Imagine Gardiner is just saying to dubas

“Give me whatever is left on the cap after Marner signs at 4 years”

Do all you Gardner haters like him after that?
- Santo_44

He'll be playing for 100k, so yes.

I wasn't a fan of the format since day 1 and even less so now. I never liked the concept of hurting a team for playing well in the regular season, which is exactly what this format opens itself up to. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you have to beat the best to be the best. Whatever, I still don't want to have to play a top 5 team in round (frank)ing one to then advance and get a chance to play #1. That didn't happen this year, but the year before, and very much looked like it was going to repeat itself for either the Bruins or Leafs this past year. We haven't had a perfect format ever and I get that, but how about 1 v 8 with no division winners. 1 is 1 and 2 is 2. The winner of the other division doesn't get 2 just because.

I'm also sick of playing the same damn teams. Rivalries be damned
- RickJames77

This playoff format rewards small market teams and that's the way Bettman wants it.

Imagine Gardiner is just saying to dubas

“Give me whatever is left on the cap after Marner signs at 4 years”

Do all you Gardner haters like him after that?
- Santo_44

If he’s replacing Marincin.....YES.

A little better.

$1,500 (that's Canadian, including taxes, everything else). Downtown hotel.

Stop in Detroit on the way there (4h, 27m).

Stop in Atlanta on the way back (4h, 4m).

Add two hours each way for the trip to Buffalo airport, and it becomes a bit of a hassle.

Still doable.
- Atomic Wedgie

Doable, but yeah, frustrating. Buffalo airport and Southwest are great, but definitely better for more popular destinations, like Tampa where you can get direct flights.

Heading there on Thursday, 3 of us flying for about 1100 CAD return

I’m hoping the Leafs face Montreal.

But I think TB Takes a pretty huge step back in the regular season standings. They probably lose a lot of motivation....as for playoffs I see them being monsters. I can see Toronto being neck and neck with them in the regular season though.
- Santo_44

Tampa’s going to look at what Washington did and just let themselves be a number one or two in the division and not worry about the league standings.

Tampa’s going to look at what Washington did and just let themselves be a number one or two in the division and not worry about the league standings.
- RafiDRW

Tampa are softer than the Leafs, c'mon 4 straight?
Boston would have demolished them.

Tampa’s going to look at what Washington did and just let themselves be a number one or two in the division and not worry about the league standings.
- RafiDRW

Well we have lost 2 game 7s in a row on Boston's home ice. It would be nice to have home ice for a game 7 so there is some value in having a solid regular season.

Well we have lost 2 game 7s in a row on Boston's home ice. It would be nice to have home ice for a game 7 so there is some value in having a solid regular season.
- Rang

Refs won't let it happen.

Tampa are softer than the Leafs, c'mon 4 straight?
Boston would have demolished them.
- bobbyisno1

Eh.. maybe.

Refs won't let it happen.
- bobbyisno1

Just wait until Kerfoot is suspended against the Bruins this year.

Well we have lost 2 game 7s in a row on Boston's home ice. It would be nice to have home ice for a game 7 so there is some value in having a solid regular season.
- Rang

“Some”

Having home ice in a potential game 7 isn’t going to change much. Sure it’s nice.

But 82 games of a tough NHL schedule is in front of these players. It’s easy as a fan to say that should be motivating enough.

TB just went through a fantastic tough 82 game schedule and were swept...motivation will be tough for them this season.

Tampa’s going to look at what Washington did and just let themselves be a number one or two in the division and not worry about the league standings.
- RafiDRW

It’s pretty amazing how they kept it going all season long.

They were motivated to be the best...I don’t see that happening this season.

Eh.. maybe.
- RafiDRW

Well I kind of made a stupid statement, You really can't demolish them better than 4 straight.

Just wait until Kerfoot is suspended against the Bruins this year.
- RafiDRW

Suspended for being kissed on the mouth by Bradchand

Well I kind of made a stupid statement, You really can't demolish them better than 4 straight.
- bobbyisno1

I think Tampa would take Boston. No reasoning. Just a feeling.

Suspended for being kissed on the mouth by Bradchand
- AdamFrench

It was consensual. The refs were disgusted by the tents pitched by both players six minutes in and suspended both for the remainder of the series.

I think Tampa would take Boston. No reasoning. Just a feeling.
- RafiDRW

Same

Same
- RickJames77

Do you guys have a 1C in the waiting to replace Bergy?

I think Tampa would take Boston. No reasoning. Just a feeling.
- RafiDRW

I think Tampa are just the Leafs in an easier division and not as tough.

I think Tampa are just the Leafs in an easier division and not as tough.
- bobbyisno1

...they’re in the same Division.

...they’re in the same Division.
- RafiDRW

The writing may on the wall for Garret Sparks

With Michael Hutchinson signed to a one-way deal, and Michal Neuvirth signed to a PTO, it is showing just what the Leafs think of Sparks right now.

Oh, and lets not forget Kasimir Kaskisuo (25) who had a very strong playoffs w/ the Marlies this past season (9-3 2.14 GAA .927 SV%)

Sparks will have to play lights out, come training camp and redeem himself, not only to Coach Babcock, and Kyle Dubas, but to the entire Maple Leafs team. If he doesn't, he could find himself on waivers come the end of September.

Sparks made some controversial comments this past March, about the teams effort:

“We need more emotion from everybody. We need people to get angry. We need people to step up and get mad and take it personally.”

It's fair to say, a lot of the Leaf players weren't too happy with the 26 year old's comments. Especially, coming from the back-up, who finished with an 8-9-1 record, and a GAA of 3.15 and a SV% of .902.
he definitely, drew a line in the sand between him, and his teammates.

I think Tampa would take Boston. No reasoning. Just a feeling.
- RafiDRW

They need a healthy Hedman. I only watched 3 of the games, but he couldn't turn. It was wild. Then you trot him out 26 minutes...(frank)adoodle doo.

They need a healthy Hedman. I only watched 3 of the games, but he couldn't turn. It was wild. Then you trot him out 26 minutes...(frank)adoodle doo.
- AdamFrench

Someone once said that in a conversation I was a part of.. she explained she was feeling lonely and used it to say (frank)-a-dude-will-do.

Someone once said that in a conversation I was a part of.. she explained she was feeling lonely and used it to say (frank)-a-dude-will-do.
- RafiDRW

that's the way Frenchie says it also