Don't be surprised to see Korshkov up very soon. Scored in every Marlie game so far. Love the way he played in preseason.
- Leafsmart

Cap hit is pretty high so probably not. Otherwise, he'd already be up. Maybe after the deadline / playoffs.

Yeah it could be. I think some of it is their players just want it more. They're willing to out in the hard work without the puck, not too concerned about personal stats etc. They also seem to have players that are willing to leave some money on the table to help the management build a stronger team, not trying suck every last cent out of the available cap space. Just my opinion though.
- walshyleafsfan

The Leafs took Boston to 7 games last year and might have won that series had Kadri's low hockey IQ not kicked in (again) when it matters most. It's not like the rest of the cast looked disinterested throughout the series.

Per Game 7, Andy had a poor showing, Gardiner continued his epic Game 7 collapse syndrome, and Babs had some dubious/questionable line choices in the 3rd period. End of.

This season Dubas has put together a team that is possession, skill, and speed first -- we'll see if the experiment pays off.

We're 6 games in and it'll take quite a few more to see if this team can get a flow going. The constant (female dogg)ing here by "fans" is (frank)ing ridiculous.

The Leafs took Boston to 7 games last year and might have won that series had Kadri's low hockey IQ not kicked in (again) when it matters most. It's not like the rest of the cast looked disinterested throughout the series.

Per Game 7, Andy had a poor showing, Gardiner continued his epic Game 7 collapse syndrome, and Babs had some dubious/questionable line choices in the 3rd period. End of.

This season Dubas has put together a team that is possession, skill, and speed first -- we'll see if the experiment pays off.

We're 6 games in and it'll take quite a few more to see if this team can get a flow going. The constant (female dogg)ing here by "fans" is (frank)ing ridiculous.
- mjones242

Yup. Though, you can see kap isnt being utilized right on the marner tavares line right?

Ps. Ceci isnt as bad as people here said he would be. He isnt great or anything but hes been better than zaitsev was

Yup. Though, you can see kap isnt being utilized right on the marner tavares line right?
- mykokes

Absolutely. The experiment of him playing the off-wing needs to end and I'd happily throw Kap on the 4th line.

Edit: Agreed on Ceci - I think he's been better than Zaitsev though unspectacular.

Controversial(?) parting thought: frankly, when Hyman returns Kap should be on the block.

The Leafs took Boston to 7 games last year and might have won that series had Kadri's low hockey IQ not kicked in (again) when it matters most. It's not like the rest of the cast looked disinterested throughout the series.

Per Game 7, Andy had a poor showing, Gardiner continued his epic Game 7 collapse syndrome, and Babs had some dubious/questionable line choices in the 3rd period. End of.

This season Dubas has put together a team that is possession, skill, and speed first -- we'll see if the experiment pays off.

We're 6 games in and it'll take quite a few more to see if this team can get a flow going. The constant (female dogg)ing here by "fans" is (frank)ing ridiculous.
- mjones242

And they took them to Game 7 with a lead in the third period the year before.

Consecutive 100 point seasons with a locked in young star core and good depth. I'll take it.

And they took them to Game 7 with a lead in the third period the year before.

Consecutive 100 point seasons with a locked in young star core and good depth. I'll take it.
- Zezel

And they took them to OT in 2013 with a much much weaker roster. If the aim is to take the Bruins to 7 games every year, we're where we need to be.

I often think, if you were to survey 50 fans from the other 30 NHL teams (so 1500 people in total), what are the 3 biggest weaknesses with the Leafs? What answers would we see?.

I suspect the overwhelming majority include terrible defensively, soft as butter, crumble under pressure, weak goaltending in playoffs. Some combination of that.

Can all those people be wrong and half the Leafs fanbase right? Yeah, could happen. But i suspect the opposite is more likely to be true.

We all want the Leafs to win a Cup. Even us "non-fans" who have the audacity to question the direction, while we ourselves don't even work in the NHL.

Some seem to think that we're wasting a golden opportunity with having Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Snakes, Rielly and Andersen, by not filling out the roster competently. Others seem very happy with the direction of the team.

And they took them to OT in 2013 with a much much weaker roster. If the aim is to take the Bruins to 7 games every year, we're where we need to be.

I often think, if you were to survey 50 fans from the other 30 NHL teams (so 1500 people in total), what are the 3 biggest weaknesses with the Leafs? What answers would we see?.

I suspect the overwhelming majority include terrible defensively, soft as butter, crumble under pressure, weak goaltending in playoffs. Some combination of that.

Can all those people be wrong and half the Leafs fanbase right? Yeah, could happen. But i suspect the opposite is more likely to be true.

We all want the Leafs to win a Cup. Even us "non-fans" who have the audacity to question the direction, while we ourselves don't even work in the NHL.

Some seem to think that we're wasting a golden opportunity with having Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Snakes, Rielly and Andersen, by not filling out the roster competently. Others seem very happy with the direction of the team.
- walshyleafsfan

The point is the upside of where the Leafs are right now is infinitely higher than the 2013 team, as we saw with what followed for that team. There is no comparison between their situations at all.

It's saying, both teams took Boston to Game 7, therefore, we shouldn't be any more optimistic about this iteration. That's nonsensical to me.

Every team has weaknesses, and like I said above, this roster and its players aren't frozen. Who's to say Nylander won't get traded or whatever as many want? Babs may get fired. Who knows?

If I thought the direction was fundamentally hopeless I'd stop watching and jump on the bandwagon when they are in the third round or something.

And they took them to OT in 2013 with a much much weaker roster. If the aim is to take the Bruins to 7 games every year, we're where we need to be.

I often think, if you were to survey 50 fans from the other 30 NHL teams (so 1500 people in total), what are the 3 biggest weaknesses with the Leafs? What answers would we see?.

I suspect the overwhelming majority include terrible defensively, soft as butter, crumble under pressure, weak goaltending in playoffs. Some combination of that.

Can all those people be wrong and half the Leafs fanbase right? Yeah, could happen. But i suspect the opposite is more likely to be true.

We all want the Leafs to win a Cup. Even us "non-fans" who have the audacity to question the direction, while we ourselves don't even work in the NHL.

Some seem to think that we're wasting a golden opportunity with having Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Snakes, Rielly and Andersen, by not filling out the roster competently. Others seem very happy with the direction of the team.
- walshyleafsfan

Not only is that an unfalsifiable argument but it's also relying on "fans" to provide analysis. You can do better than that.

As per the Game 7 collapse last year, the Leafs proved that they were not "soft as butter" as they actually - and unexpectedly - outhit the Bruins. Losing to the #2/3 team in the league in 7 games in a tightly contested series is hardly an indictment of their effectiveness as a club.

Also, "audacity to question the direction" of the club is obviously your (or whomever's) right and I take no issue with you presenting it. But guess what? I get to vigorously contend your position that the club isn't "competently" built, no?

Not only is that an unfalsifiable argument but it's also relying on "fans" to provide analysis. You can do better than that.

As per the Game 7 collapse last year, the Leafs proved that they were not "soft as butter" as they actually - and unexpectedly - outhit the Bruins. Losing to the #2/3 team in the league in 7 games in a tightly contested series is hardly an indictment of their effectiveness as a club.

Also, "audacity to question the direction" of the club is obviously your (or whomever's) right and I take no issue with you presenting it. But guess what? I get to vigorously contend your position that the club isn't "competently" built, no?
- mjones242

Do you not think fans can provide analysis? I actually think fans are generally intelligent people (when it comes the sport of their choice) and are pretty in tune with what is going on.

The big issues i was looking forward to getting resolved for this season were adding an ounce of toughness and /or grit, sorting out the defense, finding a back up goalie and fixing the PK. All the ugly parts of the game.

So far, early though it may be, i don't think any of that has actually been solved. I hope to God, Andersen can play 65 and then shine in the playoffs, all of our dmen suddenly figure out how to defend, we unearth 8 good PKers and we don't wilt under pressure, but as of yet, i don't feel confident. Just my opinion.

The Leafs took Boston to 7 games last year and might have won that series had Kadri's low hockey IQ not kicked in (again) when it matters most. It's not like the rest of the cast looked disinterested throughout the series.

Per Game 7, Andy had a poor showing, Gardiner continued his epic Game 7 collapse syndrome, and Babs had some dubious/questionable line choices in the 3rd period. End of.

This season Dubas has put together a team that is possession, skill, and speed first -- we'll see if the experiment pays off.

We're 6 games in and it'll take quite a few more to see if this team can get a flow going. The constant (female dogg)ing here by "fans" is (frank)ing ridiculous.
- mjones242

Leafs did not lose because of Kadri. Their PK was atrocious, PP almost as bad at times and they choked in game 6 and game 7. Kadri and Gardiner are the easy scapegoats. Reality is, they weren't the ones to blame.

Ps. Ceci isnt as bad as people here said he would be. He isnt great or anything but hes been better than zaitsev was
- mykokes

Yes he is.

He's terrible.

Yes he is.

He's terrible.
- JohnFergusonJr

Long live the Rojava revolution.

(frank) those Turkish/ISIS fascists (frank)s.

new blog everyone

Leafs did not lose because of Kadri. Their PK was atrocious, PP almost as bad at times and they choked in game 6 and game 7. Kadri and Gardiner are the easy scapegoats. Reality is, they weren't the ones to blame.
- JohnFergusonJr

The reality is that they are largely responsible for the Leafs losses. Losing Kadri - one of the best (if not the best) 3Cs in the league - an effective agitator who can not only score goals but act in a shutdown role was an immense blow to the team.

Gardiner's Game 7 meltdown is factually evident based on multiple metrics.

Do you not think fans can provide analysis? I actually think fans are generally intelligent people (when it comes the sport of their choice) and are pretty in tune with what is going on.

The big issues i was looking forward to getting resolved for this season were adding an ounce of toughness and /or grit, sorting out the defense, finding a back up goalie and fixing the PK. All the ugly parts of the game.

So far, early though it may be, i don't think any of that has actually been solved. I hope to God, Andersen can play 65 and then shine in the playoffs, all of our dmen suddenly figure out how to defend, we unearth 8 good PKers and we don't wilt under pressure, but as of yet, i don't feel confident. Just my opinion.
- walshyleafsfan

The reality is that they are largely responsible for the Leafs losses. Losing Kadri - one of the best (if not the best) 3Cs in the league - an effective agitator who can not only score goals but act in a shutdown role was an immense blow to the team.

Gardiner's Game 7 meltdown is factually evident based on multiple metrics.
- mjones242

And while I agree Kadri provides great value on his contract, the Leafs were up 3-2 going into game 6 at home. They choked with the lead. Their PK was horrible.

Gardiner was on a bad back last year and over used the year before, neither were his fault. Just because the camera zooms in on his face after a goal against, doesn't mean he was the only guy on the ice at fault.

Scapegoats are easy and convenient but not the sole reason why they lost. They lost as a team.