I didn’t say they were the same. Neither got the job done. If someone told you that Matthews was going to score one goal in the series, would you feel confident?
- Canada Cup

I just think the larger issue is the pressure.

Marner was gripping his stick too hard, he couldn’t even make plays and when he did they were completely unlike him.

I’m focusing on this, because the teams overall play was not an issue. It was how they responded when it really counts.

Its so awesome our mod is non existent.....
- Archaic

I don't really see much going on that requires a mod. The guys bashing the Leafs the most are actual Leaf fans.....

Its so awesome our mod is non existent.....
- Archaic

So we’re our stars

bonjour
- BINGO!

he just pulled the drexel move, post laughies, logs off.

Its so awesome our mod is non existent.....
- Archaic

Dozzer would be banning everything that breathes

Would rather go hard on Hamilton in the open market, don't have to give up an asset to do that. Trade Marner for a winger and goalie or something.

Trade him to Florida for Huberdeau and Weegar. Sign Driedger. Trade Rielly for whatever the (frank) else.

Brodie/Hamilton
Muzzin/Weegar
Sandin/Bogosian

I'll be here all weekend, don't forget to try the fish.
- joel878

but you also need to think of the cap as Hamilton will ask for Pietrangelo $$$ and will get it if not close to it


do you get coleslaw with the fish?

I just think the larger issue is the pressure.

Marner was gripping his stick too hard, he couldn’t even make plays and when he did they were completely unlike him.

I’m focusing on this, because the teams overall play was not an issue. It was how they responded when it really counts.
- Santo_44

One goal

That's why you need to enjoy success while it comes.

Habs are going to round 2. Hell they might make it to round 3.

It's still going to be one hell of a challenge to even make the playoffs next season.
- Scabeh

This is why this season was so special for the leafs. The path to the cup will never be easier. They had a great team. By far the best in the North. I can’t believe they didn’t take advantage of that fact. It was a cake walk. Handed to the leafs on a silver platter. Mind blowing how big of an opportunity was missed.

This is pretty false

You should be surprised
- Santo_44

Its not and I wasnt at all.

I just think the larger issue is the pressure.

Marner was gripping his stick too hard, he couldn’t even make plays and when he did they were completely unlike him.

I’m focusing on this, because the teams overall play was not an issue. It was how they responded when it really counts.
- Santo_44

It's not the pressure. His perimeter game is not effective in playoff hockey. That is abundantly clear. It is a completely different animal to reg. season hockey, something you will not admit, or just don't understand.

This team needs a Masai Ujiri moment. Someone in management who can man up and admit that this team's core cannot win. The verdict is more than in on that.
- fifty__missions

It’s coming man.

The raptors went through years of the same thing. It was a different scenario though...the Raps mindset was they would never get through the super teams of the NBA without a top 3 player in the NBA.

For the Leafs IMO it’s simply moving out Marner and bringing a new guy in. You hope that has a ripple effect.

I don’t want to (frank) up the first good defensive team we have had in decades.

This team needs a Masai Ujiri moment. Someone in management who can man up and admit that this team's core cannot win. The verdict is more than in on that. And then, go out and make the right moves. If they don't believe Dubas can do it, he should be gone.
- fifty__missions

Great, more truculence.

It's not the pressure. His perimeter game is not effective in playoff hockey. That is abundantly clear.
- fifty__missions

It’s not clear to me

People said the same thing about Nylander

The silver lining is Bergavin thinks he has a good team.
- Santo_44

Well we have a team good enough to beat the Leafs.

Dozzer would be banning everything that breathes
- Not_Yan

so true. Dozzer was a phenom. Never to be replaced.

Resign?
- Woderwick

This team needs a Masai Ujiri moment. Someone in management who can man up and admit that this team's core cannot win. The verdict is more than in on that. And then, go out and make the right moves. If they don't believe Dubas can do it, he should be gone.
- fifty__missions

I can't lay much blame on Dubas here.

Players first, then coaching staff, then perhaps Dubas, for the Foligno/Thornton/Simmonds moves/signings.

Some better players there would've made a difference and possibly a star would've emerged, but that low-hanging "vet presence" fruit is hard to pass up.

Every GM does it at some point in their career.

Toronto is a unique place to play, the toughest market in the league with the Habs a close second for slightly different reasons.

he just pulled the drexel move, post laughies, logs off.
- Symba007

elite

One goal
- Canada Cup

Never said Matthews got it done.

Pointing the the larger issue and what needs to be done.

Starts with the guy who couldn’t hold his stick properly.

No excuses for AM but it's a fact that he was successfully swarmed all series. It was the right plan. They had Daneault plus a Dman focused on him once he crossed the red line. Take him out and the others cannot get 'er done ..especially once JT was out.
- The Law

It's a failing of the coaching staff. Good coaching staffs make adjustments to a team's style. It reminds me of when the Leafs played the Flyers in 2002 & 2003. I'd always appreciated how well Quinn adjusted the Leafs game plan as required, and made tweaks to the approach the team took - but Hitchcock was better at it. Both teams made adjustments in the series, but twice in a row the Flyers won. This time the coaching staff tried nothing, and the results spoke for themselves. Were they dismissing the OT losses as lucky bounces? Were they dismissing the fact that they were outplayed for 80% of the games as optics? I don't know - but the fact is that there were things to do and they didn't do any of them. Marner was awful? Move him to the 3rd line or 4th line with Spezza. Sit Thornton. Put Nash in. Maybe try Foligno on the 1st line and see if he can create havoc and room for Marner to operate without panic.

Some of this falls on Dubas, too. Campbell and Brodie were good additions but Thornton and Simmonds were predictably terrible. They had their moments - and like the Toronto market they got their press for those 5 or 6 good games - but overall they were a liability and likely could have been replaced by any decent AHL player. Given the trends on their play, there's nothing in either of them that comes as as surprise.

We didn't lose because of these guys on the 3rd & 4th lines, but when you saddle the guys who have been playing well (Spezza in particular) with a guy that makes his line seem short-handed, you've killed what advantage your bottom-6 guys can bring.

Never said Matthews got it done.

Pointing the the larger issue and what needs to be done.
- Santo_44

Yes, somebody from the core needs to go and Marner is the guy. You can’t trade the best player the Leafs have

It’s not clear to me

People said the same thing about Nylander
- Santo_44

I thought you liked to base your arguments on "facts" and "stats". Take a look at Mitch Marner's. The evidence is right there in front of you, but of course you'll have a bullpoop response of some kind of other. I see the excuse this morning is "pressure", huh.

It’s coming man.

The raptors went through years of the same thing. It was a different scenario though...the Raps mindset was they would never get through the super teams of the NBA without a top 3 player in the NBA.

For the Leafs IMO it’s simply moving out Marner and bringing a new guy in. You hope that has a ripple effect.

I don’t want to (frank) up the first good defensive team we have had in decades.
- Santo_44

We have a top 3 player in the NHL and he scored 1 goal.. We have arguably a top 15 forward in the NHL and he played scared..

This was a wasted opportunity. A Canadian team is guaranteed a chance to the semi-finals and we blew it.. Nothing else needs to be said.. The Leafs blew a wonderful opportunity..

you have a mod? I thought both were MIA.

Same with our two mods, they are never around anymore.
- Symba007

Yep pretty much...why they wouldnt just assign people who around is beyond me. Eklunds site management is right up there with his rumours.

I thought you liked to base your arguments on "facts" and "stats". Take a look at Mitch Marner's. The evidence is right there in front of you, but of course you'll have a bullpoop response of some kind of other. I see the excuse this morning is "pressure", huh.
- fifty__missions

I do.

Plenty of players like Mitch Marner doing great in the playoffs.