I agree that you can't just rebuild. Not how sports work. Tampa gets some bounces in THREE overtime games and they are in the 2nd round.

Sure maybe some savvy moves need to be made or maybe it's just going with the team as it is and seeing what happens. These guys should essentially be told, it's on you, you're stars, let's see what can happen. You have two cups in 4 years.
- Aaron_85

I can see the Leafs possibly following a similar trajectory. Tavares is getting older, just like his buddy Stamkos. That OT goal might have been peak Tavares. He's already a good bit slower than he was in NY and he was never a burner there. Leafs also have some work to do in the offseason, so I think Keefe is probably telling his core a similar message right now - Matthews, Marner, and Tavares all get paid elite star money. Leafs missed some chances with their core. If they want a Cup on this roster, this year might be one of their best shots. Bruins and Avs are eliminated already. Carolina is banged up (sorry Bingo). NJ has a rookie goalie (maybe he channels Brodeur?). The path looks a little easier with the Bruins gone, Shesterkin gone, and the Avs gone in the West.

https://www.boston.com/ne...ttles-viral-bruins-tweet/

Skittles vs. Bruins is so fun, like watching a kitten fight.

Jonas Siegel
@jonassiegel
·
25m
Leafs’ projected lineup in Game 1:

Knies — Matthews — Nylander
Järnkrok — Tavares — Marner
Bunting — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Kerfoot

McCabe — Brodie
Rielly — Schenn
Giordano — Liljegren

Samsonov

________________________

I think I'm more bullish on Tampa than you, but overall I agree. I agree with the guys on Overdrive last night who said Tampa will probably be better than Boston next year. I think Boston will take the biggest step back (which is obviously expected given their crazy season).
- Zezel

I think the moves he's make sense on some levels. Eyssimont, who most of us are not overly familar with, was surprisingly in the top-15 in individual High Danger chances for/60 - he's right in the mix with guys like Point, Kaliyev, Stone, Meier, and so on. His finish sucks, but I think Tampa bets on that improving.

Jeannot is a huge guy and he's young. The trade did not work out for them this year, but to me he has an Erik Cole quality to him - big, decent shot . . .it was a nightmare year. The acquisition price was ridiculous.

Lat year the Hagel acquisition cost was ridiculous as well. It gets tempered by his 30 goal performance this year, but I think the cost to acquire him was way too much.

Nick Paul was a good pickup for next to nothing (Joseph & 4th).

The year before that they overpaid for David Savard, too.

In the end what's derailing Tampa isn't the deadline deals - it's the cap. Even with the advantage of lower taxation and savvy negotiating, they have had to dump or lose McDonagh, Palat, Goodrow, Coleman, Johnson, Paquette . . .and I think it sort of started with Miller and Callahan before they even won a cup. That is a lot of talent juggled out to keep their core there as well.

Yeah good news is JT only has a few more years. Honestly whoever the leafs GM is for next year has a good landscape to change the team as needed. People fret about Matthews but I mean either re-sign him or move him. You could even just use his final year and he can walk to UFA (which would suck but it's an option).

If you want to see people wanting a real tear down, Ranger fans want everyone traded.

Jonas Siegel
@jonassiegel
·
21m
Leafs’ projected lineup in Game 1:

Knies — Matthews — Nylander
Järnkrok — Tavares — Marner
Bunting — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Kerfoot

McCabe — Brodie
Rielly — Schenn
Giordano — Liljegren

Samsonov
- gravyface

I like this lineup. I don't see the word Holl anywhere on it. This lineup should be etched in stone throughout round 2, unless there's an injury. That 3rd line will be awesome to watch.

There's a pretty good GM named Yzerman who built that team

I am saying the GM that came in has been crap
- Santo_44

That's nonsense.

I think the moves he's make sense on some levels. Eyssimont, who most of us are not overly familar with, was surprisingly in the top-15 in individual High Danger chances for/60 - he's right in the mix with guys like Point, Kaliyev, Stone, Meier, and so on. His finish sucks, but I think Tampa bets on that improving.

Jeannot is a huge guy and he's young. The trade did not work out for them this year, but to me he has an Erik Cole quality to him - big, decent shot . . .it was a nightmare year. The acquisition price was ridiculous.

Lat year the Hagel acquisition cost was ridiculous as well. It gets tempered by his 30 goal performance this year, but I think the cost to acquire him was way too much.

Nick Paul was a good pickup for next to nothing (Joseph & 4th).

The year before that they overpaid for David Savard, too.

In the end what's derailing Tampa isn't the deadline deals - it's the cap. Even with the advantage of lower taxation and savvy negotiating, they have had to dump or lose McDonagh, Palat, Goodrow, Coleman, Johnson, Paquette . . .and I think it sort of started with Miller and Callahan before they even won a cup. That is a lot of talent juggled out to keep their core there as well.
- Monkeypunk

Pretty much spot on. Tampa's cap problems were a good problem to have for a while, but the good times are over.

Knies — Matthews — Nylander
Järnkrok — Tavares — Marner
Bunting — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Kerfoot

I think I'd swap Knies for Jarnkrok to improve the defensive side of our top line.
- gravyface

I'd prefer to swap Bunting for Knies.

Matthews and Nylander are better defensively than most give credit for.

Knies gets a bit more insulation with ROR and Acciari while providing an offensive spark there too.

https://www.boston.com/ne...ttles-viral-bruins-tweet/

Skittles vs. Bruins is so fun, like watching a kitten fight.
- Zezel

The newsbroad cast being upset was the best part

Jonas Siegel
@jonassiegel
·
21m
Leafs’ projected lineup in Game 1:

Knies — Matthews — Nylander
Järnkrok — Tavares — Marner
Bunting — O’Reilly — Acciari
Aston-Reese — Kämpf — Kerfoot

McCabe — Brodie
Rielly — Schenn
Giordano — Liljegren

Samsonov
- gravyface

Honestly, id swap Bunting and knies. But thats just me

That's nonsense.
- Scabeh

https://thehockeywriters....ltender%20Marek%20Mazanec.

I take it back, I thought he came in in the last year they won the cup. I love the Coleman/Goodrow moves but I thought it was Steve.

However I thought he had a terrible year last year.

Also the Miller trade was also terrible but had to be done.

I think the moves he's make sense on some levels. Eyssimont, who most of us are not overly familar with, was surprisingly in the top-15 in individual High Danger chances for/60 - he's right in the mix with guys like Point, Kaliyev, Stone, Meier, and so on. His finish sucks, but I think Tampa bets on that improving.

Jeannot is a huge guy and he's young. The trade did not work out for them this year, but to me he has an Erik Cole quality to him - big, decent shot . . .it was a nightmare year. The acquisition price was ridiculous.

Lat year the Hagel acquisition cost was ridiculous as well. It gets tempered by his 30 goal performance this year, but I think the cost to acquire him was way too much.

Nick Paul was a good pickup for next to nothing (Joseph & 4th).

The year before that they overpaid for David Savard, too.

In the end what's derailing Tampa isn't the deadline deals - it's the cap. Even with the advantage of lower taxation and savvy negotiating, they have had to dump or lose McDonagh, Palat, Goodrow, Coleman, Johnson, Paquette . . .and I think it sort of started with Miller and Callahan before they even won a cup. That is a lot of talent juggled out to keep their core there as well.
- Monkeypunk

I honestly never heard of Eyssimont prior to this series. But he played well imo

I think the moves he's make sense on some levels. Eyssimont, who most of us are not overly familar with, was surprisingly in the top-15 in individual High Danger chances for/60 - he's right in the mix with guys like Point, Kaliyev, Stone, Meier, and so on. His finish sucks, but I think Tampa bets on that improving.

Jeannot is a huge guy and he's young. The trade did not work out for them this year, but to me he has an Erik Cole quality to him - big, decent shot . . .it was a nightmare year. The acquisition price was ridiculous.

Lat year the Hagel acquisition cost was ridiculous as well. It gets tempered by his 30 goal performance this year, but I think the cost to acquire him was way too much.

Nick Paul was a good pickup for next to nothing (Joseph & 4th).

The year before that they overpaid for David Savard, too.

In the end what's derailing Tampa isn't the deadline deals - it's the cap. Even with the advantage of lower taxation and savvy negotiating, they have had to dump or lose McDonagh, Palat, Goodrow, Coleman, Johnson, Paquette . . .and I think it sort of started with Miller and Callahan before they even won a cup. That is a lot of talent juggled out to keep their core there as well.
- Monkeypunk

Some moves work out and some don't. I applaud Tampa for still going for it. I get the Jeannot deal and it didn't work out. I mean, 3 straight finals and 2 cups, you HAVE to try again with this window. I understand that.

I know Gord Miller hates how this happens to good teams. Cap rips apart quality teams. Same happened to Chicago. They managed their team, drafted/traded for good players and still had to toss them overboard. Bettman I think likes it though.

https://thehockeywriters.com/grading-brisebois-biggest-trades-lightning-gm/#:~:text=With%20four%20more%20years%20left,Draft%2C%20and%20goaltender%20Marek%20Mazanec.

I take it back, I thought he came in in the last year they won the cup. I love the Coleman/Goodrow moves but I thought it was Steve.

However I thought he had a terrible year last year.

Also the Miller trade was also terrible but had to be done.
- Santo_44

I accept your takeback.

Yeah good news is JT only has a few more years. Honestly whoever the leafs GM is for next year has a good landscape to change the team as needed. People fret about Matthews but I mean either re-sign him or move him. You could even just use his final year and he can walk to UFA (which would suck but it's an option).

If you want to see people wanting a real tear down, Ranger fans want everyone traded.
- Aaron_85

Hopefully, Matthews signs for a reasonable rate. If not, the bounty of players and picks could set this team up for the next decade. Willy will probably be asking for $9, but shouldn't be signed for more than $8 x 5. Marner will be up a year later and probably gets into the $11M club. Leafs also need to get O'Reilly and Accari signed. They are a must, as is Schenn. Losing Matthews and gaining assets wouldn't hurt this club too much. Cap space would be of some help if he was to move on.

Some moves work out and some don't. I applaud Tampa for still going for it. I get the Jeannot deal and it didn't work out. I mean, 3 straight finals and 2 cups, you HAVE to try again with this window. I understand that.

I know Gord Miller hates how this happens to good teams. Cap rips apart quality teams. Same happened to Chicago. They managed their team, drafted/traded for good players and still had to toss them overboard. Bettman I think likes it though.
- Aaron_85

I agree with the idea of going for it.

But if you're gonna go that far to get a player, why not go for a much better player? Why give up so much only to get a bottom 6 player?

I get the idea of recreating the Coleman trade but he went way too far into that idea.

I think I'm more bullish on Tampa than you, but overall I agree. I agree with the guys on Overdrive last night who said Tampa will probably be better than Boston next year. I think Boston will take the biggest step back (which is obviously expected given their crazy season).
- Zezel

Bruins season was the type of mirage that the Habs used to get in prime Carey Price seasons. Goaltending covers up a lot of warts... certainly did this season for the Bruins.

Both of Ullmark and Swayman had better than their own average years - in Ullmark's case significantly better. Playoffs appeared different... and the Bruin's coaching staff really did the Panthers a favor by not alternating both goalies to some degree. Ullmark's CAP hit is going to look ugly going forward I think.

Some moves work out and some don't. I applaud Tampa for still going for it. I get the Jeannot deal and it didn't work out. I mean, 3 straight finals and 2 cups, you HAVE to try again with this window. I understand that.

I know Gord Miller hates how this happens to good teams. Cap rips apart quality teams. Same happened to Chicago. They managed their team, drafted/traded for good players and still had to toss them overboard. Bettman I think likes it though.
- Aaron_85

A lot of people criticized the Goodrow and Coleman deals. It seemed steep at the time, especially for Goodrow. In hindsight, those deals paid off. Jeannot has not paid off yet. But I do like having a heavyweight like him on the team. Enforcers are an obsolete breed, but if you can pot 20 and still throw the mits, then that's worth something. Maybe not an entire draft worth of picks, but if Tampa wins another Cup with this core, then it will be worth it. (not holding my breath though).

The newsbroad cast being upset was the best part

- Aaron_85

So funny. I would pick up a bag, but I'm off candy.

Skittles remind me of a bulimic ex who like to binge and purge them. Taste the rainbow...in reverse...

So funny. I would pick up a bag, but I'm off candy.

Skittles remind me of a bulimic ex who like to binge and purge them. Taste the rainbow...in reverse...

- Zezel

sour skittles are the bomb

Honestly, id swap Bunting and knies. But thats just me
- Fakepartofme

that's what the lines were in practice.. we'll see - but I agree. Knies looked great with OReilly and the Accari.

A lot of people criticized the Goodrow and Coleman deals. It seemed steep at the time, especially for Goodrow. In hindsight, those deals paid off. Jeannot has not paid off yet. But I do like having a heavyweight like him on the team. Enforcers are an obsolete breed, but if you can pot 20 and still throw the mits, then that's worth something. Maybe not an entire draft worth of picks, but if Tampa wins another Cup with this core, then it will be worth it. (not holding my breath though).
- GalacticStone

I think TBs biggest fear should be Vasi turning into Bobrovsky.

With goalies you never know when they just fall off a cliff...no matter how good they are.

I honestly never heard of Eyssimont prior to this series. But he played well imo
- Fakepartofme

I had heard of him prior to this series - but only probably on the TDL day, and only because I was farting around with some of the league metrics per qualified 60 and noticed this name showing up and I thought, "that might be a sleeper target to grab," and sure enough - Tampa had already made the deal to snag him from the Sharks.

The newsbroad cast being upset was the best part

- Aaron_85

Skittles calling the 1st round loss what is should rightly be called - CHOKE