For anyone who wonders why the Leaf cup drought is at 51 years and counting you need to see how quickly this fanbase and ESPECIALLY the Toronto media throw all common sense out the window so early in this rebuild. This writer lays all kinds of blame on GM barely 2 years into his tenure even after listing off all the blue line injuries. Sadly, we can already see the waters being chummed and the groundwork being laid to get executives and players booted out of Toronto yet again. Groundhog Day!!!
- Kayakjack

Ya the media and fans have nothing to do with the leafs cup drought.
Jesus guys quit blaming the media for everything ya trumpets.

https://twitter.com/true2blueprint/status/1107285166739910657?s=21

Omg
- burn

What?
Someome said something completely stupid on Twitter?
I dont believe it.

No need to post anything from Twitter, we know people are dumb.

What?
Someome said something completely stupid on Twitter?
I dont believe it.

No need to post anything from Twitter, we know people are dumb.
- Fakepartofme

its not just twitter

its not just twitter
- senstroll

"Anywhere the wind blows"

Too late. Paddy's day doesn't pay for itself.

The fanatics are starting to see for themselves we'll fall a tad short. They're scrambling for answers. How can it be? TSN and Sportsnet had us down for a Cup this year. Lots of soul searching going on. RogerRoeper is at stage 2 blaming the coach. Others have moved onto stage 3 blaming Dubas. 1st stage of blaming bottom pairing dmen and 4th liners are long past. The last stage involves trading away good players for youth. And all because they misread where the team is currently at. The life of a fan.

I'm here for all.
- walshyleafsfan

Not sure what program on TSN/Sportsnet you have been watching all year, id like you to show at one point where either of them had the Leafs as a cup favorite.

While the Leafs are not perfect, to say they are not a contender is a bit off base. They could easily make a run if they shore up their play a bit. Is that likely, no, but I dont think anyone said they are a favorite in here.

For anyone who wonders why the Leaf cup drought is at 51 years and counting you need to see how quickly this fanbase and ESPECIALLY the Toronto media throw all common sense out the window so early in this rebuild. This writer lays all kinds of blame on GM barely 2 years into his tenure even after listing off all the blue line injuries. Sadly, we can already see the waters being chummed and the groundwork being laid to get executives and players booted out of Toronto yet again. Groundhog Day!!!
- Kayakjack

Yes

https://twitter.com/true2blueprint/status/1107285166739910657?s=21

Omg
- burn

WOW, and she says she is an expert

This season is going to end on a big downer. The Toronto press hyped up this team and it's new metro-sexual General Manager. The press heralded him as the future of hockey management, when he arrived with a book full of analytics. If you look at the Leafs team that he inherited, you'll see most of the top end talent, were taken in the top 1 - 8. The signing of John Tavares was helpful, but his signing has thrown the salary cap out of wack. Add the signing of Patrick Marleau for one too many years and it's caused a cap crunch for the Leafs. This will make it more difficult to sign their young star forwards and the indirect consequence will cause their inability to dip into free agency and shore up the defense. The Leafs goaltending is also becoming an issue, with the loss of Curtis McElhinney and the promotion of Garrett Sparks from the Marlies. This miscalculation has made the Leafs more vulnerable if Fredrick Andersen goes down. Add the fact that Andersen is getting worn down from the high number of quality shots each game and it's a recipe for an early exit.

The defense is also less then average and there is no NHL caliber depth. They have almost no visible threat on the right defensive position and outside of Jake Mussin, there is no physical presence to protect the goaltenders. Add the fact that Jake Gardiner will be a UFA, after this year, and it can only get worse. Dubas didn't bother to upgrade the RD position at the trade deadline and is now paying for not being proactive.

So what is the real problem here? Some say the coach needs to go. Some say the GM? Babcock appears to be losing the room and we're hearing grumbling by the players that the team has quit in a number of games recently. In defense of Babcock, he can only play the players that he's given. He doesn't make trades or scout other teams on behalf of management. There appears to be only one answer, it's the General Manager.

Kyle Dubas was brought in as a wonder-kid. Never playing hockey himself and having success as an OHL GM, in Sault Ste. Marie. Many thought that the future was going to be analytics in the new NHL. The Leafs bought in and used it to evaluate junior players and had success in the early rounds of the draft by his predecessor. What is missing with his theories is the intangibles to be a Stanley Cup contender. Something that isn't shown with analytics but is understood by those who've actually played in the NHL, or has been learned after many years of scouting and being an understudy for an NHL GM.

What the Dubas Leafs have become is quick, but too small on the wings. A team with no heavy game. Their toughness is almost negligible. The Leafs have too many forwards with the same skill set and very little grit and determination. The team, as it's currently constituted, is great for regular season competition, but they don't have what it takes to compete in the playoffs. It's been a failure by this GM and the scouts to get the style of players that can win a long playoff series and compete for a Stanley Cup.

The Leafs are now entering Cap hell and will not be able to add much in the off season. The over-payment's to William Nylander and Austin Matthews has crippled their inability to compete for UFA talent. With the bar being set so high for the young star players, Mitch Marner will be looking for a $10M plus payday and join his overpaid teammates. This team will either have to jettison the Nylander contract, in the off season, if they ever want to shore up their ragged blue-line.

Watching this play out, it's my opinion that after getting badly defeated in the first round by Boston, this team will take a step backwards next season. The Leafs are about to learn a hard lesson by hiring a GM that wasn't ready and may never reach the promise that the press had told us was going to happen. The future isn't as bright as we were lead to believe. I'd like to say to my Leafs buddies, keep the faith, but my head tells me differently.

Bruins in 5.

Flame on Friends and Adversaries.
- PrinceLH

this is quite the Rant.

I am not sure, but I think you need to let a GM do his thing for more than 10 months before you can start calling for his head.

you mention the only physical presence is Muzzin, who is basically the only D that Dubas is responsible for at this point. The rest he inherited (We can debate how much he had to do with Dermott)

And signing Nylander is stopping them for signing UFAs? Not that I think Dubas would sign any significant UFAs (Tavares is already here), thats not exactly a bad things. Relying on the UFA market is not a great strategy anymore imo, you have to overpay for the mediocre talent.

Besides, in the last few weeks, Nylander has looked to be the most consistent player. Or am I imagining things?

https://twitter.com/true2blueprint/status/1107285166739910657?s=21

Omg
- burn

I don't think we should say anything negative about her... lumslump will brand us all sexist and go on another 6 month hiatus...

It's weird, there's so much anger towards Nylander. I don't get it. He's worth 6.9 million and looks pretty damn good right now. He's a 22 year-old 1st line winger.

For "Cap Hell", please look up Edmonton Oilers. No talnet outside of 2 players and capped-out. Leafs are far from cap hell. They move 1 very solid young player which everyone will want (If necessary) and they are fine. Having too many good players isn't "cap hell".

Nylander and Matthews' contracts are not the issue, Lou's contracts to Marleau and Zaitsev are. 10.8 million next season for those 2. Jesus...

This season is going to end on a big downer. The Toronto press hyped up this team and it's new metro-sexual General Manager. The press heralded him as the future of hockey management, when he arrived with a book full of analytics. If you look at the Leafs team that he inherited, you'll see most of the top end talent, were taken in the top 1 - 8. The signing of John Tavares was helpful, but his signing has thrown the salary cap out of wack. Add the signing of Patrick Marleau for one too many years and it's caused a cap crunch for the Leafs. This will make it more difficult to sign their young star forwards and the indirect consequence will cause their inability to dip into free agency and shore up the defense. The Leafs goaltending is also becoming an issue, with the loss of Curtis McElhinney and the promotion of Garrett Sparks from the Marlies. This miscalculation has made the Leafs more vulnerable if Fredrick Andersen goes down. Add the fact that Andersen is getting worn down from the high number of quality shots each game and it's a recipe for an early exit.

The defense is also less then average and there is no NHL caliber depth. They have almost no visible threat on the right defensive position and outside of Jake Mussin, there is no physical presence to protect the goaltenders. Add the fact that Jake Gardiner will be a UFA, after this year, and it can only get worse. Dubas didn't bother to upgrade the RD position at the trade deadline and is now paying for not being proactive.

So what is the real problem here? Some say the coach needs to go. Some say the GM? Babcock appears to be losing the room and we're hearing grumbling by the players that the team has quit in a number of games recently. In defense of Babcock, he can only play the players that he's given. He doesn't make trades or scout other teams on behalf of management. There appears to be only one answer, it's the General Manager.

Kyle Dubas was brought in as a wonder-kid. Never playing hockey himself and having success as an OHL GM, in Sault Ste. Marie. Many thought that the future was going to be analytics in the new NHL. The Leafs bought in and used it to evaluate junior players and had success in the early rounds of the draft by his predecessor. What is missing with his theories is the intangibles to be a Stanley Cup contender. Something that isn't shown with analytics but is understood by those who've actually played in the NHL, or has been learned after many years of scouting and being an understudy for an NHL GM.

What the Dubas Leafs have become is quick, but too small on the wings. A team with no heavy game. Their toughness is almost negligible. The Leafs have too many forwards with the same skill set and very little grit and determination. The team, as it's currently constituted, is great for regular season competition, but they don't have what it takes to compete in the playoffs. It's been a failure by this GM and the scouts to get the style of players that can win a long playoff series and compete for a Stanley Cup.

The Leafs are now entering Cap hell and will not be able to add much in the off season. The over-payment's to William Nylander and Austin Matthews has crippled their inability to compete for UFA talent. With the bar being set so high for the young star players, Mitch Marner will be looking for a $10M plus payday and join his overpaid teammates. This team will either have to jettison the Nylander contract, in the off season, if they ever want to shore up their ragged blue-line.

Watching this play out, it's my opinion that after getting badly defeated in the first round by Boston, this team will take a step backwards next season. The Leafs are about to learn a hard lesson by hiring a GM that wasn't ready and may never reach the promise that the press had told us was going to happen. The future isn't as bright as we were lead to believe. I'd like to say to my Leafs buddies, keep the faith, but my head tells me differently.

Bruins in 5.

Flame on Friends and Adversaries.
- PrinceLH

Let me guess? You liked Lou better? Lou is the reason for the cap issues, not Dubas.

It's weird, there's so much anger towards Nylander. I don't get it. He's worth 6.9 million and looks pretty damn good right now. He's a 22 year-old 1st line winger.

For "Cap Hell", please look up Edmonton Oilers. No talnet outside of 2 players and capped-out. Leafs are far from cap hell. They move 1 very solid young player which everyone will want (If necessary) and they are fine. Having too many good players isn't "cap hell".

Nylander and Matthews' contracts are not the issue, Lou's contracts to Marleau and Zaitsev are. 10.8 million next season for those 2. Jesus...
- RogerRoeper

Also, i dont get how that much hate is directed at Nylander and nothing at Marleau and his 6 mil cap for 35 points

Also, i dont get how that much hate is directed at Nylander and nothing at Marleau and his 6 mil cap for 35 points
- senstroll

People believe the crap about "Leadership" and he's helped the young players so much. Really/? Based on what? They made the playoffs before he got there.

Marleau is terrible. a 4th liner making 6.3 million at 39 (Same next year at 40) and getting way too much usage by the coach. He's bad offensively and defensively. That's Lou's signing.

But Nylander makes 6.9 million. Oh my! People are on crack.

this is quite the Rant.

I am not sure, but I think you need to let a GM do his thing for more than 10 months before you can start calling for his head.

you mention the only physical presence is Muzzin, who is basically the only D that Dubas is responsible for at this point. The rest he inherited (We can debate how much he had to do with Dermott)

And signing Nylander is stopping them for signing UFAs? Not that I think Dubas would sign any significant UFAs (Tavares is already here), thats not exactly a bad things. Relying on the UFA market is not a great strategy anymore imo, you have to overpay for the mediocre talent.

Besides, in the last few weeks, Nylander has looked to be the most consistent player. Or am I imagining things?
- senstroll

You read that wrong. The RFA signings crippled our inability. Which means we now have an ability to sign UFAs.

Huzzah!

This season is going to end on a big downer. The Toronto press hyped up this team and it's new metro-sexual General Manager. The press heralded him as the future of hockey management, when he arrived with a book full of analytics. If you look at the Leafs team that he inherited, you'll see most of the top end talent, were taken in the top 1 - 8. The signing of John Tavares was helpful, but his signing has thrown the salary cap out of wack. Add the signing of Patrick Marleau for one too many years and it's caused a cap crunch for the Leafs. This will make it more difficult to sign their young star forwards and the indirect consequence will cause their inability to dip into free agency and shore up the defense. The Leafs goaltending is also becoming an issue, with the loss of Curtis McElhinney and the promotion of Garrett Sparks from the Marlies. This miscalculation has made the Leafs more vulnerable if Fredrick Andersen goes down. Add the fact that Andersen is getting worn down from the high number of quality shots each game and it's a recipe for an early exit.

The defense is also less then average and there is no NHL caliber depth. They have almost no visible threat on the right defensive position and outside of Jake Mussin, there is no physical presence to protect the goaltenders. Add the fact that Jake Gardiner will be a UFA, after this year, and it can only get worse. Dubas didn't bother to upgrade the RD position at the trade deadline and is now paying for not being proactive.

So what is the real problem here? Some say the coach needs to go. Some say the GM? Babcock appears to be losing the room and we're hearing grumbling by the players that the team has quit in a number of games recently. In defense of Babcock, he can only play the players that he's given. He doesn't make trades or scout other teams on behalf of management. There appears to be only one answer, it's the General Manager.

Kyle Dubas was brought in as a wonder-kid. Never playing hockey himself and having success as an OHL GM, in Sault Ste. Marie. Many thought that the future was going to be analytics in the new NHL. The Leafs bought in and used it to evaluate junior players and had success in the early rounds of the draft by his predecessor. What is missing with his theories is the intangibles to be a Stanley Cup contender. Something that isn't shown with analytics but is understood by those who've actually played in the NHL, or has been learned after many years of scouting and being an understudy for an NHL GM.

What the Dubas Leafs have become is quick, but too small on the wings. A team with no heavy game. Their toughness is almost negligible. The Leafs have too many forwards with the same skill set and very little grit and determination. The team, as it's currently constituted, is great for regular season competition, but they don't have what it takes to compete in the playoffs. It's been a failure by this GM and the scouts to get the style of players that can win a long playoff series and compete for a Stanley Cup.

The Leafs are now entering Cap hell and will not be able to add much in the off season. The over-payment's to William Nylander and Austin Matthews has crippled their inability to compete for UFA talent. With the bar being set so high for the young star players, Mitch Marner will be looking for a $10M plus payday and join his overpaid teammates. This team will either have to jettison the Nylander contract, in the off season, if they ever want to shore up their ragged blue-line.

Watching this play out, it's my opinion that after getting badly defeated in the first round by Boston, this team will take a step backwards next season. The Leafs are about to learn a hard lesson by hiring a GM that wasn't ready and may never reach the promise that the press had told us was going to happen. The future isn't as bright as we were lead to believe. I'd like to say to my Leafs buddies, keep the faith, but my head tells me differently.

Bruins in 5.

Flame on Friends and Adversaries.
- PrinceLH

PLease STFU

"Anywhere the wind blows"
- Fakepartofme

People believe the crap about "Leadership" and he's helped the young players so much. Really/? Based on what? They made the playoffs before he got there.

Marleau is terrible. a 4th liner making 6.3 million at 39 (Same next year at 40) and getting way too much usage by the coach. He's bad offensively and defensively. That's Lou's signing.

But Nylander makes 6.9 million. Oh my! People are on crack.
- RogerRoeper

I am sure Marleau is a great guy and the other players love him, but the bottom line is that that doesnt change outcomes in the standings.

His contract is a killer and it needs to go.

Zeitsev is another big problem on ice and the cap. thats going to be a real issue getting out from under.

People believe the crap about "Leadership" and he's helped the young players so much. Really/? Based on what? They made the playoffs before he got there.

Marleau is terrible. a 4th liner making 6.3 million at 39 (Same next year at 40) and getting way too much usage by the coach. He's bad offensively and defensively. That's Lou's signing.

But Nylander makes 6.9 million. Oh my! People are on crack.
- RogerRoeper

Ugh, everyone and their mom has said marleau has been a great influence.
We knew it was an overpayment the day the deal was signed.

People are angry today lol

Ugh, everyone and their mom has said marleau has been a great influence.
We knew it was an overpayment the day the deal was signed.

People are angry today lol
- Fakepartofme

But when you make 6.3 million, it can't be all about influence. And we still don't know if that influence has helped at all.

The guy is finished. 6.3 million per for that. Yikes.

I am sure Marleau is a great guy and the other players love him, but the bottom line is that that doesnt change outcomes in the standings.

His contract is a killer and it needs to go.

Zeitsev is another big problem on ice and the cap. thats going to be a real issue getting out from under.
- senstroll

Zaitsev to Ottawa for a 4th.

Zaitsev would be a top-4 D for them and they need the cap hit. Plus, they are kinda dumb.

But when you make 6.3 million, it can't be all about influence. And we still don't know if that influence has helped at all.

The guy is finished. 6.3 million per for that. Yikes.
- RogerRoeper

It has helped. Even the players have said so.
This team needs vets.
But 6.3 per year is an anchor for sure.
Which was why the leafs needed to go all in this year. Imo. But didnt.
Maybe they realize theyre own team isnt ready.
So maybe 2 years from now will be the all in year, after marleaus contract is up and these kids learn to play with consistent effort and defense.

Y'all just need to relax.

Zezel said it when he said this latest stretch is a good thing.

It'll force them to dig deep and to prove their mettle if they wanna have success in the playoffs.

Just sit back and enjoy.

It has helped. Even the players have said so.
This team needs vets.
But 6.3 per year is an anchor for sure.
Which was why the leafs needed to go all in this year. Imo. But didnt.
Maybe they realize theyre own team isnt ready.
So maybe 2 years from now will be the all in year, after marleaus contract is up and these kids learn to play with consistent effort and defense.
- Fakepartofme

Why do you think that? They will be in a good cap situation 2 years from now and Matthews, Marner, Nylander are so young.

Leafs have years to contend. With the division as it is, I am glad they did not give up more.

Zaitsev to Ottawa for a 4th.

Zaitsev would be a top-4 D for them and they need the cap hit. Plus, they are kinda dumb.
- Dongull_Trump

How about NZ and Patty Marlow to ottawa for whatever they think is fair

They get a D that is signed and a Leadershiping guy for their young rebuilding team

Leafs should have super front loaded Zaitsevs deal so it would be easier to move now

You guys should start a gratitude journal.