I'm conflicted on this...
In many ways, the team is looking spectacular. We're second in the league with a young team and our offense is absolutely ridiculous. We have a centre in contention for rocket richard, a winger in contention for the art ross, a goalie in contention for the vezina, and a defensman in contention for the Norris. It seems you would have to be pretty negative to still complain about the team.
On the other hand...
A cap crunch is very quickly approaching. Nylander was unquestionably overpaid, and it appears Matthews has a birthright to 13 million, regardless of how often he is injured or the total points he puts up. I personally find that very concerning. We lack defensive depth at a borderline embarrassing level, and in many ways can be seen as a "soft" team.
Let's also add that this team hasn't won a playoff round yet. And what's most concerning about that is that this years leafs are usually a no-show on big games. When the opposing team engages in "playoff style hockey", the team crumbles. This is very worrisome. Nhl history is full of teams with elite young talent that never go anywhere in the playoffs. This is a legitimate thing to worry about.
So, again, I'm not sure. I'm cautiously optimistic of the teams future... but I've been so disappointed so often by this team in the past that I'm borderline just expecting it to crumble before my eyes.
I think the Nylander contract was paramount going forward, and the fact that Dubas caved to his demands at the last minute could could trigger a beginning of the end moment for the team.
I agree.My biggest fear is the Leafs are built for the regular season and to entertain, and not equipped for the post season when everything changes.
I am going to have to disagree, there is not a team in the league that would want to get us 1st round. When this team is rolling, we can dominate any team.
Man u must be fun at parties
But ya i understand what you are saying. I still feel this and the next two three years would be the prime chance for this team to go deep in the playoffs but Dubas will have to do something extra special to keep the depth intact on this team.
The more i look at the Nylander contract the more i think Dubas really messed up. I know people keep saying "oh it's just 6.9 mil" but it's not what/how the other players will see it. We basically signed our third best rfa for 10.2 mil and that makes signing Marner n Matthews that much more difficult. Luckily for us, even if Willie can get going and earn half the value he is getting for this season, we should be really optimistic about our chances of going deep in the playoffs.
This is not a knee-jerk reaction to tonight and definitely not directed at all fans because we have some good insights on a nightly basis.
I will also give us some slack for being multiple decades without a Cup but not a lot of slack.
There are 2 Phases to Winning a Cup
Phase 1 - Outpoint Enough Teams to Get Into the Post Season
Wins happen. Losses happen. Streaks happen.
The only thing the regular season is good for is for getting a post season ticket and perhaps home ice advantage.
That's it. How well we play against Florida in December has NO impact on how we would play against Boston in a 7 game series.
Pay attention but watch it with a Jamaican attitude of "No Problem." We have enough skill to outpoint enough teams in the NHL.
Phase 2 - Win 4 Playoff Series
We aren't there yet. We can speculate as to the type of team we want to have when we get there.
But who is streaking positive, who is "gelling", who has "figured it out", whatever team streak we are on.... throw it out the window.
Drop the puck and go for it. You just have to hope we did our team diligence at the trade deadline.
So.... relax.
For years we suffered with no skill players on the Leafs and we complained , Now that we have some great skilled players you complain about the money given to them. Make up your minds. I keep saying it's not mine or your money. Skilled players need to be paid, if you can't understand that STOP WATCHING if it bothers you so much! Again it's not your money!!!!!!
I am tired of this nonsense that Nylander was paid too much! He should have got 8 Mill. Quit your whining!
If you overpay your young skilled players, you won’t be able to keep them all due to the cap.
I’m dumbfounded that that needed to be explained to you.
I'm conflicted on this...
In many ways, the team is looking spectacular. We're second in the league with a young team and our offense is absolutely ridiculous. We have a centre in contention for rocket richard, a winger in contention for the art ross, a goalie in contention for the vezina, and a defensman in contention for the Norris. It seems you would have to be pretty negative to still complain about the team.
On the other hand...
A cap crunch is very quickly approaching. Nylander was unquestionably overpaid, and it appears Matthews has a birthright to 13 million, regardless of how often he is injured or the total points he puts up. I personally find that very concerning. We lack defensive depth at a borderline embarrassing level, and in many ways can be seen as a "soft" team.
Let's also add that this team hasn't won a playoff round yet. And what's most concerning about that is that this years leafs are usually a no-show on big games. When the opposing team engages in "playoff style hockey", the team crumbles. This is very worrisome. Nhl history is full of teams with elite young talent that never go anywhere in the playoffs. This is a legitimate thing to worry about.
So, again, I'm not sure. I'm cautiously optimistic of the teams future... but I've been so disappointed so often by this team in the past that I'm borderline just expecting it to crumble before my eyes.
I think the Nylander contract was paramount going forward, and the fact that Dubas caved to his demands at the last minute could could trigger a beginning of the end moment for the team.
Someone should feed Foligno a hockey stick when we play them next and see how he likes that. Parroting his coach is laughable.
The main board comments: why go there and expect anything but stupidity. I will go there next when we win the cup and post trolling posts and laugh at the replies, but until then I will stay away as I have for a long time.
On here we should not tolerate non Leaf fans posting on our forum. Trolls belong on their own forums.
Try to be polite.The fan base is so big. Theres a lot of morons.
For years we suffered with no skill players on the Leafs and we complained , Now that we have some great skilled players you complain about the money given to them. Make up your minds. I keep saying it's not mine or your money. Skilled players need to be paid, if you can't understand that STOP WATCHING if it bothers you so much! Again it's not your money!!!!!!
I am tired of this nonsense that Nylander was paid too much! He should have got 8 Mill. Quit your whining!
The state of Leaf fan anxiety continues to amaze me.
The hockey-genius' here are way too smart to enjoy the great team we have.
You seem upset that someone sees things differently than you.
Don't be.
Embrace it.
It's called diversity of thought and is miles better than safe spaces/micro-aggressions/therapy ponies and play dough.
Relax.
Everyone gets a say.
No explanation needed plenty of guys coming off the books I'm dumb founded that this needed to be explained to you.
Really? Who are the "plenty" coming off the books?
You keep all your skill players!If you overpay your young skilled players, you won’t be able to keep them all due to the cap.
I’m dumbfounded that that needed to be explained to you.