What'll it take to pry my peg du bois into you?
- Zezel

I mean, he was hurt. And also, he made a number of game saving saves.

Bolded- I don't disagree. In fact, I agree entirely.

Only problem is that Hellebyuck has 1 year left. What's an extension look like?
- GreatGigInTheSky

He also let up some weak goals. Again, he wasnt the reason the Leafs lost, but having an elite goalie is kinda the best thing you can do for your team. Its the most important position.

It would be nice to go into a series with the best goalie in the series for a change right?

I don't think his "big $$$ increase" is nearly as much as you might think. Again, I don't see how acquiring him would necessarily impact the Leafs getting a guy like Helly.

And remember, your boy Holl and his 2M are off the books. The Leafs have a lot of cap space to get some things done.

Not that I want to hitch my wagon necessarily to Gav, but the Leafs defence MUST improve. Getting an all-world goalie like Helly isn't enough.
- mjones242

I agree - need another top 4 guy to put in the mix. If they go the UFA route on D then Orlov Severson Graves and Gavrikov are out there. I think the first 3 move the puck better than Gavrikov and still give you some size and physicality.

He's too big of a douche and not good enough a player to both with, for me.

He'll fit in perfectly in Montreal.
- GreatGigInTheSky

We need some douche in our top 6.

His playoff numbers are pretty solid too.

I don't think his "big $$$ increase" is nearly as much as you might think. Again, I don't see how acquiring him would necessarily impact the Leafs getting a guy like Helly.

And remember, your boy Holl and his 2M are off the books. The Leafs have a lot of cap space to get some things done.

Not that I want to hitch my wagon necessarily to Gav, but the Leafs defence MUST improve. Getting an all-world goalie like Helly isn't enough.
- mjones242

It doesn't. I just agreed with both points in the post I responded to. Get the all world goalie and stay away from the D-man that I don't think is overly good, who could also be looking for a lot more money than he's worth.

Second bolded-

But looking at the defensive numbers from the Leafs, they're one of the better teams in the league. Losing Holl's dead weight and adding a top goalie in the league would for sure boost those numbers. Liljegren continuing his rapid growth also should help.

no more farting around
- senstroll

I feel a regression year incoming. 1 step back to take 2 forward.

He also let up some weak goals. Again, he wasnt the reason the Leafs lost, but having an elite goalie is kinda the best thing you can do for your team. Its the most important position.

It would be nice to go into a series with the best goalie in the series for a change right?
- Archaic

Agreed

We need some douche in our top 6.

His playoff numbers are pretty solid too.
- gravyface

Nah. We need bumholes. Not douches.

Will Benn get more games than Bunting?

I feel a regression year incoming. 1 step back to take 2 forward.
- Aaron_85

oh good, the florida model is the way to go now

oh good, the florida model is the way to go now
- senstroll

10 million dollar goalies and Paul Maurice are the way of the future.

Karlsson is also a direct cause of goals against. He's abysmal defensively.

It's a hard no from me for the Leafs getting that mess.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Same here and I'm confused as to what people think the biggest reason the Leafs lost this year was.

I don't think it was a lack of offense from the Defense (as in they have so much invested in offense up front they shouldn't really be relying heavily on it) nor do I think it was goaltending where they should go and break the bank for a Helly or Saros (again both of whom haven't pulled a Bob in the playoffs ever so why?). To me it was a lack of physicality up front and that's where I'd be focusing most of my efforts along with some more / younger snarl on the back end.

Also interesting read this am from Elliot Friedman that Dubas was not in fact seeking full autonomy as many claim, & was simply seeking a seat at the table with the board to present his asks 1st hand vs him to Shanny, Shanny to the board, the board back to Shanny and Shanny back to Dubas.

The report is Dubas wanted a chance to speak to or sell his moves direct to the board & streamline the process by making it quicker but Shanny did not want this.

Who really knows the truth but that's a much different take than the one that has been tossed around where it's a pure power grab for Dubas.

I went out to a scat group meetup I found online. But soon I realized my mistake and quietly excused myself before the jazz improvisation started.

Go Leafs Go

Unlike a lot of people in here, I've never hated Freddy and would've liked him still here.

Bob at least has a past of being a Vezina winner, but man, was he horrible all season.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Same but I honestly don't think he wanted to be here after his injuries were somewhat questioned publically by the team & when he was ready to play come playoffs he didn't' see any ice.

Will Benn get more games than Bunting?
- senstroll

We'll see. I thought it was the worst thing I've seen this playoff - by a fair bit. That includes the Pietrangelo wicked slash on Draisaitl which netted only one game.

Same here and I'm confused as to what people think the biggest reason the Leafs lost this year was.

I don't think it was a lack of offense from the Defense (as in they have so much invested in offense up front they shouldn't really be relying heavily on it) nor do I think it was goaltending where they should go and break the bank for a Helly or Saros (again both of whom haven't pulled a Bob in the playoffs ever so why?). To me it was a lack of physicality up front and that's where I'd be focusing most of my efforts along with some more / younger snarl on the back end.

Also interesting read this am from Elliot Friedman that Dubas was not in fact seeking full autonomy as many claim, & was simply seeking a seat at the table with the board to present his asks 1st hand vs him to Shanny, Shanny to the board, the board back to Shanny and Shanny back to Dubas.

The report is Dubas wanted a chance to speak to or sell his moves direct to the board & streamline the process by making it quicker but Shanny did not want this.

Who really knows the truth but that's a much different take than the one that has been tossed around where it's a pure power grab for Dubas.
- Cush29

its not that they needed more offence from the defense, its that the D needed to be able to help the forwards more...and that translates to more scoring.

its no secret the leafs...had issues scoring..again

Nah. We need bumholes. Not douches.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Be fine if he's not a Leaf and staying in the west but if he's goes to Montreal then the Leafs have to deal with his ass multiple times a year.

I would take PLD on this team in a heart beat. Perfect type of player that we're missing. He's Thachuk Lite....and not too lite at that.

If you can get a PLD you take him all day long.

Better for the playoffs than sweety boy Mitchy. IMHO.

its not that they needed more offence from the defense, its that the D needed to be able to help the forwards more...and that translates to more scoring.

its no secret the leafs...had issues scoring..again
- senstroll

I said it before and I'll say it again. The leafs put more effort on team defense, got more physical, got slower to get more "intangibles" and something has to give for those. Scoring and speed usually. Which was the case. Ran into a Conn Smythe Bobrovsky.

Fun fact: Panthers have won 11 games and in 10 of them only have 1 goal games. They aren't winning by outscoring by any means so clearly it can be successful. Literally 45 seconds and they are golfing after the first round. Playoffs be crazy.

Its not just a boring hire, its an awful one. Fireable from Shannahan. I wouldnt even interview him. Surprised he is even a candidate.

I dont like any of the GMs out there to be honest. Id try for the below

First calls

Armstrong - Likely not available
McPhee - Likely wouldnt want it

Second Call

Tulsky

If none of those, juust keep Pridham, and hire some senior guys to help him. Dont know what else is out there that would be good.
- Archaic

I would try to pry David Poile out of Retirement

its not that they needed more offence from the defense, its that the D needed to be able to help the forwards more...and that translates to more scoring.

its no secret the leafs...had issues scoring..again
- senstroll

Or did the forwards fly the zone way too quickly & leave the D with no good options & the system of puck possession being pounded in their heads forces them to try a terrible pass vs taking the simply solution of getting it out.

Maybe it's a combo of the 2 and/or even a systems issue?

Look at both Florida and Carolina - neither generally move the puck out of their zone in a controlled / calculated manner. They flip it out way more often and have the forwards who will fight for the puck in the neutral zone and win that battle often.

They do the same thing into the offensive zone - the Leafs lack enough guys who will forecheck hard, finish every check and battle that hard for the puck every single time.

At least to me.

its not that they needed more offence from the defense, its that the D needed to be able to help the forwards more...and that translates to more scoring.

its no secret the leafs...had issues scoring..again
- senstroll

Not enough jam, north/south guys in the top 6.

Too many guys that shy away from contact and can't reciprocate.

Or did the forwards fly the zone way too quickly & leave the D with no good options & the system of puck possession being pounded in their heads forces them to try a terrible pass vs taking the simply solution of getting it out.

Maybe it's a combo of the 2 and/or even a systems issue?

Look at both Florida and Carolina - neither generally move the puck out of their zone in a controlled / calculated manner. They flip it out way more often and have the forwards who will fight for the puck in the neutral zone and win that battle often.

They do the same thing into the offensive zone - the Leafs lack enough guys who will forecheck hard, finish every check and battle that hard for the puck every single time.

At least to me.
- Cush29

We went from a quick transitional team to D to D static breakout as a 5 man unit, played slow/safe.

Also, 1-2-2 forecheck isn't enough pressure on anyone in the playoffs. Rarely did we force any turnovers or mistakes.

Same here and I'm confused as to what people think the biggest reason the Leafs lost this year was.

I don't think it was a lack of offense from the Defense (as in they have so much invested in offense up front they shouldn't really be relying heavily on it) nor do I think it was goaltending where they should go and break the bank for a Helly or Saros (again both of whom haven't pulled a Bob in the playoffs ever so why?). To me it was a lack of physicality up front and that's where I'd be focusing most of my efforts along with some more / younger snarl on the back end.

.
.
.
- Cush29

We lost because of one word: Bobrovsky.

Certainly reliable goaltending at critical times came back to bite them in the backside again. Frankly if we want to hold Dubas accountable for anything, it's sort of that. Andersen had lost his confidence here - most of us knew he'd be fine in Carolina - and Campbell was a longshot to be the next Tim Thomas; Samsonov and Murray were always a HUGE roll of the dice and Murray's selling point was his playoff experience, but when the opportunity arose, they gave it to Woll - so why was Murray even here?

But really their downfall was that Bobrovsky has been otherworldly. They were in tight in the dirty areas. They played in front of him and around him and deflected pucks and got rebounds. Not as many as Tampa because Florida plays much dirtier around their net and in the playoffs that's "good defense" . . sometimes . . if the refs decide you're allowed to. Outside of a few stretches in a few games for the most part Florida has been outplayed all playoffs. Boston was better in 5 games, Toronto was better in 3 (or 4 depending on the metric). Carolina has been the better team in all 3 - although I will say that Florida was better through the last 3 OT periods of game 1. Florida didn't score their goals by crashing the net and being stronger. Half of their shots were just that - shots - that would not have beaten Bob.

So Boston, Toronto and Carolina are all getting goalied. Boston was ahead 2-1 in the series when Bob came in - and granted he got bombed in his first game, but then he found his footing and here we are.

People female dog that Toronto was too soft or Carolina is too soft. Was Boston? How much do you need to blow it up and how much do you need to tweak some things and get a better goalie. What Bob is doing is generational this year; you won't see it for another 10-20 years.

If they Leafs are going to spend big on a dman 5M+ They need to get someone who can score, and has an offensive game. The Leafs get almost no production from the backend. Gavrikov is just more of what the Leafs have. He is not what they should be looking for.

What is he going to bring exactly that will push the needle?
- Archaic

I don't think Gavrikov commands 5M+. Maybe 4.5M? If he's more than that, move along.

I do think he (or someone similar) would fit on the shutdown pair with Brodie (whom I don't think McCabe works well with). I mentioned above what Gav brings to the table: big, can be trusted with heavy dZone mins, kills penalties, blocks shots, etc.

The Leafs have Timmins as a potential puck moving d-man you can put on the 3rd pair if you like. Rielly and Schenn seemed to work well (as Luke did with Quinn Hughes in VAN) on the Top pair, so I'd ride that and see if can work out.

The Top 6 forwards need a power forward type with hands. I'd spend more money there.

As VGK is showing, I'm not convinced this team needs a top shelf goalie to go on a run.

What I would add:

- Top 6 LW
- Legit shutdown pair d-man

Re-sign Samsonov if you can get him cheap, if not look for someone in the 3-4M range and run a tandem with Woll.