I was only able watch later into the game but I noticed someone left the Scotiabank Arena door unlocked again and a (frank)ing Marincin got in.
- markmark

Gardiner's replacement is... Marincin

We need to upgrade... Dubas has got to see this too, no?

Awesome game last night.
- bixll

yeah tuned in after that great Leafs games last night
2 mins to go and both teams score points.

Yea i have pretty thick skin but imagine a 14 year old reffing and making mistakes because like players that's how refs learn and then having an adult coach screaming at you and the parents. They can go work at subway and not get berated and threatened for doing a job
- Upstate_isles

Yeah that's pretty damn rough.

Adding insult to injury:

After that poopshow last night, a few fans congregated at Lord Stanley's Mug (or whatever the frank they call it now) inside the ACC (or whatever the frank they call it now) to watch the end of the Patriots game.

Everything was going great. Game went to OT.

And then, just after the start of OT, they turned off the TVs.

No, seriously.

Frankers
- Atomic Wedgie

When I worked in a bar at closing time I would say "I don't drink in your bed so please don't sleep in the the bar" time to go.

Phil Kessel has a more physical edge to his play than Nylander.
Nylander is a guy that won't help you win a Stanley Cup - period.
- plantheparade

Dude, the insane Nylander obsession is really kinda getting creepy. If you're an alt for a troll, cool, rock on, whatever, but if not...

Gardiner's replacement is... Marincin

We need to upgrade... Dubas has got to see this too, no?
- PatC80

Dermott actually was playing with Rielly and Zaitsev a lot, so I would say Gardiner's "replacement" is Dermott.

Dude, the insane Nylander obsession is really kinda getting creepy. If you're an alt for a troll, cool, rock on, whatever, but if not...
- gravyface

He's not an alt...

He's not an alt...
- TrashPanda

Pretty sure he's max's alt?

The problem isn't Nylander himself, it's the very unbalanced lineup they have. There's nothing wrong with a few Nylanders around, but you can't have a club with so few nasty players. The Leafs forwards have a small dose of physicality, and their d has basically none. No one fears the Leafs at all. Washington has a mix of speed, skill, and nastiness. When they Leafs had their conference final runs, they had balance. The club should have recognized this a long time ago and realized they needed to move a few guys out for a more balanced lineup. The lack of movement on that front has left them in the situation they are in now. This is why I was hoping they would trade Nylander rather then signing him. And this is not a year where they can win anything, like last year, so instead of letting Gardner walk for nothing, they need to get an asset back for him at the deadline.

By weird you mean hes an intellectual guy likes museums and stuff over bars i mean not my choice but hes not some asshat like say sean avery
- Upstate_isles

Whatever the reason is for him being moved so many times. The fact hes a rhd and has size and a shot and has played big min before makes me feel he's perfect for Reilly. That and it's the perfect acquire low time with him.

The problem isn't Nylander himself, it's the very unbalanced lineup they have. There's nothing wrong with a few Nylanders around, but you can't have a club with so few nasty players. The Leafs forwards have a small dose of physicality, and their d has basically none. No one fears the Leafs at all. Washington has a mix of speed, skill, and nastiness. When they Leafs had their conference final runs, they had balance. The club should have recognized this a long time ago and realized they needed to move a few guys out for a more balanced lineup. The lack of movement on that front has left them in the situation they are in now. This is why I was hoping they would trade Nylander rather then signing him. And this is not a year where they can win anything, like last year, so instead of letting Gardner walk for nothing, they need to get an asset back for him at the deadline.
- aminnes

I'm not sure I agree with your last statement. This team when it's on is one of the best teams in the league.

The problem isn't Nylander himself, it's the very unbalanced lineup they have. There's nothing wrong with a few Nylanders around, but you can't have a club with so few nasty players. The Leafs forwards have a small dose of physicality, and their d has basically none. No one fears the Leafs at all. Washington has a mix of speed, skill, and nastiness. When they Leafs had their conference final runs, they had balance. The club should have recognized this a long time ago and realized they needed to move a few guys out for a more balanced lineup. The lack of movement on that front has left them in the situation they are in now. This is why I was hoping they would trade Nylander rather then signing him. And this is not a year where they can win anything, like last year, so instead of letting Gardner walk for nothing, they need to get an asset back for him at the deadline.
- aminnes

I really dont see how throwing a few more hits and having some fights would change much at all

You can look at teams that have fighting majors or lots of hit, but there is no correlation to the standings.

you have good teams and crappy teams in the bottom of the League in fights, and the same for hits.

I don't know what the leafs plan yo do with Rosen and borgman. And that's frustrating.

I really dont see how throwing a few more hits and having some fights would change much at all

You can look at teams that have fighting majors or lots of hit, but there is no correlation to the standings.

you have good teams and crappy teams in the bottom of the Leafs in fights, and the same for hits.
- senstroll

Essentially he's saying the leafs need a big body in their forward group...and..gauthier doesn't count

Essentially he's saying the leafs need a big body in their forward group...and no..gauthier doesn't count
- mykokes

So a good player with a big body

who is that?

Just remember if they kick our asses in February your gonna get it back 10x. I do enjoy the bumhole leaf fans eatng their words but every fanbase has them. I would love a playoff matchup at somepoint but that would most lieky be as a 2 7 matchup or conference finals, 2 7 has the best chance and currently either team could be 2 or 7
- Upstate_isles

I didn't come over to pick a fight. I was reading the banter and how much they dump on their own fantastic players, question if Babcock is the problem, etc but to anyone other than a Leafs fan......they act as tho they have already accomplished greatness and write so condescendingly to anyone who says anything otherwise.

I hope to HELL we see them in any round in the playoffs. I'll put the Isles character and grit over the Leafs undeniable talent (on paper) any day. As a Yankees fan for life, the team with more talent doesn't always win. Otherwise, the Yanks would have 50 championships, not 27.

I really dont see how throwing a few more hits and having some fights would change much at all

You can look at teams that have fighting majors or lots of hit, but there is no correlation to the standings.

you have good teams and crappy teams in the bottom of the League in fights, and the same for hits.
- senstroll

It's not just about hits. Look at how weak the d are in front. Guys just hang out and barely get touched. That is a huge problem in a dangerous scoring area. And to be fair, as far as hitting goes, come playoff time, it's a huge factor.

Whatever the reason is for him being moved so many times. The fact hes a rhd and has size and a shot and has played big min before makes me feel he's perfect for Reilly. That and it's the perfect acquire low time with him.
- mykokes

He would be a massive upgrade for you guys defensively

I didn't come over to pick a fight. I was reading the banter and how much they dump on their own fantastic players, question if Babcock is the problem, etc but to anyone other than a Leafs fan......they act as tho they have already accomplished greatness and write so condescendingly to anyone who says anything otherwise.

I hope to HELL we see them in any round in the playoffs. I'll put the Isles character and grit over the Leafs undeniable talent (on paper) any day. As a Yankees fan for life, the team with more talent doesn't always win. Otherwise, the Yanks would have 50 championships, not 27.
- jmo16

Yeah, so believable.
The Islanders havent made the playoffs in the last few years, yet the Leafs have, and you decide to come on the board after the Islanders are 2 whole points ahead of the Leafs. Yes that "character" certainly will shine through the talent

Oh man you are rich. We are troll experts over here you know, a month ago it was the Sabre fans, now the Islander fans, see you in a month and well see where you are

Also, I havent turned on our players, well be just fine, and finish ahead of the Islanders, dont worry you can go back to spewing your JT hate, but the fact is he left for good reason.
- Archaic

OK, see you in a month - be careful tho, you could be out of the playoffs by then....

Almost everyone here is picking a player(s) to lay blame on. You haven't "named any names?" Don't make me re-read the thread and prove you otherwise...or is it unfair to call out a liar?

It's not just about hits. Look at how weak the d are in front. Guys just hang out and barely get touched. That is a huge problem in a dangerous scoring area. And to be fair, as far as hitting goes, come playoff time, it's a huge factor.
- aminnes

give examples of players.

but saying the Leafs should get better D...well I agree. but every team has that same problem

I'm not sure I agree with your last statement. This team when it's on is one of the best teams in the league.
- mykokes

I think it's a facade. They came out of the gates playing their own style and teams were ill-prepared, now adjustments have been made and they are basically a 500 hockey team. They would be very lucky to win even a round, so if they let Gardner walk, that's Bozak, JVR, and Gardner all gone for absolutely nothing because the club thinks they are a legit contender when they are not. Those 3 assets could have amounted to at least 3 or 4 more prospects, JVR could have at least gotten them another prospect d man. Anyway, they can't afford to waste another guy like that.

I really dont see how throwing a few more hits and having some fights would change much at all

You can look at teams that have fighting majors or lots of hit, but there is no correlation to the standings.

you have good teams and crappy teams in the bottom of the League in fights, and the same for hits.
- senstroll

it should be noted that washington is in a similar slump to the leafs lol. the timing of that comparison is fun

OK, see you in a month - be careful tho, you could be out of the playoffs by then....

Almost everyone here is picking a player(s) to lay blame on. You haven't "named any names?" Don't make me re-read the thread and prove you otherwise...or is it unfair to call out a liar?
- jmo16

Feel free to re-read the whole thread there....ill wait...

im willing to bet the Leafs will be ahead of the Islanders by then again....but keep on dreaming.

The other thing to note about the Islander is since January they have essentially only played 2 good teams. They won those games, but it wont remain that easy for ever.

give examples of players.

but saying the Leafs should get better D...well I agree. but every team has that same problem
- senstroll

Actually the actual contending teams don't 'need' better d. Washington's d is just fine. Tampa Bay, same. Calgary, no issues, San Jose, good to go. Boston has a pretty good d.Peg, Nashville, same for them. The teams that lack in defence are the pretenders and the also-rans.