What excuse? I specifically said if they lost in 6 games to Tampa while still missing a top player, I highly doubt anyone would be calling for Mitch's head.

I don't remember anyone crying about blowing it up after losing to Boston. Some were upset.

Its laughable to compare losing in the first round to lightning to losing to the Habs.

But even after all this, you are still missing the most important fact. The leafs top players have never once performed in the same playoffs. It's one thing to lose to a better team. It's another to lose because the guys you spend $40 million on are playing like garbage.
- r8edr

Matthews has had some pretty great series. 4 goals in 6. 5 goals in 7.

He has over a PPG in the last series.

But nice to know Florida gets a free pass for facing a top team. Come back here next year.

same here.. Marner for Eichel than flip Rielly to SJ for Evander Kane
- PatC80

Who plays defense for the leafs then? I know some hate Rielly, but who is going to make up his 24 minutes a night.

Oh FFS - you're just not over Bruins knocking out the Leafs 3 times in last 3 meetings. We didn't even bump you out last two years.
- Nasty_Duck

I'm well over it thanks.

The Bruins have got that treatment in far more playoffs series than the ones against the Leafs.

I know it's hard to admit it but if you try really wicked hahd even as a bahstan fan you know deep down inside it's true.

Timmy Tahmas was a wicked hawkey goaler tho.

I'm well over it thanks.

The Bruins have got that treatment in far more playoffs series than the ones against the Leafs.

I know it's hard to admit it but if you try really wicked hahd even as a bahstan fan you know deep down inside it's true.

Timmy Tahmas was a wicked hawkey goaler tho.
- Cush29

If it makes you feel better to believe that ...

You lumped Mikey “stone hands” in with the 🦒 🤣🤣
- Garnie

I just figured they were on the same line. I don't see all 3 going but the giraffe's hand are far less 'stoney' than Mikey's.

Fair?

If it makes you feel better to believe that ...

- Nasty_Duck

Ya I like facts, but it makes you feel better to believe the Bruins have had no preferential treatment have at it.

If Ottawa re-signed UFA Zdeno Chara instead of UFA Wade Redden they likely would've won the Cup in 06-07.
- gergeswillems

Hot take! #truth

Well for starters, they were trying to drive the play wrong. How many goals did we see like the Habs OT goal last night? Where was the forecheck? They were doing it in the regular season. They scored a lot off of turnovers.

The thing about playoff hockey - it’s still hockey. Put that on a bumper sticker. That kind worked when they were retrieving pucks and making quick, lethal plays. Hyman and Matthews and even Marner were taking pucks away during the season. Matthews was hitting but I wonder if he had many takeaways, Hyman?

Maybe that’s what they thought they were getting from Foligno - they didn’t JT that’s what they need. If they do move Marner, they better get a top end power forward and some bits. Don’t get Seth Jones. Our D is fine and he’ll be gone in a year.
- Canada Cup

"It's still hockey" is pretty goddamn reductive though, isn't it? I mean, sure, it's still the same game mechanically (stick, puck, ice, etc.) but that doesn't mean it's played the same way or reffed/managed the same way. Far from it.

Foligno was acquired to help the Leafs play truculent playoff-style hockey. Instead, he got promoted to a role he wasn't brought in for after Snake was murdered and he suffered a back(?) injury that rendered him ineffective.

Low event and conservative hockey is not a Leaf strength. But hey, why not run the experiment again next year, amirite/amirov? 🤷

Also, Rielly is gone in a year anyway but if Seth Jones is acquired (don't worry, he won't be) it would only be if he was willing to extend with the Leafs.

Hot take! #truth
- Cush29

I remember thinking they made the right call at the time because the league was becoming more about puck moving, smooth skating defensemen... so Redden was the best choice.

NOPE!

I just figured they were on the same line. I don't see all 3 going but the giraffe's hand are far less 'stoney' than Mikey's.

Fair?
- Cush29

🥰

If Mikey had an ounce of sense that line would have scored a lot more, even without Hyman.

Matthews has had some pretty great series. 4 goals in 6. 5 goals in 7.

He has over a PPG in the last series.

But nice to know Florida gets a free pass for facing a top team. Come back here next year.
- Santo_44

Matthews was good the 2nd time around against Boston, was also good against CBJ and played pretty well against MTL. Price had his number and he hit several goal posts

Matthews has had some pretty great series. 4 goals in 6. 5 goals in 7.

He has over a PPG in the last series.

But nice to know Florida gets a free pass for facing a top team. Come back here next year.
- Santo_44

Read again. When have all our top players performed in the same series. Please explain how Columbus and the Habs are top teams?

Matthews first year the all performed good and lost to superior more experienced Caps team.

1st series against the Bruins, Marner performed and Matthews did nothing.
2nd Series, Matthew performed and outside game 1, Marner, Tavares and Nylander did next to nothing.

Against Columbus Marner did nothing, and do I even have to mention what he did in this series.

Not once since they signed Tavares has this core shown that they can perform to their max in the playoffs. In fact, in Marners case, he has gotten worse in each year. But lets ignore that because the Florida panthers lost to the defending cup champions, who are on their way to another trip to the finals.

Who plays defense for the leafs then? I know some hate Rielly, but who is going to make up his 24 minutes a night.
- r8edr

defense by committee

Sandin-Brodie
Muzzin-Liljegren
Sandin-Dermott/Holl/Bogosian

Also, I am sure they'll bring in some help defensively

Ya I like facts, but it makes you feel better to believe the Bruins have had no preferential treatment have at it.
- Cush29

The thing is ... your opinions are not facts ...

I would keep Matthews , TJ Brodie and Spezza because of his pay. I would listen to offers for everybody else. Not saying trade everybody but listen to good hockey trades. You need to make changes in the character of this Team. Something is not right here with the chemistry.

Leafs are competitive now, I'd like an impact player over a guy who might not even be ready to be in the NHL this season let alone be impactful.

I like Robertson and I am completely fine with using prospect capital to improve the team.
- Santo_44

So list these impact guys Leafs are adding without subtracting significant piece(s) from this year. Let’s see your lineup with cap hits?

Leafs are competitive now, I'd like an impact player over a guy who might not even be ready to be in the NHL this season let alone be impactful.

I like Robertson and I am completely fine with using prospect capital to improve the team.
- Santo_44

So list these impact guys Leafs are adding without subtracting significant piece(s) from this year. Let’s see your lineup with cap hits?

🥰

If Mikey had an ounce of sense that line would have scored a lot more, even with Hyman.
- Garnie

Yep.

Ahh, yes. So the shady1962 comment is ridiculous, indeed. Yikes. Did he get booted from here for that?

You may be right about the mister brown guy. I don’t know enough. Seems logical that he knew what shady was saying, but at the same time some folks aren’t the brightest…like 2+2=Jello kinda people. Though I think it’s reasonable to assume that what shady meant or was implying was pretty clear and the guy should’ve known.
- Big23Questions

Georges is always falsely claiming I'm a racis... My natural reaction is to oppose him whenever he claims someone else is racis as a result.

In this instance he cited, I can concede it does appear that the comment could be interpreted as racis.

I submit that Georges and I have opposing ideological positions which have resulted in conflict on many issues and that's what resulted in that exchange.

"It's still hockey" is pretty goddamn reductive though, isn't it? I mean, sure, it's still the same game mechanically (stick, puck, ice, etc.) but that doesn't mean it's played the same way or reffed/managed the same way. Far from it.

Foligno was acquired to help the Leafs play truculent playoff-style hockey. Instead, he got promoted to a role he wasn't brought in for after Snake was murdered and he suffered a back(?) injury that rendered him ineffective.

Low event and conservative hockey is not a Leaf strength. But hey, why not run the experiment again next year, amirite/amirov? 🤷

Also, Rielly is gone in a year anyway but if Seth Jones is acquired (don't worry, he won't be) it would only be if he was willing to extend with the Leafs.
- mjones242

Keep running the experiment until dubas and Shanahan are gone.

Actually no he doesnt have one the best value contracts in the league.
He's good offensively and a 6.9 cap hit is about where he should be.
Defensively and away from the puck....meh, not the greatest.

Pasta, Bergeron, Marchand, Mckinnon, Huberdeau, Scheifele, Barkov, Drysaddle all have one the best value contracts in the league.
willie is not in this category.
Sorry.
- Fakepartofme

You are right It just looks amazing compared to Marner’s contract.

The thing is ... your opinions are not facts ...
- Nasty_Duck

Fair - neither are yours, like your assessment of me not being able to get past the Leafs losing to Boston or that the Bruins haven't received preferential treatment from the NHL officials.

I would guess more folks in here would agree with my opinion as it relates to Boston and officiating than yours but I don't really care enough about it to invest any more time on it with you.

The laughs I got last night and today from the Boston loss and fines were well needed and lovely.

Fair - neither are yours, like your assessment of me not being able to get past the Leafs losing to Boston or that the Bruins haven't received preferential treatment from the NHL officials.

I would guess more folks in here would agree with my opinion as it relates to Boston and officiating than yours but I don't really care enough about it to invest any more time on it with you.

The laughs I got last night and today from the Boston loss and fines were well needed and lovely.
- Cush29

Chara literally grabbing Tavares in a scrum with a headlock and double pumping him with a closed gloved fist would be just one example.

Aaron Rome, Canucks player, getting suspended for the series ostensibly by the father of a current Bruins player, when the Bruins are playing the Canucks in the finals would be another.

Saw an Evander Kane for Rielly rumour...interesting to say the least
- Santo_44

Perfect then we have 50 million on our top 5 forwards….

Perfect then we have 50 million on our top 5 forwards….
- jribout

He fits what they need.

Would be cheaper than Rielly after this year. I like it, you don’t have to.

Plus maybe you can get them to retain a bit with the situation he is going through.