Which makes your point of view nothing more than an unproven suspicion. Can’t operate a league around that kind of thing.
- Dozzer

That's the crux of the entire argument though. Why have any questions come up, which they clearly have and likely have behind closed doors for the leafs/NHL as well. It doesn't matter if it's happening or not...it's the idea that the NHL shouldn't want these optics. But I agree again, they don't care, so you're right in that regard.

You can and people do operate leagues around optics. Happens all the time. Why do you think the NFL actually started caring about concussions? They knew it was hurting/killing players but did nothing until the optics were bad. You can absolutely run a league based on optics.

I should also say, let's forget about the result of last nights game. Win or lose I think these optics aren't something the league should have. Tampa would then have an argument if calls went the leafs way that McCauley is overcompensating so as to "be unbiased as possible" in his job. The easiest way to avoid any BS from either team (which they likely discuss behind closed doors) is to avoid McCauley altogether.

Honestly, the league could have assigned a different officiating team and gave whatever excuse they wanted to to them before the playoffs started. Now it would look like they are trying to cover something up. Like the NHL can only make themsleves look worse.

https://twitter.com/eddie...&t=xdbwDZlJpKsy8vg5wHUWXg

Tb down a couple guys at practice today.

I think you are all saying the same thing it is just that the NHL should be avoiding this kind of speculation all together because of the past history.. No different that if a lawyer recuses himself from a case.. It is not that they would do anything different but that they could do something that affects the integrity.

That being said the Leafs lost because the "CORE 4" played like garbage (except Willie).

People will look and see Marner with 3 points but he looked the same as he has in the past playoffs where he shied away from the contact and intensity.. Mathews to me looked like Mathews from mid season and not how he has looked for the last month on his hunt for 40 goals.

We dominated Tampa 5-0 last year Game 1 so the tables are turned but nothing gets better unlef the Leafs play better
- Azuredoom

not that the Leafs would have won, but they Leafs did start to make a game of it, it was 3-2 and they were starting to tilt the ice (they had the better of the overall 5v5 stats), but a gift PP and its 4-2 and everything deflated.

its fair to say, questionable refs...pushed the game a different direction

Keefe says he’s not committing to any lineup changes quite yet for Game 2. 11/7 is an option.

https://twitter.com/lukef...&t=xdbwDZlJpKsy8vg5wHUWXg


I don’t know if I love the idea of the 11/7 or hate it.

Allows Matthews, Marner, nylander more ice time with some extra shifts thrown in, but then it’s always a cluster Frank on defense when they’re going out with a new partner every other shift.

https://twitter.com/eddieintheyard/status/1648735647979405320?s=46&t=xdbwDZlJpKsy8vg5wHUWXg

Tb down a couple guys at practice today.
- bryant

No Hedman, Cernak, Eyssimont or Cole... damn. That's one depleted blue line for Tampa.

It's just ONE game, learn, regroup, focus. Can't have that doomed attitude after one game FFS.

It's just ONE game, learn, regroup, focus. Can't have that doomed attitude after one game FFS.
- Symba007

are you talking to us or the players?

because what we say here has nothing to do with what the Leafs are doing or thinking

It's just ONE game, learn, regroup, focus. Can't have that doomed attitude after one game FFS.
- Symba007

My main point exactly that I wrote pages ago. It's one lost. A game that got out of hand. PP was rocking pretty well. 5v5 was solid in the 2nd period and near the end of the 1st. Plenty of positives.

No Hedman, Cernak, Eyssimont or Cole... damn. That's one depleted blue line for Tampa.
- Scabeh

Maybe for one game.
Lets see if the leafs can find a way to utilize it to their benefit

Conflict of interest isn’t based on what someone actually does but on the perception that he MIGHT not be completely partial. The league has created a situation where this is now a subject of discussion. Complaining about reffing is standard but giving those complaints something to do stand on is dumb and unnecessary.
- Canada Cup

so youre saying Wes McCauley was in Jamaica over xmas?

Maybe for one game.
Lets see if the leafs can find a way to utilize it to their benefit
- Fakepartofme

I'd expect Cole to play.

Sergachev is going to be on the ice for half the game.

There is enough suspect proof to call it into question and that should be enough to avoid the situation altogether.
It was dumb to even let the potential for bias to happen when it hurts nobody to avoid it. You've been told this simple fact and ignore it so I don't want to continue trying.
- UsernameUnknown

Workplaces are not based on feelings.

Use your head and not your heart, if there is not enough evidence to prove something like this in court move along because you’ve got nothing more than a suspicion. Which means you cannot adjust how he’s treated nor should you.

I’m done with this, I’ll just let the crybaby leafs fans continue because you think with your hearts and not your head.

I'd expect Cole to play.

Sergachev is going to be on the ice for half the game.

- Scabeh

Hedman is game time decision, expect him to play

No Hedman, Cernak, Eyssimont or Cole... damn. That's one depleted blue line for Tampa.
- Scabeh

Eyssimont was probably coming out for Jeannot anyway

are you talking to us or the players?

because what we say here has nothing to do with what the Leafs are doing or thinking

- senstroll

some here are ready to jump off a cliff this morning, it's one (frank)ing game.

Hedman is game time decision, expect him to play
- Symba007

he will play

Workplaces are not based on feelings.

Use your head and not your heart, if there is not enough evidence to prove something like this in court move along because you’ve got nothing more than a suspicion. Which means you cannot adjust how he’s treated nor should you.

I’m done with this, I’ll just let the crybaby leafs fans continue because you think with your hearts and not your head.
- Dozzer

THat's exactly how workplaces are based on now a days. Honestly it's quite a change over the last 10 years, let alone the last 5 years.

That's the crux of the entire argument though. Why have any questions come up, which they clearly have and likely have behind closed doors for the leafs/NHL as well. It doesn't matter if it's happening or not...it's the idea that the NHL shouldn't want these optics. But I agree again, they don't care, so you're right in that regard.

You can and people do operate leagues around optics. Happens all the time. Why do you think the NFL actually started caring about concussions? They knew it was hurting/killing players but did nothing until the optics were bad. You can absolutely run a league based on optics.

I should also say, let's forget about the result of last nights game. Win or lose I think these optics aren't something the league should have. Tampa would then have an argument if calls went the leafs way that McCauley is overcompensating so as to "be unbiased as possible" in his job. The easiest way to avoid any BS from either team (which they likely discuss behind closed doors) is to avoid McCauley altogether.

Honestly, the league could have assigned a different officiating team and gave whatever excuse they wanted to to them before the playoffs started. Now it would look like they are trying to cover something up. Like the NHL can only make themsleves look worse.
- Aaron_85

Bolded: nothing more than assumption being used to justify your own attitude.

My main point exactly that I wrote pages ago. It's one lost. A game that got out of hand. PP was rocking pretty well. 5v5 was solid in the 2nd period and near the end of the 1st. Plenty of positives.
- Aaron_85

it's not how, it's how many. First one to win 4.

Hedman is game time decision, expect him to play
- Symba007

For sure he'll be playing.
I have no doubt ciernak will as well

When did the phrase "let's agree to disagree" become so unpopular?

some here are ready to jump off a cliff this morning, it's one (frank)ing game.
- Symba007

did you watch the game? or the last half dozen leaf series...or the last 55 years of Leafs


Fans seem calm imo

When did the phrase "let's agree to disagree" become so unpopular?
- Scabeh

f off

Workplaces are not based on feelings.

Use your head and not your heart, if there is not enough evidence to prove something like this in court move along because you’ve got nothing more than a suspicion. Which means you cannot adjust how he’s treated nor should you.

I’m done with this, I’ll just let the crybaby leafs fans continue because you think with your hearts and not your head.
- Dozzer

before you go check your email sir

did you watch the game? or the last half dozen leaf series...or the last 55 years of Leafs


Fans seem calm imo
- senstroll

I was just thinking that...what it going to be like as the series progress.