Your likely 2023-24 Scapegoat

[Mobiandi]

Brad Treliving

Huberdeau, Kadri, and Huska also inspire as much excitement as watching paint dry right now

 

[weaponomega]

Charlie Coyle. He's stepping in for Bergeron. I think there's an implied expectation for him and I don't think there's any way he will come close to being what Bergeron was both offensively and defensively.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think by Christmas the Bruins will be calling Calgary about Lindholm if he hasn't signed.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Panarin

 

[pbgoalie]

I like Terry

But first year as “the guy” in effect, may cause a slow start and a lot of whining

 

[Leonardo87]

Rangers: Panarin
Ducks: Strome

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

The Goaltending

 

[AndreRoy]

Jeannot

I’d actually say Cirelli. Jeannot’s acquisition cost was large but I think expectations are pretty reasonable for him. Cirelli is a great defensive center who is being paid like a great two-way center and with further losses to scoring depth he really needs to rediscover his offense; if he doesn’t the Bolts are in trouble.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Drouin for the Avs. Now that Compher isn't on the team. Or Newhook.

Manson is a big candidate here. Georgiev can’t dip either.

 

[Czechboy]

Jack Campbell for my Oilers. I hope I'm wrong and he is great but the second a weak goal gets by him it will get ugly.

 

[Czechboy]

if Zacha/Coyle don’t cut it I think Sweeney will get the blame more than the players. Heinen is always a favorite whipping boy, but I think Frederic is the answer. He will be counted on to drive the third line instead of being the third wheel on it. Unlike Zacha and especially Coyle this shouldn’t be asking too much from him so if he doesn’t deliver…

I'm in shock that it's still Zacha at the 1C spot.. that won't work. I like Zacha and think he's a fine player but he's not a 1C. His peak (which he's hitting) would be a 1W and a 2C .. and that is assuming he keeps improving and builds on last year.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Darnell Nurse, forever and always

 

[Krimson]

Jeff Carter is going to get ripped to shreds by Penguins fans this year.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Klingberg

I'm amazed that Leaf fans didn't advocate for a "Trade Klingberg!" Thread pinned to the top of this page.

Brad Treliving

Huberdeau, Kadri, and Huska also inspire as much excitement as watching paint dry right now

Why would you include Kadri in that list?

 

[Mike C]

Horvat

Gonna be all the usual suspects starting with Garth all the way down to Capades

It'll be the usual ferris wheel of blame depending on the night

 

[End of Line]

Jeff Carter is going to get ripped to shreds by Penguins fans this year.

If he stays on the 4th like he’s expected to be it won’t be as bad.

My pick is Jarry

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

For the Rangers it will definitely be the Bread Man….

Panarin

Rangers: Panarin
Ducks: Strome

I assume this is for playoff failures ?

He seems to be really good in the regular season, but disappears come playoff time, or am I missing something?

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Horvat for NYI

 

[WreckedUm]

DeBrusk

Can see him regressing and facing criticism for it then demanding a trade.

 

[Leonardo87]

I assume this is for playoff failures ?

He seems to be really good in the regular season, but disappears come playoff time, or am I missing something?

Regular season is not the issue but when you have 2 assists in 7 playoff games. That’s the concern.

As per Strome, sometimes I feel he cannot hit water even if he fell out of a boat. He suffered the most with Eakins system last year so want to give him a pass. Will see how he does this coming season.

 

[njdevils1982]

Jeff Carter is going to get ripped to shreds by Penguins fans this year.

they're going to 'love' andreas johnson also

 

[FrozenJagrt]

One quarter of the Leafs fanbase will blame Marner for everything. Another quarter will blame Klingberg. Another quarter will blame Treliving (I'll probably end up in that group). The final quarter will continue to blame Dubas.

 

[Krimson]

If he stays on the 4th like he’s expected to be it won’t be as bad.

My pick is Jarry

Fair, but I don’t think where he plays matters. He could be a healthy scratch most nights and the fan base will still crush him because of the contract Hextall signed him to.

 

[Mr Positive]

For the Oilers I feel like the goalies will get a lot of heat if they both are bad. If one is good then it won't be a goalie. At least with a goalie if they are bad there is a good chance they just won't play

I'd say if one of the aging top forwards plays weak they could be a scapegoat pretty quick.

Bouchard could get picked on too if he doesn't play with Ekholm and shows more warts

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Panarin

 

[Breakers]

Boeser

One point off his career high last season
Yet he knows he played poorly