I’m done talking about Matthews with any of you.

If you think he’s going to stick around you’re fools. Period.

And Marner isn’t tradeable without retaining salary so DON’T (frank)ING MOVE HIM

Oh please the oilers will tell McDavid “let us know whatever you’re offered and we’ll pay you more”

Get rid of Matthews, he’s talented but he’s an American who wants to move to his home country at the bare minimum. Also after this year there’s two seasons left in his contract and the last one has the NMC.
- Dozzer

Lest we forget the McDavid going to Edmonton instead of Toronto face:

I think if one were to believe Rielly is the difference between Cup or bust... They would be incredibly off base.

Terrible defence and predictable offence is not that difficult of a combination to replace.
- joel878

Unless you have an internal or trade replacement that is better, moving him weakens the team. That’s just straight logic. Trade for somebody as good or better - great. Do I see the Leafs as a major Cup contender, no. I put them in the second tier of teams but I haven’t really looked too closely. I don’t accept the idea that only the one or two legitimate frontrunners should try.

I do know they have three years with Matthews and I don’t weaken the team by getting rid of Rielly without a viable replacement.

Oh please the oilers will tell McDavid “let us know whatever you’re offered and we’ll pay you more”

Get rid of Matthews, he’s talented but he’s an American who wants to move to his home country at the bare minimum. Also after this year there’s two seasons left in his contract and the last one has the NMC.
- Dozzer

I am not convinced that McDavid will be in a very different situation than JT was when he was being courted as a UFA a few years back. There is no doubt that McDavid also had a couple of pairs of the Leaf jammies.

Do you remember the look on McDavid's face when the ping pong ball (he had a 70% chance of becoming a Leaf at that point) came down in the Oiler's favour. Let me remind you.




Honestly answer - does he look happy or does he look like he just bit into a big piece of poop?

I am not convinced that McDavid will be in a very different situation than JT was when he was being courted as a UFA a few years back. There is no doubt that McDavid also had a couple of pairs of the Leaf jammies.

Do you remember the look on McDavid's face when the ping pong ball (he had a 70% chance of becoming a Leaf at that point) came down in the Oiler's favour. Let me remind you.




Honestly answer - does he look happy or does he look like he just bit into a big piece of poop?
- winsix

When that happened the oilers weren’t nearly as talented as they are hoping to be now. I guarantee you his feelings are different than the dislike of Edmonton he used to have.

Unless you have an internal or trade replacement that is better, moving him weakens the team. That’s just straight logic. Trade for somebody as good or better - great. Do I see the Leafs as a major Cup contender, no. I put them in the second tier of teams but I haven’t really looked too closely. I don’t accept the idea that only the one or two legitimate frontrunners should try.

I do know they have three years with Matthews and I don’t weaken the team by getting rid of Rielly without a viable replacement.
- Canada Cup

If the leafs don’t win a round this season start rebuilding the bloody team.

Plain and simple.

Unless you have an internal or trade replacement that is better, moving him weakens the team. That’s just straight logic. Trade for somebody as good or better - great. Do I see the Leafs as a major Cup contender, no. I put them in the second tier of teams but I haven’t really looked too closely. I don’t accept the idea that only the one or two legitimate frontrunners should try.

I do know they have three years with Matthews and I don’t weaken the team by getting rid of Rielly without a viable replacement.
- Canada Cup

Im not with you on the weakening of the team part. I just can't get there.

Even if one were to consider the swap from Rielly to Sandin. It would be fair to expect some regression on that front, but Sandin has proven he can bring what Rielly does to a certain degree and perhaps even prove other facets (powerplay).

That's using what you have internally without even trying to make a trade for another defenceman.

The difference is you now have 4 million in cap space, there's room for an argument that how you use that 4 million could markedly improve the team more than a miniscule downgrade from a guy like Rielly who can't even seal this debate by being slam dunk better than a rookie.

🤷🏻‍♂️

Oh please if you can’t tell that about Matthews you’re a fool. If he doesn’t want to move back he would have been given 8 years. If you don’t realize that you’re a fool.

Marner isn’t going anywhere, no other team will take him without the leafs holding some of his salary so stop expecting it.

And stop whining about the coach and GM who FINALLY have their first full season together coming this year….you’re flat out in denial if you keep blaming who you blame
- Dozzer

Ok, so youre reading cards, tea leaves?
Im the fool?
Nothing suggests yet he wants out of Toronto. Sorry, at this moment im not going to pretend hes giving off signals....i havent seen any. Of course i dont look closely for them.
Whining?
I said the coach and gm will be gone long before matthews is traded if they get booted in the 1st round.
Everyone is to blame. Keefe failed to adjust, the players failed to win.
Another leafs story.

When that happened the oilers weren’t nearly as talented as they are hoping to be now. I guarantee you his feelings are different than the dislike of Edmonton he used to have.
- Dozzer

I hate Edmonton and I only go there a couple few times a year.

I couldn't imagine being sentenced to live there for 8 months a year... 🤮

Ok, so youre reading cards, tea leaves?
Im the fool?
Nothing suggests yet he wants out of Toronto. Sorry, at this moment im not going to pretend hes giving off signals....i havent seen any. Of course i dont look closely for them.
Whining?
I said the coach and gm will be gone long before matthews is traded if they get booted in the 1st round.
Everyone is to blame. Keefe failed to adjust, the players failed to win.
Another leafs story.
- Fakepartofme

What’s your suggested adjustment? Flip Nylander and Marner? Guess what… if Marner isn’t playing with a goal scorer he’s far from dominant. Hence the no switch. Try thinking a little for once before offering opinions.

Matthews is gone before Keefe and Dubas btw… even Shanahan realizes that Matthews is a wimpy player who only plays well in open ice.

He’s seriously not that good… offensively talented but nothing more.

Bye bye to him… can’t wait.

I’d rather have two 25-30 goal scoring forwards over him FOR THE SAME PRICE

I hate Edmonton and I only go there a couple few times a year.

I couldn't imagine being sentenced to live there for 8 months a year... 🤮
- joel878

I’ve been there too… and no it’s not a great city but someone offered me a million more a year than what I make to live there I would

Im not with you on the weakening of the team part. I just can't get there.

Even if one were to consider the swap from Rielly to Sandin. It would be fair to expect some regression on that front, but Sandin has proven he can bring what Rielly does to a certain degree and perhaps even prove other facets (powerplay).

That's using what you have internally without even trying to make a trade for another defenceman.

The difference is you now have 4 million in cap space, there's room for an argument that how you use that 4 million could markedly improve the team more than a miniscule downgrade from a guy like Rielly who can't even seal this debate by being slam dunk better than a rookie.

🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

I don’t think Sandin is ready for a full season in that role and I worry that pushing him into it (frank)s him up. I’m completely open to a trade if you can bring in somebody as good. Since he sucks that should be easy. We’ve had one whole year of not having to worry about the defence. Keep him or replace him.

Ok, so youre reading cards, tea leaves?
Im the fool?
Nothing suggests yet he wants out of Toronto. Sorry, at this moment im not going to pretend hes giving off signals....i havent seen any. Of course i dont look closely for them.
Whining?
I said the coach and gm will be gone long before matthews is traded if they get booted in the 1st round.
Everyone is to blame. Keefe failed to adjust, the players failed to win.
Another leafs story.
- Fakepartofme

It was Thornton. No stopping them now.

When that happened the oilers weren’t nearly as talented as they are hoping to be now. I guarantee you his feelings are different than the dislike of Edmonton he used to have.
- Dozzer

I guess we'll see. Oilers defense looks pretty mediocre as does their goaltending. I saw a stat a while back that the Oilers are the best team in the NHL when McDavid is on the Ice and worst team in the NHL when he is not on the ice. Not sure if adding Keith and Hyman at about $11 million a year makes that team any better.

Klefbom is injured and is their #1 d-man. He has to stay injured for Oilers to remain cap compliant.

It was Thornton. No stopping them now.
- Canada Cup

People who try to use this as a legitimate reason get nothing more than an eye roll from me lol

I guess we'll see. Oilers defense looks pretty mediocre as does their goaltending. I saw a stat a while back that the Oilers are the best team in the NHL when McDavid is on the Ice and worst team in the NHL when he is not on the ice. Not sure if adding Keith and Hyman at about $11 million a year makes that team any better.

Klefbom is injured and is their #1 d-man. He has to stay injured for Oilers to remain cap compliant.
- winsix

Oh I don’t think they’ll be that good… but if it’s a super good team he wants to play on it won’t be the leafs either

I don’t think Sandin is ready for a full season in that role and I worry that pushing him into it (frank)s him up. I’m completely open to a trade if you can bring in somebody as good. Since he sucks that should be easy. We’ve had one whole year of not having to worry about the defence. Keep him or replace him.
- Canada Cup

If that's the best option available I'm in, just because Sandin essentially replaces Rielly doesn't mean he has to play top pair minutes.

Should Rielly be traded, my preference would still be to bring in another defenceman. A natural righty would be best in my opinion.

That one year of not having to worry about the defence came under some special circumstances in a limited window, I'd prefer not to assume because of as much that its guaranteed bulletproof going forward.

I’m done talking about Matthews with any of you.

If you think he’s going to stick around you’re fools. Period.

And Marner isn’t tradeable without retaining salary so DON’T (frank)ING MOVE HIM
- Dozzer

What knowledge do you have on this situation?

Also set an example, you’ve been on here for days not to mock anyone else’s opinion.

As a ref, don’t call other people fools for having an opinion.

What’s your suggested adjustment? Flip Nylander and Marner? Guess what… if Marner isn’t playing with a goal scorer he’s far from dominant. Hence the no switch. Try thinking a little for once before offering opinions.

Matthews is gone before Keefe and Dubas btw… even Shanahan realizes that Matthews is a wimpy player who only plays well in open ice.

He’s seriously not that good… offensively talented but nothing more.

Bye bye to him… can’t wait.

I’d rather have two 25-30 goal scoring forwards over him FOR THE SAME PRICE
- Dozzer

I don't know what you see when you watch Matthews, man. In the playoffs, he led the team in hits, was second in blocked shots and led the team in takeaways. He's a takeaway machine, creates open ice, is a possession and play driver, and has the best wrist shot in the league. He's also only 23 years old.

Oh I don’t think they’ll be that good… but if it’s a super good team he wants to play on it won’t be the leafs either
- Dozzer

As I pointed out previously, NBA players have worked together (and taken less salary) to help put together championship teams with success. Marner/JT and McDavid all hit UFA status at the same time. If Matthews is still a Leaf, hard to believe they wouldn't be a super good team.

What knowledge do you have on this situation?

Also set an example, you’ve been on here for days not to mock anyone else’s opinion.

As a ref, don’t call other people fools for having an opinion.
- Santo_44

The only reason people believe he’ll stay is because he hasn’t said he will go… likes he’s going to!!! It’s stupidity to expect that.

Name another American superstar that ever happily stayed playing in Canada. Name one.

Also openly judge me again your post will be deleted. I’m giving reasons for my beliefs and no one else is. Continue to do it and you’ll be banned as well.

I don't know what you see when you watch Matthews, man. In the playoffs, he led the team in hits, was second in blocked shots and led the team in takeaways. He's a takeaway machine, creates open ice, is a possession and play driver, and has the best wrist shot in the league. He's also only 23 years old.
- Monkeypunk

And has already been injured so young it apparently affected his game. His good career will end early. Get rid of him.

Stop thinking it’s about dollars… he’ll get paid whatever he wants wherever he wants plain and simple.
- Dozzer

Sorry I think I wasn't clear in my post.

I meant I think Matthews was setting a new precedent to increase player salaries by getting shorter term with high dollars. Yes he will get paid wherever he wants but why get paid 10 million today for 8 years when you can get paid 10 million for 5 years then another 12+ on another 5 to 8 year contract? He likely expected the salary cap to keep going up.

I think that's what it was about compared to going back to America. I think he enjoys Toronto and why wouldn't a player want to become a god by winning in Toronto?

As I pointed out previously, NBA players have worked together (and taken less salary) to help put together championship teams with success. Marner/JT and McDavid all hit UFA status at the same time. If Matthews is still a Leaf, hard to believe they wouldn't be a super good team.
- winsix

I fully expect him to want to move closer to home and you’ll never convince me otherwise.

Sorry I think I wasn't clear in my post.

I meant I think Matthews was setting a new precedent to increase player salaries by getting shorter term with high dollars. Yes he will get paid wherever he wants but why get paid 10 million today for 8 years when you can get paid 10 million for 5 years then another 12+ on another 5 to 8 year contract? He likely expected the salary cap to keep going up.

I think that's what it was about compared to going back to America. I think he enjoys Toronto and why wouldn't a player want to become a god by winning in Toronto?
- Aaron_85

And as I said he’s going to set the price and there’s not a single team in the league that won’t pay it. So he’ll move to the home country. Just wait and see.