Eklund: What has to happen next. From Andrea in Mississauga.

If the Leaf organization were smart they'd take a deep look at roster construction and start building properly from the net out. The highend, expensive, four forward's failed miserably. If that means trading Matthews, then so be it. The Bruins traded Joe Thornton, for a crap return, and still went on to win the Stanley Cup six seasons later.

Toronto is a country club.
Trade Matthews
Sign Tavares for a 5.5-6
And let Marner walk , that is the sad part, they will loose Marner for nothing

Starts at the top with Shanny.. I think the fact the Tre went to Marner and asked him to waive his no trade is a step forward

If the Leaf organization were smart they'd take a deep look at roster construction and start building properly from the net out. The highend, expensive, four forward's failed miserably. If that means trading Matthews, then so be it. The Bruins traded Joe Thornton, for a crap return, and still went on to win the Stanley Cup six seasons later.
- DraftandDestroy

Leafs have two good goalies and a solid D group

Matthews has a full no move clause. If he wants to stay, he’s not leaving.
Same with Nylander. Period.
Get over it, they are staying.

Marner is gone. (+$12mm cap)
Tavares resigns cheap (+$6mm or more cap)
Trade Domi (+$3.75mm cap)
Sign Knies ($7 or $8mmx8)
Cap is going up $8mm
Figure out who the “passengers” are and get rid of them.
That gives you almost $20mm of cap space to work with.

They did great work fixing the D and the net, now fix the forwards!

You can't BUY heart, soul, or WILL. The Panthers OOZE Heart, soul, and will from every player on the roster. You could see the difference on the ice. Tavares has more heart, soul, and will in his little finger than Marner has in his entire body. That's what you need. Send the choirboys home to play in the sandbox, and fill your team with players that will fight tooth and nail for the Jersey.

Great write up. NO complaints there, but come on people of Toronto/Leafs Nation...the booing and jersey throwing etc...come on.

And you want the players to apologize or cry? You have an excellent team that is playing in the best division in hockey the last 8 years or longer. Take out 2016 and 19 and its been Tampa and Florida in conference finals 9 times.

It sucks...but to knock your guys around like you do. Come on. Get a life.

Any fan with half a brain understands the razor thin margins in the NHL, especially in the playoffs.

Anyhow, Marner is gone, no way he comes back. Tavares...maybe..he wants to come back, but if he wants a pay day, he will have to go elsewhere.

And for Gods sake, fans, look at your behavoir, do you think that attracts players to your city? Show some class and respect....dignity.

Great write up. NO complaints there, but come on people of Toronto/Leafs Nation...the booing and jersey throwing etc...come on.

And you want the players to apologize or cry? You have an excellent team that is playing in the best division in hockey the last 8 years or longer. Take out 2016 and 19 and its been Tampa and Florida in conference finals 9 times.

It sucks...but to knock your guys around like you do. Come on. Get a life.

Any fan with half a brain understands the razor thin margins in the NHL, especially in the playoffs.

Anyhow, Marner is gone, no way he comes back. Tavares...maybe..he wants to come back, but if he wants a pay day, he will have to go elsewhere.

And for Gods sake, fans, look at your behavoir, do you think that attracts players to your city? Show some class and respect....dignity.
- TrueGrit

They lose 2-1 like the Jets, nobody gives a poop and it's a stain on the team and hope again. You seem to be confusing the totality, vs individual events that lead to the totality.

You can't BUY heart, soul, or WILL. The Panthers OOZE Heart, soul, and will from every player on the roster. You could see the difference on the ice. Tavares has more heart, soul, and will in his little finger than Marner has in his entire body. That's what you need. Send the choirboys home to play in the sandbox, and fill your team with players that will fight tooth and nail for the Jersey.
- gstclairinc

There’s a lot of merit to this post, and that of the writer vying to become the Leafs blogger. Seems to me it’s not necessarily “passengers” on the team, but the construction of it. I saw too many of the core players waiting for someone else to get them the puck so they shoot, instead of digging in the corners to pass to whomever is in the best position to finish.
It’s ok to have 2-3 guys whom are primarily finishers, but not half a dozen! The Leafs are constructed for great regular seasons, but not the playoffs. If you notice, it’s the big, heavy teams with enough skill, determination, and heart, that win in the playoffs. Look at St Louis. They just snuck in on the last day, and almost advanced. Happens every year. One or two teams that have a couple players with finishing skills, but plenty of positionally sound players with all in attitudes. Edmonton has two truly elite players, Dallas: two, Carolina: two, and Floridas two to three.
The Leafs, to me, have half a dozen, but the supporting cast is not good enough. If I was GM, I’d keep maybe 3 at most, and use the cost savings to add those players who are 4-7mi players, that while talented, are not elite finishers, but are great playmakers, grinder’s and net front, price payers. More guys like Knies, and less like Nylander….no offense to him personally.

One more canadian team down. Cant wait for edmonton to lose.


Usa usa usa usa

You can't BUY heart, soul, or WILL. The Panthers OOZE Heart, soul, and will from every player on the roster. You could see the difference on the ice. Tavares has more heart, soul, and will in his little finger than Marner has in his entire body. That's what you need. Send the choirboys home to play in the sandbox, and fill your team with players that will fight tooth and nail for the Jersey.
- gstclairinc

100% accurate.

Tavares' reaction to the loss and Matthews tells me everything I need to know