The point isn’t that Nylander hasn’t been worth his contract so far(very small sample size, surely he’s eventually gonna break through and improve)....it’s that they clearly didn’t need him, already have an explosive and deep offensive lineup.

The obvious weakness on the roster was the Dcore...they had a golden opportunity to upgrade and instead elected to further stockpile the forwards by keeping Nylander.

Makes no sense.
- SimpleJack

Agreed. His front loaded contract would be better served trading him after July 1st. The Leafs could eat his $10M signing bonus and the team receiving him would pay less, but be forced to take the Cap hit. Unless a great offer comes in by the trade deadline, let him finish out the year and use the power of the MLS&E purse to get more.

Yeah, that IG stuff was horrible, but it's the state of the internet in 2019. Every public figure has to deal with that poop, not just Leaf players. Pro European Football players get it a lot worse...

Gardiner had a poop night. He got boo'd, and that upset him. I don't mind fans in the arena doing that, it's their right to do so when it's justified - they paid for the privilege.

Hopefully being upset makes him decide to step up and play a better game. He needs to.
- TrashPanda

It’s not just Gardiner.

Listen to his teammates. They all are not happy with it.

It’s not good when we want these players to enjoy playing here.

It’s not just Gardiner.

Listen to his teammates. They all are not happy with it.

It’s not good when we want these players to enjoy playing here.
- Santo_44

Of course they're not happy - the boo reflects on them, too. Plus it's normal to want to defend your teammate, and I would expect nothing less from them.

Good night, everyone!

Gardiner was awful, but I really don't understand booing your own players. Especially when the team is as good as it is.

Like, if the Leafs were one of the worst teams in the league, that's different. But they're not. They're one of the best.

I mean, I'll poop talk gardiner, but I wouldn't boo him if I was at the game.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Leaf fans have a history of booing good players, especially dmen, HOFer Larry Murphy probably being the most notable. For some reason Leaf fans like to find one player and blame them for all the team's problems, while putting other players on a pedestal.
I remember people here were blaming Tyler Ennis and his 4th line minutes for the team's early season slump even though the whole team wasn't playing well. It's weird.

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE

Uhmmm. Yeah the sad truth is that when you buy that ticket you need to be fully aware that it could be a horrible game. No matter how good the team is. Tampa got smashed by Arizona 7-2 this season....

It’s hockey. Teams will suck some nights and that’s just the way it goes. As fans, you need to be more mature and accept the risk you took.

These players probably hated that Gardiner was booed tonight. They are on pace to beat their season record for points in over 100 years....they are top 5 in winning percentage in the entire league....Gardiner is their 2nd best defensemen....and he was booed.

That does not happen on other teams. And it’s a negative not a positive. We want these players to want to play here. Tonight Leaf fans failed in that area.

Also check this out

https://mobile.twitter.co...tatus/1085011584915828736

Honestly this is why some players never want to play in Toronto.
- Santo_44

Brutal.

Gardiner is 28 years old and has been in the league long enough to know better. His game 7 performance was a huge red flag, last year. He's been average most nights and makes too many errors. Since it's a contract year for him, it's time to cut bait and gain an asset. It can be a trade, or a sign and trade. His time here is up and it's time to not make the same mistake as last year, when Van Riemsdyk was allowed to leave without getting assets, knowing that we could not afford to sign him after a career year.
- PrinceLH

You don't watch much do you?

Why on earth would a contending team trade away a significant piece of their team (for futures) heading to the playoffs. That's insanely stupid

Leaf fans have a history of booing good players, especially dmen, HOFer Larry Murphy probably being the most notable. For some reason Leaf fans like to find one player and blame them for all the team's problems, while putting other players on a pedestal.
I remember people here were blaming Tyler Ennis and his 4th line minutes for the team's early season slump even though the whole team wasn't playing well. It's weird.
- 13sundin13

It's been gardiner for years even though he makes the team significantly better. And it's not even in question.

There are some dummies out there that truly think if the leafs traded gardiner (leafs get more shots and more goals, significantly more while he's on the ice) for scraps and replace with polak (who gives up significantly more goals and shots while he's on the ice) the leafs would improve.

It's sickening how truly dumb and clueless this fanbase is.

Of course they're not happy - the boo reflects on them, too. Plus it's normal to want to defend your teammate, and I would expect nothing less from them.

Good night, everyone!
- TrashPanda

The boos and the Instagram attacks reflect more on the morons doing it then the player or team getting booed.

Odog on point re: gardiner booing.

@gerrydee
I have been a Leafs fan my whole life. I often hear, “we have the best fans in the world”. Not a chance. First of all, we have the quietest rink in the league. Now we are booing our players. “Best fans in the world” are loud at home games. And they don’t boo players on a whim.

Not to mention bs instagram attacks. (frank)ing losers

When they're paying an average of $300 per ticket they deserve to see a better game then they got tonight. I was at a meeting tonight and didn't get to catch the game, but everything I see after the game says Gardiner deserved it.

Maybe this will turn out to be a positive and a wake up call for Gardiner. We'll see.
- TrashPanda

He has been brutal.

I just don't like the long history Leafs fans have of picking a scapegoat.

where is Kadri? Marleau? Brown? Nylander?? Matthews has 1 goal in 10 games. Andersen was average, at best. He at least gets a pass after coming back from injury.

We've all seen Gardiner be horrible at times, but let's not pretend that he is the only problem.

Montreal is close. Look at their roster... and tell me that the Leafs don't have a serious problem with effort and, maybe even coaching?

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE
- walshyleafsfan

- AdamFrench

- walshyleafsfan

Your location

Marner with the brutal giveaway at the blueline on the pp, but all anyone can talk about is the lack of effort from gardiner (not sure how being engaged and wrapping up a guy is lack of effort).



Edit: yes it ended in a goal and obviously wasn't good enough, but to frame it as lack of effort is just clueless.

Marner with the brutal giveaway at the blueline on the pp, but all anyone can talk about is the lack of effort from gardiner (not sure how being engaged and wrapping up a guy is lack of effort).



Edit: yes it ended in a goal and obviously wasn't good enough, but to frame it as lack of effort is just clueless.
- burn

Yup, and Kadri getting stripped wasn't awesome either.

Gardiner is prone to gaffs, but last night was him getting outworked off the puck, which was basically the game in a nutshell.

People are insane; he's still one of our better defensemen easily.

Now, long-term, he's probably gone, but not at the trade deadline unless it's part of a bigger deal to get D back.

Yup, and Kadri getting stripped wasn't awesome either.

Gardiner is prone to gaffs, but last night was him getting outworked off the puck, which was basically the game in a nutshell.

People are insane; he's still one of our better defensemen easily.

Now, long-term, he's probably gone, but not at the trade deadline unless it's part of a bigger deal to get D back.
- gravyface

Yes.

All in all, a poop bag of a game.

Your location
- Aetherial

He's a lovely fellow that Makita

@gerrydee
I have been a Leafs fan my whole life. I often hear, “we have the best fans in the world”. Not a chance. First of all, we have the quietest rink in the league. Now we are booing our players. “Best fans in the world” are loud at home games. And they don’t boo players on a whim.

Not to mention bs instagram attacks. (frank)ing losers
- burn

what a bunch of loser fans that do that poop

stinky poo poo was last night game.

@gerrydee
I have been a Leafs fan my whole life. I often hear, “we have the best fans in the world”. Not a chance. First of all, we have the quietest rink in the league. Now we are booing our players. “Best fans in the world” are loud at home games. And they don’t boo players on a whim.

Not to mention bs instagram attacks. (frank)ing losers
- burn

This guy is an idiot. What a poor take. Most real fans cant afford to goto the games, or dont want to due to the outrageous pricing.

Also, he isnt funny

- AdamFrench

tough night for him