Seriously, has anyone else been expressing concern that the Leafs may come up short in the regular season this year? Could they actually miss the playoffs?
- spatso

Anyone can miss the playoffs. It's why the regular season is played.

We’ve drifted into an existential malaise. Thanks for asking.
- Canada Cup

In the grand scheme of things, do playoffs even matter?

Seriously, has anyone else been expressing concern that the Leafs may come up short in the regular season this year? Could they actually miss the playoffs?
- spatso

Second or third. Beat Boston in the first round.

Who the (frank) knows? I have no idea how good these new guys might be.

I too am a student of Ottawa 8:13-8:30am radio.

He did and he also had the Islanders "beating up" the Lightning. He also said and "died" on his Colin White IS Patrice Bergeron 2.0. Not changed his stance, he's still on it. I hope White well and now that he is in the org, maybe that will help, but (frank) me sideways that's the type of insane take that relegates you to the Adam French school of prospect analysis and faith.
- AdamFrench

I am waiting for Duh-rion to hire Chiarelli as his assistant.

Anyone can miss the playoffs. It's why the regular season is played.
- Leafs43

Perhaps it might be for the best. It would trigger some changes in key players.

Seriously, has anyone else been expressing concern that the Leafs may come up short in the regular season this year? Could they actually miss the playoffs?
- spatso

There is probably lots of Fans of other teams saying and hoping it happens. But biased feelings dont mean poop
But any of the projections i'v seen so far have them making the playoffs easily.

Perhaps it might be for the best. It would trigger some changes in key players.
- spatso

Yes, it would be best for you so that you actually have something to be excited over this year.

Misery loves company.

I think you are very much on target with your comment. Teams have learned that the best way to play the Leafs is let them hold the puck all they want and when they enter the offensive zone just keep them to the outside. I think you are going to see more teams play them that way during the regular season.
- spatso

Wait, wait, wait - this is good stuff.

I need to write this down.

Which teams exactly figured out that keeping a team to the outside is effective?

And do you think they shared that info with other teams, because they have an irrational hate on for the Leafs? Like maybe a conference call, or something more on the down-low, like whispering to other players while at a golf tournament this summer?

In the grand scheme of things, do playoffs even matter?
- Atomic Wedgie

They simply delay the inevitable slide into the void. The delay generally lasts 7 games

Second or third. Beat Boston in the first round.

Who the (frank) knows? I have no idea how good these new guys might be.
- Canada Cup

Perhaps. There does seem to be a mild confidence issue among the faithful.

I hit Mac and Barkov being better by miles than Drouin...though knowing his issues, it's not as triumphant.
- AdamFrench

I said Mac would be far better than Drouin since they left jr.. No idea about Barkov at the time. You do a good job with the kids.

Seriously, has anyone else been expressing concern that the Leafs may come up short in the regular season this year? Could they actually miss the playoffs?
- spatso

No, I dont believe anyone has.
Except Ottawa fans.

Wait, wait, wait - this is good stuff.

I need to write this down.

Which teams exactly figured out that keeping a team to the outside is effective?

And do you think they shared that info with other teams, because they have an irrational hate on for the Leafs? Like maybe a conference call, or something more on the down-low, like whispering to other players while at a golf tournament this summer?
- Atomic Wedgie

Whoa! Don't get too excited. We haven't played even a preseason game yet.

But, you do have to wonder if teams will start playing the Leafs in a similar way as they get played in the playoffs?

I think you are very much on target with your comment. Teams have learned that the best way to play the Leafs is let them hold the puck all they want and when they enter the offensive zone just keep them to the outside. I think you are going to see more teams play them that way during the regular season.
- spatso

I can't believe you would post the secret to beating the Leafs on line... Oh my.. Now, playoffs are out...

I said Mac would be far better than Drouin since they left jr.. No idea about Barkov at the time. You do a good job with the kids.
- bixll

I have made exactly one junior player prediction in my entire life:

After seeing him skate at a Team Canada Juniors pre-tournament camp, I declared that Shawn Belle would be a superstar. I've never seen a guy skate that well.

https://www.hockeydb.com/...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=55476

20 NHL games.

1 assist.

No, I dont believe anyone has.
Except Ottawa fans.
- Fakepartofme

Great point. Ottawa fans seem to be pretty excited about the coming season. Many think the Leafs are vulnerable to physical intimidation.

I have made exactly one junior player prediction in my entire life:

After seeing him skate at a Team Canada Juniors pre-tournament camp, I declared that Shawn Belle would be a superstar. I've never seen a guy skate that well.

https://www.hockeydb.com/...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=55476

20 NHL games.

1 assist.
- Atomic Wedgie

Ya, not so much... You never know with these kids. Some take the next step and other, just fail to elevate their game.

They simply delay the inevitable slide into the void. The delay generally lasts 7 games
- Canada Cup

it's the 7th game that seems to be their Kryptonite

I have made exactly one junior player prediction in my entire life:

After seeing him skate at a Team Canada Juniors pre-tournament camp, I declared that Shawn Belle would be a superstar. I've never seen a guy skate that well.

https://www.hockeydb.com/...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=55476

20 NHL games.

1 assist.
- Atomic Wedgie

he's no Robbie Earl, that's for sure

Whoa! Don't get too excited. We haven't played even a preseason game yet.

But, you do have to wonder if teams will start playing the Leafs in a similar way as they get played in the playoffs?
- spatso

Honest question:

Are you trolling, or do you really think that you've come up with some clever secret strategy to play against the Leafs this year?

Because suggesting that other teams will try to hit the Leafs because they are a soft team and let them play on the perimeter isn't particularly insightful - it's a franking waste of time that any 12 year old hockey fan would suggest.

Great point. Ottawa fans seem to be pretty excited about the coming season. Many think the Leafs are vulnerable to physical intimidation.
- spatso

You mean all 25 of them?

Great point. Ottawa fans seem to be pretty excited about the coming season. Many think the Leafs are vulnerable to physical intimidation.
- spatso

Totally trolling now..


Dozzer.... Dozzer...

You mean all 25 of them?
- winsix

Both of them..

I still maintain that a player who knows their role, and just does the work can get 50 points if they are playing with Matthews/Marner. They will supply the skill.

Give Marner the puck and go to the net - that's a simple recipe for success if you are on that LW.

I fully believe that Matthews/Marner were the ones who got Hyman his 40 million. I think that is why both Ritchie and Bunting signed here for less money than they could have gotten elsewhere...They want to have a couple bigish years before they go UFA at 27 years or so.
- Leafs43

This might be more than a tad optimistic given that Hyman never scored 50 with Matthews & Marner and he's a better player than Ritchie.

If you pencil Ritchie in on the top line, and we assume he can keep up (I've heard the counter arguments - I disagree, we still move the puck up the ice with pace. A banger & crasher is useless if he gets there more than a second after the puck has left the area - Hyman's value was being _there_ when it mattered), then his role will be to work the boards, and work the front of the net, create a screen and time & space for Marner & Matthews. At 5v5 he'll also have to help defensively against top competition and that could be where he falls flat on his face.

Now this being said, Ritchie could still probably offer more to that line than a 41 year old Joe Thornton did. Joe thought the game faster, but his body no longer reacted to it at the speed he needed it to. Of course I hated Joe Thornton on that line, so I don't know if Ritchie will make us that much happier.

Honest question:

Are you trolling, or do you really think that you've come up with some clever secret strategy to play against the Leafs this year?

Because suggesting that other teams will try to hit the Leafs because they are a soft team and let them play on the perimeter isn't particularly insightful - it's a franking waste of time that any 12 year old hockey fan would suggest.
- Atomic Wedgie

Frankly you are not giving 12 year old hockey fans enough credit.