Wow, you guys have absolutely zero optimism whatsoever.....how disheartening.
- Phenom

I think the leafs will be just fine, you wont make the playoffs again, but will be a better team by a few spots.

From the boss

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund

Ws just told by a VERY good source that JVR may have been the last piece Leafs Needed to Make Run at Nash?Remember the Jackets wanted him.


I really doubt it but stranger things have happened.

Also, this guy will be fun to watch

Kyle Cicerella ‏@KyleTheReporter

Komarov says he's "good guy" off the ice but when his helmets on its "time to do his job"
- LeafMan

Looking forward to seeing Kormorov in action. Pest.

This isn't really a discussion on opinions of the team. The fact is, the team is worse then it ever has been, since Burke has got here.
- Leafland

Well, I respectfully disagree. There is more talent, depth and 100% more upside than there was 4 years ago, imo.

I might get a ton of heat for saying this, but unless Burke thinks he can wheel and deal for somene better, he should have made a play for Ribeiro.
- Phenom

Naw, I'm not convinced Ribby'd have done any better than Bozak on that first line.

What we needed was that second line with Kulemin and Grabs to produce. It boggles my mind how many goals Kulemin could have had. He should have cleared 20, and who knows how many points in the standings that would have translated into.

If we get that depth in scoring back, and Loops and Kessel follow up last year in the same fashion, then we'd have enough offence to get the job done.

Wow, you guys have absolutely zero optimism whatsoever.....how disheartening.
- Phenom

No I would say most around here think that the players can do more.. maybe more than they are capable of.. it is management that is the major question..

When Burke says he never looked to improve through UFA's and that it is through trades that we are going to improve to play this new system and we have seen him comment at the high prices at the Trade Deadline, and at the Draft.. you can't be too optimistic.. about going forward through OVER PRICED trades in Burkes eyes.. unless we convert one of the 30 offensive dmen in the system from small dman to big center .. I would say we are in trouble.

It's really hard to say.

We're younger, have a new coach etc.

I mean, you just look at that one issue of goaltending and that alone is the difference between us in 12th and us in 7th. We lost so many points last year because of soft goals, and if you plug that gap, we weren't in bad shape
- AngryWhiteMale

-young but unskilled.
-new coach who plays a hard, physical game but won't have the players to execute
-goaltending will be the same, if not even more inexperienced.
-the 'gap' has not been plugged.

This isn't really a discussion on opinions of the team. The fact is, the team is worse then it ever has been, since Burke has got here.
- Leafland

Please tell me you're joking, i really hope you are

Looking forward to seeing Kormorov in action. Pest.
- burn

Looking forward to seeing Brad Ross in action.

There's a guy we'll enhjoy watching.

You see his stats?

Who knows with Lupul. He is DEFINITELY a top 6 forward now though. Obviously we all want him to be as good as last year but it won't be easy. Potential big seasons from one of JVR, Kulemin, or Frattin is possible in my opinion.
- dionschenn

Who knows with Lupul..

but big Penteial seasons from JVR, Kulemin, or Frattin...

That is a lot of If's.. in front of Lupul.

Naw, I'm not convinced Ribby'd have done any better than Bozak on that first line.

What we needed was that second line with Kulemin and Grabs to produce. It boggles my mind how many goals Kulemin could have had. He should have cleared 20, and who knows how many points in the standings that would have translated into.

If we get that depth in scoring back, and Loops and Kessel follow up last year in the same fashion, then we'd have enough offence to get the job done.
- AngryWhiteMale

Have you seen the hands on that guy? There were so many times I saw pucks sail just inches past Kessel and Lupul's sticks. Ribeiro puts those pucks exactly where they need to be. Kessel pots 40 with Ribeiro feeding him.

-young but unskilled.
-new coach who plays a hard, physical game but won't have the players to execute
-goaltending will be the same, if not even more inexperienced.
-the 'gap' has not been plugged.
- Barx

Agreed plus no goaltending will make those defenders look good.

-young but unskilled.
-new coach who plays a hard, physical game but won't have the players to execute
-goaltending will be the same, if not even more inexperienced.
-the 'gap' has not been plugged.
- Barx

Exactly. Eight years out of the playoffs, but not ONE single franchise player to show for it. Huge hole right down the middle of the hockey club - Goalie, No. 1 D-Man, No. 1 Center.

Have you seen the hands on that guy? There were so many times I saw pucks sail just inches past Kessel and Lupul's sticks. Ribeiro puts those pucks exactly where they need to be. Kessel pots 40 with Ribeiro feeding him.
- Phenom

There were times last year Bozak really looked like he'd figured it out.

In fact I remember the first period of a game at MSG where he along with Loops and Kessel were absolute MAGIC. I think it's worth seeing if this trend in his development continues.

I'm not trying to say Bozak's the 'real deal' but he's been as advertised, and he almost reached 20gs last year.

I think our offence hinges on how that second line fairs. If Kulemin can figure it out, and if JVR can make himself useful, then it won't be offence that keeps us out.

Exactly. Eight years out of the playoffs, but not ONE single franchise player to show for it. Huge hole right down the middle of the hockey club - Goalie, No. 1 D-Man, No. 1 Center.
- triggermartin

Poulin on sportsnet said its the most tradetalk he has seen in 3 years right now. Lots of irons in the fire and Leafs not done. Keep in mind this is second hand coming from my friend who is watching.

NYR_SourceCentral™‏@NYRSourceCentrl
Leafs are out on Nash and Parise #NHL #Leafs

I dont think they were ever in on Parise

Poulin on sportsnet said its the most tradetalk he has seen in 3 years right now. Lots of irons in the fire and Leafs not done. Keep in mind this is second hand coming from my friend who is watching.
- wendel13

Its on the sportsnet home page... on the video thing on the right

Poulin on sportsnet said its the most tradetalk he has seen in 3 years right now. Lots of irons in the fire and Leafs not done. Keep in mind this is second hand coming from my friend who is watching.
- wendel13

Weak UFA pool.

Coupled with big names like Nash and Lu, along with a big increase in the cap, it figures there'd be lots of buzz

NYR_SourceCentral™‏@NYRSourceCentrl
Leafs are out on Nash and Parise #NHL #Leafs

I dont think they were ever in on Parise
- peddy-93

Weak UFA pool.

Coupled with big names like Nash and Lu, along with a big increase in the cap, it figures there'd be lots of buzz
- AngryWhiteMale

Apparently players people wouldn't think of too.

NYR_SourceCentral™‏@NYRSourceCentrl
Leafs are out on Nash and Parise #NHL #Leafs

I dont think they were ever in on Parise
- peddy-93

Sweet!!! We still have a shot at Suter!?!?!?

Poulin on sportsnet said its the most tradetalk he has seen in 3 years right now. Lots of irons in the fire and Leafs not done. Keep in mind this is second hand coming from my friend who is watching.
- wendel13

Of course Poulin is saying that. They have to say SOMETHING to Leaf fans, before the next full page "I'm Sorry" ad from MLSE next spring.

As for Bozak, yeah, he almost scored 20 g, but he was pretty much the beeyatch of every other no. 1 centre in the league.

Sweet!!! We still have a shot at Suter!?!?!?
- SofaKingBored

Duh

There were times last year Bozak really looked like he'd figured it out.

In fact I remember the first period of a game at MSG where he along with Loops and Kessel were absolute MAGIC. I think it's worth seeing if this trend in his development continues.

I'm not trying to say Bozak's the 'real deal' but he's been as advertised, and he almost reached 20gs last year.

I think our offence hinges on how that second line fairs. If Kulemin can figure it out, and if JVR can make himself useful, then it won't be offence that keeps us out.
- AngryWhiteMale

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bozak. I think he will be a player....you can see he has skills and great work ethic, just not the skillset a true #1C possesses. I actually think he can develop into a good #2 though he'll probably max out as a solid #3, whether for us or on another team.

If that 2nd line produces as it should, Carlyle develops a successful system on D and the goaltending holds up, this team is not as bad as these pessimists think it is. It's not far-fetched at all.

NYR_SourceCentral™‏@NYRSourceCentrl
Leafs are out on Nash and Parise #NHL #Leafs

I dont think they were ever in on Parise
- peddy-93

I just got a call from a source..... The Leafs won't be getting Malkin this summer

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bozak. I think he will be a player....you can see he has skills and great work ethic, just not the skillset a true #1C possesses. I actually think he can develop into a good #2 though he'll probably max out as a solid #3, whether for us or on another team.

If that 2nd line produces as it should, Carlyle develops a successful system on D and the goaltending holds up, this team is not as bad as these pessimists think it is. It's not far-fetched at all.
- Phenom

Like I said, it all comes down to goaltending.