After the Leafs were eliminated this year, my cousin - who is a huge Leafs fan - posted on Facebook asking for people to make suggestions for NHL teams that his newborn son should follow because he wasn't going to subject his son to constant failure and heartache.

Not saying this is necessarily representative of Leafs fandom in general, but there is a LOT of angst across the board from fairweather fans to dyed in the wool fanboys/girls alike.

To me, the long-suffering-fan syndrome is my birthright but I wonder if the fanbase takes a bit of a dip or skips a generation at this point.
- mjones242

From what I understand, plenty of kids are turning to the Raptors in Toronto. Winning that championship created thousands if not millions of fans for them.

When the Leafs lost back to back Conference Finals back in the early 90s were you satisfied?

"Oh well, at least we had a couple of great runs where we won 2 whole rounds two whole times!"
- mjones242

This. Great example I was going to bring-up. I was devestated both years they lost. 94' was tough because I knew they would take a step back with so many vets (Team knew it too that's why the Sundin trade was made).
The Isles are in a similar spot. They can't top this and have a feew aging vets. With the cap now they have a bigger challenge than the Leafs did in 94'.

Bad case of shiny new toy syndrome.
- Aaron_85

I think so.

For playoffs, it would be every 5 games based on his short playoffs games
Marner playoff ppg are roughly the same as tkafacks reg season ppg.
Oh and hes over a ppg player in the reg season.
Neither him or matthews played well these playoffs. In fact, when it comes to elimination games, am, mm and willie all dont have good numbers.
Trade them all?
- Fakepartofme

No just the one that shivers when glared at.

From what I understand, plenty of kids are turning to the Raptors in Toronto. Winning that championship created thousands if not millions of fans for them.
- Scabeh

The title is a big reason, but Toronto's demographics are an even bigger one. basketball is the 2nd biggest sport in the world and Toronto is the most multi-cultural city in the world.

Yup.

If the Leafs had made it past the 1st round recently I suspect this whole narrative by other fanbases would wash away pretty quickly.
- mjones242

Yep. This is really about the Leafs. they truly are the centre of the universe.

And Tkachcuk's cap hit is actually very high for only 3 years signed.
- RogerRoeper

RFA still with his next cap hit to be in the 9-10 mil range
very similar pay day for Point.

The title is a big reason, but Toronto's demographics are an even bigger one. basketball is the 2nd biggest sport in the world and Toronto is the most multi-cultural city in the world.
- RogerRoeper

What?, cricket is the second largest sport in the world.

What?, cricket is the second largest sport in the world.
- bobbyisno1

Pretty sure it's basketball now but anyways, it's much bigger than hockey.

So you are expecting better than what he provided? It's one of the best trades in leaf history getting him. Context...
- RogerRoeper

Lol

At least we have a month or 2 of some exciting hockey, the last 5 years have been tough....nice to make it but fack, I’d like to watch some rounds. Only 1 team wins, if the cup is the only satisfaction then I need a new hobby.
- Garnie

To be honest, I find it very difficult to watch playoff hockey that doesn't involve the Leafs. Ironically, it's even more difficult to watch playoff hockey when it IS the Leafs.

What concerns me is how motivated I am going to be to watch this Leafs team run out the Core 4 again next regular season. I mean, sure, this team likely goes on to finish in the Top 3 of the division again and earn a playoff berth (not guaranteed, but I'm willing to bet). But if we're in store for another epic collapse in the post-season? (frank) my life. What a colossal waste of time.

The only move I see Dubas possibly making that will be seismic would be a Rielly trade. Who he may get to replace him? That's a mystery but I'm thinking Dougie is not the guy this team lands.

In the immortal words of C-3PO (also, a long suffering Leafs fan):

Lol
- Garnie

Oh really? Name 5 better ones.

My companies inspirational quote for today.

“Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.” - Tim Notke
- Woderwick

Keefe needed to have this stapled in the locker room.

From what I understand, plenty of kids are turning to the Raptors in Toronto. Winning that championship created thousands if not millions of fans for them.
- Scabeh

Yup.

One Cup for the Leafs would secure at least another 50 years of good will. That's all we're asking for!

RFA still with his next cap hit to be in the 9-10 mil range
very similar pay day for Point.
- dmnted

Rather have him at 9.5 than Marner at 10.9, plus he's controllable.
What's Marner asking for next?

When the Leafs lost back to back Conference Finals back in the early 90s were you satisfied?

"Oh well, at least we had a couple of great runs where we won 2 whole rounds two whole times!"
- mjones242

Ya its great memories that are still talked about. Too bad that was one of the last times the leafs made it past the 2nd round.
Deep playoff runs are exciting, leafs fans in general just dont seem to understand that. Due to the teams incompetence for decades, leafs fans are relegated to whining about "well if you dont win the cup, you havent done anything blah blah blah".
Playoff runs are fun. The leafs are chokers and an embarrassment

RFA still with his next cap hit to be in the 9-10 mil range
very similar pay day for Point.
- dmnted

Tkachuk basically has Nylander stats but with much worse playoff stats.

But Willy makes 6.9. Overpaid!

This. Great example I was going to bring-up. I was devestated both years they lost. 94' was tough because I knew they would take a step back with so many vets (Team knew it too that's why the Sundin trade was made).
The Isles are in a similar spot. They can't top this and have a feew aging vets. With the cap now they have a bigger challenge than the Leafs did in 94'.
- RogerRoeper

Ffs youve said this the past 4 years.

Rather have him at 9.5 than Marner at 10.9, plus he's controllable.
What's Marner asking for next?
- bobbyisno1

Uh, why? He's far worse of a player.

Pretty sure it's basketball now but anyways, it's much bigger than hockey.
- RogerRoeper

Cricket is India's national sport, and that's what, 40 billion...

Ffs youve said this the past 4 years.
- Fakepartofme

That roster can't ever reach a finals.

No way he wants as much as 10M....what are comparables for his production? Cant be that high.
- Archaic

he's still a RFA with a salary of 9 mil. You need to add I think 10% to to his final salary for his qualifying offer

Uh, why? He's far worse of a player.
- RogerRoeper

Why cause he has less points?

Yep. This is really about the Leafs. they truly are the centre of the universe.
- RogerRoeper

They are indisputably the centre of the hockey universe. They are the most beloved and most hated franchise in the sport. It's actually quite hilarious to me.

Cricket is India's national sport, and that's what, 40 billion...
- bobbyisno1

http://biggestglobalsports.com/