The Leafs have exceptional skill. But, are they too soft?

Some folks believe that the skill that allows you to flourish in the regular season is easily neutralized once the playoffs begin. You need crash and bang combined with high end skill in order to triumph in the post season.

Love Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton is a genuine superstar, Joe took Patrick Marleau's roster spot. Marleau we all know, is a first ballot hall of famer. In his day, Simmons was a real force.

But, what is this Leaf fascination with aging veterans? Can it work in the playoff grind?
- spatso

My conclusion: Spezza is likely an outlier. A true veteran who still plays effectively and can score points playing a limited role.

Thornton was a gamble but it seems like the Leafs coaching staff were either too respectful to Joe or were told to keep playing him unless injured. Either way, if the Leafs are bringing in a vet they need to have a short leash and not worry about bruised egos or how it may affect team chemistry if they're shuffled to the press box.

It will be really interesting to see if Dubas decides to go down this road again and try signing an aging vet beyond Spezza. I sure as poop hope not.

My conclusion: Spezza is likely an outlier. A true veteran who still plays effectively and can score points playing a limited role.

Thornton was a gamble but it seems like the Leafs coaching staff were either too respectful to Joe or were told to keep playing him unless injured. Either way, if the Leafs are bringing in a vet they need to have a short leash and not worry about bruised egos or how it may affect team chemistry if they're shuffled to the press box.

It will be really interesting to see if Dubas decides to go down this road again and try signing an aging vet beyond Spezza. I sure as poop hope not.
- mjones242

Would you say no to Perry?

Would you say no to Perry?
- Canada Cup

Perry says no.

Because Perry stays in Montreal.

Perry says no.

Because Perry stays in Montreal.
- Scabeh

Maybe, but he wanted to be a Leaf last season.. Instead, we went with Thornton, and Jimmy franking Vesey

Perry says no.

Because Perry stays in Montreal.
- Scabeh

Sorry, he wants to play for a winner next year

Also:

RIP Tom Kurvers.

Maybe, but he wanted to be a Leaf last season.. Instead, we went with Thornton, and Jimmy franking Vesey
- PatC80

Habs are his childhood team.

Pretty sure his first choice was the Habs.

But if Toronto had signed him sooner, pretty sure he would have said yes. We did wait quite a while to sign him.

Habs are his childhood team.

Pretty sure his first choice was the Habs.

But if Toronto had signed him sooner, pretty sure he would have said yes. We did wait quite a while to sign him.
- Scabeh

He has actually stated his desire to come play in Toronto before to be close to his home in London...so I wouldnt be sure about that.

http://thecomeback.com/pu...-toronto-maple-leafs.html


Family > Childhood team

He has actually stated his desire to come play in Toronto before to be close to his home in London...so I wouldnt be sure about that.

http://thecomeback.com/pu...-toronto-maple-leafs.html
- Archaic

Guess I'll have to ask Corey when I see him!

So we agree on adding the forecheck capacity. Simmonds doesn’t cut it and Foligno doesn’t have 5he offensive chops to play on the top line.

I think the big question is do you dump Marner or bring in a guy - generic Josh Anderson to play on the top line or somewhere in there. I’m not sure we give up on Marner. The skill is there and it’s more an issue of changing the way the lines play.

Obviously that changes the money dynamics and it means the money you find from Freddie savings and Kerfoot and elsewhere goes to a couple of power forwards and not Hamilton. Maybe it’s different if you move Rielly, I really don't know how it all works out but I put the priority on those forwards, not on Hamilton and I keep Marner.
- Canada Cup

I liked the Simmonds signing when it happened because he was hometown guy, fearless, had some offensive potential possibly left in the tank, and had leadership qualities (a Messier Trophy as evidence). He was a low risk signing for a reasonable price that made sense to take a flier.

Having said that, I think the time for these types of signings should be at an end. The margin for failure is way too slim to be taking any chances.

Coleman, Maroon, and Goodrow could likely be had for combined less than it will take to sign Zach Hyman.

Which is to say that maybe having our own version of the Clutterbuck-Cizikas-Martin line is what this team needs.

I'd like to keep Marner too, but I think his contract is absurd for what he brings this team. If by dumping him you can get a banger who can score, shore up your goaltending, and help sign a stud defender (Rielly re-upped or Hamilton), you do it.

I don't think that Marner is absolutely necessary for this team to win a Cup. I don't think AM34 nor Snakevares need him on their wing to be effective.

I think Hamilton makes this team better and if that means giving up on Rielly or trading Mitch to make it happen, I say do it. Balance the forwards and defensive group.

Doubt Dubas does it but he, at the very least, needs to make this team (frank)ing mean.

He has actually stated his desire to come play in Toronto before to be close to his home in London...so I wouldnt be sure about that.

http://thecomeback.com/pu...-toronto-maple-leafs.html


Family > Childhood team
- Archaic

Tell that to John Tavares who moved his entire family because of his pajamas.

Guess I'll have to ask Corey when I see him!
- Scabeh

Im sure he would be completely honest about it like all NHL players.

He has actually stated his desire to come play in Toronto before to be close to his home in London...so I wouldnt be sure about that.

http://thecomeback.com/pu...-toronto-maple-leafs.html
- Archaic

While I am sure playing for their childhood team is great as it is with JT and Spezza, I doubt it is a huge selling point for them. Being close to family is what I'd imagine is the best part about playing in Toronto.

Pretty sure JTs wife/gf never went to the Island with him...stayed in Toronto and worked at a Hospital.

Tell that to John Tavares who moved his entire family because of his pajamas.
- Scabeh

His family also lives in Ontario....

Im sure he would be completely honest about it like all NHL players.

- Archaic

So many NHL players would definetely love playing in Montreal and their amazing fan but never signed here when they had the chance.

Would you say no to Perry?
- Canada Cup

At this point, I would say no to Perry. He's had a couple of nice bounces in the playoffs this year but I don't think his contributions are largely overstated and he was a below replacement player last season.

Tell that to John Tavares who moved his entire family because of his pajamas.
- Scabeh

His GF worked here all year round.

His family also lives in Ontario....
- Archaic

I meant his wife and kids.

His GF worked here all year round.
- Santo_44

Really?

Well that's unusual.

I meant his wife and kids.
- Scabeh

His wife(gf at the time) lived in Toronto

At this point, I would say no to Perry. He's had a couple of nice bounces in the playoffs this year but I don't think his contributions are largely overstated and he was a below replacement player last season.
- mjones242

Perry has been an absolute warrior all year and an amazing influence on all our young players to boot.

Hell you can see Anderson, Kotkaniemi and others trying out some of his moves out there, it's pretty amazing.

His wife(gf at the time) lived in Toronto
- Santo_44

Or at least that's what she told him!

Really?

Well that's unusual.

- Scabeh

Not entirely.

I am going to assume they met in the offseason or just through mutual friends in Toronto. Everyone has their own individual lives and with the uncertainty with JTs contract what's the point in moving if you have a good gig?

Maybe they knew he was coming to Toronto all along idk.

Tell that to John Tavares who moved his entire family because of his pajamas.
- Scabeh

those were family owned pj's and bed sheets.. Likely even hand me downs

I meant his wife and kids.
- Scabeh

But his girlfriend is SUPER HOT..