NFL starts tomorrow 🤘

Bills vs 🦅 Super Bowl
Book it

I am with Wedgie on this one! Dubious need to get creative here...

NFL starts tomorrow 🤘

Bills vs 🦅 Super Bowl
Book it
- mr.sir

Eagles?

It's a rehash of a conversation we've all had before. According to Dorion, if he retained more than 25%, he could have just bought him out. If he'd done that, it would have been $1.75m, .75m, $2.5m, $2.5m. Instead, by retaining salary, it's $1.56 and $1.56.

If Dorion's only immediate concern was year 1, then the statement is true. Frankly, given that Murray was interested in rekindling with is old coach and goalie coach, I'd have called the bluff and let Dorion buy him out - then we'd have him at around $1.5m, which is more fair.

Dorion claimed he had another team interested - I'd have called that bluff, too. Murray was far from the only viable target - especially at $4.7m.

That all laid out - what's done is done, and we'll go from here. I like plenty of things Dubas has done. This is one of a few that, regardless of how it turns out, I think he mishandled.
- Monkeypunk

Well put. My angle from the beginning was Dubas should have called some bluffs when push came to shove.

I also feel in the grand scheme of things that equates to him having fumbled this one. That being said I don't think he's fumbled overly many, but he's worked himself into a spot where he needs to be fumble free.

I think Dubas is a good GM, but refusal to adapt kills many in the management circles. If the stubbornness to move off of his core philosophy has him in a spot where he's got to ice a lineup from the gambles in goal to failure to upgrade neither top nor bottom of the forward group, this may be the year he dies on that sword.

so when do the prospect games start, and all that jazz?

so when do the prospect games start, and all that jazz?
- prock

Aren't the prospect games in June?

Aren't the prospect games in June?
- Atomic Wedgie

He means pre-season

so when do the prospect games start, and all that jazz?
- prock

next week, not sure for the Leafs but the Habs have their team golf tournament on Monday, rookie camp starts Wednesday.

I am with Wedgie on this one! Dubious need to get creative here...
- Symba007

I know, right?

I mean, every year, I figure Montreal can't possibly draft another smurf, but every year they figure out a way to do it!

Why can't Dumbas be this creative?

next week, not sure for the Leafs but the Habs have their team golf tournament on Monday, rookie camp starts Wednesday.
- Symba007

Golf at the Leafs' training camp is a tradition:

I know, right?

I mean, every year, I figure Montreal can't possibly draft another smurf, but every year they figure out a way to do it!

Why can't Dumbas be this creative?
- Atomic Wedgie

and why do it once when you can do it a few times! Just look at the past few drafts...Habs drafted a couple midgets every year

Aren't the prospect games in June?
- Atomic Wedgie

next week, not sure for the Leafs but the Habs have their team golf tournament on Monday, rookie camp starts Wednesday.
- Symba007

I'm getting old, so I maybe don't remember things as crystal clear as I like.

But, I think I had rookie camp in my head.

The kids play for a spot in camp, first, right? Then the kids that make it to training camp, and some AHL guys, play for a spot in the pre-season games. 40 or 50 guys make it to pre-season games, and they cut that down over the games to a playing roster.

so, very first thing is the kids playing. rookie camp/prospect games, whatever it's called. That's what I mean.

one week eh? cool. I may tune into a couple.

Golf at the Leafs' training camp is a tradition:



- Atomic Wedgie

Getting ready for the post season since 1962.

I'm getting old, so I maybe don't remember things as crystal clear as I like.

But, I think I had rookie camp in my head.

The kids play for a spot in camp, first, right? Then the kids that make it to training camp, and some AHL guys, play for a spot in the pre-season games. 40 or 50 guys make it to pre-season games, and they cut that down over the games to a playing roster.

so, very first thing is the kids playing. rookie camp/prospect games, whatever it's called. That's what I mean.

one week eh? cool. I may tune into a couple.
- prock

Yes, rookie camp next week, main camp on Sept 22nd

He means pre-season
- bixll

split squad on the 24th vs. Ottawa

Golf at the Leafs' training camp is a tradition:



- Atomic Wedgie

Well, at least they knew great golf. Kawartha GC is a fantastic track.

Yes, rookie camp next week, main camp on Sept 22nd
- Symba007

I actually like the rookie camp - high scoring, high flying, young kids, usually. fun to watch. Better than the preseason games to me.

split squad on the 24th vs. Ottawa
- dmnted

while everyone thinks Ottawa has made stride with their big signings this summer, I'm not sold. They'll surely be better than last year, but they all have question marks.

Giroux WAS a great player, but he's getting up there in age (not to mention, he's incredibly inconsistent year to year his entire career). they could have a solid player. But, even if they do, they can't contend for a few years, and he's extremely unlikely to STILL be a solid player at that point (if it ever comes).

Debrincat, at age 24, with 2 years at PPG. But, he sure as hell won't be playing with an Pat Kanes in ottawa. He'll be a good player regardless, but 80 points good? We'll see.

They may be a fringe playoff team, but I think they still land outside. especially in this vicious division.

while everyone thinks Ottawa has made stride with their big signings this summer, I'm not sold. They'll surely be better than last year, but they all have question marks.

Giroux WAS a great player, but he's getting up there in age (not to mention, he's incredibly inconsistent year to year his entire career). they could have a solid player. But, even if they do, they can't contend for a few years, and he's extremely unlikely to STILL be a solid player at that point (if it ever comes).

Debrincat, at age 24, with 2 years at PPG. But, he sure as hell won't be playing with an Pat Kanes in ottawa. He'll be a good player regardless, but 80 points good? We'll see.

They may be a fringe playoff team, but I think they still land outside. especially in this vicious division.
- prock

They'll need their young guys to keep improving but things could go really well for them imo.

The defense remains imperfect with a few holes to fill despite Sanderson most likely making his NHL debut and looking pretty damn good.

They're getting more stability in net with Talbot, so that should help as well. Murray was injured way too often and not always great when he did play.«

I think they have what it takes to make the playoffs but it's far from a guarantee.

while everyone thinks Ottawa has made stride with their big signings this summer, I'm not sold. They'll surely be better than last year, but they all have question marks.

Giroux WAS a great player, but he's getting up there in age (not to mention, he's incredibly inconsistent year to year his entire career). they could have a solid player. But, even if they do, they can't contend for a few years, and he's extremely unlikely to STILL be a solid player at that point (if it ever comes).

Debrincat, at age 24, with 2 years at PPG. But, he sure as hell won't be playing with an Pat Kanes in ottawa. He'll be a good player regardless, but 80 points good? We'll see.

They may be a fringe playoff team, but I think they still land outside. especially in this vicious division.
- prock

Leafs win the division, Sens sneak into the playoffs, Leafs vs Sens 1st round. Samsonov is injured, Murray poops the bed.

They'll need their young guys to keep improving but things could go really well for them imo.

The defense remains imperfect with a few holes to fill despite Sanderson most likely making his NHL debut and looking pretty damn good.

They're getting more stability in net with Talbot, so that should help as well. Murray was injured way too often and not always great when he did play.«

I think they have what it takes to make the playoffs but it's far from a guarantee.
- Scabeh

They'll need Anton Forsberg to continue the way he has. Cam Talbot is not a solution. His numbers in Minnesota are backed by a good team D. His personal
numbers in that system were not flattering:

Talbot in 2017: GSAx: 2.09 (67GP)
Talbot in 2018: GSAx: -16.31 (w/ Edm in 31GP)
Talbot in 2018: GSAx: -1.59 (w/ Phi in 4GP)
Talbot in 2019: GSAx: -0.29 (26GP)
Talbot in 2020: GSAx: -5.62 (33GP)
Talbot in 2021: GSAx: -17.26 (49GP)

This guy has floated pretty f'n far on reputation. It's been 5 years since he has been even an average goalie in this league. But in 2016-17, he was excellent for the Oilers with a GSAx of 31.2 when he was 29 years old; he's been sliding downhill since, and will be 35 this year.

They'll need Anton Forsberg to continue the way he has. Cam Talbot is not a solution. His numbers in Minnesota are backed by a good team D. His personal
numbers in that system were not flattering:

Talbot in 2017: GSAx: 2.09 (67GP)
Talbot in 2018: GSAx: -16.31 (w/ Edm in 31GP)
Talbot in 2018: GSAx: -1.59 (w/ Phi in 4GP)
Talbot in 2019: GSAx: -0.29 (26GP)
Talbot in 2020: GSAx: -5.62 (33GP)
Talbot in 2021: GSAx: -17.26 (49GP)

This guy has floated pretty f'n far on reputation. It's been 5 years since he has been even an average goalie in this league. But in 2016-17, he was excellent for the Oilers with a GSAx of 31.2.
- Monkeypunk

Let's see if Anton "Waivers" Forsberg is indeed the Vezina level guy he was last season.

They'll need Anton Forsberg to continue the way he has. Cam Talbot is not a solution. His numbers in Minnesota are backed by a good team D. His personal
numbers in that system were not flattering:

Talbot in 2017: GSAx: 2.09 (67GP)
Talbot in 2018: GSAx: -16.31 (w/ Edm in 31GP)
Talbot in 2018: GSAx: -1.59 (w/ Phi in 4GP)
Talbot in 2019: GSAx: -0.29 (26GP)
Talbot in 2020: GSAx: -5.62 (33GP)
Talbot in 2021: GSAx: -17.26 (49GP)

This guy has floated pretty f'n far on reputation. It's been 5 years since he has been even an average goalie in this league. But in 2016-17, he was excellent for the Oilers with a GSAx of 31.2 when he was 29 years old; he's been sliding downhill since, and will be 35 this year.
- Monkeypunk

I never said Talbot was good.

I said he brought more stability in net than a constantly injured / bad Matt Murray.

I have my doubts about Forsberg being the solution.

Let's see if Anton "Waivers" Forsberg is indeed the Vezina level guy he was last season.
- AdamFrench

It's a tough call. He's 29. Last year was his first real success in 46 games played. I see Talbot as more of a gamble than Murray. Forsberg at least had some measure of success last year, so you could hope he could build on it - but there is also age that is going to start creeping in on him - but I doubt one year sees him fall off of a cliff if he's finally figured some things out.

My hope for the Leafs season in net.....

IF Matt Murray is able to stay healthy long enough for Sam to work with the tending coaches and get his game to the point he can be the tender he was drafted to be. IF, the tending coaches can calm Sam down and teach him to stay big and square in the net and not be all over the place. He may be a great pick up.... I think Murray is a stop gap to get Sam ready to be #1.

I may be way off...