Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] Joe Thornton signs with the Maple Leafs (1 year, $700K) Part 2

[The CyNick]

Dubas trying to correct mistakes he made in the past thinking you don't need good pros to help a young core. This is a guy who picked AJ and Kapanen over Marleau and a 1st round pick. Only to then trade those same guys the next offseason. That mistake cost the Leafs a 1st ++.

Should have listened to Babcock about needing good pros on the team. Instead Dubas filled the team with water bugs who are afraid of physical contact.

While I like the logic behind some of these moves, ultimately I don't think they will help. It's tough for 4th line guys to come in and take over a room.
The core of this team plays a gutless style that can't be successful in the playoffs. Having Thornton play 8 minutes a night isn't going to help them play a playoff style that will get them out of the 1st round. And it's entirely possible this is a lottery team anyway.

Dubas should have been more bold with the changes instead of only adding around the fringes. Shows he thinks the core of the team is fine, which is where he will fail and ultimately lose his job after this season.

 

[The CyNick]

Every team in the league would be in on Thornton at 700k.....same with Spezza

I don't think that's true. Both guys will be taking up spots that could be used by a better player who has a future beyond next year.

I think both guys have value, but I don't think it's a slam dunk every team would want them.

Plenty of teams already have a strong 4th line and have no use for these guys.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

What kinda odds you getting on a San Jose-Toronto final?

Rather unrealistic, but I would love it personally.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

@CupsOverCash is right about being a bit upset over the Tampa Bay comparison the Leafs get often.

Tampa Bay has already won a cup with their first core. Now they've added a second. Guys like Coleman and Goodrow are very good adds, and I don't see players like that on Leafs besides Hyman. Brayden Point was marvelous, Palat stepped up, it seemed that the team as a whole was finally just sick of all the jokes and hate and just went ape shit crazy.

Tampa has had ALOT of playoff success and some heartbreak. They've been to ECF many times and if things went their way a bit, they could've had this 2nd cup years ago with Stamkos being a major factor. Leafs have failed to make the playoffs or when they do make it, they don't leave first round.

Leafs imo, don't have anyone close to the caliber of Victor Hedman. Rielly has been inconsistent but if he finally puts it together he is great offensively, not much in other categories. You would need a collective approach from guys like Muzzin, Brodie, etc.

The core 4 will have to step it up big time in the playoffs, and show how much they want to win.

Guys like Thornton, Simmonds, Hyman, Spezza, etc will have to do whatever it takes, and Fred Andersen will have to be reliable and make sure he doesn't let in any back-breakers. He is known to be terrible in elimination games. Huge difference between him and Vasi.

Anyway, not hating on my team just want the fans to keep their emotions in check when y'all compare team to juggernaut Tampa.

I get the whole collapse to Columbus, win cup next year thing but Leafs still have a lot to show. Not even from guys they picked up in FA but from guys they already have on roster.

IF those men take the next step and lead then it'll be interesting.

But it's a valid comparsion

For years Tampa was a team filled with elite skill that couldn't get over the hump, was literally laughed out of the building at the 2019 NHL awards, they acquired grit and toughness and won.

What are the Leafs? they are a team filled with elite skill that hasn't gotten over the hump, they have acquired grit and toughness there is only 1 thing left.

Toronto didn't get laughed out of the building at the NHL awards but otherwise things are happening to Toronto EXACTLY the same way they did for Tampa a year before they won

 

[Gurglesons]

But it's a valid comparsion

For years Tampa was a team filled with elite skill that couldn't get over the hump, was literally laughed out of the building at the 2019 NHL awards, they acquired grit and toughness and won.

What are the Leafs? they are a team filled with elite skill that hasn't gotten over the hump, they have acquired grit and toughness there is only 1 thing left.

Toronto didn't get laughed out of the building at the NHL awards but otherwise things are happening to Toronto EXACTLY the same way they did for Tampa a year before they won

Where is Toronto's Coleman - Gourde - Goodrow line?

And who on Toronto is going to be Vasi and Hedman comparable? I like both Andersen and Reilly a lot, but those two are nowhere near where Vasi and Hedman are.

 

[Kranix]

But it's a valid comparsion

For years Tampa was a team filled with elite skill that couldn't get over the hump, was literally laughed out of the building at the 2019 NHL awards, they acquired grit and toughness and won.

What are the Leafs? they are a team filled with elite skill that hasn't gotten over the hump, they have acquired grit and toughness there is only 1 thing left.

Toronto didn't get laughed out of the building at the NHL awards but otherwise things are happening to Toronto EXACTLY the same way they did for Tampa a year before they won

Except Tampa made the finals once, and the conference finals twice in the last 5 years the Leafs haven't won a series
Not getting "laughed out of the awards show" is a nice feather in the cap though.

 

[Jerkbait]

Dubas trying to correct mistakes he made in the past thinking you don't need good pros to help a young core. This is a guy who picked AJ and Kapanen over Marleau and a 1st round pick. Only to then trade those same guys the next offseason. That mistake cost the Leafs a 1st ++.

Should have listened to Babcock about needing good pros on the team. Instead Dubas filled the team with water bugs who are afraid of physical contact.

While I like the logic behind some of these moves, ultimately I don't think they will help. It's tough for 4th line guys to come in and take over a room.
The core of this team plays a gutless style that can't be successful in the playoffs. Having Thornton play 8 minutes a night isn't going to help them play a playoff style that will get them out of the 1st round. And it's entirely possible this is a lottery team anyway.

Dubas should have been more bold with the changes instead of only adding around the fringes. Shows he thinks the core of the team is fine, which is where he will fail and ultimately lose his job after this season.

Ahhaha dubas isn't going anywhere. Even if leafs miss playoffs he isnt getting canned wise up

 

[MattySnipes]

But it's a valid comparsion

For years Tampa was a team filled with elite skill that couldn't get over the hump, was literally laughed out of the building at the 2019 NHL awards, they acquired grit and toughness and won.

What are the Leafs? they are a team filled with elite skill that hasn't gotten over the hump, they have acquired grit and toughness there is only 1 thing left.

Toronto didn't get laughed out of the building at the NHL awards but otherwise things are happening to Toronto EXACTLY the same way they did for Tampa a year before they won

Agree to disagree. I don't see the comparison at all. Only thing similar are their jersey colours. They both play a similar skill style but that's max about where it ends. Tampa has a better bottom 6, better d-core, and a better and younger goalie. Their top 6 fwd group might be slightly less talented but they play a more complete game than the Leafs top 6 fwd core.

Leafs still have ways to go. Losing to Columbus, and signing cheap experienced depth and grit doesn't mean they will get over the hump.

I get it's a copy cat league, and more about what have you done for me lately but some Leafs fans should stop with the comparisons. Just compare yourself with previous year's Leaf team. You will only let yourself down by comparing them to Tampa. Jmo dude.

 

[razor ray]

 

[IslesBro715]

An odd pickup imo. They could use a defensive specialist on that 3rd line, not another point producer. He should help mentor the young players on how to carve out a good career without winning.

 

[flyerslducks]

does this signing really deserve a part 2 lol

 

[Maple Leaf]

does this signing really deserve a part 2 lol

We going to 4

 

[Jerkbait]

Where is Toronto's Coleman - Gourde - Goodrow line?

And who on Toronto is going to be Vasi and Hedman comparable? I like both Andersen and Reilly a lot, but those two are nowhere near where Vasi and Hedman are.

Pittsburgh won with their #1 D out.... and Matt murray ...yes tampa is good ( was my pick to win) but pitt proved you can win with dednet goaltending and average D

 

[flyerslducks]

We going to 4

bruh the leafs can sign a janitor and it will get a few pages lmao

 

[A1LeafNation]

We going to 4

 

[Kaner9]

Its not as pretty as Switzerland but a better shot at Stanley. Thornton might be a good 3c for Toronto and he sure is cheap.

 

[Legion34]

Dubas trying to correct mistakes he made in the past thinking you don't need good pros to help a young core. This is a guy who picked AJ and Kapanen over Marleau and a 1st round pick. Only to then trade those same guys the next offseason. That mistake cost the Leafs a 1st ++.

Should have listened to Babcock about needing good pros on the team. Instead Dubas filled the team with water bugs who are afraid of physical contact.

While I like the logic behind some of these moves, ultimately I don't think they will help. It's tough for 4th line guys to come in and take over a room.
The core of this team plays a gutless style that can't be successful in the playoffs. Having Thornton play 8 minutes a night isn't going to help them play a playoff style that will get them out of the 1st round. And it's entirely possible this is a lottery team anyway.

Dubas should have been more bold with the changes instead of only adding around the fringes. Shows he thinks the core of the team is fine, which is where he will fail and ultimately lose his job after this season.

ummmmm if he let kappy get offer sheeted for a 2nd......

How does he get traded for a first and hallander?

 

[kihei]

Surprised people are still talking about this.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

1260 posts and counting for Leafs signing an old 3rd liner for league min

HF in a nutshell

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Teemu Selanne left San Jose for Colorado saying they had a much better chance of winning. San Jose disposed of Colorado easily in those playoffs.

Hope Joe ends up being as correct as Teemu was that year.

Doesn't change the fact that he was right. You would have been a fool if you believed otherwise. Avalanche was the biggest Stanley cup favourite that year.

 

[TrufleShufle]

1260 posts and counting for Leafs signing an old 3rd liner for league min

HF in a nutshell

To be fair, up until today, you would have thought the Johnnson/Anderson trade was the biggest trade of the year with the amount of time it spent on the front page.

 

[The CyNick]

ummmmm if he let kappy get offer sheeted for a 2nd......

How does he get traded for a first and hallander?

You don't let Kap get offer sheeted. You tell multiple teams you're trading him and create a bidding war. No doubt in my mind he gets a 1st plus for Kap. I think given where AJ was, you get a 1st for him as well. Could have had three 1sts in a deep draft. Plus another year of a guy like Marleau in the room. Which clearly was needed given the fact Dubas has now doubled down on that type of player.

 

[The CyNick]

Ahhaha dubas isn't going anywhere. Even if leafs miss playoffs he isnt getting canned wise up

Keep this post.

He's already on thin ice.

So is Shanny

 

[Legion34]

You don't let Kap get offer sheeted. You tell multiple teams you're trading him and create a bidding war. No doubt in my mind he gets a 1st plus for Kap. I think given where AJ was, you get a 1st for him as well. Could have had three 1sts in a deep draft. Plus another year of a guy like Marleau in the room. Which clearly was needed given the fact Dubas has now doubled down on that type of player.

? why would teams do that? Kappy could decide where he wanted to sign. His contract value as an RFA was at best a 2. He could choose to sign or not. You don’t think teams would have asked kappy about a contract first?
Makes no sense.

 

[abo9]

1260 posts and counting for Leafs signing an old 3rd liner for league min

HF in a nutshell

Well Thornton is not any old 3rd liner. If he scores 4 goals in one game watch out