Mike Augello: Which Toronto team will show up? Leafs vs. Blue Jackets - Game 5
- mikeinbuffalo

#firequeef

Heart of the team needs to be changed. That's not going to be easy, and sadly, it probably won't happen under Dubas. It's not that Dubas is bad at everything--he signed Tavares, he's drafted some promising players, and he's made some smart moves--especially the clever cap-related ones. Even the Kadri move was seen as a "gamble-but-reasonable at the time" move when it was made. Hindsight is 20/20 but at the time Barrie had pretty high value and Kerfoot has turned out to be an Okayish center. The trade didn't work out great, but it wasn't a total disaster.

I fear the problem is that Dubas likely comes from the "Tanner School of Unluckiness" where the stats are always right, and if you don't get the results then you just chalk it up to "well, there's so much league parity that we probably weren't going to win anyway. Winning takes luck, so we'll just try again next year." It just isn't going to work if things don't change in a meaningful way.

Great teams aren't built like the Leafs are built right now. St. Louis won a cup last year with what (on paper) is half the talent of the Leafs, and they dominated doing it. The Golden Knights' first season included a team of misfits that somehow wore their hearts on their sleeves and made it to a cup final. (more than anything, that story shows how important team chemistry and will-to-win are)

I'm kinda glad in a way that we tried the Dubas "Glass Cannon" experiment. Many predicted it wouldn't work, but you gotta try to really know. We've learned that the "glass" part of the cannon is real, and while it can get you to the playoffs fairly consistently, it isn't going to get you far beyond that. We need to look hard at the Bruins and ask ourselves "how can we morph our embarrassment of riches into something that more resembles Boston?" That's what's needed. Those guys are actual cup contenders, year after year.

Hey leaf fans, just wanna say tough luck keep you heads up high. Your about to add a top 15 pick to this roster and after what I just witnessed this is hands down the most talented Canadian team at the moment. I know it hurts but watch next year how good this team will be.

Sincerely from a understanding Habs fan

Hey leaf fans, just wanna say tough luck keep you heads up high. Your about to add a top 15 pick to this roster and after what I just witnessed this is hands down the most talented Canadian team at the moment. I know it hurts but watch next year how good this team will be.

Sincerely from a understanding Habs fan
- Mr.FunFacts

Are you trying to be ironic?

#firequeef
- Skalapy

Soft Willie at C. Robertson out for a average rusty Swed.

I didn't watch the game, was working.

From what I understand Keefe started Nylander at C in an elimination game? Why? Just to load up the top line? Makes very little sense to me, especially against a blue collar team like CBJ. That makes it 3 years in a row he plays C in the playoffs, after playing mostly if not almost exclusively wing during the season.


Is that accurate?

so can we all agree marner is a massively overpaid 90 pound nerd and dubas is a complete sucker?

the axe needs to come down on this management and team....

montreal is showing you why....

Poor Leafs couldn't get into the first round!!!

I didn't watch the game, was working.

From what I understand Keefe started Nylander at C in an elimination game? Why? Just to load up the top line? Makes very little sense to me, especially against a blue collar team like CBJ. That makes it 3 years in a row he plays C in the playoffs, after playing mostly if not almost exclusively wing during the season.


Is that accurate?
- golfingsince

Yes.

Sheldon should post Foligno’s comments on the board tonight.
“What do you think boys, you just a power play team?”
- Woderwick

Yea FooliGnos big nose smelled it right Now The SN is critical to, after their cat is out of the bag.

Matthews is the franchise player. Not moving him. If it were me, I'd be moving Nylander + in a package. He was worse than a no-show tonight in an elimination game - his play was terrible.
- fifty__missions

That guy is so (frank)ing good,I wouldn't move hime either. He's the only untouchable player on the team.

#firequeef
- Skalapy

I'd like to see a complete redo of this organization.

Keefe I thought coached this last game quite well, he did the best he could do with the limited options on D, he tried Nylander at C and he made a gamble with Robertson (who hadn't been great this series, although not bad) out and Johnsson in.
My biggest issue with Keefe is that Toronto's breakouts are so predictable, it's easy for a team like Columbus to play against them.
Apart from the pure quality of Matthews-Tavares-Marner line - CBJ had leafs exactly where they wanted them. Was very painful to watch this team 'dominate' in mind of some of Dubas-fans - where in reality CBJ was really putting their will on this series.

Fire Shanahan and Dubas. TITS hasn't worked - and some awful non-moves were made by Dubas (no action at all 2020 trade deadline, took him over a year to address the backup goalie issue, bad contract negotiation tactics, no sandpaper, no real depth additions on D, etc.). Get rid of Keefe as well, although he hasn't done anything 'bad' these series imo. But a new GM needs to bring in his own head coach.

Bring in a GM that is not afraid to make a big move, and that has experience and is well respected - e.g. Doug Wilson.
As for the new coach -- the Leafs just fired one of the best coaches in the league, so not sure where they can go. It should be a guy that makes sure that there is no room for soft millenial attitudes though - more Hyman and Muzzin attitudes.

As for the team: this team doesn't deserve to win the top pick in the 2020 draft, but if they do, Leafs can go out and trade Nylander without any hesitation.

obvious first need is to make changes on D.
Add some guys that can PK, don't have stone hands and just know how to play good positional defensive hockey.
not too sure about adding Pietrangelo (it all depends on the length of his new contract) but it seems he's the obvious answer to add.
Gudas, Braun are a few other RHD available - not sure about them ; if Dubas would stay, he'd probably add a guy like Tim Heed (small, offensive rhd-man who is lost in his own zone).

apart from D - leafs need to address the makeup of their forward lines.

it's sad to see that Engvall was the best of the Skandinavians this playoffs series.
he's earned his spot on 3/4 line.

Nylander, Johnsson and Kapanen all available for trade - 2 need to go (first 2 imo).
Get rid of Kerfoot as well.
Spezza and Clifford should not be there coming season either.

I'd keep Andersen (he's played well these 5 games overall - but again a final playoff series loss with a very poor goal against doesn't help the trust in him. I do think he was better this year vs CBJ than last three years in playoffs). Campbell is there, and unless Leafs want to go with Lehner or Holtby, there is no GK available that would make sense. Let's see how Woll progresses this year.

Leafs should keep:
Matthews - Marner - Tavares - Hyman - Mikheyev - Engvall - Korshkov (should have played this series) - Gauthier (idem) - Barabanov (I guess since new we give him a chance) - Robertson.
on D: Rielly - Sandin - Muzzin - Dermott - Liljegren, Lehtonen and they add 2-3 other guys on D.

Keep the goalies.

apart from Pietrangelo, Leafs should focus on trading for guys like:

FW: Hintz (yes, he's better than Nylander), Faksa; Crouse (Ari); Heinen (Ana); Wagner, Moore (should have kept him) (LA); Sörensen, Labanc (SJ) etc.

D: Fabbro, Pietrangelo, Ekblad (not sure if available, but Florida is a mess of an organization with their need to save salary)


Hyman - Tavares - Marner
?? - Matthews - ?? (Matthews with Hintz and Heinen would be a great line)
Crouse - Faksa - Mikheyev
Robertson - Engvall - Korshkov
13/14: Gauthier - Barabanov

Rielly - Pietrangelo
Muzzin - Dermott
Sandin - ??
7/8: Liljegren, Lehtonen

Andersen
Campbell
Woll

4/5 guys on FW out and 4/5 new FWs in is required to change this team's setup.

Nylander-Johnsson-Kerfoot-Kapanen-Spezza-Clifford

in: Hintz, Heinen, Crouse, Faksa

That should be doable as for trades (Nylander - Hintz; Johnsson + for Heinen; Kapanen for Crouse; Kerfoot + for Faksa).

on D obviously get rid of Barrie, Ceci (I don't mind Marincin on Marlies with option to call him up in case of injuries).

Yes.
- aminnes

I don't get it at all. Nylander IMO would have been fine as a 2C if you developed him there. poopty as a 3C or even put at 2C after playing wing as a pro most of his career.

Why switch in an elimination game when you have momentum?

I don't get it at all. Nylander IMO would have been fine as a 2C if you developed him there. poopty as a 3C or even put at 2C after playing wing as a pro most of his career.

Why switch in an elimination game when you have momentum?
- golfingsince

Not sure. Is changing everything up last minute a Calder Cup thing?

I'd like to see a complete redo of this organization.

Keefe I thought coached this last game quite well, he did the best he could do with the limited options on D, he tried Nylander at C and he made a gamble with Robertson (who hadn't been great this series, although not bad) out and Johnsson in.
My biggest issue with Keefe is that Toronto's breakouts are so predictable, it's easy for a team like Columbus to play against them.
Apart from the pure quality of Matthews-Tavares-Marner line - CBJ had leafs exactly where they wanted them. Was very painful to watch this team 'dominate' in mind of some of Dubas-fans - where in reality CBJ was really putting their will on this series.

Fire Shanahan and Dubas. TITS hasn't worked - and some awful non-moves were made by Dubas (no action at all 2020 trade deadline, took him over a year to address the backup goalie issue, bad contract negotiation tactics, no sandpaper, no real depth additions on D, etc.). Get rid of Keefe as well, although he hasn't done anything 'bad' these series imo. But a new GM needs to bring in his own head coach.

Bring in a GM that is not afraid to make a big move, and that has experience and is well respected - e.g. Doug Wilson.
As for the new coach -- the Leafs just fired one of the best coaches in the league, so not sure where they can go. It should be a guy that makes sure that there is no room for soft millenial attitudes though - more Hyman and Muzzin attitudes.

As for the team: this team doesn't deserve to win the top pick in the 2020 draft, but if they do, Leafs can go out and trade Nylander without any hesitation.

obvious first need is to make changes on D.
Add some guys that can PK, don't have stone hands and just know how to play good positional defensive hockey.
not too sure about adding Pietrangelo (it all depends on the length of his new contract) but it seems he's the obvious answer to add.
Gudas, Braun are a few other RHD available - not sure about them ; if Dubas would stay, he'd probably add a guy like Tim Heed (small, offensive rhd-man who is lost in his own zone).

apart from D - leafs need to address the makeup of their forward lines.

it's sad to see that Engvall was the best of the Skandinavians this playoffs series.
he's earned his spot on 3/4 line.

Nylander, Johnsson and Kapanen all available for trade - 2 need to go (first 2 imo).
Get rid of Kerfoot as well.
Spezza and Clifford should not be there coming season either.

I'd keep Andersen (he's played well these 5 games overall - but again a final playoff series loss with a very poor goal against doesn't help the trust in him. I do think he was better this year vs CBJ than last three years in playoffs). Campbell is there, and unless Leafs want to go with Lehner or Holtby, there is no GK available that would make sense. Let's see how Woll progresses this year.

Leafs should keep:
Matthews - Marner - Tavares - Hyman - Mikheyev - Engvall - Korshkov (should have played this series) - Gauthier (idem) - Barabanov (I guess since new we give him a chance) - Robertson.
on D: Rielly - Sandin - Muzzin - Dermott - Liljegren, Lehtonen and they add 2-3 other guys on D.

Keep the goalies.

apart from Pietrangelo, Leafs should focus on trading for guys like:

FW: Hintz (yes, he's better than Nylander), Faksa; Crouse (Ari); Heinen (Ana); Wagner, Moore (should have kept him) (LA); Sörensen, Labanc (SJ) etc.

D: Fabbro, Pietrangelo, Ekblad (not sure if available, but Florida is a mess of an organization with their need to save salary)


Hyman - Tavares - Marner
?? - Matthews - ?? (Matthews with Hintz and Heinen would be a great line)
Crouse - Faksa - Mikheyev
Robertson - Engvall - Korshkov
13/14: Gauthier - Barabanov

Rielly - Pietrangelo
Muzzin - Dermott
Sandin - ??
7/8: Liljegren, Lehtonen

Andersen
Campbell
Woll

4/5 guys on FW out and 4/5 new FWs in is required to change this team's setup.

Nylander-Johnsson-Kerfoot-Kapanen-Spezza-Clifford

in: Hintz, Heinen, Crouse, Faksa

That should be doable as for trades (Nylander - Hintz; Johnsson + for Heinen; Kapanen for Crouse; Kerfoot + for Faksa).

on D obviously get rid of Barrie, Ceci (I don't mind Marincin on Marlies with option to call him up in case of injuries).
- MaximusAurelius

marner is a 90 pound nerd , he did nothing all series...overpaid punk

trade anyone but matthews.. he is a top 5 star in the league

Not sure. Is changing everything up last minute a Calder Cup thing?
- aminnes

Agreed. It made more sense to start Johnsson game 1 of a new series than the final of this one.

I wonder how Robertson must feel.

Culture.
- aminnes

Your takes are so awful

marner is a 90 pound nerd , he did nothing all series...overpaid punk

trade anyone but matthews.. he is a top 5 star in the league
- CarlitoBrigante

didn't play well this series and this year under keefe took a step back...
he did put in an effort though - unlike most other players.

Marner

One primary point in 5 games

Gross

Your takes are so awful
- Santo_44

I know right. Make a teenager work his ass off to make a team and be mentored by his friend who also happens to be the best American scorer in the NHL so that in the 5th and final game of the series the coach gives you the boot for a guy who hasn't played a lick in months. The players see stuff like this and just revel beneath their coach as he levitates above them.

I know right. Make a teenager work his ass off to make a team and be mentored by his friend who also happens to be the best American scorer in the NHL so that in the 5th and final game of the series the coach gives you the boot for a guy who hasn't played a lick in months. The players see stuff like this and just revel beneath their coach as he levitates above them.
- aminnes

Robertson wasn't that great these 4 games.
Lots of effort, but not so effective and he fell down several times.
I am defending Keefe here - since I like the gamble he took on Johnsson. It didn't work out - hardly the reason for Leafs to lose this last game though.

I know right. Make a teenager work his ass off to make a team and be mentored by his friend who also happens to be the best American scorer in the NHL so that in the 5th and final game of the series the coach gives you the boot for a guy who hasn't played a lick in months. The players see stuff like this and just revel beneath their coach as he levitates above them.
- aminnes

He is 18 years old.

He has a full career ahead of him.

(frank) off and stop overanalyzing things. Your takes are the worst on here. Full of stupidity and anger.

Marner

One primary point in 5 games

Gross
- Santo_44

still much much better than friend Nylander.

still much much better than friend Nylander.
- MaximusAurelius

Nope.

Not one bit.

Marner sucked all series and for 4 million more a season.

Robertson wasn't that great these 4 games.
Lots of effort, but not so effective and he fell down several times.
I am defending Keefe here - since I like the gamble he took on Johnsson. It didn't work out - hardly the reason for Leafs to lose this last game though.
- MaximusAurelius

No one said to was reason they lost.

It is a microcosm of a bad culture the plagues the club. Meaning it is one in many things that are problematic.