To me it is inexcusable. He should have been required to get the surgery.
- ggunky

Not reality. You cannot require a player to get the surgery.

the maple losers do it again

Boston up 5-4. I'm conflicted with this series. I hate Boston but I really can't stand leaf fans and I never want them to have an ounce of hockey related joy.
- bird_dog_pa

it's ok Tampa will take them out next

Not reality. You cannot require a player to get the surgery.
- MJL

You can, however, scratch a player because they are not playing effectively due to the injury.

I would kick the tires with Minny, see if Staal is available. He would be perfect as a 3C. They just fired their GM so perhaps he may be available, doubtful but man he would fit in perfectly.
- ggunky

Staal just had a 40 goal season and is signed to a very friendly cap hit of 3.5M. So unless you were willing to offer them a very strong package, why would they trade him?

You can, however, scratch a player because they are not playing effectively due to the injury.
- bighandsome91

You sure can but Simmonds was still better than the alternative.

Love to see the Leafs lose.

(frank) those fanboys.

You sure can but Simmonds was still better than the alternative.
- MJL

I agree, except for a few games down the stretch maybe.

Love to see the Leafs lose.

(frank) those fanboys.
- flyer_nutter

From what I have seen in this series Mathews didn't do much.

Not reality. You cannot require a player to get the surgery.
- MJL

I don’t get it? Did Simmonds or the team explain why he/they decided to play with all these injuries? What would the treatment for the hip/groin have been early in the season? Surgery? Rest? Would he have missed the whole season? If the recovery is a few months, it seems like a no brainer to get it fixed at the star of the season so he could finish the season healthy.

I don’t get it? Did Simmonds or the team explain why he/they decided to play with all these injuries? What would the treatment for the hip/groin have been early in the season? Surgery? Rest? Would he have missed the whole season? If the recovery is a few months, it seems like a no brainer to get it fixed at the star of the season so he could finish the season healthy.
- Dkos

I think it's pretty obvious that Simmonds made a bad decision. If it is a month and a half, he should've elected to get the surgery.

The bottom line is this leadership group has never had anything to lead. The team has been thin all over the place since 2012. Now that a half decade rebuild is starting to get results is not the time to pull the plug on guys who played well and with heart when the team just wasn't good at all.
- fls13

Agreed

Do you inquire with JVR?

FYI, Toronto won as many series as the flyers

I don’t get it? Did Simmonds or the team explain why he/they decided to play with all these injuries? What would the treatment for the hip/groin have been early in the season? Surgery? Rest? Would he have missed the whole season? If the recovery is a few months, it seems like a no brainer to get it fixed at the star of the season so he could finish the season healthy.
- Dkos

It was most definitely a terrible decision without hindsight. But with hindsight, we can see that he got to play for the team through a 10 game losing streak while he would have been recovering. Didn't need him in the lineup to lose. He most likely had too much pride to sit out a month or two because of an injury that wasn't keeping him off the ice.

Leafs doing Leafs things. 51 year Cup drought, and 12 years without winning a playoff series.Sad.

I think that is the glaring need they must do something about and the options aren't overwhelming. Bring back Filppula, step up Laughton or Lehtera or sign somebody like Bozak or Stajan. I'd take Filppula at the right term and still have money for a short term add on the wing. I think nature will take its' course with the D, another wing and Mr. Hart in net.

For all the folks screaming about dumping the vets now, look what TOR went out and did this year: added Marleau, Hainsey and Plekanec. Combined age? 110! Seems to be working OK at the moment.
- fls13

That they played 1 more game than us in round 1 before being eliminated?

Do you inquire with JVR?

FYI, Toronto won as many series as the flyers
- wcorvette

JVR was invisible in the game tonight. I would say no thanks.

That they played 1 more game than us in round 1 before being eliminated?
- Lawless18

The leafs were leading 4-3 when this was written so it definitely looked legit at that time.

the maple losers do it again
- 2Real

Gardiner was on par with gudass

I don’t get it? Did Simmonds or the team explain why he/they decided to play with all these injuries? What would the treatment for the hip/groin have been early in the season? Surgery? Rest? Would he have missed the whole season? If the recovery is a few months, it seems like a no brainer to get it fixed at the star of the season so he could finish the season healthy.
- Dkos

I don’t really care so much if it came to a veteran player.

Do think letting the cornerstone Dman of the franchise play with what he had was foolish.

I think it's pretty obvious that Simmonds made a bad decision. If it is a month and a half, he should've elected to get the surgery.
- MJL

I feel bad for the guy. Not only did he suffer needlessly he opened the door for questions about his declining performance. He seems like a bright guy. I can only assume he’s getting bad advice from someone.

JVR was invisible in the game tonight. I would say no thanks.
- bighandsome91

As was Rick Nash.

What the (frank) happened to that guy the last few years. Useless.

I feel bad for the guy. Not only did he suffer needlessly he opened the door for questions about his declining performance. He seems like a bright guy. I can only assume he’s getting bad advice from someone.
- Dkos

I take him at his word. He said if he can play, he is going to play. Old school mentality. Commended for his courage and competitiveness but not for his common sense!

I don’t really care so much if it came to a veteran player.

Do think letting the cornerstone Dman of the franchise play with what he had was foolish.
- flyer_nutter

I agree. I feel the same way about Couturier. Loading these guys up with pain killers or numbing an injured area is just criminal.

it's ok Tampa will take them out next
- 2Real

Bruins is tough and skilled depends on streaky Rask