Youre right, they havent gotten in done.
Theyve failed the past 6 years.
But, they look different this year, so heres hoping they finally get past the 1st round.
I predict they see the 3rd round
- Fakepartofme

They look different this year? LOL. That is a load…

They have looked great in the regular season for several years. We keep thinking ‘this is the year’. Then what happens every year? As the intensity kicks up at the end of the season they fade.

Another thing I have noticed is this: the leafs play a ‘Harlem Globe Trotter’ style game in the regular season. Non-physical, defensively risky, but entertaining. I mean, how many times do you see OUR DEFENCE down behind the opposition net? Then they get caught and its 2 on 1’s and 3 on 1’s. Shocking!


When the playoffs start they try to play a more physical and defensive game to match playoff style hockey. Not only do they not have a team built for that, you cant just turn a switch and change your game.

What will happen this year? Who friggin knows, but you can bet it will be one of two things: we finally win a round OR we lose again and Dubas and team are gone and massive changes are coming…

I don't see it.
- Aetherial

Exactly. That is the most inaccurate statement of the year.

They look exactly the same as the last several years!

Same style. Same crappy defence (which needs an entire overhaul starting with Rielly). Same soft players.

We also lost our top three d and our top 3 goalies. I guess you missed that.
- Procrastinator

Muzzin has been injured most of the past 2 years so the leafs are accustomed to playing without him.
The leafs had a great record without morgan and played the best team D theyve ever played without him.
And the leafs werent missing their top two goalies at the same time.
The leafs have had a lot of injuries but they played their best hockey throughout most of those injuries.
So i don't see what the "injury" argument is suppose to prove?

Exactly. That is the most inaccurate statement of the year.

They look exactly the same as the last several years!

Same style. Same crappy defence (which needs an entire overhaul starting with Rielly). Same soft players.
- Hockey_Reverend

Not true.
Without morgan, this team played great team defence. There was a noticeable difference.....unless youre angry with the team all the time, then ya i could how that was missed

Muzzin has been injured most of the past 2 years so the leafs are accustomed to playing without him.
The leafs had a great record without morgan and played the best team D theyve ever played without him.
And the leafs werent missing their top two goalies at the same time.
The leafs have had a lot of injuries but they played their best hockey throughout most of those injuries.
So i don't see what the "injury" argument is suppose to prove?
- Fakepartofme

That stretch was the best team defence all year. They gave up very few quality chances.

Maybe Morgan needs to go??

Not true.
Without morgan, this team played great team defence. There was a noticeable difference.....unless youre angry with the team all the time, then ya i could how that was missed
- Fakepartofme

Yes, but unfortunately he’s back from injury! Lol

That stretch was the best team defence all year. They gave up very few quality chances.

Maybe Morgan needs to go??
- Hockey_Reverend

Im not against that at all.
But I dont see the leafs doing that for few years and he has an NTC/NMC.
I think we're stuck with him for now.

Jenner
Gavrikov
Korpse

One stop shopping 👍

🙈
- mr.sir

for Sandin, Engvall and Kalgren

👍

Yes, but unfortunately he’s back from injury! Lol
- Hockey_Reverend

True.
But hopefully our "#1 Dman" can be paired with someone who helps him play better or can make up for his inability to play D.

like the Habs season...

-27c (-17f), windchill: -41c (-42f)

I will admit I was wrong about Jarnkrok

💯% hustle all the time
Great deal for 3 more years👍

From the last blog:



Actually ya if you want to beat the Bruins, Lightning or a heavy west coast team in a 7 game series.

It's not complicate or totally necessary to make all 5 moves but let me try to break down my thoughts.

The bottom 6 is soft with guys like Engvall and Anderson (who doesn't do much of anything at all). These are easy guys to replace with some players that have more jam. If you are not playing to primarily contribute on the scoreboard then you are there to do other things like wear down the opponents defense with a strong forecheck and knock around some of the oppositions forwards when you get the chance. Our bottom 6 contributes equal to other bottom 6s on the scoreboard but they are without the hits/forechecking...jam. Not good enough as per 31 other NHL teams who fill out their bottom 6 with Goodrows, Cizikas, Fredrics, etc.

The top 6 is great, a lot of good talent, even with Kerfoot on JTs LW but ONE upgrade wouldn't hurt.

There's only 2 players: 2LW and 3/4LW that need to fit and balance the forward group.

The D, is ALL soft and mostly small and 3 of them are terrible at actual defense. Since some are not trade-able that leaves two that are soft and not good enough but expendable: Holl, Sandin (and this is mostly cuz you can't play him with Lily and expect a good result and Lily seems like the better of the two)

There's 2 more players: LD and RD that need to fit and balance the D.

Murray seems like a liability currently and I wouldn't feel comfortable going on a Cup run with an oft injured #1a/b, whatever he is.

There's one more player.

It's not completely unobvious Aaron.

Does Dubas need to do all 5 players at the TDL for success in the playoffs, no. But if he did, the team would be better for it and tougher in the playoffs. JMHO and it's not completely wrong. If our team was built like that we'd all be excited and looking forward to the playoffs.

And, ya, sure this team does well in the regular season, most nights, but those stinkers have to make you evaluate the roster's make up for the playoffs.

I'm most concerned about the exact some thing happening 6 years in a row without any significant changes/upgrades as we go into the 7th attempt while our stars contracts are expiring right before our eyes.

Things need to be fixed if you're looking for a better result. Or, just go with the "they've all matured and now will be better" approach???


Edit: and I'm not poopting on this team but if I were the GM without a contract these are things that I would be wondering/concerned about. Just my opinion on a comment board filled with opinions and fake trade rumors. (frank)ing can't have an opinion in here any more unless it's Leafs are great. From a mod no less

Give me a break.
- underhill14

Still poopting on Engvall eh? 🤣

Best of the b6, maybe if he wasn’t tied to a boat anchor ( Kampf ) he’d have more points.

- Aetherial

that's Wedgie's favourite cup

Still poopting on Engvall eh? 🤣

Best of the b6, maybe if he wasn’t tied to a boat anchor ( Kampf ) he’d have more points.
- Garnie

_ H _ _
_ _ U _
_ _ _ R _
_ _ _ T _

🤷

Samsonov sucked that’s what my we lost to the BB’s.

Samsonov sucked that’s what my we lost to the BB’s.
- Garnie

Exactly, don't change a thing, this winning formula will deliver again.

_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _

🤷
- mr.sir

it’s true

Kampf high danger chances for% without Pierre is 36% we might as well just throw an old used skate out there with a prosthetic leg attached.

With Pierre it’s 55%

it’s true

Kampf high danger chances for% without Pierre is 36% we might as well just throw an old used skate out there with a prosthetic leg attached.

With Pierre it’s 55%
- Garnie

Weber?

Exactly, don't change a thing, this winning formula will deliver again.
- Symba007

it’s true

Kampf high danger chances for% without Pierre is 36% we might as well just throw an old used skate out there with a prosthetic leg attached.

With Pierre it’s 55%
- Garnie

We can’t afford to lose his speed

_ H U T
_ _ U R
_ H _ R _
_ _ U T H

🤷
- mr.sir

Dude. You can't just selectively show letters. You cheat at hangman.

Also he's right about Engvall. He may not be as physical as people would like, but he is a fantastic bottom-6 player. He had a poor October - but since then he has controlled play well, been a puck possession machine, carried and controlled the puck well in the offensive zone, and kept the puck largely on the right side of centre when he's on the ice.

Weber?
- Symba007

Dude. You can't just selectively show letters. You cheat at hangman.

Also he's right about Engvall. He may not be as physical as people would like, but he is a fantastic bottom-6 player. He had a poor October - but since then he has controlled play well, been a puck possession machine, carried and controlled the puck well in the offensive zone, and kept the puck largely on the right side of centre when he's on the ice.
- Monkeypunk

Pierre Engvall's xG60+/- and CF60+/- RAPMs are both up into the top 15 F's (w/ 500+ EV mins of TOI) league wide.

Still people who want him waived or traded for pucks.

Samsonov sucked that’s what my we lost to the BB’s.
- Garnie

Yup

it’s true

Kampf high danger chances for% without Pierre is 36% we might as well just throw an old used skate out there with a prosthetic leg attached.

With Pierre it’s 55%
- Garnie

For the record you are also incorrect to some extent. Kampf is not there to produce offense. He is also there to contribute in keeping the puck out of our net - often against very difficult opposition. Overall he was more successful at it last year than this year to be fair, but he mucks against the boards and competes physically. He is doing the hard work that Engvall doesn't like to do. Once the puck is sprung to Engvall, then he gets to do his work - but it's a guy like Kampf that does that hard work to make the puck available.

These guys have roles and Kampf & Engvall perform theirs well. We can give our suspicious looks to the guys who aren't living up to expectations this year - Kerfoot, Aston-Reese and in all honesty both Matthews and Rielly have been below expectations (well below in Rielly's case).