Only if they trade kadri and holland first.
- burn

Of course they will... They have tons of cap space and their owner is penny pinching. Spells retained salary to me.
- burn

Exactly

I'm pretty sure no one has any expectations this season, except for sweet, delicious pain.
- Zezel

And next season they might suck slightly less. And the next season they might be competitive enough to challenge for a play-off spot, and the next season they might be better than some of the play-off teams. After Shanahan and Babcock have had 4 or 5 years to really mould this team.

I didn't catch much of the game - Franson do anything good or stupid?

It was more about the 3 strides to blow away one of the leagues upper echelon skaters out of the water, creating time for himself to take a good look and pick his spot.

Its going to happen alot for him with that kind of speed and acceleration. Its a thing of absolute beauty. Total package
- ieetbred

Connor Brown is one of the leagues upper echelon skaters? Has anyone told him this?

Babcock telling it like it is in the post game presser.

And next season they might suck slightly less. And the next season they might be competitive enough to challenge for a play-off spot, and the next season they might be better than some of the play-off teams. After Shanahan and Babcock have had 4 or 5 years to really mould this team.
- BetterCallSaul

Keep drinking the blue cool aid. Talk is cheap and we have been through how many regimes now promising big things?? I see many more year of futility until this team truly bottoms out. I hope this is the year and we get Matthews...

Connor Brown is one of the leagues upper echelon skaters? Has anyone told him this?
- BetterCallSaul

Gardiner would have caught him, if he wasn't tripped up in the corner.

I didn't catch much of the game - Franson do anything good or stupid?
- Garnie

3 SOG, +3, 2nd highest TOI

3 SOG, +3, 2nd highest TOI
- stashu

Franson > Phanuef???

Keep drinking the blue cool aid. Talk is cheap and we have been through how many regimes now promising big things?? I see many more year of futility until this team truly bottoms out. I hope this is the year and we get Matthews...
- Hockey_Reverend

?

I said I know they will suck this year, and maybe suck less and less as the years roll by.

Babcock telling it like it is in the post game presser.
- fifty__missions

Says Nylander and Brown were the best players tonight. Thought Brown was really good again.

Keep drinking the blue cool aid. Talk is cheap and we have been through how many regimes now promising big things?? I see many more year of futility until this team truly bottoms out. I hope this is the year and we get Matthews...
- Hockey_Reverend

Won't happen, the way the draft is now it literally is a lottery.
Plus they give away top talent for scrubs.
And retain.

Franson > Phanuef???
- Hockey_Reverend

Phaneuf is clearly better: 3 hits to 0

Next year they should have Sheldon keefe coach the leafs into last place and Babcock should coach the Marlies.

?

I said I know they will suck this year, and maybe suck less and less as the years roll by.
- BetterCallSaul

I know, but the idea that we have bottomed out and will slowly get better each year and be a playoff team in 4-5 years (which many people have been saying) is laughable. This team is pathetic. THE only players worth keeping are Reilly and a few f our prospects.

Babcock can shape this crap all he wants, but it is still poop...

Won't happen, the way the draft is now it literally is a lottery.
Plus they give away top talent for scrubs.
And retain.
- the_eye

Yep. Last year WAS the bottom. Pretty much the worst season in Leaf history. This management group knows the teardown has only begun. Don't be surprised to see the rest of the vets on this team turned over if there are any reasonable deals.

Franson > Phanuef???
- Hockey_Reverend

and Robidas> GardiNer

Won't happen, the way the draft is now it literally is a lottery.
Plus they give away top talent for scrubs.
And retain.
- the_eye

Then we need to bottom out until we win the lottery... We need a generational talent. I hope Marnier turns out to be good, but I doubt he is that...

Tarasenko has like 9 goals in pre-season...poop

I know, but the idea that we have bottomed out and will slowly get better each year and be a playoff team in 4-5 years (which many people have been saying) is laughable. This team is pathetic. THE only players worth keeping are Reilly and a few f our prospects.

Babcock can shape this crap all he wants, but it is still poop...
- Hockey_Reverend

I expect most of this year's opening night roster will be gone sooner rather than later.

Tarasenko has like 9 goals in pre-season...poop
- AdamFrench

Bust

Yep. Last year WAS the bottom. Pretty much the worst season in Leaf history. This management group knows the teardown has only begun. Don't be surprised to see the rest of the vets on this team turned over if there are any reasonable deals.
- fifty__missions

But didn't we all expect this to happen already? Dion? Blozak? Others? WHy are they still here? WHo cares about getting the perfect return. Dump them and tank...

and Robidas> GardiNer
- Landsbergfan

Jeff Finger>GarInerd

Then we need to bottom out until we win the lottery... We need a generational talent. I hope Marnier turns out to be good, but I doubt he is that...
- Hockey_Reverend

you can stock pile all you want, still have to make trades for NHL ready talent.
you can't just Edmonton Oiler it
and you can't trade your only real talent for squat
oh wait, yes they can