man I remember very well before 1994 the feeling of desperation like it was never gonna happen

Leafs fans have got to be absolutely dying right now, they've traded their next 3 first rounders, Marner and Tavares are pending UFAs heading to Florida for a game 6

desperate times for sure
- jimbro83

they blow the core up if they lose this series. Which they will lose

man I remember very well before 1994 the feeling of desperation like it was never gonna happen

Leafs fans have got to be absolutely dying right now, they've traded their next 3 first rounders, Marner and Tavares are pending UFAs heading to Florida for a game 6

desperate times for sure
- jimbro83

If they decide Matthews isnt the one to lead this team, theyll get those 1sts back. I dont know though how they manage to recover from that still. Thats like going from contender to full on rebuild because undoubtedly Marner wont resign, maybe Tavares will stick around cause its home, I have a very hard time believing Nylander wants to be apart of a rebuild because there was already drama with Toronto during contract negotiations.

If this happens, Id do everything possible to trade Panarin and get Knies.

If they decide Matthews isnt the one to lead this team, theyll get those 1sts back. I dont know though how they manage to recover from that still. Thats like going from contender to full on rebuild because undoubtedly Marner wont resign, maybe Tavares will stick around cause its home, I have a very hard time believing Nylander wants to be apart of a rebuild because there was already drama with Toronto during contract negotiations.

If this happens, Id do everything possible to trade Panarin and get Knies.
- aecliptic

Why in the world would they trade Knies, one of the types of players they want, for anyone let alone 1 more year of a 33 year old mitch marner?

If they decide Matthews isnt the one to lead this team, theyll get those 1sts back. I dont know though how they manage to recover from that still. Thats like going from contender to full on rebuild because undoubtedly Marner wont resign, maybe Tavares will stick around cause its home, I have a very hard time believing Nylander wants to be apart of a rebuild because there was already drama with Toronto during contract negotiations.

If this happens, Id do everything possible to trade Panarin and get Knies.
- aecliptic

Knies would be part of the rebuild, only 23 years old at the start of next season. He’s a great player though.

If they decide Matthews isnt the one to lead this team, theyll get those 1sts back. I dont know though how they manage to recover from that still. Thats like going from contender to full on rebuild because undoubtedly Marner wont resign, maybe Tavares will stick around cause its home, I have a very hard time believing Nylander wants to be apart of a rebuild because there was already drama with Toronto during contract negotiations.

If this happens, Id do everything possible to trade Panarin and get Knies.
- aecliptic

Toronto is home for Marner as well. And reports say that he was asked to waive his NMC for a Raantanen trade and refused.
Marner and Matthews are almost exactly what we have here in NY in Panarin and Zibby, just more costly. No easy fix for either team.

Toronto is home for Marner as well. And reports say that he was asked to waive his NMC for a Raantanen trade and refused.
Marner and Matthews are almost exactly what we have here in NY in Panarin and Zibby, just more costly. No easy fix for either team.
- Tonybere

this is egregious

Why in the world would they trade Knies, one of the types of players they want, for anyone let alone 1 more year of a 33 year old mitch marner?
- picklerick

Im just saying hypothetically, if it all falls apart for the Leafs, it should be something to explore... and no Im not saying trade Panarin to the Leafs, Im saying trade him in general.

Im just saying hypothetically, if it all falls apart for the Leafs, it should be something to explore... and no Im not saying trade Panarin to the Leafs, Im saying trade him in general.
- aecliptic

Gotta imagine he's one they want to keep

I wonder if Toronto is going to continue the poaching of the Florida squad this off-season.

Gotta imagine he's one they want to keep
- picklerick

Oh of course, however, with how much power and control they've given these kids as of late, he's a RFA, if he doesn't want to be apart of whatever they're doing there, he doesn't have to resign there.

Toronto is home for Marner as well. And reports say that he was asked to waive his NMC for a Raantanen trade and refused.
Marner and Matthews are almost exactly what we have here in NY in Panarin and Zibby, just more costly. No easy fix for either team.
- Tonybere

Id keep Panarin over M&M any day of the week. Zibby is as soft as those too, jettison him.

Thats saying a lot.

Id keep Panarin over M&M any day of the week. Zibby is as soft as those too, jettison him.

Thats saying a lot.
- Brukie

There’s about a 0% chance I’m keeping Zib and Panarin over Mathews and Marner

There’s about a 0% chance I’m keeping Zib and Panarin over Mathews and Marner
- nyrangers9479

My original point was that none of them play the sort of game that gets you through the playoffs. The "this guy over that guy" and "point total vs. point total" angles are missing the gist of what I'm saying. Mental and physical toughness is what both we and Toronto are in great need of.

this is egregious
- picklerick

You've missed what I'm saying.

You've missed what I'm saying.
- Tonybere

then say it better

It's silly to say that Matthews is not the type of player you can win with. He's a top 5 player in the league. You just need to build a team around him that plays playoff hockey. Ovi didn't win a cup for how long?

My original point was that none of them play the sort of game that gets you through the playoffs. The "this guy over that guy" and "point total vs. point total" angles are missing the gist of what I'm saying. Mental and physical toughness is what both we and Toronto are in great need of.
- Tonybere

I could see Toronto continuing the poaching of the Panthers by going after Bennett and Schmidt

I could see Toronto continuing the poaching of the Panthers by going after Bennett and Schmidt
- aecliptic

I could very easily see them letting Tavares go for Bennett.

Schmidt or Ekblad?

I could very easily see them letting Tavares go for Bennett.

Schmidt or Ekblad?
- Lahey

Toronto has nearly the entire D under contract already and Florida has a fair amount of cap space so I doubt Ekblad leaves.

Toronto has nearly the entire D under contract already and Florida has a fair amount of cap space so I doubt Ekblad leaves.
- aecliptic

Nor Bennett

Toronto has nearly the entire D under contract already and Florida has a fair amount of cap space so I doubt Ekblad leaves.
- aecliptic

Until last night, I didn't feel like Toronto's D corp was their problem. They have really revamped their pairings and it has shown.
However, last night EVERY Toronto player had terrible gap control. Panthers players had time and space on almost every rush. Every whistle in their end, you could barely see Woll through the bodies. Every (sparse) whistle in the Florida end, a Leaf player had to intentionally skate to the net to get that whistle blown.

then say it better

It's silly to say that Matthews is not the type of player you can win with. He's a top 5 player in the league. You just need to build a team around him that plays playoff hockey. Ovi didn't win a cup for how long?
- picklerick

It's silly to say that about Panarin, too. But, here we are. What are the excuses surrounding Matthews, then? 'Cause, he's had some high level players around him for years and hasn't won a thing. For us it's Cup or you suck, but Toronto gets a pass?

Until last night, I didn't feel like Toronto's D corp was their problem. They have really revamped their pairings and it has shown.
However, last night EVERY Toronto player had terrible gap control. Panthers players had time and space on almost every rush. Every whistle in their end, you could barely see Woll through the bodies. Every (sparse) whistle in the Florida end, a Leaf player had to intentionally skate to the net to get that whistle blown.
- Tonybere

Is it the Toronto D or is it Maurice and the coaching staff making the proper adjustments?

Is it the Toronto D or is it Maurice and the coaching staff making the proper adjustments?
- aecliptic

Is it not both? I'm sure Berube is making adjustments too, but it appears once again his team isn't adapting quick enough.

Is it not both? I'm sure Berube is making adjustments too, but it appears once again his team isn't adapting quick enough.
- Lahey

I think this is where Florida gets the edge because they've been together for so long, where as like half of, if not 4 of the 6, the Leafs starting defenseman are new... along with the coach himself. Plus, they're running out 2 back up goalies.

Is it the Toronto D or is it Maurice and the coaching staff making the proper adjustments?
- aecliptic

I mean, It's basically always both. But, I saw more (negative) change to the way Toronto played last night than change to the Panthers game. IMO, as always!