It was for me . Until I found out they weren't made with real girl scouts.
- cabin

But you'll get arrested for eating Brownies...

It was for me . Until I found out they weren't made with real girl scouts.
- cabin

WHAT?! Deal breaker

Not that I disagree with us tanking, but I don't think too many other GM's outside of Buffalo, EDM, AZ etc had too many thoughts about McDavid.
- sbroads24

They may not have had the thought of being able to get him, but you can bet they were paying attention to what he was doing. If they weren't, they're not very good at their job.

But you'll get arrested for eating Brownies...
- leonwaldo420

Eggzactly

Not that I disagree with us tanking, but I don't think too many other GM's outside of Buffalo, EDM, AZ etc had too many thoughts about McDavid.
- sbroads24

Tarranna did for sure

They had a huge gathering in maple leaf square to watch it on the big screen apparently

And then when the results were out, I was bombarded with hateful text messages from my angry leaf friends.
Good times

They may not have had the thought of being able to get him, but you can bet they were paying attention to what he was doing. If they weren't, they're not very good at their job.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed.
With the first step of the "oiler rule" in place, so many teams had a shot. They paid attention for sure

Agreed.
With the first step of the "oiler rule" in place, so many teams had a shot. They paid attention for sure
- HB77

I also wouldn't doubt that Chiarelli fielded calls from the 29 other teams about what the price would be for them to give up that pick. A GM isn't doing their job if they're not at least kicking the tires.

Phase 2 of the oiler rule hasn't stopped us from trying either.

You can't keep us out!


Sh1t man, I dunno whether to laugh or cry at this point

Hate to break it to you, but franchise changing players are the ones at the top of each draft. That's generally where you find them. The long term vision was to trade guys with contracts that were ending for assets. They wanted quantity so they could package it together to get quality. The ROR trade is the perfect example of that. It was said by LaFontaine and Ted Black prior to Murray even being brought on board. All he did was continue on with the blueprint that was put down in front of him.

Every GM and fan in the league was obsessed with McDavid last year. And anyone that says any different is just kidding themselves. The kid is a ton of fun to watch. If you don't like to watch players like that, then you probably shouldn't be a hockey fan.
- HonkFortheGoose

Not every GM went to the media publicized it though. This blog was about why Buffalo gets the "tank"label and not the Leafs. Lou isn't going to the media chatting about Matthews. The Leafs brass has been talking about "the plan". Develop from within... get rid of the dead weight and get players can play under Babcock. Being patient with the kids...

This is why the media has labeled the Leafs as doing it the right way and not as a tank.
Not sure why this is hard to see...

I also wouldn't doubt that Chiarelli fielded calls from the 29 other teams about what the price would be for them to give up that pick. A GM isn't doing their job if they're not at least kicking the tires.
- HonkFortheGoose

Absolutely

There was a case of a franchise that's been bad for awhile and everyone knows their Achilles heel is defence

I bet there was some pretty good dmen packages offered. I bet he was even tempted. But, Connor.

Who gives a poop that we tanked last year I'm happy we did ..

But you can't come and say players try not to tank and suck .
When they're getting paid under the table

Not that I disagree with us tanking, but I don't think too many other GM's outside of Buffalo, EDM, AZ etc had too many thoughts about McDavid.
- sbroads24

I actually believe EDM had bigger dreams about making the playoffs.

I actually believe EDM had bigger dreams about making the playoffs.
- ShayneCorsi

Totally this !!

And the part I don't get is how so many people don't see this fact as even more pathetic than tanking

Who gives a poop that we tanked last year I'm happy we did ..

But you can't come and say players try not to tank and suck .
When they're getting paid under the table
- gerbe75pts

Not every GM went to the media publicized it though. This blog was about why Buffalo gets the "tank"label and not the Leafs. Lou isn't going to the media chatting about Matthews. The Leafs brass has been talking about "the plan". Develop from within... get rid of the dead weight and get players can play under Babcock. Being patient with the kids...

This is why the media has labeled the Leafs as doing it the right way and not as a tank.
Not sure why this is hard to see...
- ShayneCorsi

Tim Murray is a straight shooter. If he's asked a question, he answers it. And not with super vague, lame answers. He tells it how it is. I think it's one of his more endearing qualities to be quite honest. But nothing the management team has done in terms of the assets moved was any worse/different than what the Leafs have done in the last year.

Did the Sabres tank? Absolutely. But if you think what the Leafs are doing is any different, you're delusional. I don't care that tanked. It needed to be done. Just like the Leafs needed to do it as well. The Sabres weren't the first, and they for sure are not the last. I just hate how Toronto fans don't see how it's the same.

- ImThatGuy

If management was paying the guys under the table to play poorly last year, Weber and Gorges must have been left out, because the two of them HATED how things went last year.

Totally this !!

And the part I don't get is how so many people don't see this fact as even more pathetic than tanking
- HB77

I just don't understand how they are in last place again. It does not make any sense.

I am complete dumbfounded by it.

I'd give them Bogosian AND Franson!!!!

That's a 2 for 1 deal. It really is a BOGO!!!!


(Terrible joke I know)
- ImThatGuy

Lol
I'll still give it to ya
Bogosian would be a great defenseman for them
Creates a hole for us though if we give him up
Why does everyone wanna rush Pysyk into a top4 role?
Especially with his struggles this year...
I'm ok with trading bogo if it's him + for a better player, then ok
But I'm not just shipping him out for picks

Who gives a poop that we tanked last year I'm happy we did ..

But you can't come and say players try not to tank and suck .
When they're getting paid under the table
- gerbe75pts

I don't agree at all

Management and those that shape the roster absolutely tank and don't allow the roster to have the pieces required to succeed

coaches and players don't tank

As a Sabres fan witnessing the final games last year, I'm shocked you'd say as such

Neuvirth? Nolan? Etc etc
Remember?

I don't agree at all

Management and those that shape the roster absolutely tank and don't allow the roster to have the pieces required to succeed

But I believe theres absolutely zero evidence to show that coaches or players don't try and win at all costs
- HB77

Have you met Cody Hodgson?

I kid, I kid.

Had he rebounded nicely this season I'd wonder, but he didn't. So somehow he went from scoring 20 goals on a pretty poor team, to being irrelevant on that same really poor team, to not doing well on a team that's in a playoff position. It's gotta be a mental thing.

Not every GM went to the media publicized it though. This blog was about why Buffalo gets the "tank"label and not the Leafs. Lou isn't going to the media chatting about Matthews. The Leafs brass has been talking about "the plan". Develop from within... get rid of the dead weight and get players can play under Babcock. Being patient with the kids...

This is why the media has labeled the Leafs as doing it the right way and not as a tank.
Not sure why this is hard to see...
- ShayneCorsi

Whether or not I announce my intentions before killing someone, if I do it I am still a murderer. Am I honorable if I don't spill the beans beforehand?

Remember, we finished last the year before last...it is no secret TM saw the writing on the wall of a second sucky season. Leafs are jettisoning their good players, not all of which are ufas . Tank the fudge on, Leafs.

Whether or not I announce my intentions before killing someone, if I do it I am still a murderer. Am I honorable if I don't spill the beans beforehand?

Remember, we finished last the year before last...it is no secret TM saw the writing on the wall of a second sucky season. Leafs are jettisoning their good players, not all of which are ufas . Tank the fudge on, Leafs.
- LandlordTom

Legit just lol....

Have you met Cody Hodgson?

I kid, I kid.

Had he rebounded nicely this season I'd wonder, but he didn't. So somehow he went from scoring 20 goals on a pretty poor team, to being irrelevant on that same really poor team, to not doing well on a team that's in a playoff position. It's gotta be a mental thing.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yea but i don't think players come in and say im going to purposefully miss that open net cause i want my team to suck.... you know unless you're maybe Vanek and have money on the game.

Who gives a poop that we tanked last year I'm happy we did ..

But you can't come and say players try not to tank and suck .
When they're getting paid under the table
- gerbe75pts

they would make more by playing good and getting a contract.. if they suck that may be the end of their career or at least a huge cut in pay for a little under the table.

i think you are way off base with this thought

Not every GM went to the media publicized it though. This blog was about why Buffalo gets the "tank"label and not the Leafs. Lou isn't going to the media chatting about Matthews. The Leafs brass has been talking about "the plan". Develop from within... get rid of the dead weight and get players can play under Babcock. Being patient with the kids...

This is why the media has labeled the Leafs as doing it the right way and not as a tank.
Not sure why this is hard to see...
- ShayneCorsi

Ugh... Nobody here is saying we didn't tank last year, or that we didn't earn the title. But, we are just another team in a long list who has done it, Pitt put on one hell of a show ten years ago too.

Now, yes, our G.M. had a man crush on McDavid and maybe he should have kept his mouth shut more often. But, in the end we took a lot of grief, some deserved, some a little overboard. But, now we have Toronto doing the exact same thing, almost following Buffalo's 2015 season the letter, and we're supposed to pretend that Toronto's not tanking? C'mon.

Nobody is upset that people called/still call us tankers. We love Eichel, it was well worth it. But, Toronto and their fan base openly bashed us relentlessly, and now they're crying foul when they have to take a little chit back for what they're doing this year. Regardless if we deserve the title of "Tankers" it's complete B.S. to ask us to pretend the Toronto is "losing with dignity"