A factor to consider:

It's the 100 year anniversary. No way they tank. Unless they see Matthews as our gift, which is beyond fair, they may give the fans Stamkos. Either way, they'll want to be respectable.
- systemtool

As long as they don't rush poop and bring in Brouwer/Ericsson or Lucic, I'm happy

I don't think they'll tank and I don't see any way you can keep Marner down but they still won't be very good, they're all rookies their not going be come in and all be 65 plus point players.. this team has a long way to go. Bottom 10 finish. Next year will be a good learning and development year for the kids in the nhl. Get them learning and playing the nhl game but also living and training like the pros. The NHL game is hard enough as it is for a rookie but the whole lifestyle and the travelling and everything is a huge adjustment especially for a kid like Marner coming from the OHL where they don't travel like they do in the AHL or WHL or so on.
- ClarksonDavid

Much will depend on what they do in goal. Lou said that 50% or more of the team will be gone next year. Babcock can't stand Bernier (aka the anticlutch) Let more first five minute goals than any goalie in recent memory. It wasn't just the bad defense. Lots of goals of the tight collar variety. Little knucklers and softies. A solid NHL goalie is essential now. With Bernier in net this is not a playoff team. If they keep him, they are tanking in a way because he stinks that bad. Easy to stand on your head when you are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. When you are competing to get in - NOT SO MUCH.

Not that you all care, I get that, but this stung:

Tanner in the Bruins thread trolling the Miller signing. Bad signing made that much worse by the most incompetent blogger turned troll

Much will depend on what they do in goal. Lou said that 50% or more of the team will be gone next year. Babcock can't stand Bernier (aka the anticlutch) Let more first five minute goals than any goalie in recent memory. It wasn't just the bad defense. Lots of goals of the tight collar variety. Little knucklers and softies. A solid NHL goalie is essential now. With Bernier in net this is not a playoff team. If they keep him, they are tanking in a way because he stinks that bad. Easy to stand on your head when you are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. When you are competing to get in - NOT SO MUCH.
- winsix

I agree we need a goalie I just don't know where we get a solid NHL goalie from?

Not that you all care, I get that, but this stung:

Tanner in the Bruins thread trolling the Miller signing. Bad signing made that much worse by the most incompetent blogger turned troll
- RickJames77

Tanners bored - he has less hits on his blog than the Jays have against a weak pitcher. The signing is a bit ridiculous though, until you realize who the GM is.

I agree we need a goalie I just don't know where we get a solid NHL goalie from?
- walshyleafsfan

I think the leafs could make some solid steps next year, but I'd go one more year with a full rebuild (as tough as that is)

Stick with what you got including Bernier. Get a high pick, draft a top goalie this year to develop, then target both a high end goalie and dman that may be threatened by the expansion draft. I still like Shattenkirk for the Leafs even though I've gotten some mixed results on posting that.

I agree we need a goalie I just don't know where we get a solid NHL goalie from?
- walshyleafsfan

There will be at least 10 decent goalies available at the draft. Any team with two goalies will want to give one up for a return rather than lose them in the expansion draft where one or two teams will be added and each will pick up at least 3 goalies.

Tanners bored - he has less hits on his blog than the Jays have against a weak pitcher. The signing is a bit ridiculous though, until you realize who the GM is.
- winsix

It's tough when you have to agree with all of this

I can't complain, they had a good run, but lack of direction is so frustrating (preaching to the choir here. Well not anymore). It's like they say the right things and do the total opposite. He did noting to deserve that contract. Then Sweeney says he has room to grow and I'm sitting here thinking he's a 29 yo #6 defenseman where else does he have to grow

Not that you all care, I get that, but this stung:

Tanner in the Bruins thread trolling the Miller signing. Bad signing made that much worse by the most incompetent blogger turned troll
- RickJames77

Let's go troll Tanner in his blog.

I think the leafs could make some solid steps next year, but I'd go one more year with a full rebuild (as tough as that is)

Stick with what you got including Bernier. Get a high pick, draft a top goalie this year to develop, then target both a high end goalie and dman that may be threatened by the expansion draft. I still like Shattenkirk for the Leafs even though I've gotten some mixed results on posting that.
- RickJames77

I'd like another year as well but it's definitely not a popular opinion. Personally, I hope this is where the 'pain' comes in. I think if they stop and this point it may be a tad too soon

Let's go troll Tanner in his blog.
- Steven_Seagull

I would love to, but I'd get a ban and have one more work day until I'm on vacation until June 6th, so I'll need every distraction to complete the checkout

I think the leafs could make some solid steps next year, but I'd go one more year with a full rebuild (as tough as that is)

Stick with what you got including Bernier. Get a high pick, draft a top goalie this year to develop, then target both a high end goalie and dman that may be threatened by the expansion draft. I still like Shattenkirk for the Leafs even though I've gotten some mixed results on posting that.
- RickJames77

Keeping Bernier sends a bad message to the kids on this team. Work hard, get a lead or outplay an opponent. An bam! A softie in the five hole from ten feet outside the blueline. Nothing is more demoralizing for a team.

I think the leafs could make some solid steps next year, but I'd go one more year with a full rebuild (as tough as that is)

Stick with what you got including Bernier. Get a high pick, draft a top goalie this year to develop, then target both a high end goalie and dman that may be threatened by the expansion draft. I still like Shattenkirk for the Leafs even though I've gotten some mixed results on posting that.
- RickJames77

Not a Sharttenkirk fan here...

Also not a fan of tanking.. its stupid.. Babs seriously (frank)ing hates losing.. he wont allow it.

I would love to, but I'd get a ban and have one more work day until I'm on vacation until June 6th, so I'll need every distraction to complete the checkout
- RickJames77

Fair enough.

Not a Sharttenkirk fan here...

Also not a fan of tanking.. its stupid.. Babs seriously (frank)ing hates losing.. he wont allow it.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

He may not have much of a choice. Obviously he's a bright man and knows what needs to be done. We haven't even finished the tear down yet (imo). I don't think the upswing happens this next year (obviously not 30th but not too much better)

We're all collectively OK with the Leafs not signing Stamkos for an unreasonable amount of money.

Strange days.

Not a Sharttenkirk fan here...

Also not a fan of tanking.. its stupid.. Babs seriously (frank)ing hates losing.. he wont allow it.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm not saying you tank. I'm thinking if you start Bernier and maybe bring in a #3 along with Zaitsev you end up between 18-24? Bring up Marner and compete but I just don't feel next year is the year you try and make some quick patches. I mean if you can bring in a young top defender do it, but I think the market might weaken a tad after next year. M

All good on your opinion on Shats, we've talked about it and you've bought up some points I can at least see (not saying that in bad way, just don't necessarily agree)

Lol at Sens apparently rejecting Ceci for Drouin
- ClarksonDavid

Would you trade the leading dman scorer from the worlds, even though he really was 4th, for drouin? That's what I thought.....


He's better than Reilly.

He may not have much of a choice. Obviously he's a bright man and knows what needs to be done. We haven't even finished the tear down yet (imo). I don't think the upswing happens this next year (obviously not 30th but not too much better)
- walshyleafsfan

Besides Lupul (who could be marooned on Robidas Island), there's Bozak and Bernier that need to go. Both do not have much term left, so I don't see them as being an issue.

Would you trade the leading dman scorer from the worlds, even though he really was 4th, for drouin? That's what I thought.....


He's better than Rielly.
- burn

The greatest joke of all!

If the leafs waited till next year they may have he pieces to target Bishop/Vas which would be sweet

Would you trade the leading dman scorer from the worlds, even though he really was 4th, for drouin? That's what I thought.....


He's better than Reilly.
- burn

That's been questioned? I thought it was common knowledge.

Besides Lupul (who could be marooned on Robidas Island), there's Bozak and Bernier that need to go. Both do not have much term left, so I don't see them as being an issue.
- gravyface

The Leafs aren't a playoff team with Bernier in net.

I'm not saying you tank. I'm thinking if you start Bernier and maybe bring in a #3 along with Zaitsev you end up between 18-24? Bring up Marner and compete but I just don't feel next year is the year you try and make some quick patches. I mean if you can bring in a young top defender do it, but I think the market might weaken a tad after next year. M

All good on your opinion on Shats, we've talked about it and you've bought up some points I can at least see (not saying that in bad way, just don't necessarily agree)
- RickJames77

Its all good..

I dont think the Leafs need any quick patches.. They have a lot of depth with the Marlies.. They'll probably have a few familiar names try-out but not like last year.

If the leafs waited till next year they may have he pieces to target Bishop/Vas which would be sweet
- RickJames77

I still don't trust Bishop, and get the feeling someone will drastically over pat for him. Buffalo maybe.