Also, how is it hard to imagine Tampa facing a tougher team than Toronto, until Colorado in the Finals?

Tampa is about to play Florida, who was better than Toronto all season, and who actually won their round in the playoffs.

If Tampa beats Florida (they probably won't) then they likely play Carolina. Another team that is far better constructed than the Leafs.

And if Tampa happens to beat them, why exactly is Colorado coming out of the West. You just picked them to lose to Nashville and have said all year long that Kuemper is a weak link. So wouldn't Colorado struggle with the Blues? Or was Nashville better than St.Louis too?

Bottom line...Toronto isn't that good. Matthews and Marner had amazing seasons. But they aren't a good hockey team. Although you did pick them to win in 6.

I remember when people were calling San Jose Sharks the chokers... Well, they passed that 1st round a couple of times at least

This is a weaker team in comparison to the Tampa teams that won the cup. They never replaced key role players and sandpaper upfront in Coleman and Goodrow and lost a huge piece in Gourde. The D is weaker and significantly less experienced. No Savard or Schenn to shore up the back-end like in years previous and Vasilevsky had a shaky regular season and has been average thus far in the playoffs. The Mickey Mouse Stanley Cup hangover is catching up.

Statistically speaking, Bobby Orr in his prime was at least as dominant as any player ever. Lack of longevity is the only reason he gets so overlooked for GOAT. In his highlight reels he is a man among children that completely humiliated the opposition far beyond anything I've ever seen. Makar, while exceptional, is not near that level right now and I sincerely doubt any defenseman ever will be again.
- jfkst1

Today Makar is compared to Josi. You can say Makar is better but a comparison is made. Who among Orr’s contemporaries can a comparison be made? None that I know.

The reason Canadians love to watch the Leafs lose and love to pour it on afterwards is simple. In Canada we have Sportsnet and TSN who cater (and yes I understand market share and population ) to Toronto, so the Leafs get 75% of media attention and all other Canadian based teams split the remaining 25%.

Am I whining about that, no, like I said, I understand the reasons.
But does that mean I get to laugh out loud now and every year at this time when the Leafs choke. Absolutely.
- Ross77

SO TRUE ! CANADA IS A HOCKEY COUNTRY AND WHEN THE MEDIA STARTS THERE SPORT NIGHT IN REVIEW WITH THE BLUE JAYS OR RAPTOR HIGHLIGHTS. MEANS ONE OF 2 THINGS THE LEAFS LOST OR DIDN'T PLAY

Am I the only one who thought of that video of the guy screaming "Leave Britney Alone!" when reading about the Leafs?

Today Makar is compared to Josi. You can say Makar is better but a comparison is made. Who among Orr’s contemporaries can a comparison be made? None that I know.
- Minnyhock

Not only was Orr so far above everyone else at the position that there is no remote generational comparison, Orr revolutionized the game. Dmen were far more conservative playing style before him. Like many have said, if Orr had been healthier, he would get more consideration for the GOAT.

Today Makar is compared to Josi. You can say Makar is better but a comparison is made. Who among Orr’s contemporaries can a comparison be made? None that I know.
- Minnyhock

denis potvin and larry robinson were really great D men

and the gap between orr and them was huge

Lol. Another blame Bettman post.
- TurdFergeson

Mostly the Refs, the Refs always call everything on the Leafs however nothing against the other Teams, pathetic.

Mostly the Refs, the Refs always call everything on the Leafs however nothing against the other Teams, pathetic.
- henny1953

Fine. But blaming Bettman for the way a game is called or rule changes or anything is stupid. He doesn’t have anything to do with it.

You said a couple of weeks ago that mathews was a better player than McDavid and you'd rather have him on your team for the biggest games. The morning after one of the biggest games in each of their careers are you still of the same opinion?

whacha talking about the leafs get a long break every year and always playing golf in may

How exactly is Toronto getting better? Let's see...Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Rielly are all in their prime and not really getting any better. Tavares is getting worse. The supporting cast of Kerfoot, Kampf, Kase, Engvall, Simmonds, etc...is an extremely weak bottom 6. Jack Campbell is a UFA coming off a $1.65M contract. How will they afford to re-sign him? By the way, Mrazek on the books for 2 more seasons at $3.8M. On defense, Muzzin and Brodie are on the wrong side of 30. Giordano is a 38-year old UFA who they wasted two 2nds and a 3rd to acquire. Maybe he comes back on a cheap deal, but again, he's 38 and nothing more than a bottom pair d-man. The prospect pool is pathetic. And the cupboard is dry of draft picks...they traded away this years, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, next years 2nd, etc...So it's nice to say that the Leafs are getting better, but maybe you could explain why? Maybe they just need MAF. Playofffff moneyyyyyyy!

Bang on the money buddy!! Bang on!!
- Bullot

Mistake was made when they went and got Tavares…..overpaid and deflated the up and coming youth. Hate to say it, but with all the talent, there is no leadership. The window is closing quickly, this team has a split personality….. they wanted Tavares for maturity, they should have invested that kind of money in finding the right D with mature leadership. Bringing in Tavares took this team away from the youth….and don’t be surprised if Matthew’s explores the free agent market. Get rid of Tavares this summer, sign Campbell, and look for another top 4 D-man.

You said a couple of weeks ago that mathews was a better player than McDavid and you'd rather have him on your team for the biggest games. The morning after one of the biggest games in each of their careers are you still of the same opinion?
- OilyJay

OMG McD was playing the worst team in the playoffs, who's best Dman was a 21 year old Dweezle…………..Matthews was playing the Stanley cup champs with a Norris trophy Dman and Vezina goalie in his prime. Puleeeae. Apples and Oranges.

Not only was Orr so far above everyone else at the position that there is no remote generational comparison, Orr revolutionized the game. Dmen were far more conservative playing style before him. Like many have said, if Orr had been healthier, he would get more consideration for the GOAT.
- jfkst1

I watched Orr lots as a kid.....there was nobody like him. Other D that were good at the time, you can count Brad Park...…..but Bobby Orr was amazing. Watched him in the 1976 Canada Cup and he was MVP every game......even the Russians said he was the best player on the ice. Every time he stepped on the ice, as an opposing teams fan......I was worried, and amazed at the same time. When Hockey night in Canada was on and Orr was playing...….everyone was at home with their TV tuned to the game.

I watched Orr lots as a kid.....there was nobody like him. Other D that were good at the time, you can count Brad Park...…..but Bobby Orr was amazing. Watched him in the 1976 Canada Cup and he was MVP every game......even the Russians said he was the best player on the ice. Every time he stepped on the ice, as an opposing teams fan......I was worried, and amazed at the same time. When Hockey night in Canada was on and Orr was playing...….everyone was at home with their TV tuned to the game.
- Bullot

Im too young to have watched him live, but based on his stats and highlight reels, he seems amazing beyond comparison to any dman ever.

Not only was Orr so far above everyone else at the position that there is no remote generational comparison, Orr revolutionized the game. Dmen were far more conservative playing style before him. Like many have said, if Orr had been healthier, he would get more consideration for the GOAT.
- jfkst1

Revolutionized the position and the game. That sets him apart from everyone.

I saw this in regards to the Habs drafting Wright;


51 years ago (Wright's jersey number) the Montreal Canadiens made Guy Lafleur the first overall draft pick in 1971. Guy Lafleur was born in 19[51]. Draft lottery was the 10th of May, Lafleur's jersey number. In Montreal's last game of the season, they scored 10 goals, the last one, with 10 minutes remaining in the game.



This is some type of inception poop.

I saw this in regards to the Habs drafting Wright;


51 years ago (Wright's jersey number) the Montreal Canadiens made Guy Lafleur the first overall draft pick in 1971. Guy Lafleur was born in 19
- Komisaurus Rex[51]. Draft lottery was the 10th of May, Lafleur's jersey number. In Montreal's last game of the season, they scored 10 goals, the last one, with 10 minutes remaining in the game.



This is some type of inception poop.

I saw this in regards to the Habs drafting Wright;


51 years ago (Wright's jersey number) the Montreal Canadiens made Guy Lafleur the first overall draft pick in 1971. Guy Lafleur was born in 19
- Komisaurus Rex[51]. Draft lottery was the 10th of May, Lafleur's jersey number. In Montreal's last game of the season, they scored 10 goals, the last one, with 10 minutes remaining in the game.



This is some type of inception poop.

Translation: MTL will trade the #1 overall pick to Anaheim for the 10th pick and # 51 Dominick Simon

Yep leafs played the best they can. What does that say ? Their best is not good enough?

Hate to break thie obvious . It was another choke but more disguised. You get 2 cracks at advancing and they blew it.

But i love the sentiment lets not change a thing because i enjoy this spring ritual.

There is no " next Bobby Orr" and there never will be.

Eklund: Sunday Summary: Give the Leafs a Break Already. Makar, Kaprisov, Crosby
- Eklund

The Leafs played against the weakest Lightning team in the last three years. Missing Point and their third line. Vasi was also pedestrian at times. Give me a break.

We've got the Flames 1st rounder.

Am I the only one who thought of that video of the guy screaming "Leave Britney Alone!" when reading about the Leafs?
- Glak18

No.