1st line center is hurt as is 20 goal scoring winger. Need a top six winger top 4 LHD and we'll be close to a playoff team. Can't say the same about the Lafs.
- bluengold12

Can't say it about Buffalo either.

Pretty impressed with the Leafs....taking a team that's only a franchise Center and top 4 d away from being Stanley cup contenders into overtime is a major achievement.
- TheIronSheik

I'm impressed with how strong Toronto's tank is! Commanding control going into the 3rd and masterfully giving up, then even giving the Sabres a power play in O.T. Wow! You guys are good.

Reinhart with the vanek special

89, I was just telling you what was happening. I don't agreewith all of it. Moulson,Gionta signings baddd. Lehner for a 1 st ,bad. Winnipeg trade badddd. Colorado,both teams will end up good on that trade. Neuvrith trade baddddd.
- Buffalo39

I know what's going on within this team, people still seem to not get it, Murray got rid of players he didn't want. He had no use for Myers and Stafford should have been gone 3 years ago.

Pretty impressed with the Leafs....taking a team that's only a franchise Center and top 4 d away from being Stanley cup contenders into overtime is a major achievement.
- TheIronSheik

That's pretty good man ............

Michael, you're a scholar and a gentleman for giving Buffalo fans a good alternative to he who needs a brain.
- Feeling Glucky?

Glucker, you are a smart guy.

So why is every Leaf fan obsessed with Garth? Not to be an ass, but that whole thread reeks of little brother syndrome when it should be the other way around.

I'm impressed with how strong Toronto's tank is! Commanding control going into the 3rd and masterfully giving up, then even giving the Sabres a power play in O.T. Wow! You guys are good.
- sskkoo1

Nobody can be as historically good at is as Buffalo the last two seasons.

1st line center is hurt as is 20 goal scoring winger. Need a top six winger top 4 LHD and we'll be close to a playoff team. Can't say the same about the Lafs.
- bluengold12

Not too concerned. Most Leaf fans are pretty realistic that we won't get a sniff of the playoffs for a few more years....maybe a year behind Buffalo , 2 at the most. Not a shot, you guys have some great pieces but your D isn't very good.

Glucker, you are a smart guy.

So why is every Leaf fan obsessed with Garth? Not to be an ass, but that whole thread reeks of little brother syndrome when it should be the other way around.
- rmiethaner

Laughing at the stupidity is all.

Can't say it about Buffalo either.
- Feeling Glucky?

I just proved it. O'Riley top line center hurt, Ennis 20 goal scoring winger hurt. Need another goal scoring winger (draft) and a top 4 LHD (trade) We should be competing for playoffs next year. Add in another FA signing and watch Stamkos resign in Tampa and NOT in Toronto and all is right in the world.

Nobody can be as historically good at is as Buffalo the last two seasons.
- Feeling Glucky?[/quote

You got a shot. Toronto still hasn't reached our point total from last year yet.

Not too concerned. Most Leaf fans are pretty realistic that we won't get a sniff of the playoffs for a few more years....maybe a year behind Buffalo , 2 at the most. Not a shot, you guys have some great pieces but your D isn't very good.
- TheIronSheik

I agree there. Risto has looked like a top pairing defenceman for most of the year but needs a more steady partner. Pysyk and McCabe (both rookies) have had their ups and downs but overall looked pretty promising. Gorges is just a body on the ice. Not too bad not too good. Badgosian (As I like to call him) Has been pretty terrible in his own end.

I just proved it. O'Riley top line center hurt, Ennis 20 goal scoring winger hurt. Need another goal scoring winger (draft) and a top 4 LHD (trade) We should be competing for playoffs next year. Add in another FA signing and watch Stamkos resign in Tampa and NOT in Toronto and all is right in the world.
- bluengold12

injuries eh? Does that excuse apply for that Oilers team ?

Picking up points in every game now ......... not good. Hello 8th place.

I agree there. Risto has looked like a top pairing defenceman for most of the year but needs a more steady partner. Pysyk and McCabe (both rookies) have had their ups and downs but overall looked pretty promising. Gorges is just a body on the ice. Not too bad not too good. Badgosian (As I like to call him) Has been pretty terrible in his own end.
- bluengold12

And those promising young D look good....but they're young. Most D don't hit their prime until they are 26. In what season will that trio be in around that age?

injuries eh? Does that excuse apply for that Oilers team ?
- TheIronSheik

Considering both teams are in top 3 in NHL for most man games lost I'd say it contributes. Yes. But I agree we need a few more pieces and get rid of some of the dead weight.

And those promising young D look good....but they're young. Most D don't hit their prime until they are 26. In what season will that trio be in around that age?
- TheIronSheik

Risto is in his 3rd full season I believe. He should be in his prime in 2 or so years. I think we trade one of Pysyk or McCabe for better assets but they both could be in their prime in a few years. Tough to tell. That's why I said we need a steady defensive presence back there to play with the young guys.

Picking up points in every game now ......... not good. Hello 8th place.
- fastek

Anything beyond 4th should be traded

Considering both teams are in top 3 in NHL for most man games lost I'd say it contributes. Yes. But I agree we need a few more pieces and get rid of some of the dead weight.
- bluengold12

Indeed, as well as time to let the youngsters develop. It would be nice for your 4 or 5 players aged 18-22 to just continue to steadily progress, but history shows that there is an eb and flow to players development/production. Don't be dissapointed, it's normal.

Picking up points in every game now ......... not good. Hello 8th place.
- fastek

I went from feeling great about our chances to pick in top 4 after the first period to feeling like 6th through 8th is a very real possibility...

Only silver lining I guess will be watching Lafs fans cry when they end up picking 4th.

Risto is in his 3rd full season I believe. He should be in his prime in 2 or so years. I think we trade one of Pysyk or McCabe for better assets but they both could be in their prime in a few years. Tough to tell. That's why I said we need a steady defensive presence back there to play with the young guys.
- bluengold12

Sure, Risto might be an early riser...but understand that's abnormal.

Sure, Risto might be an early riser...but understand that's abnormal.
- TheIronSheik

If we end up picking 5th this year and get Churchryn (sp?) He could be ready next year too.

I went from feeling great about our chances to pick in top 4 after the first to feeling like 6th through 8th is a very real possibility...

Only silver lining I guess will be watching Lafs fans cry when they end up picking 4th.
- bluengold12

Mathews would be awesome...but those 2 Finns and that Tkachuck boy look like decent consolation prizes.

I have been questioning Bylsma since about 25 games in.
In fact, I was the first to raise the issue on this board, and have continued.
He isn't the one we are going to win with, but he has implemented a structure to the team that is important for the young guys to learn.
That said, they still have a lot of dead wood on the team, and no GM can overturn an entire team that quickly.
Time, give it time.
- IonSabres

I'm pretty sure a lot of us raised it when he was hired. But I take your point. I'm of the opinion that I wasn't thrilled about the hire, but for better or worse he's the coach, so I'll ride with it for the year and if next year starts off badly then perhaps it's time for a change.

I will say one thing for him though. He has his guys playing for him, or each other whatever, point is, they don't give up. I've seen all but about 2 periods of hockey this year, and I can't think of a time where this team has given up even down 3. Tonight we were down 2 twice against a plucky but ultimately outmatched Leafs team and we kept coming and kept coming and walked out of the building with 2 points.

If we end up picking 5th this year and get Churchryn (sp?) He could be ready next year too.
- bluengold12

Ready for what? A top 4 role on a playoff team out of Buffalo?