So if you know this, why expect anything else? Why get mad when they perform exactly how you think they will.
The team is soft, we all know that...dont expect that to change with this core.
Just be pleasantly surprised when they do provide some pushback....once in a while.

- Fakepartofme

Simmonds and Ritchie deserve some blame here.

They need to be more pesty. Bunting has been their best pest.

Oh, I guess those statistics tell the whole story.

My bad, I was totally wrong. The Leafs totally outplayed the Sharks in periods 1 and 2 last night.
- mjones242

What about the other games? They outplayed Rangers badly. And even last night Leafs outchanced them.

They aren't being outplayed at all...

Wow. I mean, wow, no words.

If Nylander ever puts his face in front of a slap shot like Marner did vs. Boston I will delete my account.

To steal a popular phrase from this gong show-

“I’m not worried”
- DrunkenCanuck

I see what Keefe was doing. He was trying to show Nylander what he’s supposed to be able to do with a 7M contract.

But it’s like trying to get a chihuahua to be a duck retriever.

I mean for you, Drunken Canuck, fifty_missions and the others who have been more vocally frustrated with the team predating even this season - you were already angry. Whether it's 5 games into this season, or the 63 they played last year, or the 76 the year before, or whatever - you've already checked out.

They are 5 games in. They have actually outplayed the opposition in most games, save for the one against Ottawa where they didn't bother to show up until the third - they lost and deserved to.

They have done this without Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Muzzin, Holl, Brodie or Kerfoot making a meaningful - or in same cases even useful - contribution. The backup goalie has been injured and forced us into our third string goalie.

We are 2-2-1 despite our best players either not being there or not playing well.

If they had played those 5 games and were 5-0 but had been thoroughly outplayed in all of the games with the top players playing well I'd be far more concerned.

I can't think of a simpler way to explain why I'm not concerned, but that's it ^^.
- Monkeypunk

That's the best way to put it, some fans are so convinced it's hopeless that they are checked out - but they don't stop watching, they are hate-watching, or downer watching.

I stopped watching the Leafs in certain years because it was such a poop show. If I really honestly believed a team that is putting up some of its best point totals in 100 years had no chance to contend, I would not watch. I just have never heard of such a thing in sports, that a team that is near the top of the standings has absolutely no chance whatsoever. I find that to be a simply bizarre conviction.

business as usual in here

Pts maybe.
Goals?
Not a chance in hell. Omg lol
- Fakepartofme

Is 55-60 points with Mcdavid really that great?

The sheer amount of points that guy gets instantly bumps your totals up.

Wow. I mean, wow, no words.

If Nylander ever puts his face in front of a slap shot like Marner did vs. Boston I will delete my account.

To steal a popular phrase from this gong show-

“I’m not worried”
- DrunkenCanuck

I'm more happy when Nylander gets 5 goals 8 points in 7 playoff games than if it blocks a shot

That's the best way to put it, some fans are so convinced it's hopeless that they are checked out - but they don't stop watching, they are hate-watching, or downer watching.

I stopped watching the Leafs in certain years because it was such a poop show. If I really honestly believed a team that is putting up some of its best point totals in 100 years had no chance to contend, I would not watch. I just have never heard of such a thing in sports, that a team that is near the top of the standings has absolutely no chance whatsoever. I find that to be a simply bizarre conviction.
- Zezel

These are the fans that need to take a break, I can’t imagine enjoying so much negativity in your life.

I took a break from watching them when they finished last with Babs. Watched the first 20-30 games then checked out. There’s a point where you just shouldn’t watch sports anymore if it causes you this much hysteria.

Lindholm is (frank)in’ wicked.

DrunkenCanuck and Tanooki (as well as your alts)

If you continue being purely negative about the leafs you’ll find yourselves banned due to the deliberate effort to upset the leaf fans on this site.

Either share some positivity as well or shut up. Don’t bother replying you will not change my mind. This is warning only. If you try to disagree with or argue my perspective I’ll ban you immediately.

Is 55-60 points with Mcdavid really that great?

The sheer amount of points that guy gets instantly bumps your totals up.
- Santo_44

Well, he cant seriously be thinking hyman is going to get 55-60 goals?

business as usual in here

- 21peter

Lol

Wow. I mean, wow, no words.

If Nylander ever puts his face in front of a slap shot like Marner did vs. Boston I will delete my account.

To steal a popular phrase from this gong show-

“I’m not worried”
- DrunkenCanuck

Allow me to give you a little bit of more truthful insight as it is obvious you do not really watch Leaf games or pay much attention if you do.

Nylander is on the 3rd PK unit. A testament that he is more committed to his defensive game.

I don’t recall anyone persisting that Willie is straight up better than Marner. The argument has been that now that Willie is more committed to his all round game, Willie’s contract is better than Mitch’s.

I love Hyman and think he could be on the Team Canada. But in a cap world, that contract is incorrect. Kampf, Kase and Bunting have been excellent so far.
- Zezel

There are a number of contracts on the Leafs that are incorrect in a cap world.

Good afternoon all, just taking a break from an unscheduled gorgeous day outside that I have chosen to enjoy before the snow flies.

Actually “rotating the garage” which means pull out all the stuff and move the summer fun to the back and winter crap (snowblower included) to the front along with winter tires to be ready to have them changed over etc.

it’s a sad yearly ritual but nice weather and a cold beer helps with the pain.

Wait why does that last part feel so familiar, like a ritual I do more than once a year? 🤣

Just kidding!!!! I’m still chugging the blue koolaid like a first year frat boy doing a keg stand baby!!!! Keep it coming Zezel!!!!

I see the usual post loss comments from some regulars and the almost scheduled appearances from some posters who only seem to show up after a loss. The later part is a ritual of sorts for some whom rent out a portion of their mind to the Leafs for free I suppose.

I’m going to go back out and enjoy the weather but I hope we see a better result than last night - I think the stability of Campbell and a (hopefully) team that is a bit ticked off about last night means we do.

One thing I was thinking which for sure oversimplifies the Leafs start so far this year but is (in my opinion) fairly accurate is this:

The Leafs best players so far have just not been the players who are supposed to be (are paid to be) their best players.

Despite that they are still 2-2-1 and easily could have been 3-2 or maybe even better.

I don’t think the loss of Hyman is why they are 2-2-1 and I don’t think they would be better this year with him or others they lost. I actually do think the additions they made outweigh the things they lost but we won’t really know until year end I suppose.

I want to see what this team is when those who are supposed to be the top players are in fact playing like the top players on this team. My glass half full view is that I will get to see that - we all will and it will be glorious!!!!

There are a number of contracts on the Leafs that are incorrect in a cap world.
- fifty__missions

You could say the same about most of the rfa signings that happened recently on other teams. The cap was expected to rise exponentially when the leafs did those contracts.

Allow me to give you a little bit of more truthful insight as it is obvious you do not really watch Leaf games or pay much attention if you do.

Nylander is on the 3rd PK unit. A testament that he is more committed to his defensive game.

I don’t recall anyone persisting that Willie is straight up better than Marner. The argument has been that now that Willie is more committed to his all round game, Willie’s contract is better than Mitch’s.
- jribout

Lots of people say it.

Anyways, good player (with a good shot lol) with massive defensive liabilities. Keefe tried to have him kill penalties, but it didn’t last.

I really think they’ll move on from him at some point, the first of the four horsemen.

I have faith in this core (except Nylander) and I’m positive they’ll figure it out. But they need to yeet Nylander. And I think they need to bring in a more experienced GM to get the job done.

Good luck today, boys.

Penguins wont have Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Rust, or Carter... so this game could be a big confidence boaster for you or a killer depending on the final result

I was being facetious, and yes Marner is getting the Willie love from years past. It will shift back to Willie when he slumps…..
- jribout

Didn’t just mean you, I was more pointing the finger at ALL of us.

Ducking leafs

So if you know this, why expect anything else? Why get mad when they perform exactly how you think they will.
The team is soft, we all know that...dont expect that to change with this core.
Just be pleasantly surprised when they do provide some pushback....once in a while.

- Fakepartofme

Not mad at all, you guys assume because some one is not enjoying their favorite hockey team that they're mad. I can assure you my day is filled with happiness.

But we are all here posting what we think because we love the Leafs and want a Cup. This isn't my job, it's more of an annoying hobby.

The point, some on here think they're right ALL the time but yet I still see no Cups.

Just wanted to point out that they are obviously wrong because this team isn't winning...and I don't mean just last night, I mean period. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

PS, winning to me means Championships, not one game against a zamboni driver but 4 games in 4 different rounds in the playoffs.

Good luck today, boys.

Penguins wont have Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Rust, or Carter... so this game could be a big confidence boaster for you or a killer depending on the final result
- SuperHenderson13

Win or lose I don’t think a depleted Penguins roster will change the narrative around the Buds.

Unless Matthews and Marner get 6pts each, then we’ll bust out a map of downtown Toronto and start planning.

Lots of people say it.

Anyways, good player (with a good shot lol) with massive defensive liabilities. Keefe tried to have him kill penalties, but it didn’t last.

I really think they’ll move on from him at some point, the first of the four horsemen.

I have faith in this core (except Nylander) and I’m positive they’ll figure it out. But they need to yeet Nylander. And I think they need to bring in a more experienced GM to get the job done.
- Tanooki

Nylander just have tripped onto the ice last night during the penalty kill

Simmonds and Ritchie deserve some blame here.

They need to be more pesty. Bunting has been their best pest.
- Tanooki

I know he can’t take penalties with Keefe or he gets demoted but when the SJ guy spears his stick under the goalie and NR is right there….I’m mad when he doesn’t rag doll him

Well, he cant seriously be thinking hyman is going to get 55-60 goals?
- Fakepartofme

All of us should hope not. Leafs let him walk for nothing...a 55-60 goal scorer! That would really suck.

Not sure what that means. Leafs we’re getting better scoring chances from better scoring spots. That’s pretty easy to see. I didn’t say anything about outplaying. I said that the Leafs outchanced them. Not sure if you remember what Hutchinson was letting in last night.
- Canada Cup

Oh