Finally, some enlightenment in here. Willy proved that he wanted to be a mercenary, with his contract demands and putting himself ahead of the team. Dubas ran cover for him after he signed and said that he had no plans to deal him. I think that we've had a big enough window of time to see what this guy is all about. He kind of reminds me of Kessel, when he got his $8 X 8 payday. Come into camp out of shape, don't skate all summer and play lazy, I don't really give a sh!t hockey. His unwillingness to get out to the point on the 2nd Nashville goal by Subban was a prime example of his unwillingness to compete. Having a player like this in your dressing room is a recipe for failure, going into the playoffs. How long must a coach deal with an overpaid, lazy player before the GM realizes the detrimental effects on the chemistry of the team? The Leafs ought to be shopping him right now, so the return can have time to fit in with his new team-mates. Willy has to go, sooner than later.
- PrinceLH

Except Phil Kessel never showed up to camp out of shape - in fact, he was the 3rd fittest guy at training camp (a fact confirmed by no less than Damien Cox) and was the fittest guy who actually made the roster that year.

Why do Toronto fans always hate our best players?

Except Phil Kessel never showed up to camp out of shape - in fact, he was the 3rd fittest guy at training camp (a fact confirmed by no less than Damien Cox) and was the fittest guy who actually made the roster that year.

Why do Toronto fans always hate our best players?
- Atomic Wedgie

PrinceLH isn't wrong, he's just using 'alternative facts'.

Except Phil Kessel never showed up to camp out of shape - in fact, he was the 3rd fittest guy at training camp (a fact confirmed by no less than Damien Cox) and was the fittest guy who actually made the roster that year.

Why do Toronto fans always hate our best players?
- Atomic Wedgie

He only had 394 points in 446 games as a Leaf.

What a bum...

Except Phil Kessel never showed up to camp out of shape - in fact, he was the 3rd fittest guy at training camp (a fact confirmed by no less than Damien Cox) and was the fittest guy who actually made the roster that year.

Why do Toronto fans always hate our best players?
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't recall the fanbase hating on Gilmour and Clark. They see players who hold out for mega-cash, get too comfortable and see their compete level drop. Right now, we have two young stars coming up for a major payday. Maybe the Leafs need to tie their playoff performance to their salary, to see if they're worth the money. With a salary cap world, you can't commit the kind of cash that Willy received for a pair of 60 point seasons, considering that Matthews was carrying the line most of the season. Kapanen has similar numbers playing with Matthews and actually plays a better defensive game. What is his worth in free agency, when you look at Willy's contract? The Leafs can't afford the $7 million dollar cap hit, when Matthews and Marner are going to be getting a combined $20M. Add Taveres and his $11M and you're heading to a Chicago style Cap hell, without the 3 Stanley Cups.

He only had 394 points in 446 games as a Leaf.

What a bum...
- LeafGuy89

How many playoff rounds won in his tenure in Toronto?

How many playoff rounds won in his tenure in Toronto?
- PrinceLH

More 'alternative facts'.

When Kessel was here the team sucked... How far did you expect them to get with the roster, coaching and front office staff that they had?

PrinceLH isn't wrong, he's just using 'alternative facts'.
- TrashPanda

Going by what Kessel said when he showed up at training camp. "I may have skated once or twice during the off season."

More 'alternative facts'.

When Kessel was here the team sucked... How far did you expect them to get with the roster, coaching and front office staff that they had?
- TrashPanda

Did they not lose in 7 to Boston the year before? Then Phil and Dion went for the big payday. The team suffered and finished near the bottom.

Going by what Kessel said when he showed up at training camp. "I may have skated once or twice during the off season."
- PrinceLH

And still the fastest player on the team, by far.

How many playoff rounds won in his tenure in Toronto?
- PrinceLH

Could say that about every player on the team, not single out one guy.

Did they not lose in 7 to Boston the year before? Then Phil and Dion went for the big payday. The team suffered and finished near the bottom.
- PrinceLH

How many Stanley Cups did he win on a GOOD team?

Plus, finishing near the bottom turned out to be very good for us.

Going by what Kessel said when he showed up at training camp. "I may have skated once or twice during the off season."
- PrinceLH

For the record, it was "10 times."

For the record, it was "10 times."
- Atomic Wedgie

More alternative facts. He was clearly stating that number using the binary system.

Kessel and Phaneuf were getting paid long before they made the playoffs in the shortend season. And they made it in a shortend season where they played much better than expected, it was a one and done season not something people expected for years. Leafs should go get Jay Beagle and they'd be cup favourites though right?
- harps43

He would be an improvement on the 4th line, killing penalties and winning draws. Add a couple of more warrior wingers that'll grind down an opponent and they would be better suited to contend. Sub-Par Lindholm and the Not Greatest Of All Time would be an upgrade to what we have now.

More 'alternative facts'.

When Kessel was here the team sucked... How far did you expect them to get with the roster, coaching and front office staff that they had?
- TrashPanda

Also for the record, here are Toronto's top point-producing centres while Phil was in Toronto:

Stajan
Grabovski/Bozak
Grabovski/Bozak
Young Kadri/Bozak
Kadri/Bozak
Bozak/Kadri

But yeah, it's Kessel's fault we didn't win a Stanley Cup.

#hotdogstand

More alternative facts. He was clearly stating that number using the binary system.
- TrashPanda

There's a non-binary and Prince joke in their somewhere, but I'm too lazy to make it.

More alternative facts. He was clearly stating that number using the binary system.
- TrashPanda

which makes it a decent summer skating-wise

More alternative facts. He was clearly stating that number using the binary system.
- TrashPanda

Prince doesn't do so well with facts.

which makes it a decent summer skating-wise
- 21peter

Well, no. In binary, '10' is 2.

He would be an improvement on the 4th line, killing penalties and winning draws. Add a couple of more warrior wingers that'll grind down an opponent and they would be better suited to contend. Sub-Par Lindholm and the Not Greatest Of All Time would be an upgrade to what we have now.
- PrinceLH

Interesting take.

Very interesting.

More alternative facts. He was clearly stating that number using the binary system.
- TrashPanda

If you can't figure out that Phil was sh!t when he got paid, while with the Leafs, then you've watched too much subpar hockey and believe that it's the norm The only number that you need to know is 30. The position the Leafs were in at the end of that season. The team is still eating part of his contract and will do so for about 3 more years. Dion? His game was deteriorating but he did show up and play. He just wasn't a $7 million dollar hockey player.

Prince doesn't do so well with facts.
- lumlums

Anyone who has seen his twitter feed is well aware of this.

If you can't figure out that Phil was sh!t when he got paid, while with the Leafs, then you've watched too much subpar hockey and believe that it's the norm The only number that you need to know is 30. The position the Leafs were in at the end of that season. The team is still eating part of his contract and will do so for about 3 more years. Dion? His game was deteriorating but he did show up and play. He just wasn't a $7 million dollar hockey player.
- PrinceLH

ok

Well, no. In binary, '10' is 2.
- TrashPanda

of course it is, my lazy mistake!

Prince doesn't do so well with facts.
- lumlums

The facts are, a whole generation of Leafs fans have yet to see a playoff victory. With Cap hell coming soon, will we be condemned to mediocrity because of contracts like Willy received?