The more games he plays, the more likely that is to lower. It's like his shooting percentage. You think it's going to stay at 28%? Probably not.

None of this is to say Matthews is a poop player. He's a great player. But he's not McDavid and he's not Crosby and the Leafs do not have a Crosby and Malkin duo. That doesn't mean they can't win a Cup, it just means they can't win it the "Pittsburgh way". They'll need better defenders and better defense because that's how most teams win Cups. They have a lot of great pieces but there's no guarantee that just because they can score goals that they can win a Cup doing only that. History has shown that method doesn't work out more often than not.
- Unholy_Goalie

History is history and your opinions are your own.. opinions aren’t fact .. so when you say things like “wrong” and “false” and “no way” toss down a “imho” because that’s all they are

[quote=Unholy_Goalie]Not because of the defense; because of Andersen.



For points, not for defense.


Hmmmm kinda your boy karlsson?
You’re so contradictory it’s hilarious
- Puck-us-all

If the Leafs got Karlsson, he'd be the go-to offensive option meaning Rielly could focus on becoming more defensive. Karlsson also has excellent offensive zone numbers which means the Leafs spend more time in the offensive zone and less time in the defensive zone. You're falling apart Little Nicky.

The more games he plays, the more likely that is to lower. It's like his shooting percentage. You think it's going to stay at 28%? Probably not.

None of this is to say Matthews is a poop player. He's a great player. But he's not McDavid and he's not Crosby and the Leafs do not have a Crosby and Malkin duo. That doesn't mean they can't win a Cup, it just means they can't win it the "Pittsburgh way". They'll need better defenders and better defense because that's how most teams win Cups. They have a lot of great pieces but there's no guarantee that just because they can score goals that they can win a Cup doing only that. History has shown that method doesn't work more often than not.
- Unholy_Goalie

Also no one I’ve seen guaranteed any cup win we just think it’s possible.. and more so now than it’s ever really been.. we don’t guarantee a cup win just as much as you shouldn’t guarantee it not being possible to win it the “Pittsburgh way”

If the Leafs got Karlsson, he'd be the go-to offensive option meaning Rielly could focus on becoming more defense. Karlsson also has excellent offensive zone numbers which means the Leafs spend more time in the offensive zone and less time in the defensive zone. You're falling apart Little Nicky.
- Unholy_Goalie

This year his numbers are poop.. if they’re trending up it’s because he has a stud partner sheltering him

This year his numbers are poop.. if they’re trending up it’s because he has a stud partner sheltering him
- Puck-us-all

He doesn't play with Burns but keep swinging.

Also no one I’ve seen guaranteed any cup win we just think it’s possible.. and more so now than it’s ever really been.. we don’t guarantee a cup win just as much as you shouldn’t guarantee it not being possible to win it the “Pittsburgh way”
- Puck-us-all

I'm not guaranteeing it's not possible. I'm stating why the comparison sucks and why it doesn't make sense. I'm saying it's pretty unlikely and that the better course of action is for the Leafs to follow patterns that are more comparable to fix their weaknesses rather than people such as yourself who bury their heads in the sand and offer up "but but but but Pittsburgh did it!".

He doesn't play with Burns but keep swinging.
- Unholy_Goalie

So he’s not even a top pair guy? Eww that doesn’t bode well for your argument that he should be on the leafs.. that’s another bullet dogded, good thing you’re not running the show

So he’s not even a top pair guy? Eww that doesn’t bode well for your argument that he should be on the leafs.. that’s another bullet dogded, good thing you’re not running the show
- Puck-us-all

#1 in San Jose in ice-time. You're slipping faster and faster.

I'm not guaranteeing it's not possible. I'm stating why the comparison sucks and why it doesn't make sense. I'm saying it's pretty unlikely and that the better course of action is for the Leafs to follow patterns that are more comparable to fix their weaknesses rather than people such as yourself who bury their heads in the sand and offer up "but but but but Pittsburgh did it!".
- Unholy_Goalie

The comparison sucking is just your opinion though, do you not understand that? The majority of the league is trending to skill and speed as are the leafs, so the past doesn’t mean poop .. on top of that the last three cup champs are built exactly how the leafs are trying to build they’re team, so if the past mattered there’s a good argument to stay with the program.. your condescending tone is a joke as well so you can (frank) off with it

#1 in San Jose in ice-time. You're slipping faster and faster.
- Unholy_Goalie

His minus seven is kinda ugly for a guy wth 20 points

The comparison sucking is just your opinion though, do you not understand that? The majority of the league is trending to skill and speed as are the leafs, so the past doesn’t mean poop .. on top of that the last three cup champs are built exactly how the leafs are trying to build they’re team, so if the past mattered there’s a good argument to stay with the program.. your condescending tone is a joke as well so you can (frank) off with it
- Puck-us-all

No, it's historical fact. Teams don't usually win the way Pittsburgh won. As already stated, Keith, Lidstrom, Doughty, Niedermayer, Pronger etc. all won Cups playing great defense. The majority is not in your favor.

You want to talk about "speed and skill" and how the league is going that way? Well, the Capitals did that for years. #1 in goals, President's Trophy and early exits. It didn't work for them the majority of the time. On top of that, there's a team in Tampa Bay, not sure if you're heard of them, but they're just as offensively powerful (if not more so) as the Leafs, with a better defense and a better goalie. That's going to be the 1st or 2nd round match-up every year for awhile so if they're going to play the same game as Tampa Bay, they're in for a rough ride unless they make some upgrades.

His minus seven is kinda ugly for a guy wth 20 points
- Puck-us-all

Not as ugly as you trying to use +/- as a stat of relevance, poor Little Nicky.

No, it's historical fact. Teams don't usually win the way Pittsburgh won. As already stated, Keith, Lidstrom, Doughty, Niedermayer, Pronger etc. all won Cups playing great defense. The majority is not in your favor.

You want to talk about "speed and skill" and how the league is going that way? Well, the Capitals did that for years. #1 in goals, President's Trophy and early exits. It didn't work for them the majority of the time. On top of that, there's a team in Tampa Bay, not sure if you're heard of them, but they're just as offensively powerful (if not more so) as the Leafs, with a better defense and a better goalie. That's going to be the 1st or 2nd round match-up every year for awhile so if they're going to play the same game as Tampa Bay, they're in for a rough ride unless they make some upgrades.
- Unholy_Goalie

I guess we’ll see how they fair when they meet in the playoffs.. I feel good about the team.. one day you might too, hopefully you can do it before they win a cup..

Not as ugly as you trying to use +/- as a stat of relevance, poor Little Nicky.
- Unholy_Goalie

Haha good one ug.. not sure what this little Nicky thing is tho?

I guess we’ll see how they fair when they meet in the playoffs.. I feel good about the team.. one day you might too, hopefully you can do it before they win a cup..
- Puck-us-all

I guess we will but with Hedman, McDonagh, Sergachev and Stralman and Vasilevskiy behind them, odds don't look too good and an upgrade is most likely required on the Leafs blueline to compete (and beat) them.

I like the Leafs future but I respect our opponents enough to know there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. Hopefully you, but more importantly, the GM realizes that.

I guess we will but with Hedman, McDonagh, Sergachev and Stralman and Vasilevskiy behind them, odds don't look too good and an upgrade is most likely required on the Leafs blueline to compete (and beat) them.

I like the Leafs future but I respect our opponents enough to know there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. Hopefully you, but more importantly, the GM realizes that.
- Unholy_Goalie

You make it sound like I’m saying the team is perfect and couldn’t use some help here or there..
I’m not, never have.. I’m not saying they’ll win the cup either.. all I or most people are saying is this is a good team, it’s an exciting team and whether or not you believe it they have a chance. That chance hasn’t been even close to reality in a very very long time.. The plan laid out is they want to be a top team for years. They very likely won’t give up futures that can’t be recouped to go all in. Core players won’t likely be moved either.. it could happen but not likely.. I’d assume, from what shanny seems to say. Don’t get your hopes up for any major changes.. they like the team, they’ll tinker and add at the deadline that’s most likely it.. in my opinion that’s the right move

I’m out

The more games he plays, the more likely that is to lower. It's like his shooting percentage. You think it's going to stay at 28%? Probably not.

None of this is to say Matthews is a poop player. He's a great player. But he's not McDavid and he's not Crosby and the Leafs do not have a Crosby and Malkin duo. That doesn't mean they can't win a Cup, it just means they can't win it the "Pittsburgh way". They'll need better defenders and better defense because that's how most teams win Cups. They have a lot of great pieces but there's no guarantee that just because they can score goals that they can win a Cup doing only that. History has shown that method doesn't work out more often than not.
- Unholy_Goalie

Matthews is better than McDavid.
He'll prove it over the next 3 seasons (this one included).
Matthews has the potential to win Selke Trophy and the Rocket at the same time.
McDavid will probably never lead league in goals scored (end of season), nor is he as good a 2 way player as Matthews is.
You just have to accept that Leafs will have the best player in the league for next 10 seasons. (I know it is hard for you to have something positive surrounding the Leafs).

Well. That was............awesome.

Thanks for the headache before I even leave for work boys.

What a (frank)ing game in Calgary

#permabanUG

Mods I increase my previous offer of buying 3 season tickets to 5 season tickets in exchange for me never having to read this bumhole's posts again

Matthews is better than McDavid.
He'll prove it over the next 3 seasons (this one included).
Matthews has the potential to win Selke Trophy and the Rocket at the same time.
McDavid will probably never lead league in goals scored (end of season), nor is he as good a 2 way player as Matthews is.
You just have to accept that Leafs will have the best player in the league for next 10 seasons. (I know it is hard for you to have something positive surrounding the Leafs).
- plantheparade

I haven’t seen anything from Matthews to show he’s that great defensively. Lots of work to do there yet.

What a (frank)ing game in Calgary
- AdamFrench

Johnny is goooood

So...

Next year we won't be able to afford signing any of our players... Sign Matthews, Marnier and trade everyone else?

No, it's historical fact. Teams don't usually win the way Pittsburgh won. As already stated, Keith, Lidstrom, Doughty, Niedermayer, Pronger etc. all won Cups playing great defense. The majority is not in your favor.

You want to talk about "speed and skill" and how the league is going that way? Well, the Capitals did that for years. #1 in goals, President's Trophy and early exits. It didn't work for them the majority of the time. On top of that, there's a team in Tampa Bay, not sure if you're heard of them, but they're just as offensively powerful (if not more so) as the Leafs, with a better defense and a better goalie. That's going to be the 1st or 2nd round match-up every year for awhile so if they're going to play the same game as Tampa Bay, they're in for a rough ride unless they make some upgrades.
- Unholy_Goalie

They're also older, and more established as a team. Same with WAS. It took a long time and several coaches for OV to grow up, same with Backstrom, etc.

You can't rush experience. Stick to the process, let the kids grow up a bit, fill out, have some tough losses and learn some lessons, but let's not tinker like we're a Quinn era team and our best players are in their 30s.

Outside of JT and Kadri, none of our players are at risk of leaving their prime days behind them.

And JT's a superstar who plays a similar game as Crosby, so I don't see him slowing down to the point of being ineffective in the next 3-5 years.

So...

Next year we won't be able to afford signing any of our players... Sign Matthews, Marnier and trade everyone else?


- Hockey_Reverend

No trades..Everyone is leaving via offersheet.