I never said good players wouldn't go on to have great careers. I said teams learn how to play better against them and the extreme success these players have as rookies are ususally not repeated.

Selanne only had 1 fifty goal season again in his 20 year career after his 76 goal rookie campaign, so yeah I'd say he simmered down quite a bit.

Crosby is great and generational, so is McDavid, Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are not.

But the list goes on and on of players who don't repeat their rookie campaign: ghostisbehere, Heatley, Maata, the league is full of them.
- sskkoo1

I would agree with the assessment.

But dude, you are trying really really really hard to convince yourself that things aren't looking up in Toronto

I would agree with the assessment.

But dude, you are trying really really really hard to convince yourself that things aren't looking up in Toronto
- Aetherial

It won't surprise me if/when Matthews scores less goals next year, but I'd expect more responsibility, assists etc.

Marner is just as good as most stars in this league right now. Dude is fun to watch

Ted Nolan was criticized constantly(rightfully so) for not preparing for opponents, watching film, not working on in-game strategy during practice etc. and he was viewed as an out of touch, behind the times dinosaur of a coach (which he was)

Now, the problem is Bylsma does those things above too much, and needs to have coffee and talk to the players more.

This team/organization is such a clown show on so many levels it's unreal.

People actually want the BU coach here? Why, so it will be like every little league team where the best player's daddy is the head coach?

The kids on this team need to man up and play the game.
- sbroads24

I think what Murray is driving home by his statement is that our coach needs to adjust to the type of players we have on the team, get their input and quit just hammering his system home without making adjustments. Getting feedback from players isn't a bad thing, not listening to them is and that seems to be what was happening with Bylsma.

You want the young guys to man up, well it appears Eichel is manning up and trying to change things for the better.

Back reading the Leafs blog and now they're saying Matthews will be better than mcdavid.
- adambuffalo

McDavid is next level right now, does that change, who knows but I see no evidence Matthews will be on the same level as McDavid.

Do you mean McDavid is generational, but the others aren't? It's not 100% clear.

I'm really confused as to why you have Heatley in there. He scored 50 twice and 39 twice and 41 another 2 times. He only scored 26 goals and 67 points his rookie year. And he scored 100+ points in his 3rd and 4th seasons. That's pretty damn consistent.
- Wetbandit1

Yes. I consider Crosby and McDavid to be both generational talents, and the only two in the league worthy of that title.

As for Heatley, I was just going off his rookie season and how much hype he had then. I really didn't look at his stats. But, I think you get my point. Every year there is someone who comes out and takes the league by storm and then they don't really ever repeat that success. That's not to say they don't go on to have solid careers, it's just youthful energy, a bit of luck, and nobody in the league having seen their bag of tricks yet. That can sometimes take a rookie a long way, but in the end things tend to even out.

The leafs rookies are good, and Matthews is great, but I doubt any of them repeat this Cinderella season next year. And, that's not a knock on them, it's just history and reality.

Yes. I consider Crosby and McDavid to be both generational talents, and the only two in the league worthy of that title.

As for Heatley, I was just going off his rookie season and how much hype he had then. I really didn't look at his stats. But, I think you get my point. Every year there is someone who comes out and takes the league by storm and then they don't really ever repeat that success. That's not to say they don't go on to have solid careers, it's just youthful energy, a bit of luck, and nobody in the league having seen your bag of tricks, can sometimes take a rookie a long way, but in the end things tend to even out.

The leafs rookies are good, and Matthews is great, but I doubt any of them repeat this Cinderella season next year. And, that's not a knock on them, it's just history and reality.
- sskkoo1

Ok, gotcha, that's what I figured, but I was just checking.

I definitely get what you're saying, Heatley was just a bad example.

Yep, a fair number of teams are either the same, or take a step back in year 2 after an overachieving season. Apparently that makes us "butthurt" or in denial or something I guess. The Flyers did it this year. The Panthers did too, oh, wait, it was the injuries, I forget.

Wrong. Many Sabre fans are still in denial. You are one of them. Don't worry, when Murray is fired in the next year, I won't tell "I told you so"

The Leafs rebuild is on track. Nobody said anything about winning Cups, being unstoppable, 15 years and rookie players being HOFers and other nonsense

Again, you should switch your focus onto why the Sabres look to be firing another coach and the GM's poor asset management record.
- BernardShakey

I am one of them? Yet in my above post I state that we suck and have issues. You're a special kind of stupid, aren't you?

You're going to tell me so? Since when am I rooting for Murray? I don't hate the guy, but I've also been one of his biggest critics.

Lets not talk about management or assessment, your team has been a dumpster fire for over a decade, so again, get down off your high horse.

And, finally, my focus is on the Sabres, has been, but Leaf trolls like you keep showing up in OUR blog to talk poop.

Ok, gotcha, that's what I figured, but I was just checking.

I definitely get what you're saying, Heatley was just a bad example.

Yep, a fair number of teams are either the same, or take a step back in year 2 after an overachieving season. Apparently that makes us "butthurt" or in denial or something I guess. The Flyers did it this year. The Panthers did too, oh, wait, it was the injuries, I forget.
- Wetbandit1

Sometimes injuries do play into it and I think the Panthers were greatly effect by them this year, does that mean they make the playoffs without them I don't know but IMO their year is a lot better if they didn't go through missing their best players for long stretches this year.

To the guy that sent me a Snapchat on here yesterday







I'm in Chicago for layover. I was going to try my first ever Chicago Pizza and it's Good Friday I can't lollololol

I'm out I'll see you guys later tonight

I would agree with the assessment.

But dude, you are trying really really really hard to convince yourself that things aren't looking up in Toronto
- Aetherial

I don't know how much praise I can give Toronto to express to you guys that your rebuild is going well and you have some real great young players. It seems like some, not all, but some of guys will only accept everyone else anointing this Leafs team to be greater than the 1983 Oilers. Win something, then we'll talk, but right now the Leafs are impressive, but overachieving.

Sometimes injuries do play into it and I think the Panthers were greatly effect by them this year, does that mean they make the playoffs without them I don't know but IMO their year is a lot better if they didn't go through missing their best players for long stretches this year.
- BigStew

It was more of a shot at people who think injuries had no effect on the Sabres this year. Look at Tampa, even before Stamkos went down they weren't exactly taking the league by storm, Bishop got off to a bad start too which didn't help matters in the slightest, but Stamkos going down was the final nail in the coffin. He's the straw that stirs the drink down there.

It was more of a shot at people who think injuries had no effect on the Sabres this year. Look at Tampa, even before Stamkos went down they weren't exactly taking the league by storm, Bishop got off to a bad start too which didn't help matters in the slightest, but Stamkos going down was the final nail in the coffin. He's the straw that stirs the drink down there.
- Wetbandit1

My sarcasm button was off apparently.

is there any rumors on antipin? is it less likely that he comes here because of the olympics?

Bylsma is Rolston minus the gardening gloves
- mattmoulson

The league adjusts to all rookies eventually. When the Leafs came out with three top ten picks and Kadri taking a big step this year, it was hard for teams to counteract them. I wouldn't doubt the Leafs taking a big step back next year. But in the mind of a Leaf fan every player that puts on their jersey is hockey gold. The entire city is not in touch with reality.
- sskkoo1

You mean the way the league has adjusted to guys like Kane, Ovechkin and Malkin? What a stupid ass comment.

You mean the way the league has adjusted to guys like Kane, Ovechkin and Malkin? What a stupid ass comment.
- Matthews_Auston

Until Matthews, Marner, and Nylander have the same body of work as Ovi, Malkin, and Kane, you have nothing. You have three rookies with a lot of promise who barely got your team to squeak into the playoffs, that's reality. I never said that Leafs won't be good, they will, but the stench of arrogance coming from you guys is overwhelming.

is there any rumors on antipin? is it less likely that he comes here because of the olympics?
- rover16

still playing in post season

nothing can be done til his season is over


pretty sure it's just waiting til he signs the deal


I was told he would be offered a top 4 slot like unless he fell flat on his face and a 1 year deal so he can cash in if he does well like the leaf player did

Until Matthews, Marner, and Nylander have the same body of work as Ovi, Malkin, and Kane, you have nothing. You have three rookies with a lot of promise who barely got your team to squeak into the playoffs, that's reality. I never said that Leafs won't be good, they will, but the stench of arrogance coming from you guys is overwhelming.
- sskkoo1

Arrogance? Listen I can't speak for anyone else but this is the first time in decades that the Leafs have young talent like this. Whether you guys agree or not Matthews is generational. He's not McDavid but he's in the same breath as Eichel and I think a better all round player.

Nylander and Marner are guys that will be stars in the league. The future is bright. I am not going to say they will dominate the league for years but they will at least be in contention for the next 10-12 years. Will they win a Cup? Who knows?

Arrogance? Listen I can't speak for anyone else but this is the first time in decades that the Leafs have young talent like this. Whether you guys agree or not Matthews is generational. He's not McDavid but he's in the same breath as Eichel and I think a better all round player.

Nylander and Marner are guys that will be stars in the league. The future is bright. I am not going to say they will dominate the league for years but they will at least be in contention for the next 10-12 years. Will they win a Cup? Who knows?
- Matthews_Auston

I think you're misunderstanding what generational means what are Malkin and Stamkos then ?

Only one is McDavid

I'm in Chicago for layover. I was going to try my first ever Chicago Pizza and it's Good Friday I can't lollololol
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Nah, It's cool. Have some pizza.
-Jesus.

I think you're misunderstanding what generational means what are Malkin and Stamkos then ?

Only one is McDavid
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Malkin and Stamkos are not generational.

Arrogance? Listen I can't speak for anyone else but this is the first time in decades that the Leafs have young talent like this. Whether you guys agree or not Matthews is generational. He's not McDavid but he's in the same breath as Eichel and I think a better all round player.

Nylander and Marner are guys that will be stars in the league. The future is bright. I am not going to say they will dominate the league for years but they will at least be in contention for the next 10-12 years. Will they win a Cup? Who knows?
- Matthews_Auston

I completely agree with you. And, I'm not saying that you specifically are a problem, but we consistently get Leaf fans in here who love to tell us that our rebuild is a failure, our management and coaches suck, our players suck and are issues on and off the ice, and that we should begin deconstruction again, sell off Eichel, and start over.

Most of us here admit that our rebuild had a set back this year, and most of us freely admit that the Leafs have been impressive this year. But, I try to see things logically, I don't think seeing a bit of a sophomore slump out of the Leafs stars next year is to out of the realm of possibilities. That doesn't mean I'm saying that the Leafs team won't be good for the next decade.

But to those Leaf fans that come in our blog acting so superior, I say be careful, Karma is a female dog and the 2016-17 Leafs may very well find themselves equating to the 2013-14 Colorado Avalanche.

Malkin and Stamkos are not generational.
- Matthews_Auston

You could make an argument that Malkin is better than Sid.

Not one I would make personally, but in my eyes the best players of this past generation entering their 30's are Sid, Geno and OV

Malkin and Stamkos are not generational.
- Matthews_Auston

http://www.hockey-referen...ints_per_game_career.html

malkin is clearly generational

I completely agree with you. And, I'm not saying that you specifically are a problem, but we consistently get Leaf fans in here who love to tell us that our rebuild is a failure, our management and coaches suck, our players suck and are issues on and off the ice, and that we should begin deconstruction again, sell off Eichel, and start over.

Most of us here admit that our rebuild had a set back this year, and most of us freely admit that the Leafs have been impressive this year. But, I try to see things logically, I don't think seeing a bit of a sophomore slump out of the Leafs stars next year is to out of the realm of possibilities. That doesn't mean I'm saying that the Leafs team won't be good for the next decade.

But to those Leaf fans that come in our blog acting so superior, I say be careful, Karma is a female dog and the 2016-17 Leafs may very well find themselves equating to the 2013-14 Colorado Avalanche.
- sskkoo1

I exepct a step back as well but nothing like the Avs team you mention. I think they will be in the mix for the playoffs and health and luck will determine if they make playoffs or not. Just like most every other team.

One side note .... I am not a fan of Murray at all. Don't know why but he seems like an arrogant douche. I think Buffalo would be better with another GM.