This is pretty accurate - they aren't built to score greasy goals or don't have to do it enough during the regular season and don't seem to have enough guys who can score them.

Domi/Bert are 2 who can (Domi got one the other night) but they need the skilled guys (looked at you JT, Marner, and even Matthews) to start to score type of goals too.

Some / more secondary scoring is also needed.

They also miss Willy.
- Cush29

Domi damn near had one last night too but instead the leafs gave it up and let Boston score damn near immediately after they did.

I’m also willing to give Matthews a pass because the other stars of the team don’t need the primary defensively physical guys from the other team to do the trick, only the second tier ones work on them. Get some more grit and I’d be willing to bet Matthews becomes more dominant because the opposition would no longer be able to focus on him that way.

Absolutely.
- Whipper

I would not want my team to pay him that much. Great player in the regular season but he has not shown you win with him in the playoffs, he disappears instead of stepping up

Do you honeslty think teams will line up to give him 12M/yr with his track record?
- Symba007

Someone would… Chicago would be a safe bet for instance

Don't need it when he signs for league minimum on the greatest home team discount in history.
- Whipper

That could take a lot of Can Tire gift cards

I thought we were leaving cap space for 97
- mr.sir

I have never supported that nonsense dream of leaf fans

Do you honeslty think teams will line up to give him 12M/yr with his track record?
- Symba007

I do think that but if not maybe it convinces him to just take a minimal raise (like to the same as what Willy makes) and be happy.

I'm all aboard the 'Marner doesn't deserve much of a raise if any' train at this point.

Love the player - hate the ROI when looking at the cap hit.

Many will say the same about Willy once he starts to be paid his new salary, anyone complaining about Willy now in relation to ROI is smoking crack since he is being paid 6.9M this season.

Even if Marner took no raise I'm not sure they can afford to have him and Willy if they want to build a winning team around the core of AM, those 2 and Moe (once JT's monster contract comes off the books and he stays on the cheap or leaves) - guess it depends on what the cap goes up by.

I have never supported that nonsense dream of leaf fans
- Dozzer

with Draisaitl in MTL and McDavid in TO? Both hitting the UFA market at the end of their contract

I would not want my team to pay him that much. Great player in the regular season but he has not shown you win with him in the playoffs, he disappears instead of stepping up
- Symba007

Oh, I 1000% get it, but teams are often distracted by fancy dangles and sick passes... At least I'm hoping.

All in all, I'm not overly worried about this team. We've outplayed them 5v5 all series and we're doing it without Willy. The PP HAS to get it figured out at some point, and they took less dumb penalties last night. Easy win Saturday, steal game 5 in their barn, and finish it up in 6.

We can, and we will*

*may take 7.
- Whipper

I'm still all in and agree 5 vs 5 the Leafs have been the better team for the vast majority of the time.

I think this series goes 7 though and as much as a game 7 vs Boston scares me I'd love the ever living poop out of the Leafs winning a series in game 7 in Boston.

Go Leafs Go!

I have never supported that nonsense dream of leaf fans
- Dozzer

They said the same thing about JT.

I'm not sure who "they" are, but I'm sure someone said it

with Draisaitl in MTL and McDavid in TO? Both hitting the UFA market at the end of their contract
- Symba007

Anyone who thinks Edmonton won’t do what Colorado did to keep Sakic when it comes to him is a looney tune.

This is nothing even close to JT leaving the islanders. Both talent wise and market.

They said the same thing about JT.

I'm not sure who "they" are, but I'm sure someone said it
- Whipper

Yes because Edmonton Alberta and Elmont NY are the exact same place when it comes to a fanbase

Yup precisely. And it’s JT, Marner, and Nylander who can’t take on the lack of space. Matthews can of course but the problem he faces is because of the other 3 he’s constantly facing the most talented checking from the opposition.

And I know I make dumbass jokes about Marner but he is talented as hell, til this happens. So he needs to be let go because Nylander was signed. Keeping both those two is foolish since they need some talented physical forwards. Back down on Marner’s overall talent but replace him with a couple Bertuzzi types who are in their prime. The difference their offence would show would be notable.

And to be clear if they can figure out how to move Nylander because they’d rather keep Marner then go for it… however I don’t see it happening. I’m a tad afraid they’ll stick to this core and in 2-3 years the team will begin to to fade yet again.
- Dozzer

Ive been on here many times saying trade whoever to help make this team win.....in the playoffs. Dont care about reg season (yes obviously we need to make into the playoffs...but 70 goals, 110pts dont impress me much - Shania reference...you're welcome everyone!)
I would have thought it was willie on the way out, but he's now locked up long term and a contract that probably wont be great in two years (hoping im wrong), so it looks like Mitch is on outs. Such is life.
However, I do have this feeling that they may keep everyone next season, until JT comes off the books and the cap increases. I have a feeling next season will be a real tight year, but they may be thinking long term and 2025 off season opens up a lot of cap.
Or move out Marner this off season for either a young Dman/picks or prospect and picks, and trust Tre to use the money appropriately in the off season. Tree doesnt have a great FA record.
But the leafs could still win this series.
IMO win or lose...the whole coaching staff has to go, perhaps this team can be better utilize to not expose their weaknesses constantly.

Yes because Edmonton Alberta and Elmont NY are the exact same place when it comes to a fanbase
- Dozzer

Do I really need to explain emojis to you?

Lighten up, Dozzer.

I would not want my team to pay him that much. Great player in the regular season but he has not shown you win with him in the playoffs, he disappears instead of stepping up
- Symba007

Until you do math.

Regular season is about 1.1PPG, post season is about 0.9PPG

That makes him a whole 1 less point every 5 games in the post season

Do I really need to explain emojis to you?

Lighten up, Dozzer.
- Whipper

Sorry, didn’t realize I had to use 3 as well to prove I was joking too lol

Anyone who thinks Edmonton won’t do what Colorado did to keep Sakic when it comes to him is a looney tune.

This is nothing even close to JT leaving the islanders. Both talent wise and market.
- Dozzer

I'm not sure Sakic staying in Colarado is the same as McDavid staying in Edmonton though.

Colarado had won the cup the year before and Sakic saw what that team was/would be capable of.

McDavid seems VERY frustrated every year the Oilers are bounced from the playoffs and has already made an obscene amount of money. He strikes me as the type who is way more interested in winning than adding to his pile of gold.

I feel like the success or lack of success by the Oilers in the playoffs between now and when he is a UFA will determine the fate of where Mc David plays under his next contract. I have a hard time seeing him anywhere other than Edmonton or Toronto though.

Do you honeslty think teams will line up to give him 12M/yr with his track record?
- Symba007

His track record of almost 100pts the past couple of years and 1.27 ppg the past 3 years?
Ya they would and depending on location taxes, they may only have to pay him 10.5m -11 or so.

Marner and Bedard anyone? Im sure chicago would love that for the next 7 years or so.

Ive been on here many times saying trade whoever to help make this team win.....in the playoffs. Dont care about reg season (yes obviously we need to make into the playoffs...but 70 goals, 110pts dont impress me much - Shania reference...you're welcome everyone!)
I would have thought it was willie on the way out, but he's now locked up long term and a contract that probably wont be great in two years (hoping im wrong), so it looks like Mitch is on outs. Such is life.
However, I do have this feeling that they may keep everyone next season, until JT comes off the books and the cap increases. I have a feeling next season will be a real tight year, but they may be thinking long term and 2025 off season opens up a lot of cap.
Or move out Marner this off season for either a young Dman/picks or prospect and picks, and trust Tre to use the money appropriately in the off season. Tree doesnt have a great FA record.
But the leafs could still win this series.
IMO win or lose...the whole coaching staff has to go, perhaps this team can be better utilize to not expose their weaknesses constantly.
- Fakepartofme

I think the play is to move Marner whenever they can, (which won't be easy), but I also wouldn't HATE seeing this team with a different coach. Unless Keefe rights this ship ASAP, him and his whole crew have to be yeeted into the sun.

Sorry, didn’t realize I had to use 3 as well to prove I was joking too lol
- Dozzer

I like things in threes, like playoff wins

Ive been on here many times saying trade whoever to help make this team win.....in the playoffs. Dont care about reg season (yes obviously we need to make into the playoffs...but 70 goals, 110pts dont impress me much - Shania reference...you're welcome everyone!)
I would have thought it was willie on the way out, but he's now locked up long term and a contract that probably wont be great in two years (hoping im wrong), so it looks like Mitch is on outs. Such is life.
However, I do have this feeling that they may keep everyone next season, until JT comes off the books and the cap increases. I have a feeling next season will be a real tight year, but they may be thinking long term and 2025 off season opens up a lot of cap.
Or move out Marner this off season for either a young Dman/picks or prospect and picks, and trust Tre to use the money appropriately in the off season. Tree doesnt have a great FA record.
But the leafs could still win this series.
IMO win or lose...the whole coaching staff has to go, perhaps this team can be better utilize to not expose their weaknesses constantly.
- Fakepartofme

Unless this team hits the semi finals at the very least playing a different style this better be Keefe’s last year. My curiousity will be if Boucher lands the job.

As for the players if Marner gets a long term deal as well I’ll start thinking it’s time for Shanny to go because I’ll be under the impression the GM is just his task worker.

Ive been on here many times saying trade whoever to help make this team win.....in the playoffs. Dont care about reg season (yes obviously we need to make into the playoffs...but 70 goals, 110pts dont impress me much - Shania reference...you're welcome everyone!)
I would have thought it was willie on the way out, but he's now locked up long term and a contract that probably wont be great in two years (hoping im wrong), so it looks like Mitch is on outs. Such is life.
However, I do have this feeling that they may keep everyone next season, until JT comes off the books and the cap increases. I have a feeling next season will be a real tight year, but they may be thinking long term and 2025 off season opens up a lot of cap.
Or move out Marner this off season for either a young Dman/picks or prospect and picks, and trust Tre to use the money appropriately in the off season. Tree doesnt have a great FA record.
But the leafs could still win this series.
IMO win or lose...the whole coaching staff has to go, perhaps this team can be better utilize to not expose their weaknesses constantly.
- Fakepartofme

I feel like this is what will happen and most of us here will hate it but they are in a tight spot and it might be the necessary move.

Let's hope the guys we want to figure it out this playoff do, the guys we want to get healthy and play and contribute do and we can all look back and be happy with this playoff run - even if next year hurts a bit.

I like things in threes, like playoff wins
- Whipper

Right now fine!!! Otherwise it needs to be

I would not want my team to pay him that much. Great player in the regular season but he has not shown you win with him in the playoffs, he disappears instead of stepping up
- Symba007

48pts in 53 games
Matthews has 47 pts in 53 games

No one on the leafs have shown you can win with them yet in the playoffs.

I feel like this is what will happen and most of us here will hate it but they are in a tight spot and it might be the necessary move.

Let's hope the guys we want to figure it out this playoff do, the guys we want to get healthy and play and contribute do and we can all look back and be happy with this playoff run - even if next year hurts a bit.
- Cush29

I think so as well.
I think they run it all back with a new coaching staff....unless the leafs get to the 3rd round.