At this point the Leafs are Cup Contenders only on Paper. While they have made the playoffs in the 2 seasons since drafting Matthews, they have been eliminated in the first round both years. Toronto knows its window may be short. Nylander is still unsigned and Matthews and Marner are RFA's after this season. Unless there is a big cap increase it will be tough to keep them all.
- TheTrob

That is the problem with teams set up cap wise like the Leafs. By the time they cross the playoffs learning curve while participating for the Cup, they become too cap-strapped to do so.
The Hawks were fortunate to get Kane and Toews under manageable 2nd contracts along with manageable (now illegal) top heavy contracts for Keith and Hossa. A good supporting cast at both ends of the ice was made possible with the remaining dollars. With all the money the Leafs are putting towards forwards, their back end will always be their achilles heel.

He gave back, what, $500K a year? Not a huge amount and actually in line with what we are told Kane and Toews did. Yet, they are beat up mercilessly for being greedy bastards who don't care about the team.
- pdx2ord

What a good guy that McDavid. Take an insanely high salary, after winning absolutely nothing as a team, but getting commended for leaving a small percentage on the table. He demanded to be the highest paid player in the NHL and not just by a little bit - wanted a substantial difference to make sure everyone knew.

What a good guy that McDavid. Take an insanely high salary, after winning absolutely nothing as a team, but getting commended for leaving a small percentage on the table. He demanded to be the highest paid player in the NHL and not just by a little bit - wanted a substantial difference to make sure everyone knew.
- Z3Hawk

https://youtu.be/XRnomLsbbTM

it would be kind of fun if Q would dress for one of the preseason games the 2020 Game 1 projected lineup of defense Corp - just to give us a taste -
- glennjpawlak22

Just curious who would be your D corp for the 2020-21 season.

Just curious who would be your D corp for the 2020-21 season.
- AEL_Fox

not exactly sure but bring in a UFA, Joki, Beaudin, Bovquist, Keith, Seabs,

Anyone else want to chime in

not exactly sure but bring in a UFA, Joki, Beaudin, Bovquist, Keith, Seabs,

Anyone else want to chime in
- glennjpawlak22

Rosival, Polak, Orpik, Cole, Chara, and Weber
7th d Leddy.
Hello Stanley Cup Championship.

Edit: in all sincerity, I like your list, I want to see what Hillman, Raddysh, Carlsson, and Mitchell got and see them fight. Maybe Forsling proves as a mainstay.

not exactly sure but bring in a UFA, Joki, Beaudin, Bovquist, Keith, Seabs,

Anyone else want to chime in
- glennjpawlak22

I'd project a candidate pool of something like: Keith, Seabrook, Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, Hillman, Carlsson, Gilbert. The first 4 listed are locks, IMHO (Keith and Seabrook are no brainers, for better or worse).

Gone from the team by then: Murphy, Rutta, Manning, Gustafsson.

On the fence with Forsling. I like his upside but think he may be the odd one out and traded given the depth of offensive blueliners in the system who could potentially be high end. Two years ago he was a lock but the past drafts netted some gems. Not all of them will make it since balance with defensive defensemen is critical.

Let's not forget that the Oilers blatantly tanked for McJesus as did the Leafs for Matthews. So, there is an argument on both sides for the merits of tanking in order to become a Cup Contender again.
- EnzoD

If you're looking for just the top pick - tanking and finishing 31st in the league gets you an 18% chance of winning the top pick.

Finishing 30th = 13.5% chance, finishing 29th = 11.5% chance.

I think finishing first (last, of course) guarantees at worst a #4 pick.

But still - not great odds if you're looking to tank for the top pick.

https://youtu.be/XRnomLsbbTM
- I Am The Breadman

What a Nice Guy - Funny!

What a Nice Guy - Funny!
- Z3Hawk

Good ole Madeline Kahn, God rest her soul.

Has anything been written how Murphy was injured requiring surgery?

If you're looking for just the top pick - tanking and finishing 31st in the league gets you an 18% chance of winning the top pick.

Finishing 30th = 13.5% chance, finishing 29th = 11.5% chance.

I think finishing first (last, of course) guarantees at worst a #4 pick.

But still - not great odds if you're looking to tank for the top pick.
- StLBravesFan

Obviously the #1 pick is desired but the 2019 draft looks to have a bunch of really good players - it's not just Jack Hughes and the 7 dwarfs. Hughes may not even be the #1 pick next June. Things can look very different by next June and most likely any of the top-5 picks are in that can't miss category and probably ready to step right into the NHL. Maybe even deeper than the top-5?

Has the Lineup been announced for tonight?? Also, is WGN airing the game on TV tonight?? Does WGN have online streaming service??

Has the Lineup been announced for tonight?? Also, is WGN airing the game on TV tonight?? Does WGN have online streaming service??
- EnzoD

i believe the game is on Nationally on NHL Network tonight

i believe the game is on Nationally on NHL Network tonight
- glennjpawlak22

nice, thanks glenn! Anybody see a projected lineup?

Obviously the #1 pick is desired but the 2019 draft looks to have a bunch of really good players - it's not just Jack Hughes and the 7 dwarfs. Hughes may not even be the #1 pick next June. Things can look very different by next June and most likely any of the top-5 picks are in that can't miss category and probably ready to step right into the NHL. Maybe even deeper than the top-5?
- EbonyRaptor

The Russian was an absolute monster in the summer showcase. I'd LOVE to grab him if they can't get Hughes.

Amen.... if anything the bandwagon fans are the mindless droves that still attend games and sit there thinking this team is a cup contender and stacked with talent and that Toews is one of the best players in the NHL still.

This team has one elite player in Kane and an aging Duncan Keith who is probably one tier below.

Then you have guys like Seabrook and Toews, warriors from the cup teams, that have both fallen off significantly.

Seabs isn't a top pairing guy anymore and Toews is not a Top 10 center in the NHL.

Not bashing Toews either. His sweater hangs in my closet but he is not what he was in 2009-2015.
- bhawks2241

Idk, but I doubt anyone is seriously thinking that...more like hoping they surprise and make the playoffs.

That said, I still think there is more to go see at the games than some aging superstars. Definitely would go to see DeBrincat, Schmaltz and possibly Joker and some of the other Utes.

This isn't as bad as 2005-6 where there wasn't much to watch other than a young Keith and Seabs.

nice, thanks glenn! Anybody see a projected lineup?
- EnzoD

I can add this: there are a lot of prospects whom are developing and getting closer to a real NHL look trial. Some of them have parts of their game the coaches need to see fartherr growth, but they have some parts of their game that are NHL calibre now. Due to the he growing list of prospects this camp you may only see particular prospects in but one game.

I bet despite last season"s showing Knott would be a candidate for more than one gp. Fortin showed well and will get another go..Snuggerud probably only one gp.

Carlsson ad Tuulola depends a lot how much the coaches like them, what progress in camp they detect or are curious about. Likely one gp

And here is a surprise for you: a late season add to organization, a former first round, he has impressed and was inserted final three AHL playoff gp. He plays a tough style, boards guy, scoring a point regularly last half of AHl campaign.

His line sustained pressure in first exhibition. May he not receive another gp.....maybe not. But he is someone we lack and could use. He might compete against energy guys at some point, like Noel, Highmore, even Knott and or the other Sikira. Go see him play and be intrigued. H Samuelson, ast coach Ulf son. (Z3 do not cringe unless you are the opponent he is about to level).

I can add this: there are a lot of prospects whom are developing and getting closer to a real NHL look trial. Some of them have parts of their game the coaches need to see fartherr growth, but they have some parts of their game that are NHL calibre now. Due to the he growing list of prospects this camp you may only see particular prospects in but one game.

I bet despite last season"s showing Knott would be a candidate for more than one gp. Fortin showed well and will get another go..Snuggerud probably only one gp.

Carlsson ad Tuulola depends a lot how much the coaches like them, what progress in camp they detect or are curious about. Likely one gp

And here is a surprise for you: a late season add to organization, a former first round, he has impressed and was inserted final three AHL playoff gp. He plays a tough style, boards guy, scoring a point regularly last half of AHl campaign.

His line sustained pressure in first exhibition. May he not receive another gp.....maybe not. But he is someone we lack and could use. He might compete against energy guys at some point, like Noel, Highmore, even Knott and or the other Sikira. Go see him play and be intrigued. H Samuelson, ast coach Ulf son. (Z3 do not cringe unless you are the opponent he is about to level).
- jhawk59

Ulf's kid took 2 bad offensive zone penalties that won't go over well with The Stache. I thought Knott looked good at Traverse City and might be a better option than Martinsen on line 4??

Idk, but I doubt anyone is seriously thinking that...more like hoping they surprise and make the playoffs.

That said, I still think there is more to go see at the games than some aging superstars. Definitely would go to see DeBrincat, Schmaltz and possibly Joker and some of the other Utes.

This isn't as bad as 2005-6 where there wasn't much to watch other than a young Keith and Seabs.
- HawkintheD

As long as Kane is on the team, there's a reason to watch every game. Schmaltz and The Cat provide offensive flair, and Saad of 2015 was a treat to watch. Here's hoping he can play with a chip on his shoulder after last year's disastrous 37 point campaign.

Ulf's kid took 2 bad offensive zone penalties that won't go over well with The Stache. I thought Knott looked good at Traverse City and might be a better option than Martinsen on line 4??
- EnzoD

Martinsen may not be the better long term answer. But he has experience and now is he time here to go win a job

Samuelson kid I just what I called him......an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. Whether Knott, Noel, Martinsen etc al the late round picks and discard type seem to be where we get our grinders

As long as Kane is on the team, there's a reason to watch every game. Schmaltz and The Cat provide offensive flair, and Saad of 2015 was a treat to watch. Here's hoping he can play with a chip on his shoulder after last year's disastrous 37 point campaign.
- EnzoD

If we're going back to 2015, Toews was a treat to watch too. Especially vs ANA game 7.

Roster for game against Detroit tonight.

https://twitter.com/CRoum...42809667058114560/photo/1

If we're going back to 2015, Toews was a treat to watch too. Especially vs ANA game 7.
- tvetter

wow he was good that game and series. in 2015 we expected Toews to carry the team, now we just HOPE

If we're going back to 2015, Toews was a treat to watch too. Especially vs ANA game 7.
- tvetter

2015 playoff run was the greatest individual performance by a defenseman throughout all 4 rounds that I've seen. Keith played over 30 minutes of world class hockey. he's never been the same, but definitely worth it.