I would agree with you.
Some people just surf on the Leafs next high wave, and don't want to have a proper conversation - and they tell anyone that wants to talk hockey in an objective way that they're not 'real Leafs fans'.

It is always the same with players as well (in particular the young ones) - one day Johnsson/Soshnikov/Frattin/Kapanen etc. are going to be top6 wingers - and then next time they should be traded because 'bums'.

It's a competitive league, and there isn't that much difference between the team ending 28th in league's overall standings and team ending 3rd.

That being said - the playoffs is where the players really show what they're made off.

So far, for me, there are three categories: great - ok - bad. (relative to their potential mainly)

Great:
Hyman
Andersen
Johnsson
Hainsey
Zaitsev
Brown
Moore
Gauthier

Ok:
Marner
Tavares
Matthews
Rielly
Dermott
Muzzin
Gardiner
Kapanen
Ennis

Bad:
Nylander
Marleau




Kadri was playing well, but obviously his stupid hit made it difficult to place him anywhere but in the 'bad' category.
- MaximusAurelius

Matthews what 4 points in 4 games has only been okay? C'mon now.

exactly how was Nylander effective last game?
what he tends to do is skate around the ice with the puck, but no great play to follow. his sole true strength was always the ability to create some danger (either through a pass or a good shot) but he seems to have lost that. he was never winning any puck battles, but now he's not creating any danger at all.
his shots and passes are 'alibi shots' - no goalkeeper or defense is getting scared by them..
- MaximusAurelius

They did play well, we needed Willie to bury his chance and Brown too.

I still have us playing in the 2nd round. GLG
- Garnie

Willy has a good shot but his release is mediocre. Takes too much time to get it off.

Willy has a good shot but his release is mediocre. Takes too much time to get it off.
- shack67

I always thought his release was decent, the issue with him this year is he misses the net almost ever good scoring opportunity

Willy has a good shot but his release is mediocre. Takes too much time to get it off.
- shack67

Wish I had the same issue

Matthews what 4 points in 4 games has only been okay? C'mon now.
- Kinger34

he does have another gear he can hit though - based on this list of categorizing based on performance against potential he's been okay I would say

Matthews what 4 points in 4 games has only been okay? C'mon now.
- Kinger34

expectations for Matthews are way higher for players like Brown, Moore, Gauthier.
he's scored, but he hasn't shown as much as one would like to see.
he's played well, but not incredibly great.
similar for Marner, Tavares etc.
btw - 'ok' is fine ; it basically means to me that those players are doing at a minimum level what is expected from them.

Wish I had the same issue
- RickJames77

Game on Sunday might conflict with game of thrones

exactly how was Nylander effective last game?
what he tends to do is skate around the ice with the puck, but no great play to follow. his sole true strength was always the ability to create some danger (either through a pass or a good shot) but he seems to have lost that. he was never winning any puck battles, but now he's not creating any danger at all.
his shots and passes are 'alibi shots' - no goalkeeper or defense is getting scared by them..
- MaximusAurelius

Playoff hockey games are won by players going into the dirty areas, absorbing punishment and making plays.

Nylander is unwilling to do that.

Leafs in 6. This is easy. Leafs were not likely to win in 4 or 5.

Leafs in 6. This is easy. Leafs were not likely to win in 4 or 5.
- Aaron_85

Boston will deficate all over themselves. I'm predicting 4-0 Leafs and a 48 save shutout from Freddie, the greatest goaltender on the planet.

Then Toronto wins it at home in 6.

Playoff hockey games are won by players going into the dirty areas, absorbing punishment and making plays.

Nylander is unwilling to do that.
- Atomic Wedgie

Not the only one, but this pretty much sums it up. I think we all have a tendency to get too high and too low depending on what shift it is and as someone mentioned earlier we’re always looking for someone to blame.

Now the same could be said about Kessel who was undeservedly ran out of town. But at least he put up points consistently. I think nylander gets destroyed with hate because he held out and that makes him very unlikable when he doesn’t deliver after the hold out. He’s paid to score. And he doesn’t

Boston will deficate all over themselves. I'm predicting 4-0 Leafs and a 48 save shutout from Freddie, the greatest goaltender on the planet.

Then Toronto wins it at home in 6.
- RickJames77

Agreed.

Boston will deficate all over themselves. I'm predicting 4-0 Leafs and a 48 save shutout from Freddie, the greatest goaltender on the planet.

Then Toronto wins it at home in 6.
- RickJames77

You're one of us!

You're one of us!
- Aaron_85

Go Leafs Go!

Game on Sunday might conflict with game of thrones
- TheMussel

Are you able to reschedule your brony meeting?

Go Leafs Go!
- RickJames77

Two can play this game.



I was speakin' with my buddy Clancy, and we think the Brooooons will play wicked hahd next game.

Go Leafs Go!
- RickJames77

If Boston loses the series are the leafs your new favourite?

When Boston loses the series are the leafs your new favourite?
- Aaron_85

Fixed for accuracy...

I'll be rooting for the Leafs when they knock out the Bruins in 6.

Fixed for accuracy...

I'll be rooting for the Leafs when they knock out the Bruins in 6.
- RickJames77

I dont know if you're trolling...

I dont know if you're trolling...
- Aaron_85

I should've said I'll be rooting for the Leafs 'after' they knock the Bruins out. Obviously during the series I'll still be rooting for the Bruins, but they have zero chance in this series.

Are you able to reschedule your brony meeting?
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't think you know how TV works

I don't think you know how TV works
- TheMussel

Wedgie still sits at his kitchen table and listens to the game on the radio.

So when people say to him "Did you even watch the game???" The answer is no.