Thought he still had another year?

If so it makes me think he’ll be given the chance to change the tone, basically prove he’s on his boss’s side and note his hire’s
- Dozzer

The Shanaplan failed. The MLSE board may have had enough and want a new direction.

I disagree. Not only is Matthews the guy to build a team around but he's one of the top 5 players in the world to build a team around.

He just won the rocket two years in a row and was the most valuable player in the league, his one down year he was wearing a brace on his hand in the handshake line.

We move him and we will not get another player like him.

But therein lies the problem with the leafs. You can make a compelling argument to never trade each one of the big guys, and if you want to shake the team up one of thems got to go.
- joel878

Matthews and Marner run the organization. That is the problem with the whole program. But entitled with no accountability.

I think one of the core 4 forwards needs to be traded for a true #1 defenceman to spread the “wealth” across the lineup.
- WEWANTCUP

Once JT was signed it made the cap balance what it is today. Nothing against JT for I wanted him also.

Wow, hits.

Bumping into someone doesn’t change the outcome of a series.

Gudas rocking Kampf. That’s what the Leafs need.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

If a Maple Leafs player makes that hit, he is suspended the rest of the series.

Stamkos grew up cheering for the leafs too. he sure went home.
- Aaron_85

Stamkos wasn’t their core player when he chose to stay. Lecavalier was.

Nor did he get the miserable media attention.

Toronto sucks to play in. End of story. So if the player doesn’t “love” Toronto don’t be surprised when they go.

And to this argument I've always said, if that was the case why was marner the one to fleece them for every penny. 🤔
- joel878

Marner is the guy I can see signed notably cheaper on his next contract tbh. If so he’s worth keeping.

Willy was good tonight.

But Marner > Nylander.

He just is.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

He is until it matters and then he's not.

I love Marner, he (frank)ing pisses me off every time he dies because I've just told everyone he's finally gonna bust out and carry this team on.

But then he doesn't, and Willy shows up but it's not enough. 🤷

Stamkos wasn’t their core player when he chose to stay. Lecavalier was.

Nor did he get the miserable media attention.

Toronto sucks to play in. End of story. So if the player doesn’t “love” Toronto don’t be surprised when they go.
- Dozzer

Sure. Plenty of other teams have the same media like Montreal/Rangers and they dont have issues like Toronto.

Nylander went what, 8 games without a goal, 5 games without a point?

He did (frank) all first round.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You just make yourself sound more and more obtuse every comment you make.

Marner 4 points in his last 7 games and just killed our offense 90% of the time he touched the puck. I am surprised Matthews got any shots on net. LOL

Willie 3 points in last 7 games. But drove the play with Tavares as his anchor and scored the goal in game 4 to wake the Leafs the frank up and scored the tying goal tonight.

Matthews and Marner run the organization. That is the problem with the whole program. But entitled with no accountability.
- iTOLDu

yup 100%...


all the BS about they have to play together.. ridiculous - and frankly childish.


from a team perspective that neuters the coach.

The Shanaplan failed. The MLSE board may have had enough and want a new direction.
- fifty__missions

Like I said, if he sticks around it’s because he’s been given the chance by MLSE to completely mix things up.

It will be a very interesting next couple of weeks

Is that what the Bruins said?

Give due where it is as Panthers had better goaltending and were more physical and defensively sound.

These are the areas that can be improved if the Leafs want playoff success. Probable cost one of the four. Mathews makes most sense.
- Quinn's Quest

If the leafs could have swayed one of the first two games and shown up in game 3, this is a much different series.

Toronto is Marner’s favourite team unlike Matthews.

And you can’t use the prototypical “American players play anywhere” argument because Matthews can go wherever the hell he wants unlike the others.
- Dozzer

I’d keep both.

They both care, they both are elite talent.

They just need to be surrounded by a different type of players.

Get Wilson, Anderson, Benn (in his prime) type players. Guys who are massive, and will start scrums. The Leafs need to get back to being the bad guys again.

This nice guy poop isn’t working,

Matthews and Marner run the organization. That is the problem with the whole program. But entitled with no accountability.
- iTOLDu

Think some of that gets sorted with a coaching change, but if not you're picking between the two and I pick Matthews 10/10 times.

And to this argument I've always said, if that was the case why was marner the one to fleece them for every penny. 🤔
- joel878

Listened to Brind Amour on overdrive today.. He said something that stuck with me..He said that Carolina has lot's of stars on their team but they are more concerned with putting the team first. When I listen to Mathews/Marner/Nylander I hear them say we alot but the way they talk makes it seem like they are all about themselves..It is different when I hear Rielly and Tavares.

I would live if somebody on the Leafs just came out today and said " We were not good enough as a team and I needed to be better"

Sure. Plenty of other teams have the same media like Montreal/Rangers and they dont have issues like Toronto.
- Aaron_85

Toronto is by far the worse.

You’re dreaming thinking Matthews is a smart long time decision for this team.

He didn’t score for 5 games. He’s not a ten million dollar guy, even hurt those guys score if left in the lineup.

Get. Rid. Of. Him.

Marner is the guy I can see signed notably cheaper on his next contract tbh. If so he’s worth keeping.
- Dozzer

That part I can agree with. But also, fool me once. If he's even the slightest bit positioning for a payday which is more than likely above market value... That's twice he's put himself before his hometown team and he's got to go.

Holding call in the Vegas game. Apparently you cant hold the stick.

You just make yourself sound more and more obtuse every comment you make.

Marner 4 points in his last 7 games and just killed our offense 90% of the time he touched the puck. I am surprised Matthews got any shots on net. LOL

Willie 3 points in last 7 games. But drove the play with Tavares as his anchor and scored the goal in game 4 to wake the Leafs the frank up and scored the tying goal tonight.
- jribout

Obtuse.

Then you follow up with 3pts in 7gp lmao.

Look, I’m not having a go at Willy. FWIW I think he’s super talented.

I’d keep both.

They both care, they both are elite talent.

They just need to be surrounded by a different type of players.

Get Wilson, Anderson, Benn (in his prime) type players. Guys who are massive, and will start scrums. The Leafs need to get back to being the bad guys again.

This nice guy poop isn’t working,
- Arctic_AARDVARK

JT isn’t going anywhere, Marner will likely sign for less next contract, Nylander is a cheaper scorer.

Get rid of Matthews, bump up the prospects/picks notably, and use that cap space to build around the others. They still can score just fine. Don’t need to spend another 10-13 million on that.

JT isn’t going anywhere, Marner will likely sign for less next contract, Nylander is a cheaper scorer.

Get rid of Matthews, bump up the prospects/picks notably, and use that cap space to build around the others. They still can score just fine. Don’t need to spend another 10-13 million on that.
- Dozzer

What would lead you to think Marner will take a pay cut?

Time for the Austin Matthews auction. Let's see if the team can get huge assets, like Eric Lindros when he was auctioned off. I'm sure the Rangers will be all in, as will a couple of the Western teams. Save the cap money and buy up a couple of decent free agents. Say goodbye to Willy and also grab assets and draft picks. Marner stays and unfortunately Tavares. Sign O'Reilly, Schenn and Accari. Jankrok, ZAR and Kerfoot goodbye. The same should also apply to Holl, Giordano and Brodie. Time to do a retool, not a teardown. Step back for one year and retool and come back firing in 2 years. Tampa did that and were successful. We do seem to have found our goaltender for the next 10 years. Keefe should go and replaced by Spezza.

Listened to Brind Amour on overdrive today.. He said something that stuck with me..He said that Carolina has lot's of stars on their team but they are more concerned with putting the team first. When I listen to Mathews/Marner/Nylander I hear them say we alot but the way they talk makes it seem like they are all about themselves..It is different when I hear Rielly and Tavares.

I would live if somebody on the Leafs just came out today and said " We were not good enough as a team and I needed to be better"
- Azuredoom

I feel like part of that is maturity. Theres a small chance that Dubas and co are paying for expecting 20 year olds to be the face of their franchise and be the ones to face the firing squad when it didn't work out.

They didn't shelter these kids they put them front and centre and said we win or die on your sticks. Did they develop those characteristics you're saying as a result?

Onus is on coaching and management.

But also, now we're at a point something needs to be done. How that looks is beyond my armchair capabilities.

The Shanaplan failed. The MLSE board may have had enough and want a new direction.
- fifty__missions

You think they got a reprieve finally getting past the first round. Yeah it’s not looking good how they went out.

Maybe get ahead of the curve and rebuild?

Toronto is by far the worse.

You’re dreaming thinking Matthews is a smart long time decision for this team.

He didn’t score for 5 games. He’s not a ten million dollar guy, even hurt those guys score if left in the lineup.

Get. Rid. Of. Him.
- Dozzer

So Florida should get rid of Tkachuk