Dubas is in over his head. He's paralyzed when it comes to making a hockey trade and his Cap management is brutal. Yes, Lou tied his hands with Marleau, but his trading for Muzin, giving up a first, didn't fix a problem. Dubas needed a top 4 right handed defender and all Muzin accomplished was pushing Dermott down to the 3rd pairing. There is only a couple of answers to redeem his shoddy work.

One is to let Marner walk, either taking an offer sheet, or trading him for a top end right shooting defenceman around the same age.

The other is to move Nylander for a top 4 right handed shooting defenceman, even if it means adding to achieve this goal of shoring up defensively. If Dubas takes this route, he'd better keep Zaitzev around to maintain a second right shot on the bottom pairing. Maybe Dubas should be talking with Buffalo about Rasmus Ristolainen.

Dubas put the team in Cap Hell by not going for it last season, while he had Cap room to play with. It really is ridiculous that he's forced to overpay his young stars without a playoff victory in their first 3 years of being in the playoffs. The Shanaplan was working brilliantly, until they decided to hire Superman, but ended up with Clark Kent. Dubas needs to either get a grip, or get out of the way. This may be Shanahan's first big mistake, since taking over this franchise.
- PrinceLH

He was -41 last year and is -143 for his career.

Hard pass!

He’s an overrated PP specialist, and he sucks defensively. Career 98 points at EV, and 95 PP points.

To put in perspective, Rielly has 162 points at EV and 79 on the PP.
- Steven_Seagull

He looks fine.. mobile enough, gritty... you don’t just throw guys like that away, and I’m sure he’ll have a long career. He plays on a poopty team, too, he’s obvs no Mo, tho.

I can't take this anymore. See you guys in October.
- Zezel

It helps if you’re a masochist.

He was -41 last year and is -143 for his career.

Hard pass!
- .HOHO.

He’s terrible.

He looks fine.. mobile enough, gritty... you don’t just throw guys like that away, and I’m sure he’ll have a long career. He plays on a poopty team, too, he’s obvs no Mo, tho.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Buffalo, who needs defence just as much, wants to trade him. They are a pretty dumb team, though, but still...that should say something.

You claim to watch a lot of sabre games, and this is what we get?
- burn

I see allot of games. I subscribe to the Center Ice package and see what's trending in the league. If you like, go back and check my predictions for the Leafs, going into the playoffs. Also look and see what I said was the downfall of this team and why it wasn't possible to beat Boston. I think that I predicted Boston in 5, but with a caveat, that if the Leafs win one of the first two games in Boston, that it would be a longer series. I also told anyone who would listen, that St. Louis had a chance to win the Cup, due to their very large, talented blueline and their physical play. It's the same reason that the Leafs will never win in the playoffs until they get a larger, more physical defense and some power wingers that can grind out a series. Boston knows how to scout and draft these type of pitbull players, who skate hard into the corners with gusto. Players like Gardiner or Hamilton turn away like a cowering pup when challenged by a team that plays like this against them.

I can't take this anymore. See you guys in October.
- Zezel

The sad thing is that this place is actually fairly sane compared to a lot of other places online. Reading comments after articles on places like sportsnet, the crazies really come out to play.

He was -41 last year and is -143 for his career.

Hard pass!
- .HOHO.

That team around him had allot to do with this. Many of their high end draft picks were busts and their coaching and scouting was very poor. Look at Ryan O'Reilly, once he got out of that situation in Buffalo. I'm sure his stats were similar.

Buffalo, who needs defence just as much, wants to trade him. They are a pretty dumb team, though, but still...that should say something.
- Steven_Seagull

Yea I don’t care either way...


I’d rather a more experienced player.

I see allot of games. I subscribe to the Center Ice package and see what's trending in the league. If you like, go back and check my predictions for the Leafs, going into the playoffs. Also look and see what I said was the downfall of this team and why it wasn't possible to beat Boston. I think that I predicted Boston in 5, but with a caveat, that if the Leafs win one of the first two games in Boston, that it would be a longer series. I also told anyone who would listen, that St. Louis had a chance to win the Cup, due to their very large, talented blueline and their physical play. It's the same reason that the Leafs will never win in the playoffs until they get a larger, more physical defense and some power wingers that can grind out a series. Boston knows how to scout and draft these type of pitbull players, who skate hard into the corners with gusto. Players like Gardiner or Hamilton turn away like a cowering pup when challenged by a team that plays like this against them.
- PrinceLH

Predicting a win in 5 vs a win in 7 with that caveat basically means nothing... It covers you for a Boston win in 5-7 games which is 3/4 of the options available. Also, Boston was the favourite to win based on their regular season record.

Yea I don’t care either way...


I’d rather a more experienced player.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That would be OK, if you can get that player with term on an economical contract. Of course, that's what every team is after.

Predicting a win in 5 vs a win in 7 with that caveat basically means nothing... It covers you for a Boston win in 5-7 games which is 3/4 of the options available. Also, Boston was the favourite to win based on their regular season record.
- 13sundin13

Yes, outside of the Leafs fanbase. The fanbase was convinced that the Leafs would win that series. I have no problem with that, because I would gladly have been wrong if they'd won a round. It's the old which way do you view a series, with your head or your heart?

Yes, outside of the Leafs fanbase. The fanbase was convinced that the Leafs would win that series. I have no problem with that, because I would gladly have been wrong if they'd won a round. It's the old which way do you view a series, with your head or your heart?
- PrinceLH

What are you talking about? A lot of people on here were worried the Leafs would lose lol. Once they came out flat in game six, I knew they were done for.

People were a lot more confident after we came out strong in the first few games, but still.

Not a fan of any of the Leafs draft picks this year except Kokkonen.

The last temptation of the Leafs for tonight: Dubas has done nothing to improve the team. The Cap situation is a bit better, but at the cost of a future first rounder. As it sits, the Leafs have too many of the same type of forward. Small, with speed, little sandpaper and a bellow average defence. It's up to Dubas to fix this inequity. Failing to do so means a step back and possibly missing the playoffs. One of these days, a team that's been sitting just out of the playoffs will make that push past them. Then it becomes peril, because many in the Metro division are stronger wild card teams. Watch out for Florida this year.

Not a fan of any of the Leafs draft picks this year except Kokkonen.
- JohnFergusonJr

Just more midgets to add to the midgets that we already have.

Not a fan of any of the Leafs draft picks this year except Kokkonen.
- JohnFergusonJr

I guess they went for skill and intelligence and hope they picked guys that will grow bigger and stronger?

I guess it's better than the old strategy of picking guys with size and strength and hoping they somehow become more intelligent and skillful...

I honestly know nothing about any of them except what I read in the last day. Hopefully a few pan out. We can either use them to fill out the roster cheaply in a few years or trade them for someone that fits a need better.

Just more midgets to add to the midgets that we already have.
- PrinceLH

At this rate our team will soon resemble the Habs.

I guess they went for skill and intelligence and hope they picked guys that will grow bigger and stronger?

I guess it's better than the old strategy of picking guys with size and strength and hoping they somehow become more intelligent and skillful...

I honestly know nothing about any of them except what I read in the last day. Hopefully a few pan out. We can either use them to fill out the roster cheaply in a few years or trade them for someone that fits a need better.
- Thecakeisalie

I actually agree with Dubas here. Go for potentials in a lower round, especially when you don’t have a first rounder.

But Dubas must have seen St. Louis winning the cup. I mean Boston had way more skills and speed? St Louise had grits and size.

Surely, Dubas must realize he needs both skilled players and players with size?

I guess they went for skill and intelligence and hope they picked guys that will grow bigger and stronger?

I guess it's better than the old strategy of picking guys with size and strength and hoping they somehow become more intelligent and skillful...

I honestly know nothing about any of them except what I read in the last day. Hopefully a few pan out. We can either use them to fill out the roster cheaply in a few years or trade them for someone that fits a need better.
- Thecakeisalie

I think both strategies are kind of dumb in their own way.

Yeah, you want speed and skill but the AHL is filled with skilled players that can't handle the rigors of the NHL.

Sometimes it just feels like they're drafting a bunch of guys that are going to tear up the AHL but unlikely to help the team that matters.

Not a fan of any of the Leafs draft picks this year except Kokkonen.
- JohnFergusonJr

Bro, let’s be honest, you didn’t know poop about any of the players outside of the top 50-75. Even if you didn’t know a little it’s likely not enough to make a blanket statement like that about all the Leafs’ picks this early.

Bro, let’s be honest, you didn’t know poop about any of the players outside of the top 50-75. Even if you didn’t know a little it’s likely not enough to make a blanket statement like that about all the Leafs’ picks this early.
- As_I_See_It

Bro, do you even mock draft?!

The most important thing I learned today is that Kyle Dubas suffers from paralysis. It is all over. Just imagine professor x with no mutant powers and only cool suits and glasses to help with his grift. God help us all.

The most important thing I learned today is that Kyle Dubas suffers from paralysis. It is all over. Just imagine professor x with no mutant powers and only cool suits and glasses to help with his grift. God help us all.
- Larry_Fine

Sarcasm?

IMO, Matthews and Marner are not on the same level. Matthews is better.
- PatC80

And by quite a bit, too.