Eklund: Sunday Summary: Give the Leafs a Break Already. Makar, Kaprisov, Crosby

Eklund: Sunday Summary: Give the Leafs a Break Already. Makar, Kaprisov, Crosby
- Eklund

no
no
no
no
no
no
and no

would somebody please think of the poor leafs

Leafs fans deserve it.

The reason Canadians love to watch the Leafs lose and love to pour it on afterwards is simple. In Canada we have Sportsnet and TSN who cater (and yes I understand market share and population ) to Toronto, so the Leafs get 75% of media attention and all other Canadian based teams split the remaining 25%.

Am I whining about that, no, like I said, I understand the reasons.
But does that mean I get to laugh out loud now and every year at this time when the Leafs choke. Absolutely.

It must be that time of month for Cindy.

I am the S.E.T. Of posters.

would somebody please think of the poor leafs
- CaptainClutch19

This is a pretty accurate assessment of the situation. Two factors to consider. Montreal which has an even larger Saturday night viewing audience than the Leafs is locked in through the french language broadcast services. And, broadcasters long ago figured out that the anti-Leaf fan is a loyal watcher who tunes in hoping to see the Leafs defeated. So, the networks cater to a pro wrestling type villain. It actually works very favourably with a large segment of the hockey viewing audience.

In a way it is kind of perverse with some folks being disappointed with the Leafs being knocked out in the first round as they will not have the opportunity to cheer against them in the next round.

I think it’s fair to compare Rasmus Andersson and Heiskanen to Orr. All #4.

“His edge work is on par with McDavid”

What are we talking about here?

Leafs fans deserve it.
- TurdFergeson

Classic “ it’s not the band, it’s the fans” situation regarding the Leafs. 100%

Poor Kaprisov is going to be stuck with the Mild for 5 years. Getting paid well, but definitely not going to see a conference final, let alone a chance at a cup. If Toronto and Minnesota put there best players on the ice together, they MAY have a shot at a cup. But unfortunatly BAD LUCK would still probably take that team down. Being a Minnesota sports fan is a tough job.

The injustice here is that the 5 on 3 that led to Tampas' tying goal in game 6 is an example of how Gary Bettmans' reshaping of hockey has consequences. The second penalty was totally over sold by Victor Hedman and that has become the norm. Hockey is getting like soccer with heads jerking back at the slightest contact and I am not aware of one embellishment call in the entire playoffs.

Hockey as we know it is gone. Players can't even do the honourable thing and remove their helmets before a fight... but then again what would Gary know about having to hit hard plastic with your bare hands to stick up for a team mate.

For the record I am not even a Leaf fan but that 5 on 3 call was unfair in every way and totally sold to the refs.

The injustice here is that the 5 on 3 that led to Tampas' tying goal in game 6 is an example of how Gary Bettmans' reshaping of hockey has consequences. The second penalty was totally over sold by Victor Hedman and that has become the norm. Hockey is getting like soccer with heads jerking back at the slightest contact and I am not aware of one embellishment call in the entire playoffs.

Hockey as we know it is gone. Players can't even do the honourable thing and remove their helmets before a fight... but then again what would Gary know about having to hit hard plastic with your bare hands to stick up for a team mate.

For the record I am not even a Leaf fan but that 5 on 3 call was unfair in every way and totally sold to the refs.
- Fan the Flame

So his stick DIDN'T hit 6'6 Hedman in the face???

The injustice here is that the 5 on 3 that led to Tampas' tying goal in game 6 is an example of how Gary Bettmans' reshaping of hockey has consequences. The second penalty was totally over sold by Victor Hedman and that has become the norm. Hockey is getting like soccer with heads jerking back at the slightest contact and I am not aware of one embellishment call in the entire playoffs.

Hockey as we know it is gone. Players can't even do the honourable thing and remove their helmets before a fight... but then again what would Gary know about having to hit hard plastic with your bare hands to stick up for a team mate.

For the record I am not even a Leaf fan but that 5 on 3 call was unfair in every way and totally sold to the refs.
- Fan the Flame

Lol. Another blame Bettman post.

Statistically speaking, Bobby Orr in his prime was at least as dominant as any player ever. Lack of longevity is the only reason he gets so overlooked for GOAT. In his highlight reels he is a man among children that completely humiliated the opposition far beyond anything I've ever seen. Makar, while exceptional, is not near that level right now and I sincerely doubt any defenseman ever will be again.

Cale Makar is SO GOOD - I can't believe it.

I know I sound like a bitter Flyers fan (I am not) but OMG - if we took him at 2 - it would have been a little bit controversial but he's the best D-man that I've seen since Lidstrom and I could argue Lidstrom is the best EVER.

I have tried EVERYTHING that I can to get him from my buddy Kevin (InsideHockey.com Kevin) in trade in our legacy league. I could pry him away at this point with crowbar. He just produces SO MUCH.

I got his partner, Toews, which is a pretty good parting gift but Makar is something else.

I know hockey fans (especially Toronto and MANY Philly) love to female dog but we live in a great time for hockey. So much talent. McJesus. Makar. Leon. McKinnon. Kirril the thrill. Young goalies too. Shereshekin (sp?), Sorokin. Others. I am not covering all of the incredible talent. Sid and Geno still play (ugh...) and they can be pretty special still.

It is good to be a hockey fan.

Just so i make sure i understand, you are saying that Kirill Kaprizov is possibly the best russian player ever? EVER? a guy that has played in 136 games you are crowning over Ovi, Malkin, panerin, kutcherov, federov, datsyuk, bure, mogilny, fetisov, yashin, konstantinov.......you are kidding, right? Its a little early for that anointing, no?

Normally when I argue that a player is better than Ovechkin, Bure, Larionov, Kucherov...I spell his name right. It's Kaprizov with a Z. Might also want to mention Fedorov in your list of all-time Russian greats.

Your admiration of McDavid almost seems as if this is the first time you've watched him play 3 or 4 times in a row. He only plays Philly once or twice a year I guess.

How exactly is Toronto getting better? Let's see...Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Rielly are all in their prime and not really getting any better. Tavares is getting worse. The supporting cast of Kerfoot, Kampf, Kase, Engvall, Simmonds, etc...is an extremely weak bottom 6. Jack Campbell is a UFA coming off a $1.65M contract. How will they afford to re-sign him? By the way, Mrazek on the books for 2 more seasons at $3.8M. On defense, Muzzin and Brodie are on the wrong side of 30. Giordano is a 38-year old UFA who they wasted two 2nds and a 3rd to acquire. Maybe he comes back on a cheap deal, but again, he's 38 and nothing more than a bottom pair d-man. The prospect pool is pathetic. And the cupboard is dry of draft picks...they traded away this years, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, next years 2nd, etc...So it's nice to say that the Leafs are getting better, but maybe you could explain why? Maybe they just need MAF. Playofffff moneyyyyyyy!

So his stick DIDN'T hit 6'6 Hedman in the face???
- jmatchett383

Hedman didn't lift the stick into his own face?

How exactly is Toronto getting better? Let's see...Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Rielly are all in their prime and not really getting any better. Tavares is getting worse. The supporting cast of Kerfoot, Kampf, Kase, Engvall, Simmonds, etc...is an extremely weak bottom 6. Jack Campbell is a UFA coming off a $1.65M contract. How will they afford to re-sign him? By the way, Mrazek on the books for 2 more seasons at $3.8M. On defense, Muzzin and Brodie are on the wrong side of 30. Giordano is a 38-year old UFA who they wasted two 2nds and a 3rd to acquire. Maybe he comes back on a cheap deal, but again, he's 38 and nothing more than a bottom pair d-man. The prospect pool is pathetic. And the cupboard is dry of draft picks...they traded away this years, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, next years 2nd, etc...So it's nice to say that the Leafs are getting better, but maybe you could explain why? Maybe they just need MAF. Playofffff moneyyyyyyy!

Bang on the money buddy!! Bang on!!

Nashville in 7

We are talking about degrees here. The first thing players do now (as did Hedman) is check for blood to try and sell for the two extra minutes. Can you imagine Gordie Howe trying to sell how hurt he was?

A stick rides up on a back check, a head jerks back and the whole flow of the game changes for two full minutes.

Bettman in an attempt to increase goal production has referees calling hooking and interference penalties that replays have even the broadcasters shaking their heads.

People are sick of 5 on 4 hockey with players being vulnerable as they block bomb after bomb.

The ratio of penalties in play offs to regular season has gone up for 10 straight years!

For the love of the game, put the whistles in your pockets and lets see the game played like it was meant to be 5 on 5.

I am not aware of one embellishment call in the entire playoffs.


- Fan the Flame

The other night Carolina/Boston.