Do you believe this team on paper is capable of winning the stanley cup?

[Ianturnedbull]

I think management’s plan and expectations is to win a round, keep their jobs and re-tool after the cap goes up. That certainly would be a successful season if they can accomplish that.

Losing in round one or missing the playoffs means changes at the management level and someone else will manage the re-tool.

If that is true then their plan lacks ambition. What pro sports team creates a team only to be medium successful?

 

[Nineteen67]

If that is true then their plan lacks ambition. What pro sports team creates a team only to be medium successful?

I think the realize they don’t have the resources to fix all the needs so they’ve decided to buy time and hope they can win a round, get their contracts renewed and then use the extended cap to complete the rebuild.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I think the realize they don’t have the resources to fix all the needs so they’ve decided to buy time and hope they can win a round, get their contracts renewed and then use the extended cap to complete the rebuild.

Thank goodness Presidents, General Managers, and Head Coaches don't get decade long opportunities to finally win. The people above Shanny are filthy rich, but not that dumb. Zero playoff series wins as a capped out/prospect draft pick empty team should tell them that this management group is unsuccessful at their goal.

 

[Nineteen67]

Thank goodness Presidents, General Managers, and Head Coaches don't get decade long opportunities to finally win. The people above Shanny are filthy rich, but not that dumb. Zero playoff series wins as a capped out/prospect draft pick empty team should tell them that this management group is unsuccessful at their goal.

I would have made the change after last season, but the board was sold on being close to breaking through.

Keep your eye on the vibe surrounding the team and the atmosphere in the building on game days and if seats are empty and merch isn’t being sold the board will take notice, other than that, they don’t appear to be too concerned.

 

[67leafs]

Not a chance

 

[ToneDog]

I would have made the change after last season, but the board was sold on being close to breaking through.

Keep your eye on the vibe surrounding the team and the atmosphere in the building on game days and if seats are empty and merch isn’t being sold the board will take notice, other than that, they don’t appear to be too concerned.

Dummies made the decision to keep all 3 prior to the playoffs. Losing 6th first rounder did not move the needle and promotions reigned this summer with the goalie coach and a couple of others being turfed. The fact that Kyle was not extended does raise some eyebrows.

 

[Nineteen67]

Dummies made the decision to keep all 3 prior to the playoffs. Losing 6th first rounder did not move the needle and promotions reigned this summer with the goalie coach and a couple of others being turfed. The fact that Kyle was not extended does raise some eyebrows.

That’s why he’s managing to win a round. If they get to game 7 of round 2 they’ve had a great year.

 

[Mr_Fun]

I think pretty much any team that finishes the year with 115 points is close to being where you need to be to win a cup. Get a hot goalie and you just never know.

 

[All Mod Cons]

We are pretty close.
Two little tweaks like say, adding a Makar and a Shesterkin would probably be enough to put us over the top.
Get to work Dubas!

I think we still need an overhaul of the bottom 6 on top of that. But it would definitely be a good start.

Holl
Kerfoot
Niemela
1st

Would that do it?. Seems a popular offer.

 

[Ports]

On paper they should be able to be a serious contender, but like any SC winner, would need some bounces.

With the current playing style and attitude? I don't see it happening, as they are too easy to defend against.

Bingo. Nothings changed in that regard over the last 5 years. When push comes to shove their opponents know how to shut them down in crucial games by clogging up the middle of the ice, blocking shots and playing harder all over the ice. The team as constructed cannot win those type of games. Even the Coyotes knew that would work against them. Offensive talent alone won’t win championships.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

No. This is turning out to be a lot of wasted years with a reasonably talented core. I blame management for not being able to figure it out.

 

[arso40]

They’re too soft and which have to change first, but it would be an absolute fluke if they did.

Their backend would have to improve significantly.
Samsonov Murray

Brodie - Keep him he’s good

Rielly - be nice if he was a 3d


Sandin
Liljegren
Giordano
Holl
Mete
Benn

Exactly we would need a huge step from lily and a good jump from sandin lily more cause our right side is the weak side on defence

 

[HolyCrap]

You're not very strong at learning then.

Exactly.

 

[Enga Olly]

Simple for me. A broken franchise should have a management team in place that can right the ship in 3 years and make them reasonably competitive in 5 years. I think that's been accomplished. Then it's maintaining the competitive team for as many years as possible. The rest is pure NHL PO chance/luck/good and bad fortune. Once the competitive team is built, it's all random bullshit.

I know all the experts here on HF and out there in the media pretend otherwise but you observe the game long enough and you see the Minnesota North Stars make the finals in '91, you see the Habs fluke their way to a cup in '93 etc. One thing that will increase the odds of forever not winning the cup is constantly swapping out your management team even if they actually put together a top 6 in the league team. So HF experts keep following Noodles/Kipper/ODog/Hayes advice

 

[Leafidelity]

Look at those results. No wonder this place sucks so hard these days. This isn't a fandom forum, its a depression support group.

I guess thats why most of the best posters and discussions we had have been chased away

 

[All Mod Cons]

Look at those results. No wonder this place sucks so hard these days. This isn't a fandom forum, its a depression support group.

I mean everyone could just say Yes. But would that help any?

 

[Bomber0104]

Look at those results. No wonder this place sucks so hard these days. This isn't a fandom forum, its a depression support group.

I guess thats why most of the best posters and discussions we had have been chased away

How dare people have different opinions!

 

[Racer88]

sadly no. Defence is shallow and goaltending is a mess yet again

 

[New User Name]

I don't know how or why some on here are so led by the Toronto media in the last few years to actually believe the Leafs have had a legitimate chance of going all the way.
It boggles the mind how so many are so easily convinced of the impossible.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

I would just like to point out this poll I created was made before Nick Robertson was on the team...

 

[Machinae]

Everyone mentions the defence and goaltending but this forward core is one of the most overrated in the league.. pure paper tigers that wilt in big games and can't break through a trap executed by a team of fourth liners like Arizona.. or Columbus.. or Montreal..

I don't blame Dubas, you HAVE to build around Marner, Matthews and Nylander. But they've proven that they can't get it done and early this season already look the same losers as they did in those awful awful playoff runs.

 

[ShaneFalco]

How dare people have different opinions!

For some it's 'only be positive' here or your life is miserable

 

[colchar]

Are they capable of winning the Cup?

 

[Ashdown2]

lord ppl call me negative ......... its been 5 games ... ffs

just wait till the puck luck turns on this team . They are to p5 in shot diff and scoring chance diff and yet are scoring bottom 5 i the league.

 

[Apex Predator]

Great game by Robertson!!