Will We Make The Playoffs?

[Gabriel426]

I think the easy answer is if only Leafs have Seth Jones instead of Barrie and Rantanen instead of Willie. But I am starting to think the problems lies with Babs.
In Hockey, you can’t teach skills but you can teach structure. There is really no structure on the team. Actually I saw more team structure and team defence under Babs when they finished last about 4 yrs ago.
It could be the players just care about their stats or the fact that Babs just not the right coach for this team.
The more I watch them, I more I think AJ needs to go, he is a modern day mid 6 wingers who can put up points but if your team have Marner, Matthews, JT and Willie, he is not needed.
Ceci cannot be on the top pairing with Reilly. He needs shelter mins to rebuild his confidence and also easier competition.
Reilly and Muzzin must play together as a pairing, one of them is smart enough to play on their off sides. When Dermott comes back, pair him with Barrie, then have Ceci and Marincin, Gravel or Sandin as bottom pairing. Or trade Ceci for a vet LHD and have Holl plays next to him.

 

[hoglund]

I think it's too soon to say, making the playoffs isn't as easy as some seem to think , half the league doesn't make it. It's too early right now, but I think that it's going to be hard especially being in the strongest division in the NHL.

 

[Trapper]

I think it's too soon to say, making the playoffs isn't as easy as some seem to think , half the league doesn't make it. It's too early right now, but I think that it's going to be hard especially being in the strongest division in the NHL.

I think it's too soon to call the Atlantic the strongest division.
We have two lottery teams in Ottawa/Detroit in our division.
Buffalo is off to a good start but hasn't proven they can sustain a full season yet.
The Panthers still have dismal defence and Bob can be in and out.
Montreal works hard but they are still a .500 team talent wise.

That leaves Boston,Tampa,Toronto. Even soft hockey with some solid Freddy goaltending makes the playoffs. It's after that the wheels fall off.

 

[hoglund]

I think it's too soon to call the Atlantic the strongest division.
We have two lottery teams in Ottawa/Detroit in our division.
Buffalo is off to a good start but hasn't proven they can sustain a full season yet.
The Panthers still have dismal defence and Bob can be in and out.
Montreal works hard but they are still a .500 team talent wise.

That leaves Boston,Tampa,Toronto. Even soft hockey with some solid Freddy goaltending makes the playoffs. It's after that the wheels fall off.

According to Las Vegas Tampa bay, Boston and Toronto are all in the top five predicted to win the Stanley cup, through the season the Leafs are going to play these teams more often than teams in the rest of the league which will make it harder to make the playoffs.

 

[deletethis]

"Is it possible that this team could miss the playoffs?"

Yes, it's possible not probable.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Best part is.
These early season tribulations actually harden a team.... and define direction.

We will make it and be a different team come playoff time. Whether it be players/coach or learning the system. ... I have confidence we find our game

 

[Funk21]

If we continue to play like we have the answer will be no. How many times do we spot the opposing team a 2-0 lead before we start to play?

I hate Burke but he was right about Matthews he is not a 200 foot player yet. Babcock needs to call out the entire leadership of this team and ride the s#*$ out of Matthews, Marner and Nylander. They wanted to get paid before doing anything in this league so show us you are worth overpayment each of you received!

 

[Suntouchable13]

According to Las Vegas Tampa bay, Boston and Toronto are all in the top five predicted to win the Stanley cup, through the season the Leafs are going to play these teams more often than teams in the rest of the league which will make it harder to make the playoffs.

It'll be a failure if the Leafs don't make the playoffs with the amount of money they are spending on payroll this season. They are not going to be excused by saying "it's hard to make the playoffs", sorry.

 

[Nineteen67]

I’ll say yes, but it’ll be a dog fight again this year.

I don’t think it really matters, they can’t win anything. Or let’s hope the NHL doesn’t move in a direction where they could win.

 

[horner]

Poll closes by November.

I just want to see if anyone else thinks we look amazingly average.


Edit: I think we will vuy at the deadline and squeak in.

we have a crap load of new player.
our toughest stretch of hockey games .
players missing
Hyman
Dermot
Tavares
some of our key players haven't hit there stride yet.1

 

[Stephen]

The Leafs have the most goals against in the NHL and only a scoring differential of +3. If this trend continues, Dubas' smartest offseason move will have been to top 10 protect that first rounder to Carolina.

 

[Erndog]

Or let’s hope the NHL doesn’t move in a direction where they could win.

Yeah, you would hope that

Nice freudian slip

 

[Guided by Veseys]

If we win tonight there probably will be a poll tomorrow asking if we will win the cup this year.

 

[Nineteen67]

Yeah, you would hope that

Nice freudian slip

I said it last year and saying it again this year, I don’t think anyone would want to watch scrimmage hockey in the playoffs. Let’s hope it never comes to that.

 

[Nineteen67]

we have a crap load of new player.
our toughest stretch of hockey games .
players missing
Hyman
Dermot
Tavares
some of our key players haven't hit there stride yet.1

I think they’re right where I expected point wise at this stage of the schedule, however the effort level, engagement and overall play is really concerning.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

My response to the OP and thread in general:

 

[horner]

I think they’re right where I expected point wise at this stage of the schedule, however the effort level, engagement and overall play is really concerning.

I agree..
hope they will get that ergency in there game.

 

[KuleminFan41]

Hopefully this is true, but the Leafs also don't seem to have a great February-April gear either. So bleeding October points isn't the answer.

This team is just constructed so soft and designed to win those ugly 5-4 track meets. After the Kessel era, this is very hard to enjoy.

I'm not so sure that's true. In 17-18 season, Leafs went 20-8-2 , including a stretch winning 10 out of 11 games. Last season they were fairly consistent all season long. Fans complained that the Leafs had a poor second half and "struggled", but in reality they only really played poorly in the month of January, even March wasn't that bad.

Oct: 8–4–0 , 16 points
Nov: 10–4–0, 20 points
Dec: 8–3–2, 18 points
Jan: 4–6–0, 8 points
Feb: 9–4–2, 20 points
Mar: 6–5–3, 15 points
Apr: 1–2–1, 3 points

 

[ShaneFalco]

Might be better their facing adversity now so they don't coast in the 2nd half.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

Then why did you vote no?

Changed my mind. Still think in this cirrent state we miss

 

[GardinerTheForward]

Dermott is a top 4 defenseman so what would you call that?

I would not call him a top 4 defenceman as he will not be in our top four. Imo, he shouldn’t be in a contender’s top four

 

[Legion34]

Hopefully this is true, but the Leafs also don't seem to have a great February-April gear either. So bleeding October points isn't the answer.

This team is just constructed so soft and designed to win those ugly 5-4 track meets. After the Kessel era, this is very hard to enjoy.

Didn’t they get points in like 15 straight to make the playoffs in Matthews first year?

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

If we continue to play like we have the answer will be no.

If we continue to play like we have we'll be at 98pts by season's end and in the playoffs. And that's without Dermott, Hyman, and 20% of the games without Tavares.

 

[HomerJLeafs]

Voted yes
But id voted " i dont f***ing know" if it was an option
On the bright side if we didnt then bye babcock
On the darker side if we didnt another year is wasted

 

[Ashdown2]

ask after a lose or a win and the pool will be completly different.

they will obviously make it because of the talent but there are way to many passengers and the d is playing just awful. Freddie is a toss up if he is great or mediocre. Out backup is garbage aswell.
feels like another first round exit year and finally babs will be fired. at least 1 good thing will happen this year.