Leafs fans need to accept that if Tavares turned down the Islanders to come play for the team he grew up idolizing, other Leafs players may want to leave when they hit UFA status, for whatever reason.

It's a business.

Owners treat the players like commodities.

Don't fault the players for also taking a business-like approach.

I have no idea what Matthews will do. Nobody does. Hell, I doubt Matthews does at this point.

But yes, there is a possibility that he may want to leave Toronto when he becomes a UFA. To suggest otherwise is silly.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yes, true, none of us know.

I have never got the feeling he was all that interested in being in Toronto. Who knows though, maybe now that BabRichard is gone, and if the team is actually a contender at some point, that may all change.

So many people here laughed at how pissed off the Islander fans were... it feels like some real Leafy karma is coming our way.

I'm not going to post this, because it has a naughty word, but this is franking hilarious:

https://twitter.com/Peopl...78859391500877825/photo/1

I'm not going to post this, because it has a naughty word, but this is franking hilarious:

https://twitter.com/Peopl...78859391500877825/photo/1
- Atomic Wedgie

I read all the Nancy Drew books when I was a kid. I don't remember that one

Leafs fans need to accept that if Tavares turned down the Islanders to come play for the team he grew up idolizing, other Leafs players may want to leave when they hit UFA status, for whatever reason.

It's a business.

Owners treat the players like commodities.

Don't fault the players for also taking a business-like approach.

I have no idea what Matthews will do. Nobody does. Hell, I doubt Matthews does at this point.

But yes, there is a possibility that he may want to leave Toronto when he becomes a UFA. To suggest otherwise is silly.
- Atomic Wedgie

So you believe that the Leafs franchise situation had nothing to do with it? Because 2 weeks before he signed Marlies won the Calder cup, they had 105 pointrs and one of the very best cores in the NHL.


Stamkos didn't sign because Leafs werea mess.

I read all the Nancy Drew books when I was a kid. I don't remember that one
- Aetherial

My daughter got into them - we were buying them new, and she was finishing them in a day or two.

I finally lost my mind and went on kijiji - ended up buying 30-40 of them for $100. Best purchase ever.

By the way, the younger one has no interest in them, so if you want to make me an offer...

So you believe that the Leafs franchise situation had nothing to do with it? Because 2 weeks before he signed Marlies won the Calder cup, they had 105 pointrs and one of the very best cores in the NHL.


Stamkos didn't sign because Leafs werea mess.
- RogerRoeper

Take a step back, Roger.

What I'm saying is that Leafs fans can't assume that any player will pledge their undying loyalty to the club - you don't know what the player is thinking, you don't know what motivates them.

Matthews may want to live in Florida.

Reilly may want to go home to Vancouver.

Player X's wife may want to move back home.

Player Y may find the bright lights of NYC alluring.

You may believe that Matthews won't want to leave Toronto. Another fan may think he will want to leave. Both of you are guessing, so let's just treat each other with some courtesy and respect.

So you believe that the Leafs franchise situation had nothing to do with it? Because 2 weeks before he signed Marlies won the Calder cup, they had 105 pointrs and one of the very best cores in the NHL.


Stamkos didn't sign because Leafs werea mess.
- RogerRoeper

I think he liked playing in Tampa and when he got a taste of what the circus really was like in Toronto he just noped out.

Take a step back, Roger.

What I'm saying is that Leafs fans can't assume that any player will pledge their undying loyalty to the club - you don't know what the player is thinking, you don't know what motivates them.

Matthews may want to live in Florida.

Reilly may want to go home to Vancouver.

Player X's wife may want to move back home.

Player Y may find the bright lights of NYC alluring.

You may believe that Matthews won't want to leave Toronto. Another fan may think he will want to leave. Both of you are guessing, so let's just treat each other with some courtesy and respect.
- Atomic Wedgie

Your an idiot.

So you believe that the Leafs franchise situation had nothing to do with it? Because 2 weeks before he signed Marlies won the Calder cup, they had 105 pointrs and one of the very best cores in the NHL.


Stamkos didn't sign because Leafs werea mess.
- RogerRoeper

And there's quite a few articles out there that suggest the Calder Cups don't really translate to NHL success. Not sure why I feel compelled to point this out - I'm just kinda in a grumpy mood.

Your an idiot.
- Aetherial

My head literally exploded when I read this.

Take a step back, Roger.

What I'm saying is that Leafs fans can't assume that any player will pledge their undying loyalty to the club - you don't know what the player is thinking, you don't know what motivates them.

Matthews may want to live in Florida.

Reilly may want to go home to Vancouver.

Player X's wife may want to move back home.

Player Y may find the bright lights of NYC alluring.

You may believe that Matthews won't want to leave Toronto. Another fan may think he will want to leave. Both of you are guessing, so let's just treat each other with some courtesy and respect.
- Atomic Wedgie

Tavres would not have signed in Toronto if the franchise wasn't in good shape.

And there's quite a few articles out there that suggest the Calder Cups don't really translate to NHL success. Not sure why I feel compelled to point this out - I'm just kinda in a grumpy mood.
- Atomic Wedgie

Tavares mentioned the Calder cup win. He sat down and examined the entire franchise.

My head literally exploded when I read this.
- Atomic Wedgie

Figuratively.

It figuratively exploded.

I think he liked playing in Tampa and when he got a taste of what the circus really was like in Toronto he just noped out.
- Aetherial

I once spent a week in Tampa.

We golfed, swam, saw a Bolts game, and went to a bar called Gators, where we drank beer and watched dolphins frolic in the water.

It's hard for me to argue with Stamkos' decision.

Yes, true, none of us know.

I have never got the feeling he was all that interested in being in Toronto. Who knows though, maybe now that BabRichard is gone, and if the team is actually a contender at some point, that may all change.

So many people here laughed at how pissed off the Islander fans were... it feels like some real Leafy karma is coming our way.
- Aetherial

with a vengeance !!!!

Figuratively.

It figuratively exploded.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That's the joke, you moran.

Tavares mentioned the Calder cup win. He sat down and examined the entire franchise.
- RogerRoeper

you mean his PR team included that in his talking point

Tavares mentioned the Calder cup win. He sat down and examined the entire franchise.
- RogerRoeper

Which included Babcock at the time.

He wanted to play for Babs.

you mean his PR team included that in his talking point
- Symba007

But when Mikeyev mentions Babcock it's gold!

Which included Babcock at the time.

He wanted to play for Babs.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Babcock was the sole reason

That's the joke, you moran.
- Atomic Wedgie

Get a brian, idiot!

Tavares mentioned the Calder cup win. He sat down and examined the entire franchise.
- RogerRoeper

OK, here's another thing that sports fans need to come to grips with:

I don't give a flying crap what he said in the presser, because what athletes say to the media has absolutely no relation to reality.

3 months earlier, Tavares had said he wanted to stay on Long Island.

Every player ever has said that he loves the city, the fans are the greatest, he really thinks he has a chance to win here, management said all the right things, they are totally committed to winning, he respects the coach, he wants to end his career here.

As for the Calder Cup win, the best guy on the franking roster was Johnsson - a classic 2/3 forward:

https://theahl.com/stats/roster/335/60

Habs beat Pitts, screw their draft position after losing in the first around after that, Pitts wins the Lafreniere lottery

with a vengeance !!!!
- Symba007

Did the Rangers ever forgive you guys for stealing Gomez?