Barrie is definitely going to ask and get 8 as a UFA at this rate.
- JohnFergusonJr

He likely wont be back and probably shouldnt be. Its becoming a younger mans game and handing out long term deals to guys in their 30s, or soon to be, isnt wise. Imo this is where you run into bigger cap issues and bad contracts, when you give them to older players with not many prime years left.

Cool. I'm gonna build one off the grid in the woods, but also with an underground bunker underneath for when the zombies come.
- Zezel

You know what I don't understand about the walking dead zombies. A ten year old can easily kill them with a stick. And you just need to smash their brains and/or burn them to finish them off.

How did the Zombie's result in such human chaos. All you need is one (frank)in Arnold per city with a flame thrower and you're good to go. Those are the sissiest of zombies.

I think I'm gonna go watch some Army of Darkness now...those are some funny zombies.

The D isnt porous though. Nobody knows what next years situation will be, especially considering this year hasnt even started yet.

I noticed our fan base is full of people who pass on assumptions as if they're facts in effort to portray themselves as something more than they are. Which is a just another fan with an opinion born of negativity cause that's what social media teaches you to be these days.
- Gunslinger

It is entirely objective to look at how the new d additions play in their own end previously to this season and determine they will continue to do so. these are not developing rookies, these are vets. It is also completely objective to see that spending such a low percentage of the cap on defence when defence almost always wins championships will not be fruitful. If I am wrong then Dubas is a genius and that's fine.

Yes, I was never negative about the Leafs before social media. How ol are you?

He likely wont be back and probably shouldnt be. Its becoming a younger mans game and handing out long term deals to guys in their 30s, or soon to be, isnt wise. Imo this is where you run into bigger cap issues and bad contracts, when you give them to older players with not many prime years left.
- Gunslinger

spurgeon at 7.5 until he's 36 seems nuts.

We'll see how Barrie performs and fits with the Leafs(it should be a thing of beauty) but I'd be willing to $8m x 5 years on him.

In my world Nylander is traded in the offseason. Not directly for a D or anything specific. The return could be picks and prospects but we absolutely need to allocate money to the back end and Nylander is the only movable piece that would make us enough room to do that.

It is entirely objective to look at how the new d additions play in their own end previously to this season and determine they will continue to do so. these are not developing rookies, these are vets. It is also completely objective to see that spending such a low percentage of the cap on defence when defence almost always wins championships will not be fruitful. If I am wrong then Dubas is a genius and that's fine.

Yes, I was never negative about the Leafs before social media. How ol are you?
- aminnes

I'm sorrynu triggered you.

I'm.really not. I knew it would be easy. Get angry!!! Rageeee!

Porous D cause you said so. Despite you not even knowing who will comprise the D and how they will play year.

spurgeon at 7.5 until he's 36 seems nuts.

We'll see how Barrie performs and fits with the Leafs(it should be a thing of beauty) but I'd be willing to $8m x 5 years on him.

In my world Nylander is traded in the offseason. Not directly for a D or anything specific. The return could be picks and prospects but we absolutely need to allocate money to the back end and Nylander is the only movable piece that would make us enough room to do that.
- Njuice

Apparently we don't need to see anything. Cause angry guy can see the future. In my world Nylander stays.

I'm sorrynu triggered you.

I'm.really not. I knew it would be easy. Get angry!!! Rageeee!

Porous D cause you said so. Despite you not even knowing who will comprise the D and how they will play year.
- Gunslinger

Yes, the laugh emoji denotes anger. Awe, fun.

Yes, we have no idea who is playing defence for the Leafs this season.

Is there a Habs thread somewhere?

Yes, the laugh emoji denotes anger. Awe, fun.

Yes, we have no idea who is playing defence for the Leafs this season.

Is there a Habs thread somewhere?
- aminnes

Sure thing angry guy. Rage away.

Glad you know who made the team already.

It is entirely objective to look at how the new d additions play in their own end previously to this season and determine they will continue to do so. these are not developing rookies, these are vets. It is also completely objective to see that spending such a low percentage of the cap on defence when defence almost always wins championships will not be fruitful. If I am wrong then Dubas is a genius and that's fine.

Yes, I was never negative about the Leafs before social media. How ol are you?
- aminnes

next year nylander will have to be traded to allocate funds to the back end for sure.

This year is an anomaly because we have barrie at 50% of his contract, right before he's signing an $8 million dollar deal. So in essence we have a $7-$8m guy for I think $2.5.

It is entirely objective to look at how the new d additions play in their own end previously to this season and determine they will continue to do so. these are not developing rookies, these are vets. It is also completely objective to see that spending such a low percentage of the cap on defence when defence almost always wins championships will not be fruitful. If I am wrong then Dubas is a genius and that's fine.

Yes, I was never negative about the Leafs before social media. How ol are you?
- aminnes

next year nylander will have to be traded to allocate funds to the back end for sure.

This year is an anomaly because we have barrie at 50% of his contract, right before he's signing an $8 million dollar deal. So in essence we have a $7-$8m guy for I think $2.5.
- Njuice

I hope so. They have to know they can't have such a lopsided cap, and the club has plenty of skilled wingers, it's good d they lack. Barrie is worth more than his salary, but he wasn't what the club needed. He is gifted offensively but very poor in his own end. They have plenty of offence and offence from he defence prior to him arriving. Leafs needed another hard nosed checking defensemen. They will score a lot of goals, but they will allow a lot of goals. I have serious doubts that strategy will work out especially come playoff time.

Barrie is definitely going to ask and get 8 as a UFA at this rate.
- JohnFergusonJr

spurgeon is a better player overall probably but 8 mil has been the rumoured number for a while so probably

doubt the leafs keep him

The issue for Nylander is how many nights he takes off and his willingness to go into he dirty areas. If he overcomes those things then he certainly has potential to be better than he has been. The reluctance to anoint him as that guy is simply what we have seen this far. He really, really, does not like getting hit. On big ice he shines.
- aminnes

Yes. He's a top secondary piece.

Like kessel, not someone you build around as a primary piece.

But very good to have as a wingman.

Barrie is definitely going to ask and get 8 as a UFA at this rate.
- JohnFergusonJr

Prolly.

Affordable if hyman and muzzin are not back.

spurgeon is a better player overall probably but 8 mil has been the rumoured number for a while so probably

doubt the leafs keep him
- daeth

Not worth it at his age. Hopefully by next season Sandin will be able to make an impact.

Yes. He's a top secondary piece.

Like kessel, not someone you build around as a primary piece.

But very good to have as a wingman.
- Tumbleweed

Hes still young. Imo we havent seen the best of Nylander yet. Or AM or MM.

because it surely was quite below that 9mln AAV on the 8y deal.
dubas lowballed him.
- MaximusAurelius

That was coming off seasons of 61p and 69p. Before his 94p season. 8 years X $9m would have been an overpayment at the time. Personally I would have paid him that and had faith in his amazingness. But I've been signing Marner's praises since before he was even drafted by the Leafs so I could've been wrong and that contract been a big (frank) up.

Yes. He's a top secondary piece.

Like kessel, not someone you build around as a primary piece.

But very good to have as a wingman.
- Tumbleweed

He might. But right now it's putting the cart before the horse. He has to learn to play smarter. Really this season and especially this playoffs - if they make it - will give a good glimpse into what he is. Phil has a better stick and is more skilled, better shot, but Nylander could potentially get there.

The issue for Nylander is how many nights he takes off and his willingness to go into he dirty areas. If he overcomes those things then he certainly has potential to be better than he has been. The reluctance to anoint him as that guy is simply what we have seen this far. He really, really, does not like getting hit. On big ice he shines.
- aminnes

Out of curiousity, why does everyone love to talk about Nylander's physical short comings when none of Tavares, Marner or Matthews like to go into the dirty areas? Hell . . neither does Kapanen. All of our favourite forwards aren't overly grindy - but people will talk endlessly about how Nylander doesn't go into the dirty areas or like to get hit.

No matter what, though, I think we all feel that this year is vitally important for Nylander. He needs to improve upon his point totals from 2 years ago and playing with a healthy Matthews will hopefully do that. Some want him to improve to improve his trade value; some want him to improve because it's important to the team.

Not worth it at his age. Hopefully by next season Sandin will be able to make an impact.
- Gunslinger

the age thing is a pretty big deal. signing older guys to big contracts is pretty consistently the #1 way to mess your cap up in the future.

Hes still young. Imo we havent seen the best of Nylander yet. Or AM or MM.
- Gunslinger

nylander is gonna light it up this year

the age thing is a pretty big deal. signing older guys to big contracts is pretty consistently the #1 way to mess your cap up in the future.
- daeth

Exactly. Not ideal in a cap world and an ever evolving young mans game.

Out of curiousity, why does everyone love to talk about Nylander's physical short comings when none of Tavares, Marner or Matthews like to go into the dirty areas? Hell . . neither does Kapanen. All of our favourite forwards aren't overly grindy - but people will talk endlessly about how Nylander doesn't go into the dirty areas or like to get hit.

No matter what, though, I think we all feel that this year is vitally important for Nylander. He needs to improve upon his point totals from 2 years ago and playing with a healthy Matthews will hopefully do that. Some want him to improve to improve his trade value; some want him to improve because it's important to the team.
- Monkeypunk

I want Matthews to survive a clean body check.

nylander is gonna light it up this year
- daeth

I believe so too. Those advocating a trade just assume Leafs will get full value for him, but never see the chances of a Hall trade type disaster.

Out of curiousity, why does everyone love to talk about Nylander's physical short comings when none of Tavares, Marner or Matthews like to go into the dirty areas? Hell . . neither does Kapanen. All of our favourite forwards aren't overly grindy - but people will talk endlessly about how Nylander doesn't go into the dirty areas or like to get hit.

No matter what, though, I think we all feel that this year is vitally important for Nylander. He needs to improve upon his point totals from 2 years ago and playing with a healthy Matthews will hopefully do that. Some want him to improve to improve his trade value; some want him to improve because it's important to the team.
- Monkeypunk

I think it's because those other guys actually dig out pucks and retrieve pucks. Matthews pre injury was a beast...I think he stepped back a ton when he came back.

Nylander though is just a terrible defender. I've used the example a million times but I saw him backcheck like a mother(frank)er, look directly at the guy he was supposed to cover(Kyle Quincey near centre ice) and then float away towards the boards. Quincey receives a pass and scores the game winner from just inside the blue line. Nylander did all the hard work. Identified the guy he was supposed to check and then what...forgot he was playing hockey? wtf? These are Nylander moments. They are like Gardiner moments from 3 years ago.