Patrick isn't going to get poop for his next contract
- 2Real

heyyy thanks for chiming in!

Babcock getting killed on TSN, I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if Dubas cans his a$$ after the season. Guy seems to rub a lot of people the wrong way.
- ClaudeFather

What's going on that he's getting killed for?

What's going on that he's getting killed for?
- hereticpride

I think that’s just par for the course if you’re coach of the Leafs

https://www.google.com/am...before-opening-night/amp/

Babcock stuff

Tl;dr Spezza scratched

GM wanted him. Coach didn’t.

Kinda like the Redskins with QBs

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/curtisrush/2019/10/02/controversy-erupts-over-toronto-maple-leafs-coach-mike-babcock-before-opening-night/amp/

Babcock stuff

Tl;dr Spezza scratched
- Hesh_

Ah gotcha. Thanks!

I dont agree with that. His skills may certainly be rusty but no reason that he isn't at the same level of fitness as others coming off of the off season.
- MJL

Yeah, game shape being a combination of fitness and game-ready skills.

If this were a polished veteran coming back, I would be somewhat confident that it would just be a matter of shaking off rust.

But Morin's development was incomplete before he got hurt... then the extraordinary amount of time missed... it could take him months, if not years to get back on track. He's definitely not there yet. Surprised to see him in the lineup, tbh.

wait. Marginally?

2018:
G, Coots, TK
JVR, Patrick, Voracek
Simmer, Lehtera, Weal/Lindblom
Raffl, Laughton, Weise

Provorov, Ghost
Sanheim, Hagg
MacDonald, Gudas
Folin

2019:

G, Coots, TK
JVR, Hayes, Voracek
Lindblom, Patrick/Bunnaman, Farabee/Twarynski?
Raffl, Laughton, Pitlick

Provorov, Niskanen
Sanheim, Hagg/Morin
Ghost, Braun
Meyers

I don't think that's marginal at all.
- Hckygoalie31

Time will tell. opinions differ.

Yeah, game shape being a combination of fitness and game-ready skills.

If this were a polished veteran coming back, I would be somewhat confident that it would just be a matter of shaking off rust.

But Morin's development was incomplete before he got hurt... then the extraordinary amount of time missed... it could take him months, if not years to get back on track. He's definitely not there yet. Surprised to see him in the lineup, tbh.
- Tomahawk

Game shape is typically not about skill set. Being rusty is to be expected for a player who hasn't played in game much in the last two years.

Philly wins opener 5-2 you’re welcome

Time will tell. opinions differ.
- corduroy

Not sure I agree with the marginal statement either..

1. Better second line center
2. Better defense
3. Full year of Hart
4. Proven head coach and coaching staff.

If this team isnt 8 points better then this year is a disaster IMO given the above.

Not sure I agree with the marginal statement either..

1. Better second line center
2. Better defense
3. Full year of Hart
4. Proven head coach and coaching staff.

If this team isnt 8 points better then this year is a disaster IMO given the above.
- opeth_pa

But still point 3 and 4 could be the problem
As talented as Hart is and young in age I doubt that he can do 50+ good game s in 2019/20
As we do have 3 head coaches and there is trouble if they are not on the same page

Not sure I agree with the marginal statement either..

1. Better second line center
2. Better defense
3. Full year of Hart
4. Proven head coach and coaching staff.

If this team isnt 8 points better then this year is a disaster IMO given the above.
- opeth_pa

It really depends. If they get major injuries to players such as Giroux, Couturier, Provorov, Hart and that's the cause of a disappointing season, then that wouldn't be a disaster of a season in that context.

But still point 3 and 4 could be the problem
As talented as Hart is and young in age I doubt that he can do 50+ good game s in 2019/20
As we do have 3 head coaches and there is trouble if they are not on the same page
- goenzoy

Or they could form Coaching Voltron and we'll be ready to rock.

In all honesty, I'm not going to speculate until at least two weeks in. Too many variables.

Not sure I agree with the marginal statement either..

1. Better second line center
2. Better defense
3. Full year of Hart
4. Proven head coach and coaching staff.

If this team isnt 8 points better then this year is a disaster IMO given the above.
- opeth_pa

I think they will finish 3rd in the Metro and make the playoffs...a little disappointed none of their 3 top prospect made the team out of camp, but their times coming. I also think Patrick will be better once he can get his health issues settled. I’m optimistic that the Flyers will surprise this year...I’m calling a 100 pt season.

Not sure I agree with the marginal statement either..

1. Better second line center
2. Better defense
3. Full year of Hart
4. Proven head coach and coaching staff.

If this team isnt 8 points better then this year is a disaster IMO given the above.
- opeth_pa

Well that gives them 90 points and I don't think that gets them in the playoffs. No playoffs this season is still pretty close to a disaster.

I think they will finish 3rd in the Metro and make the playoffs...a little disappointed none of their 3 top prospect made the team out of camp, but their times coming. I also think Patrick will be better once he can get his health issues settled. I’m optimistic that the Flyers will surprise this year...I’m calling a 100 pt season.
- landros 2

100pt season after this pre-season would be something.

Unfortunately I'm expecting more of the same from the last few years until I see otherwise. Hoping for a 7th/8th seed but prepared for a bumpy ride.

“30 seconds in the zone and no picks on net” AV

Sounds about right by us

100pt season after this pre-season would be something.

Unfortunately I'm expecting more of the same from the last few years until I see otherwise. Hoping for a 7th/8th seed but prepared for a bumpy ride.
- hereticpride

Agreed. It’s really hard to say, so many questions remain

1. Can Hart avoid a sophomore slump

2. Can Elliott or someone give them 25-30 solid starts

3. What will we see out of Patrick? Is he out for a few more weeks? Months? Season? Who knows?

Without knowing the answers to the above, making predictions is pretty much impossible, and that’s without factoring possible injuries to key players

If all goes well, I could see them winning the Metro. If all goes to crap, I could see them finishing 8th in the division and ahead of only Detroit and Ottawa in the East.

Best guess: 92-97 points, perhaps as high as 3rd in the Metro, a wildcard berth, or a near miss.

Not sure I agree with the marginal statement either..

1. Better second line center
2. Better defense
3. Full year of Hart
4. Proven head coach and coaching staff.

If this team isnt 8 points better then this year is a disaster IMO given the above.
- opeth_pa

We can’t assume we have a better defense or a full season of Hart is an automatic upgrade. How good do you think Hart is already at the NHL level after 30 games last season?

We can’t assume we have a better defense or a full season of Hart is an automatic upgrade. How good do you think Hart is already at the NHL level after 30 games last season?
- SuperSchennBros

Idk he didnt have like an 8 game winning streak or win rookie of the month or anything so he will probably suck.

Idk he didnt have like an 8 game winning streak or win rookie of the month or anything so he will probably suck.
- Richieattack18

Yeah, no such thing as Fatigue in an 82 game schedule or the league having a better idea of who he is a player. Must already be Martin Brodeur in a small sample size.

Watching the behind the glass flyers thing.

Boy AV loves that camera. Such a charmer.

Never liked the guy. Still don’t now that he’s the coach.

“30 seconds in the zone and no picks on net” AV

Sounds about right by us
- SuperSchennBros

Shocking for a team who at it's very core doesn't seem to value shooters.

Watching the behind the glass flyers thing.

Boy AV loves that camera. Such a charmer.

Never liked the guy. Still don’t now that he’s the coach.
- Just5

I like that he’s a straight shooter with the players. I like that he’s forcing players to shoot because I think Jake needs that.

Man has his opinion been night and day on Stewart between episodes