Why Don't Leaf Fans view the Leafs as a Contender?

[kb]

People nitpick, find flaws in the team and see those as a reason we are not contenders, even though there is not a team in the league without them.

I've spent tons of time on these boards arguing for the value of maintaining a long-term perspective. My view on that hasn't changed, but such a perspective is flexible. Our opportunities are finite, and we have a good one coming up. Not taking advantage is another type of waste.

Plekanec addressed the major flaw in our team that could be fixed relatively cheaply. He was a huge upgrade, and as such is worth it as a rental.

I would take issue with getting marginal or unnecessary short-term upgrades for costly prices. Those are the mistakes we need to avoid.

Agreed. What most people also don't understand is how much of the perceived defensive shortcomings of the Leafs should be laid at the feet of the forwards. The Plekanec pickup is going to help much more than most will realize, as he is very sound positionally. His pickup will bolster both the forwards and the defence.

 

[Advanced stats]

That would be great.

Just making sure that that's in your realm of possibilities

 

[Gary Nylund]

People nitpick, find flaws in the team and see those as a reason we are not contenders, even though there is not a team in the league without them.

I've spent tons of time on these boards arguing for the value of maintaining a long-term perspective. My view on that hasn't changed, but such a perspective is flexible. Our opportunities are finite, and we have a good one coming up. Not taking advantage is another type of waste.

Plekanec addressed the major flaw in our team that could be fixed relatively cheaply. He was a huge upgrade, and as such is worth it as a rental.

I would take issue with getting marginal or unnecessary short-term upgrades for costly prices. Those are the mistakes we need to avoid.

From the selling perspective, it always depends on the price. But while JVR is mostly just a PP specialist, he is a crucial part to what is arguably the best or second best PP unit in the league. Outside Marner, he is the most involved player in a unit that scores at the second highest rate in the league, and creates chances by far more than any other unit. You don't just replace that, so the return needs to be tremendous because without that unit clicking like it does, we have a special teams problem.

Bozak is a marginal player this season, but even with Plekanec our center depth is not great. From what I've read, teams don't seem to value him, and with a bad result the center depth might be worth more.

Komarov is similar. Barely an NHL player right now at even strength, but good on the PK and still a shutdown presence. With Plekanec, he's more expendable, but it has to be the right price.

This is exactly how I feel. A month ago I would have said our cup chances are so slim that we should concentrate on the future. Today however, it seems that we're right up there with the best of them. We should definitely keep thinking long term as we should be contenders for many years to come and at the same time, we should understand that we have a real opportunity to win now. This is a very tricky balancing game, I wish our brass lots of strength and wisdom to make good decisions.

I predict we either do nothing today, or make at trade for McDonagh (probably nothing). And if we do get McDonagh I pray we don't give up Liljegren or Dermott.

 

[Terrible GM]

The only thing that made me question this teams abilities in the playoffs has been consistency of effort. That second last Bruins game was rather bad for a full 60 minutes, and we have had a few games like that, most we lost, others we won because of Freddy.
If this team plays with full effort in the playoffs, we can beat anyone in this league. It will be fun to watch regardless of the outcome this year. Next year I would expect more consistency, stronger players, more experienced players, and with that the expectation of a deep playoff run.

 

[egd27]

Philadelphia won the Superbowl because their backup QB out played the best QB of all time, when Foles looked simply awful in his two regular season starts.

Foles had no business beating Brady none whatsoever, yet it happened.

For some Leafs fans, denial is a way of life!

I get what you are trying to say, but the analogy is weak IMO.

Do you believe that Foles would have outplayed Brady 4 times in a 7 game series?

 

[Gary Nylund]

The only thing that made me question this teams abilities in the playoffs has been consistency of effort. That second last Bruins game was rather bad for a full 60 minutes, and we have had a few games like that, most we lost, others we won because of Freddy.
If this team plays with full effort in the playoffs, we can beat anyone in this league. It will be fun to watch regardless of the outcome this year. Next year I would expect more consistency, stronger players, more experienced players, and with that the expectation of a deep playoff run.

A month ago I would have agreed with you 100%. Today though, we're looking at a 13-2 record in our last 15 games. No they haven't all been pretty and yes, Freddie has bailed us out at times but not to such a huge extent that our record should be dismissed. Our biggest problem is that our path to the cup is so tough, however we still have a chance to win our division.

There is zero reason we can't go deep this season.

 

[Tak7]

Agreed. What most people also don't understand is how much of the perceived defensive shortcomings of the Leafs should be laid at the feet of the forwards. The Plekanec pickup is going to help much more than most will realize, as he is very sound positionally. His pickup will bolster both the forwards and the defence.

I've said this all season - the Leafs defensive issues go beyond the blueline, and are a systemic 5-man unit problem. Their forwards aren't very good without the puck.

Sorry to ruin your optimism, but Plekanec coming into play 10-12 minutes a night isn't going to fix that.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I've said this all season - the Leafs defensive issues go beyond the blueline, and are a systemic 5-man unit problem. Their forwards aren't very good without the puck.

Sorry to ruin your optimism, but Plekanec coming into play 10-12 minutes a night isn't going to fix that.

It'll help.

 

[Mess]

Leafs defense needs a significant upgrade piece to make them more serious contenders for me.

A Ryan McDonagh level would go a long way.

 

[inthe6ix]

Why? Because we need to disprove all the naysayers from the other fanbases saying we only look through blue coloured glasses and no one on our end has an ounce of objectivity.

 

[LeafFever]

Bobby Mac just stated Mcdonagh is a no. The Rangers asked for Dermott or Kapanen and the Leafs won't do it.
So for the people claiming the Leafs have given up on the future you are wrong.

 

[LeafFever]

Cup contender? Give me a break. Our players have had a cup of coffee in the playoffs, teams like Boston and Tampa have gone deep in multiple years. When we win a playoff series, then maybe you can start having this conversation.

Well Nashville had no success in the playoffs and went to the finals last year. Ottawa wasn't full of playoff experienceand got to game 7 of the conference finals.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Bobby Mac just stated Mcdonagh is a no. The Rangers asked for Dermott or Kapanen and the Leafs won't do it.
So for the people claiming the Leafs have given up on the future you are wrong.

Didn't think he would be an option - too expensive for 1.5 years

 

[kb]

I've said this all season - the Leafs defensive issues go beyond the blueline, and are a systemic 5-man unit problem. Their forwards aren't very good without the puck.

Sorry to ruin your optimism, but Plekanec coming into play 10-12 minutes a night isn't going to fix that.

Sorry to ruin your pessimism, but he was brought here to be the matchup centre. So get used to seeing him 15 min+ every night. He's going to be taking away from Bozak's minutes. And the team will be much stronger defensively while he is on the ice.

 

[Tak7]

Sorry to ruin your pessimism, but he was brought here to be the matchup centre. So get used to seeing him 15 min+ every night. He's going to be taking away from Bozak's minutes. And the team will be much stronger defensively while he is on the ice.

Sure.

But my point stands - this isn't a team that is one player away from being a tight defensive unit.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This is exactly how I feel. A month ago I would have said our cup chances are so slim that we should concentrate on the future. Today however, it seems that we're right up there with the best of them. We should definitely keep thinking long term as we should be contenders for many years to come and at the same time, we should understand that we have a real opportunity to win now. This is a very tricky balancing game, I wish our brass lots of strength and wisdom to make good decisions.

I predict we either do nothing today, or make at trade for McDonagh (probably nothing). And if we do get McDonagh I pray we don't give up Liljegren or Dermott.

I can't see them doing nothing today, I think they will end up adding a D man, don't know if it will be the caliber of a Mcdonagh but I do think they add something

 

[LeafFever]

Sure.

But my point stands - this isn't a team that is one player away from being a tight defensive unit.

Do you need to be a tight defensive unit to win the cup? My pick for the cup (Pens) were just horrendous defensively against the Leafs 10 days ago.
That's the thing, people think you need to be some near perfect team to win. In the cap era, everyone has their flaws.

I'll stand by my point: The Leafs speed and 4 lines are going to wear-out their opponents over a 7 game series.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

As the wins pile up, I think the Leafs might have a shot.

Looks like management has decided to "make a run" with the Plex acquisition.

Won't be any UFA unloading this year.

Unloading UFAs at the deadline would be bad for morale as well.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

I can't see them doing nothing today

I think they do nothing.
A right D would be so expensive ... it's not worth it.

 

[LeafFever]

As the wins pile up, I think the Leafs might have a shot.

Looks like management has decided to "make a run" with the Plex acquisition.

Won't be any UFA unloading this year.

Unloading UFAs at the deadline would be bad for morale as well.

It would kill it. What a terrible message to send to a team. That's why no teams do it that are headed to the playoffs.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

That's why no teams do it.

you mean, except teams lower in the standings.

 

[Joey Hoser]

Because some Leafs fans have been conditioned over decades to believe that Leafs fans are delusional, their team sucks, and that they are the lone "realist".

 

[LeafFever]

you mean, except teams lower in the standings.

Yeah, I meant teams not making the playoffs.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I think they do nothing.
A right D would be so expensive ... it's not worth it.

I can't see them not picking up a D today but I guess we will see.

I do think people are to focused on getting a RHD, I tink they want a D man period, if he's RHD that is a bonus but I do not think it matters to the point where it's make or break for a deal.

Ryan Mcdonagh is a LHD, Pretty sure they have interest in him.

 

[Tak7]

Do you need to be a tight defensive unit to win the cup? My pick for the cup (Pens) were just horrendous defensively against the Leafs 10 days ago.
That's the thing, people think you need to be some near perfect team to win. In the cap era, everyone has their flaws.

I'll stand by my point: The Leafs speed and 4 lines are going to wear-out their opponents over a 7 game series.

You need to be better than the Leafs are defensively, to win a cup.

People look at Pittsburgh last season, and pretend like it's the norm. It isn't. Pittsburgh's no defense was the anomaly, backed by outrageously good goaltending.