams pre Hextall(as GM). All forwards no defense/goaltending. I think you guys might have to trade JT or Marner for a legit D man. Nylander isn’t going to get it done.
- hereticpride

Thanks. But the only Flyer fan I take input from is Flyfreaky.

Boston is awful.
- RogerRoeper

Do you really think the Bruins will be awful when it starts for real. The Canes are good but I will consider it a huge upset if they beat the Bruins. Too much talent and character on the Bruins to lose. I think Mrazek and Reimer will do in the Canes.

Look at how much depth Carolina has on their blueline. I’m sure they’d love Tavares in exchange for Slavin. Or what about to Columbus for Jones/Werenski. I’m just throwing out ideas.
- SimpleJack

Jones is in the conversation as the best defenceman alive. Tavares is not bringing us Seth Jones. Anyway, there is no way Dubas trades Tavares. Just not going to happen at this point.

On a good team, he is at very best a third pair guy, and more likely a 7-8 on the depth chart.
- fifty__missions

Put Holl on the 3rd pairing with Sandin, then go get two top-4 guys.

Pesce/Cernak/Brodin/Ekblad/Parayko

Do you really think the Bruins will be awful when it starts for real. The Canes are good but I will consider it a huge upset if they beat the Bruins. Too much talent and character on the Bruins to lose. I think Mrazek and Reimer will do in the Canes.
- joegreif17

That series is a toss up. Even rosters. Bruins with the experience advantage might be the slight favorite.

Put Holl on the 3rd pairing with Sandin, then go get two top-4 guys.

Pesce/Cernak/Brodin/Ekblad/Parayko
- Steven_Seagull

Holl is simply not mobile enough for the NHL.

Jones is in the conversation as the best defenceman alive. Tavares is not bringing us Seth Jones. Anyway, there is no way Dubas trades Tavares. Just not going to happen at this point.
- fifty__missions

Then keep JT and move Matthews.

Are there any promising young center prospects in your pipeline? If there are +Kerfoot(who is a decent middle 6 Center) then it really makes it quite easy to fill in the C position without needing both AM and JT.

You need to work on your reading. Analyze and interpret, kiddo. English isn’t even my first language 🤣 but I’m willing to give you lessons.
- bartsch

Lessons from losers in Toronto will not work for me. Your are clearly upset because you lost and are making excuses. Typical Leaf stuff. The Leafs rank #31 on my fav team list in case you were wondering.

Then keep JT and move Matthews.

Are there any promising young center prospects in your pipeline? If there are +Kerfoot(who is a decent middle 6 Center) then it really makes it quite easy to fill in the C position without needing both AM and JT.
- SimpleJack

Put Holl on the 3rd pairing with Sandin, then go get two top-4 guys.

Pesce/Cernak/Brodin/Ekblad/Parayko
- Steven_Seagull

Leafs get lucky and draft Laffy.

Flip Lafrenière, Nylander, Dermott and 2022’s 1st for McDavid.

Then like idk, do whatever to make the defence good somehow because that’s the real issue. But still, gotta throw out some fantastical McDavid trades because I’m sad and I’m sick of this (frank)ing team

We don't need a Seth Jones necessarily. We just need quite a few good guys on reasonable contracts. Brodin, Brodie, Pesce, Manson, Ekholm. Guys like that. We need guys who eat up some big minutes and let Matthews, Marner and Tavares take offensive risks.

Dan O’Toole back on SC! Tune in!!