The thing is that we're getting just fine value out of the 4th line players for what's expected of them. They, too, could be better. Most of our speed and offensive play last year stemmed from transitions from the back-end, and we are just doing such a poor job of it this year that it's affecting the capabilities of all 4 lines.

I have no problem with Mikheyev or Moore, they're above replacement level (Moore has been mediocre so far this year, considering how much he impressed with his enthusiasm last year). Ultimately, the back-end drives the bus for this team, and when they struggle, the top-6 should pick up the slack, and really they're not doing that.

It doesn't help that our special teams are absolutely murdering us, but the top two lines aren't doing enough. To be fair, Matthews-Johnsson-Nylander have had a positive contribution at 5v5, but it's just not enough when you look at the rest of the lines.
- Monkeypunk

Dare I say, Gardiner is missed?!

Also, I agree. It's just not enough night in and night out. I also agree on the special teams. If you don't want a rough and tumble player then you better make teams pay on the powerplay.

I'm hoping Dubas has gone to Babcock and flipped out on him about this.

https://www.ivoox.com/en/...os-mp3_rf_30450344_1.html

Ferris explains how Marner was willing to negotiate a deal with Leafs before training camp 2018.
- MaximusAurelius

Is that a Spanish news outlet?

Let's see.. Distance = rate x time.... So, I'm gonna say Carlton the Bear.... Final answer...
- PatC80

Sounds legit

1. That is only from Kypereos who was fired

2. Here's a good quote "Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, has said he does not plan to negotiate a new contract for his client with Maple Leafs brass until after the season, which could make things more difficult for the team from a cap management perspective — especially if Marner continues producing at this torrid pace.

“Best case scenario for the Leafs if they want to still talk around a $9 million AAV, it would have to be on a much shorter term than the maximum amount at eight years,” Kypreos added..."

The agent knew Marner ended the season not on the best note so decided to wait until after following year.

3. Kyper was saying it would be on a much shorter term than 8 years and likely the Marner camp was suggesting a real short term but high dollar bridge deal. I doubt the leafs were interested in that.
- Aaron_85

Should have played Marner for 8 mins a game on the 4th line after his agent said that

Yes, if a train is travelling East at 72 miles per hour and a train is travelling west at 83 miles per hour, how long will each train have been travelling before they pass each other?
- Aaron_85

Asks a boomer what the circumference of the earth is


in miles

Asks a boomer what the circumference of the earth is


in miles
- jimi james

Is this earth you speak of flat or round?

new blog everyone

new blog everyone
- mikeinbuffalo

thread killer

Dare I say, Gardiner is missed?!

Also, I agree. It's just not enough night in and night out. I also agree on the special teams. If you don't want a rough and tumble player then you better make teams pay on the powerplay.

I'm hoping Dubas has gone to Babcock and flipped out on him about this.
- Aaron_85

I was never against Gardiner. I knew what we were getting from him. And to be clear, I am very much pro-Barrie. Just not the Barrie who is currently playing for the Leafs. The guy he can be. The guy he should be.

But note this about Gardiner: From January 1 to the end of last year, he had just 4 even strength points in 23 games. He was not contributing. They had all but neutered him with whatever system shift was deployed. I didn't like Jake's play from that moment onwards because he's not a defensive player - taking away his one useful purpose, which is being a creative rover - is just stupid. It leaves him with no redeeming qualities on the team - and I'm afraid that's what they are trying to do with Barrie.

I can agree with that, once they signed Tavares, you knew Matthews was going to get at least $11M..
Marner, however, was supposed to be the easy one.. The local kid who grew up a Leafs fan..
- PatC80

I don't understand this logic. Tavares, a seasoned vet, with multiple 30+ goal seasons, a captain, and a UFA gets 11, and Matthews is due that after 3 years? That whole mentality is why the Leafs are where they are. These were RFAs, not UFAs. Many other teams faired very well with their RFAs this summer, and certainly didn't give them UFA money.

I don't understand this logic. Tavares, a seasoned vet, with multiple 30+ goal seasons, a captain, and a UFA gets 11, and Matthews is due that after 3 years? That whole mentality is why the Leafs are where they are. These were RFAs, not UFAs. Many other teams faired very well with their RFAs this summer, and certainly didn't give them UFA money.
- aminnes

That's a flawed argument, Tavares left a poop load of money on the table to come here.

That's a flawed argument, Tavares left a poop load of money on the table to come here.
- joel878

Matthew is not he second best player in the NHL.

Matthew is not he second best player in the NHL.
- aminnes

And didn’t get paid like he was.

Matthew is not he second best player in the NHL.
- aminnes

No he's probably not but that's not how it works either.

And didn’t get paid like he was.
- Steven_Seagull

Got paid like #1 IMO

And didn’t get paid like he was.
- Steven_Seagull

Um, his cap hit is barely third in the league. There's a 20,000 difference. He's not the third best player either.

Um, his cap hit is barely third in the league. There's a 20,000 difference. He's not the third best player either.
- aminnes

Eichel’s cap hit is higher than Crosby’s, Ovechkin’s, and Malkin’s. I guess Buffalo thinks Eichel is better than them...

Eichel’s cap hit is higher than Crosby’s, Ovechkin’s, and Malkin’s. I guess Buffalo thinks Eichel is better than them...
- Steven_Seagull

Eihel is overpaid, no question.

Other teams being dumb somehow justifies the Leafs being dumb? That's pretty dumb.

Eihel is overpaid, no question.

Other teams being dumb somehow justifies the Leafs being dumb? That's pretty dumb.
- aminnes

Looking at the cap hit instead of the cap hit percentage is dumb.

Looking at the cap hit instead of the cap hit percentage is dumb.
- Steven_Seagull

Eichel takes a lower percentage than Matthews. He's still overpaid what you are going into nonsense in your Dubas defence.

Eichel takes a lower percentage than Matthews. He's still overpaid what you are going into nonsense in your Dubas defence.
- aminnes

sigh... You just don’t understand...

I have only watched one Malries game and it was yesterdays game....but Engval is an NHL player.

He has the speed and the shot for it.
- Santo_44

Wasnt so much dissing Engval as just dammit another bloody injury?!?!?!?!

But the parade has already been planned for this summer...

I am thinking Calgary would say no To Marner for Tkachuk. Unfortunately a trade between these teams wont be including tkachuk
- Aetherial

Marner for Gaudreau str8up

sigh... You just don’t understand...
- Steven_Seagull

Hes overpaid for the term