Is any one else feeling different about this year?

[Plat87]

It feels different this season because for me it's all about playoff success now. It's time to advance in the playoffs. No point in living and dying with every regular season game. They lose, oh well, there is another one in a day or 2. I'd still love to see them to win the division or even the President's Trophy, but that's just window dressing.

I agree, it's all about what happens in the playoffs now, they have made the playoffs 3 straight years now only to lose in the first round in every one of them, and barring any major injuries they will make the playoffs again this year BUT it's time to get over that hump. The expectations are definetly different, they are higher now.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Nearly every hockey team to ever play the game?

I'm sure it was just a fluke incident. It will probably never happen again.

 

[hector morrison]

This is a major issue. I watch a lot of hockey and the Leafs are maybe the only team like this. It saddens me that they tarnish the Maple Leafs’ name.

Apparently it's by design...Dubas has stated before that he will not employ a player for 'face punching' abilities...So unless there is an all -rounder that can drop the gloves ,I guess the Leafs are on their own out on the ice! I don't see this ending well,as long as other teams get away with dirty hits.

 

[Peiskos]

So you will watch all year and not be excited until the 2nd? Sounds like a horrible waste of time.

Firstly I don’t watch every single game, in any given year I might fully watch roughly 50% of the games, and follow the rest on the score app.. just how it is with my work and other life obligations.

My point is that I won’t get hyped until this team actually does something of note, that doesn’t seem out of the ordinary at all to me.

 

[Nineteen67]

Apparently it's by design...Dubas has stated before that he will not employ a player for 'face punching' abilities...So unless there is an all -rounder that can drop the gloves ,I guess the Leafs are on their own out on the ice! I don't see this ending well,as long as other teams get away with dirty hits.

Or clean hits like we saw last night.

 

[Rogue]

I want to think that this year is different, but honestly I don’t think we are ready to beat the Bolts or Bruins in 7 games. Something is still missing and I am trying to find out what.

 

[hector morrison]

Or clean hits like we saw last night.

You can say the Weber hit was legal,but it wasn't clean...That would of got a response on my team! I would never let that slide.

 

[mikeyz]

Yet here you are pouring out your heart on fan board. I'm thinking there's a fair bit of emotional investment in you.

Hardly.

Game 7 of last season was the final straw for me. I am merely giving advice to anyone who is still emotionally invested in the team.

 

[mikeyz]

So you will watch all year and not be excited until the 2nd? Sounds like a horrible waste of time.

You can watch without being excited.

It’s a “expect the worst and hope for the best” kind of approach. It’s kind of like how I am right now too TBH with you.

 

[sxvnert]

Deeper lineup but the end result will be the same with Babcock in charge.

 

[hector morrison]

You can watch without being excited.

It’s a “expect the worst and hope for the best” kind of approach. It’s kind of like how I am right now too TBH with you.

Regular season is mostly just entertainment...cheering what you like and dissing what you don't like,etc...It is why we are here! I don't really care where they finish ,as long as they get to the dance,but hopes are for playoff success and ultimately the Cup!

 

[Nylanderthal]

They look like the same old chokers to me.

Kyle Dubas doing his best imitation of Gerry MacNamara.

Go Leafs Go!

You post an awful lot for a sock account. I wonder what your real user name is

 

[Maple Leaf]

You post an awful lot for a sock account. I wonder what your real user name is

The Wintery Soldier

 

[Menzinger]

My theory that a certain part of this fanbase has more fun being miserable and hating the team rather than cheering for it certainly seems to be holding up lol

 

[Nineteen67]

You can say the Weber hit was legal,but it wasn't clean...That would of got a response on my team! I would never let that slide.

Absolutely it should have garnered a response but they have no men on the team.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

I want to think that this year is different, but honestly I don’t think we are ready to beat the Bolts or Bruins in 7 games. Something is still missing and I am trying to find out what.

On just pure production, Stamkos, Kucherov, and Point are as good (if not better) than Matthews, Tavares, and Marner. Except that Tampa pays a combined 27.5 of cap space this year on their three, and the leafs pay 33.6 million on their three.

That six million in extra space is the "missing" thing you're searching for.

Imagine right this moment that Dubas had an extra 6 million to fill in holes. That's what Tampa has.

 

[hector morrison]

Absolutely it should have garnered a response but they have no men on the team.

I'm not askin for a fighter ,but at least an in your face reply . Let them know that 2 can play that game...cuz these days a lotta players don't look for that type of hit.... Old skool hit? Yeah maybe,but should of been an 'old skool 'response.He easily could of been hurt ,especially with the follow thru fall on top . Oh well,perhaps there will be payback down the road.

 

[hector morrison]

On just pure production, Stamkos, Kucherov, and Point are as good (if not better) than Matthews, Tavares, and Marner. Except that Tampa pays a combined 27.5 of cap space this year on their three, and the leafs pay 33.6 million on their three.

That six million in extra space is the "missing" thing you're searching for.

Imagine right this moment that Dubas had an extra 6 million to fill in holes. That's what Tampa has.

Who is their Willy comparable...Who is their Barrie comparable? They just lost to the Panthers as well,so maybe not so invincible!

 

[Steven1562]

The playoffs will be where we see if this team is any different. The defense is still soft. Let's see if the new additions will help but can't help but see games like last night and wonder if it's good enough.

 

[Nineteen67]

Who is their Willy comparable...Who is their Barrie comparable? They just lost to the Panthers as well,so maybe not so invincible!

The Panthers are right there with the Leafs and Canadiens

And Carolina just beat TB in OT.

 

[egd27]

Hardly.

Game 7 of last season was the final straw for me. I am merely giving advice to anyone who is still emotionally invested in the team.

LOL......ok, if that helps you sleep at night.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Who is their Willy comparable...Who is their Barrie comparable? They just lost to the Panthers as well,so maybe not so invincible!

Their Nylander is Gourde for almost 2 million cheaper.

In regards to defense, their D looks substantially better than ours... for just a mere 3 million more in cap space.

 

[hector morrison]

The Panthers are right there with the Leafs and Canadiens

And Carolina just beat TB in OT.

Really is a parity league...difficult to 'pick 'em'. Canes played an OT game last night and come in to face a top rated team in the Lightning today...no way I'm takin the Canes on a bet! Go figure!

 

[hector morrison]

Their Nylander is Gourde for almost 2 million cheaper.

In regards to defense, their D looks substantially better than ours... for just a mere 3 million more in cap space.

Gourde is what...late 20's and really a stretch to say he is of Willys caliber(I know who I would take!) As far as the money goes...It isn't like the Leafs are in debt or something...they are also carrying younger stars who have been paid for their potential(which I'm not a fan of) . Presidents trophy maybe went to their heads last year...wouldn't want to figure that one out ! Also,they just lost again to a tired Canes team...Maybe they should spend more money!

 

[Nineteen67]

Really is a parity league...difficult to 'pick 'em'. Canes played an OT game last night and come in to face a top rated team in the Lightning today...no way I'm takin the Canes on a bet! Go figure!

On the other hand TB played in Miami yesterday.