Dear Leafs fans,

My friends,

I must say.

I like you guys more in crazy panic mode than "we're scoring 6 goals a game and winning all the time" mode.

With love,

Scabeh

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.
- aminnes

give examples

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

via GIPHY

JK, I know it was Tavares.

give examples
- senstroll

PITTSBURGH!

give examples
- senstroll

? I don't get it, that's a bunch of examples right there of teams with good d and they are all contenders.

PITTSBURGH!
- markmark

They have a much better defines corp than the Leafs.

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


- Archaic

I first replied to someone who said "thank god JT wanted a better life" meaning Toronto vs NY as places to live. It's obvious that most here aren't familiar with the NY metro area but I will clue you in on a little secret....for someone worth $100+million, you can have quite a wonderful time.....

PS - your fans were on OUR blog long before a puck was even dropped this season, defending his decision and telling us that "things will be ok," so, go eat a bag of dix.

? I don't get it, that's a bunch of examples right there of teams with good d and they are all contenders.
- aminnes

you keep moving your argument around. I asked about the Big players the Leafs need...to help with the toughness and whatnot.

but as the for teams that are fine on D (your example), the Leafs are somewhere in the middle of Goals against per game.

2.61 Boston
2.64 Nashville
2.77 Peg
2.82 Calgary
2.85 Leafs
2.86 Tampa Bay
3.04 San Jose
3.08 Washington

From Messier to waivers:

Messier for Rice
Rice signs w/Hartford
Marchment is compensation
Marchment traded for Hamrlik
Hamrlik traded for Brewer
Brewer traded for Pronger
Pronger traded for a 1st(Ebs)
Eberle for Strome
Stroke for Spooner
Spooner on waivers#FireChiarelli #oilers

— Zachary Bear (@ZachBear_) January 21, 2019

They have a much better defines corp than the Leafs.
- aminnes

In 2016?

Letang
Daley
Dumo
Shultz
Maata

Doesn't scream "head and shoulders better" than the Leafs current D to me.

I first replied to someone who said "thank god JT wanted a better life" meaning Toronto vs NY as places to live. It's obvious that most here aren't familiar with the NY metro area but I will clue you in on a little secret....for someone worth $100+million, you can have quite a wonderful time.....

PS - your fans were on OUR blog long before a puck was even dropped this season, defending his decision and telling us that "things will be ok," so, go eat a bag of dix.
- jmo16

I would believe that with 100+ million you could have a wonderful time in a lot of places

I still believe as far as contention windows he made the right move. IMHO

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

Package them for an upgrade on the right side

you keep moving your argument around. I asked about the Big players the Leafs need...to help with the toughness and whatnot.

but as the for teams that are fine on D (your example), the Leafs are somewhere in the middle of Goals against per game.

2.61 Boston
2.64 Nashville
2.77 Peg
2.82 Calgary
2.85 Leafs
2.86 Tampa Bay
3.04 San Jose
3.08 Washington
- senstroll

On paper it doesn't seem as bad as it actually is in my opinion. I see a team that spends more than it's share of time on offence, but once they get hemmed in it's a scary sight with then running around.

In 2016?

Letang
Daley
Dumo
Shultz
Maata

Doesn't scream "head and shoulders better" than the Leafs current D to me.
- markmark

Was that the year Letang was injured and didn't play?

That was one weak ass defense that still won a championship.

In 2016?

Letang
Daley
Dumo
Shultz
Maata

Doesn't scream "head and shoulders better" than the Leafs current D to me.
- markmark

Certainly better than the Leafs, and this year they are way better. But we can agree to disagree.

From Messier to waivers:

Messier for Rice
Rice signs w/Hartford
Marchment is compensation
Marchment traded for Hamrlik
Hamrlik traded for Brewer
Brewer traded for Pronger
Pronger traded for a 1st(Ebs)
Eberle for Strome
Stroke for Spooner
Spooner on waivers#FireChiarelli #oilers

— Zachary Bear (@ZachBear_) January 21, 2019

- TheMussel

Give the Griffin Reinhart trade from NYI to Oilers some time....that may be just as ridiculous.

On paper it doesn't seem as bad as it actually is in my opinion. I see a team that spends more than it's share of time on offence, but once they get hemmed in it's a scary sight with then running around.
- aminnes

who are the tough D they can get to touch players in front of the net?

who are the tough D they can get to touch players in front of the net?
- senstroll

They would have to make a deal for one. Make some calls. Trades happen all the time.

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.
- Archaic

By easy you mean playing a team like the coyotes?

They would have to make a deal for one. Make some calls. Trades happen all the time.
- aminnes

can you at least give me a few examples of the players you have in mind?

give examples
- senstroll

leafs are still 7th in goals against lol. not bad for a slumping team with sub par d

edit: im late as hell

you keep moving your argument around. I asked about the Big players the Leafs need...to help with the toughness and whatnot.

but as the for teams that are fine on D (your example), the Leafs are somewhere in the middle of Goals against per game.

2.61 Boston
2.64 Nashville
2.77 Peg
2.82 Calgary
2.85 Leafs
2.86 Tampa Bay
3.04 San Jose
3.08 Washington
- senstroll

I don't want to be fine...i want to be great. Dougie Hamilton or pietrangelo please.

how does a superior defensive team in washington have 12 more goals against than the leafs

As easy you mean playing a team like the coyotes?
- Cptmjl

Sometimes you lose to bad teams that happens, but I am talking about the majority of the schedule, not a couple games.

I guess the truth hurts... The Islanders are playing above their station right now, I still like them to make the playoffs however.