The Blues used to be my primary team. (*cringe*)

I remember watching the division final series between the Blues and Leafs in 92-93. I was pulling for Brett Hull, Cujo, and the Blues. My friend (who turned me on to hockey) was a diehard Leafs guy. You guys know what happened. Doug Gilmour's dramatic double-OT goal crushed the Blues and my spirits. My friend was rubbing it in after that until LA avenged my Blues in the next series.

Flash forward 30 (frank)ing years and I am on the receiving end of another crushing Leafs OT goal, this time by Tavares.

Although, I honestly expected this last goal. The Bolts limped into the playoffs and had no chance against a stacked and determined Leafs squad. It wasn't as crushing as the Gilmour goal.
- GalacticStone

Over the years, my kids have had practices at Mattamy Arena, which is on the site of the old Maple Leaf Gardens.

They turned the old first floor into a grocery store (go to the middle, and in one aisle, in front of the spam on the shelf, they have a red dot to show you where centre ice was). 2nd floor is a gym and basketball court for a university, 3rd floor is the ice rink.

Anyhoo, whenever my kids would have a practice there, I'd wear my Gilmour jersey. I'd be the first on the ice., peg the net, then re-enact that goal.

There would always be one or two dads who knew exactly what I was doing.

Nothing this guy says should be taken seriously. Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me, I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.
- AdamFrench

- Scabeh

The (frank)ing triangle goatee bro. (frank) me.

Tampa is Pittsburgh now, but with a better GM and coach. I'm at peace with that.

Stamkos and Hedman will really start to show their decline soon, both have been pretty banged up over the years and aren't getting any younger. Kuch still has some time left to terrorize, but Vasi is schizo. Which Vasi will show up next playoffs? Sergachev is a legit #1 on many teams, but taking Hedman's place will be a tall order (pun intended). Depth behind Sergachev is really thin. The bottom six is getting worse every year. Killorn is about to walk. I'm not optimistic. Bolts had an epic run, I was happy to be Bolts fan during this roll, but all good rolls come to an end. The torch has been passed to the Leafs.
- GalacticStone

That ROR goal to tie the game shouldn't have gone in. But I thought it was funny when people were like 'the Leafs found the book on Vasi, deflections with traffic in front' - isn't that the book on every goalie?

I do think Tampa has a lot more mileage left than Pittsburgh or Boston.

Nothing this guy says should be taken seriously. Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me, I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.
- AdamFrench

Taking a look around me in recent years has inspired me to have a rigid ritual of shaving completely every other day.

I saw the fans reaction when the Leafs scored the GWG against Tampa.

My first thought was: Holy crap, these guys are so young they probably never experienced this in their lifetime.

- Scabeh

Exactly! You would be around 24 to remember the last time the Leafs made the second round. Meaning, 5 years old. The Millennials have never experienced victory in seeing Toronto win a round.

That ROR goal to tie the game shouldn't have gone in. But I thought it was funny when people were like 'the Leafs found the book on Vasi, deflections with traffic in front' - isn't that the book on every goalie?

I do think Tampa has a lot more mileage left than Pittsburgh or Boston.
- Zezel

They are in purgatory mode. Their core is mid 30's, still formidable, but their defense is thread bare and no draft capital to use for an upgrade for about 4 years. Pittsburgh is even further along this curve and Boston is on their tail. The Bruins defense is still relatively young and could carry them into the playoffs. All three of these teams need to start moving veteran players out for assets, before those assets evaporate.

They are in purgatory mode. Their core is mid 30's, still formidable, but their defense is thread bare and no draft capital to use for an upgrade for about 4 years. Pittsburgh is even further along this curve and Boston is on their tail. The Bruins defense is still relatively young and could carry them into the playoffs. All three of these teams need to start moving veteran players out for assets, before those assets evaporate.
- PrinceLH

Brisebois has done some great moves over the years but trading away McDonagh and giving away 5 picks and Foote for Jeannot were mistakes.

Over the years, my kids have had practices at Mattamy Arena, which is on the site of the old Maple Leaf Gardens.

They turned the old first floor into a grocery store (go to the middle, and in one aisle, in front of the spam on the shelf, they have a red dot to show you where centre ice was). 2nd floor is a gym and basketball court for a university, 3rd floor is the ice rink.

Anyhoo, whenever my kids would have a practice there, I'd wear my Gilmour jersey. I'd be the first on the ice., peg the net, then re-enact that goal.

There would always be one or two dads who knew exactly what I was doing.
- Atomic Wedgie

That's great stuff. That goal is always burned into my brain. Cujo's dramatic flopping around is etched in there too. It was my first serious introduction to playoff hockey where I felt like a fan, and the Leafs played the villain. One of my first playoff games was ended by that Gilmour goal. The Blues made it a back and forth series, but I remember the disappointment of being shut out in game 7. I was hoping the Blues offense would wake up when it mattered most, and Potvin shut the door. Blues got spanked in game 7. I walked away with a lot of respect for the Leafs. That's the Leafs I remember fondly. Getting to see Clark fight and score goals in a Lightning jersey was a nice consolation prize.

Brisebois has done some great moves over the years but trading away McDonagh and giving away 5 picks and Foote for Jeannot were mistakes.
- Scabeh

McDonagh was the silent cornerstone of the D. He let Hedman be Hedman. The whole D collapsed like a Jenga pile after McD left.

Until Jeannot wins the Conn Smythe, I will hate that trade.

Brisebois has done some great moves over the years but trading away McDonagh and giving away 5 picks and Foote for Jeannot were mistakes.
- Scabeh

I assume Killorn is gone which will hurt and some ugly little things will probably fall off their bottom end.

Brisebois has done some great moves over the years but trading away McDonagh and giving away 5 picks and Foote for Jeannot were mistakes.
- Scabeh

Letting McDonagh go was a huge mistake. Jeannot was not the same player this year that he was in Nashville last year. He appears to be a one year wonder offensively but going forward he will be a solid bottom six for TB, just very little offense.

Brisebois has done some great moves over the years but trading away McDonagh and giving away 5 picks and Foote for Jeannot were mistakes.
- Scabeh

I think it was a gesture to their veteran team, giving them one more kick at the can to win one more Cup. The Cernak injury really sunk the Lightning, taking away a top 4 defenseman when they really had very little to replace him with. Jeannot was acquired for only one reason, intimidation. They weren't just looking at the Leafs, but also the Bruins. They knew they couldn't out-finesse the Leafs and the Bruins, so they thought brute force was their only chance to get out of the Atlantic. Age and injuries should be put on the Lightning headstone for the 2022-23 season. The team needs to seriously consider moving players like Point and Kucherov to rebuild their team before it really ends up in the swamp.

McDonagh was the silent cornerstone of the D. He let Hedman be Hedman. The whole D collapsed like a Jenga pile after McD left.

Until Jeannot wins the Conn Smythe, I will hate that trade.
- GalacticStone

Many teams will have interest in Jeannot if the Bolts want to move him. Example the Devils would have loved to have had him last night. He is one guy that can stand up to Trouba. I watched him all last year in Nashville and he was outstanding and made every player six inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, lol I believe he led the nhl in fights or right up there in majors.

Many teams will have interest in Jeannot if the Bolts want to move him. Example the Devils would have loved to have had him last night. He is one guy that can stand up to Trouba. I watched him all last year in Nashville and he was outstanding and made every player six inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, lol I believe he led the nhl in fights or right up there in majors.
- joegreif17

He really became a non factor, once the Lightning got behind in the series. Tampa had to play their top 4 defenders into the ice, just to stay in the series. Their bottom pairing was not good.

I assume Killorn is gone which will hurt and some ugly little things will probably fall off their bottom end.
- Canada Cup

Yep, Killorn will be looking to get paid and likely get a raise. Thing is he really is a third line player and at his age he may not have any more good years left. Great addition to a good team but most likely not affordable.

The (frank)ing triangle goatee bro. (frank) me.
- AdamFrench

sunglasses and a cowboy hat and he's basically micky rourke in spun

I think it was a gesture to their veteran team, giving them one more kick at the can to win one more Cup. The Cernak injury really sunk the Lightning, taking away a top 4 defenseman when they really had very little to replace him with. Jeannot was acquired for only one reason, intimidation. They weren't just looking at the Leafs, but also the Bruins. They knew they couldn't out-finesse the Leafs and the Bruins, so they thought brute force was their only chance to get out of the Atlantic. Age and injuries should be put on the Lightning headstone for the 2022-23 season. The team needs to seriously consider moving players like Point and Kucherov to rebuild their team before it really ends up in the swamp.
- PrinceLH

Bunting was a major player in this series, but not by lighting the lamp. Taking out Cernak collapsed the Bolt's defense. Hedman was playing hurt and there was nobody but rookies and replacement level guys to fill the gap. Cole is Cole, but he's no McDonagh. That really hurt. But honestly, it felt like it was karma for Cernak. That guy has been a headhunter earlier in his career.

I like Jeannot, just not the price we paid for him.

Point has been banged up the last two playoffs. I'm starting to think he's another Stamkos. Absolutely dangerous when 100%, but often playing well below that due to injuries. Without him at center, the Lightning have no other 1C candidate. Cirelli? He'd get caved as a 1C. Kuch would fetch a big return, so I'd listen to offers and wait for one that blows my skirt up. But honestly, I think this roster might have another kick at the can, maybe. I wouldn't blow it up yet. We got three good young Russians.

He really became a non factor, once the Lightning got behind in the series. Tampa had to play their top 4 defenders into the ice, just to stay in the series. Their bottom pairing was not good.
- PrinceLH

I was actually surprised to see him off his game. This was clearly not the same player I saw in Nashville. Tough adjustment coming to a new team late and finding a way to fit. The verdict on him is not final yet because he is intimidating and really defends his team mates. Nashville with all the kids now could really use him. Evangelista, Novak, Glass, Tomasino etc could benefit from knowing Jeannot is around.

Bunting was a major player in this series, but not by lighting the lamp. Taking out Cernak collapsed the Bolt's defense. Hedman was playing hurt and there was nobody but rookies and replacement level guys to fill the gap. Cole is Cole, but he's no McDonagh. That really hurt. But honestly, it felt like it was karma for Cernak. That guy has been a headhunter earlier in his career.

I like Jeannot, just not the price we paid for him.

Point has been banged up the last two playoffs. I'm starting to think he's another Stamkos. Absolutely dangerous when 100%, but often playing well below that due to injuries. Without him at center, the Lightning have no other 1C candidate. Cirelli? He'd get caved as a 1C. Kuch would fetch a big return, so I'd listen to offers and wait for one that blows my skirt up.
- GalacticStone

Moving a Point and or Kucherov would replenish your draft picks and free up cap space to pick up a couple of free agents. The Lightning could be back in contention in a couple of years. Boston needs to also do something similar.

Savage article evaluating the Jeannot trade:

https://www.yardbarker.co...n_years/s1_17176_38765290

At the time of the deal, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff wrote, “Multiple NHL GMs are stunned by the return. Like jaws on the floor.” One Twitter user (@WizKidBrandon) pointed out: “As an RFA this summer, the Preds could have walked from an $8.4M per year offer sheet on Jeannot (insane to even think about) and received LESS (1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks total) than they got back in this trade. Wowzers.”

In the end, Jeannot got no points in the playoffs, played three games, got beat up by Luke Schenn, and was eventually made a healthy scratch.

They are in purgatory mode. Their core is mid 30's, still formidable, but their defense is thread bare and no draft capital to use for an upgrade for about 4 years. Pittsburgh is even further along this curve and Boston is on their tail. The Bruins defense is still relatively young and could carry them into the playoffs. All three of these teams need to start moving veteran players out for assets, before those assets evaporate.
- PrinceLH

Their deadline trades this year really busted, that hurts them.

Savage article evaluating the Jeannot trade:

https://www.yardbarker.co...n_years/s1_17176_38765290

At the time of the deal, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff wrote, “Multiple NHL GMs are stunned by the return. Like jaws on the floor.” One Twitter user (@WizKidBrandon) pointed out: “As an RFA this summer, the Preds could have walked from an $8.4M per year offer sheet on Jeannot (insane to even think about) and received LESS (1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks total) than they got back in this trade. Wowzers.”

In the end, Jeannot got no points in the playoffs, played three games, got beat up by Luke Schenn, and was eventually made a healthy scratch.
- Atomic Wedgie

Wow that's Leafy

Savage article evaluating the Jeannot trade:

https://www.yardbarker.co...n_years/s1_17176_38765290

At the time of the deal, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff wrote, “Multiple NHL GMs are stunned by the return. Like jaws on the floor.” One Twitter user (@WizKidBrandon) pointed out: “As an RFA this summer, the Preds could have walked from an $8.4M per year offer sheet on Jeannot (insane to even think about) and received LESS (1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks total) than they got back in this trade. Wowzers.”

In the end, Jeannot got no points in the playoffs, played three games, got beat up by Luke Schenn, and was eventually made a healthy scratch.
- Atomic Wedgie

Terrible trade. I don't even understand how Tampa even considered this.

Their deadline trades this year really busted, that hurts them.
- Zezel

So far, Leafs and Oilers seem to have gotten the best deadline moves.

I'd add the Kings with Korpisalo but they still lost.