How to phrase this without p*ssing people off...folks, we're good.
Much has been made over the past day or two about how we stack up against the best in the league. I agree that we are are not a clear cut favorite to win anything, but I'd strongly argue that we are better than any Leaf team I've seen in the last 5 decades. Today, right now, this is the best Leaf team I've seen since we won the Cup in '67, for which we we were not the favorite. Our challenge is to defeat some other wonderfully good teams that are in our division so that we might advance to the finals. I believe we can beat: Montreal/Boston/Pittsburgh/Washington, leaving Tampa as the ? mark. That's a seriously good team. But, so are we.
I'll take our C group against any other team.
I love our RW group, better than any other team.
Our LW group is wanting, but offers some scoring and steadiness, while not being a big liability as a group.
With the addition of Muzzin our LD is as solid as anyone's in the league.
Our RD is improved by the addition of Rielly or Muzzin on the R side and Hainsey being more appropriately slotted.
Our goaltending, if not Vezina trophy calibre, is, barring injury, very solid.
We have veterans, middle aged, and youthful talent.
Our coaching, though 'criticizable' is not without merit, while personally I'd argue it is above league average.
In short, we're a solid contender to win the Cup.
I would like to see a bit more 'jam', especially at a F position. Another RD of decent quality would be enjoyed too. However, we are not to be viewed as inferior to most as we stand today. We are a serious contender.
I'd love to see the city, the fans of the Leafs, rally behind this team as it stands now and lend it the support which will urge it forward. I'd love to see the fans at SBC stand up and cheer this group, a team on the cusp. I'll acknowledge nothing is guaranteed, that a tweak here or there could certainly strengthen the team. But, I'll ask Leaf fans to recognize that we're as close as we've been since Gilmour in '93.
Some might argue that a fan base's impact on a team's performance means nothing. I disagree. I'll argue all day long that the more support we offer this team the more this team will play to its potential. There are enough Leaf players from the area who will be jacked should the fans jump on the wagon. Marleau, Tavares, Marner, Hyman, Brown, Muzzin, Kadri...a third of the team will be pumped through the roof knowing the everlasting impact that is close at hand...they will drive the others on the team to greater heights.
We're serious contenders, folks. Let's give this team all the support we can to help them, and us, realize a dream.
Much has been made over the past day or two about how we stack up against the best in the league. I agree that we are are not a clear cut favorite to win anything, but I'd strongly argue that we are better than any Leaf team I've seen in the last 5 decades. Today, right now, this is the best Leaf team I've seen since we won the Cup in '67, for which we we were not the favorite. Our challenge is to defeat some other wonderfully good teams that are in our division so that we might advance to the finals. I believe we can beat: Montreal/Boston/Pittsburgh/Washington, leaving Tampa as the ? mark. That's a seriously good team. But, so are we.
I'll take our C group against any other team.
I love our RW group, better than any other team.
Our LW group is wanting, but offers some scoring and steadiness, while not being a big liability as a group.
With the addition of Muzzin our LD is as solid as anyone's in the league.
Our RD is improved by the addition of Rielly or Muzzin on the R side and Hainsey being more appropriately slotted.
Our goaltending, if not Vezina trophy calibre, is, barring injury, very solid.
We have veterans, middle aged, and youthful talent.
Our coaching, though 'criticizable' is not without merit, while personally I'd argue it is above league average.
In short, we're a solid contender to win the Cup.
I would like to see a bit more 'jam', especially at a F position. Another RD of decent quality would be enjoyed too. However, we are not to be viewed as inferior to most as we stand today. We are a serious contender.
I'd love to see the city, the fans of the Leafs, rally behind this team as it stands now and lend it the support which will urge it forward. I'd love to see the fans at SBC stand up and cheer this group, a team on the cusp. I'll acknowledge nothing is guaranteed, that a tweak here or there could certainly strengthen the team. But, I'll ask Leaf fans to recognize that we're as close as we've been since Gilmour in '93.
Some might argue that a fan base's impact on a team's performance means nothing. I disagree. I'll argue all day long that the more support we offer this team the more this team will play to its potential. There are enough Leaf players from the area who will be jacked should the fans jump on the wagon. Marleau, Tavares, Marner, Hyman, Brown, Muzzin, Kadri...a third of the team will be pumped through the roof knowing the everlasting impact that is close at hand...they will drive the others on the team to greater heights.
We're serious contenders, folks. Let's give this team all the support we can to help them, and us, realize a dream.
No more booing! Cheers only.
