Dude, you can't conflate EVERY critical post like that.

Jesus, yes good teams find ways to win....Leafs are not playing like a "good" team. Every once and a while use the eye test Cush.

The way the Leafs are playing now is the same as they play in the playoffs: sloppy and disinterested.

This isn't "a good team finding ways to win" through adversity, this is a lazy team playing lazy getting lucky as they have for years. This is the EXACT problem some of us have with the team. The Leafs have no identity except for the Core 4 showing up when they want to, and that's not every night. Last night it was Marner's night. The night before it was (frank)ing Noah Gregor winning the game for them.

Thank (frank) for Woll right now. He's getting it done for them.


4 Leafs problems that make them NOT a good team:

1. Inconsistent lazy play by stars making $10-13M a year. These guys show up when they want. More concerned with their pre-game outfit than their play on the ice. Maybe players that have been outstanding their whole lives aren't good when it's time to get down and dirty. Maybe players like the Thachuks, who are a little less talented but a lot more hungry, are the types the Leafs are missing. Hence no identity.

2. Bad coaching. Motivating the line up to show up, nope. 4th line usage, dumb. Line match ups in general, dumb. Player usage, dumb. Systems and style of play, yuck.

3, Imbalance in the roster...aka weak defense, or defensemen playing above their skill injuries or not...since we watched (frank)ing Holl as a #4 for years... it's not limited to this year and a few injuries, but no Cap to fix this obviously.

4. Scraps for a bottom 6, but no Cap to fix this obviously. Makes scoring depth almost impossible when the Core 4 decide to glide all night.

So when people criticize this team it's usually justified by one or all of the above. It's sure as poop not unwarranted.

The Leafs are not a really a good team finding a way to win. They are a team with some really (frank)ing talented stars and a bunch of OTHER guys that get really (frank)ing lucky to win with their lazy play. The same lazy play that bites them in the ass every year in the playoffs.

There is work to be done. IMHO.

Period.

Edit: when most people say that they don't care about the regular season, it's only because they expect this lazy play during the season, hope it gets fixed but expect it, but then know there is enough talent to get lucky and make the playoffs....we all just hope they show the (frank) up for the more important games. Haven't quite done that yet.
- underhill14

There are a few posters here that seem disappointed when we win. Last season the Bruins were piling up points in a similar fashion as we are now, I don’t think their fans were whining like some of ours do.

Monsternado has been queued up

So Ohtanis personal friend from high school said he thinks he is going to choose the blue jays. For what it’s worth.

Also a rival exec said ohtani could like the “low key” environment on the jays lol.

I swear even high paid American execs choose not to believe the Jays exist.
- Santo_44

Anybody who knows anything isn’t talking since Ohtani made it clear he’d walk away from any team that leaks.

I think the best we can say is that the Jays could certainly have a competitive offer on the table. I’d guess that at some point Ohtani makes a decision about where he wants to play and from there discussions get serious. That’s where the Jays being nimble could be most useful.

Dude, you can't conflate EVERY critical post like that.

Jesus, yes good teams find ways to win....Leafs are not playing like a "good" team. Every once and a while use the eye test Cush.

The way the Leafs are playing now is the same as they play in the playoffs: sloppy and disinterested.

This isn't "a good team finding ways to win" through adversity, this is a lazy team playing lazy getting lucky as they have for years. This is the EXACT problem some of us have with the team. The Leafs have no identity except for the Core 4 showing up when they want to, and that's not every night. Last night it was Marner's night. The night before it was (frank)ing Noah Gregor winning the game for them.

Thank (frank) for Woll right now. He's getting it done for them.


4 Leafs problems that make them NOT a good team:

1. Inconsistent lazy play by stars making $10-13M a year. These guys show up when they want. More concerned with their pre-game outfit than their play on the ice. Maybe players that have been outstanding their whole lives aren't good when it's time to get down and dirty. Maybe players like the Thachuks, who are a little less talented but a lot more hungry, are the types the Leafs are missing. Hence no identity.

2. Bad coaching. Motivating the line up to show up, nope. 4th line usage, dumb. Line match ups in general, dumb. Player usage, dumb. Systems and style of play, yuck.

3, Imbalance in the roster...aka weak defense, or defensemen playing above their skill injuries or not...since we watched (frank)ing Holl as a #4 for years... it's not limited to this year and a few injuries, but no Cap to fix this obviously.

4. Scraps for a bottom 6, but no Cap to fix this obviously. Makes scoring depth almost impossible when the Core 4 decide to glide all night.

So when people criticize this team it's usually justified by one or all of the above. It's sure as poop not unwarranted.

The Leafs are not a really a good team finding a way to win. They are a team with some really (frank)ing talented stars and a bunch of OTHER guys that get really (frank)ing lucky to win with their lazy play. The same lazy play that bites them in the ass every year in the playoffs.

There is work to be done. IMHO.

Period.

Edit: when most people say that they don't care about the regular season, it's only because they expect this lazy play during the season, hope it gets fixed but expect it, but then know there is enough talent to get lucky and make the playoffs....we all just hope they show the (frank) up for the more important games. Haven't quite done that yet either.
- underhill14

Thanks for the 'eye test' suggestion..... oh wait I do watch the games. Christ indeed, just because what I have said isn't the same way you view it doesn't mean I don't watch the games.

Nowhere have I said this Leaf team is beyond needing any change nor improvements - they are far from it but the constant double standard people here have when evaluating if a team is good or bad is laughable.

Sure I get it Leaf fans have PTSD but holy hell it's next level in here by many, quite frequently.

"You cant think them winning isn't about them overcoming adversity" I disagree pretty strongly on that point looking at what they have on D right now vs what they planned to have on D this year.

Yes the D (even if everyone was healthy) needs to be improved but look at what they have had and have in the lineup for D lately.

I want to see games where guys in the bottom 6 come up big and win games for them, doesn't everyone? The big guns can't be the only way you win, that has proven to be unsuccessful in the playoffs and makes it easy for opposition teams to just focus on 1 or 2 lines.

The top guns haven't been where we would all like them to be but is it a bad thing to see Gregor have a great game and get the GWG? Or Woll to outgoalie another goalie/team?

Re your 4 'why the leafs are not a good team':

1. Tkachuk's aren't coming here so constantly pining and whining about it seems like a waste of time. Ottawa one hasn't got his team to the promised land and let's not pretend the Florida one is why they ended up where they did last year - that was goalie BOB. Are the Leafs top heavy and too soft - yep. Can they do much about it? Maybe. Will they - guess we will see but Tre has to do work here because the way it is now it's clear it's not just going to happen with the big $ players and likely not the coach either.

2. You could be right but I don't think they Axe Keefe unless they miss the dance or go into a huge tailspin. I could be wrong and would love to have a fresh voice in there but who knows and who is available and better? I wanted the Leafs to hire Bruce Boudreau (still do) and then maybe he or Boucher could take over if needed but guess we will see. I think Shanny is perhaps a bigger part of the problem at this point TBH and hope if they don't have a deep run in the playoffs he gets axed too.

3. This one and #4 are cap realted for sure and too much $ up front right now. JT's contract ending should help but we will see if a move to get one big salary out from the front end and use it for the back end /bottom 6 are happening. I personally don't think the Leafs not having playoff success has been a poor bottom 6 problem and I'm not even sure it's been a Defense problem. It's what we are seeing now in some ways - top paid players not performing but maybe also not being able to out goalie teams / have bottom 6 guys pick up the slack (a la Gregor the other night).

I hate to see Holl have success now that he is gone but he was used in a spot here he was not built for and was the whipping boy because of it (me included).

Work to be done - I agree 100%

Do we expect the Leaf roster today to be the one they go into the playoffs with? I would really doubt Tre sees it that way - I sure as Fak hope not but for 1/4 of the way through the season I'm not in a panic, they will make the playoffs and that's what matters until the Playoffs (to me).

There are a few posters here that seem disappointed when we win. Last season the Bruins were piling up points in a similar fashion as we are now, I don’t think their fans were whining like some of ours do.
- shack67

Ya, I agree with that. Less patience then the rest of us I guess.

I like when they win, sure, doesn't necessarily mean I enjoy the on-ice style game they play. (lazy and soft) And, that's why some have just relented to wait for playoff success.

I'm sure it would be a lot different for ALL of us fans if the Leafs at least won a Cup or three in the last 56 years. But alas, here we all are.

Thanks for the 'eye test' suggestion..... oh wait I do watch the games. Christ indeed, just because what I have said isn't the same way you view it doesn't mean I don't watch the games.

Nowhere have I said this Leaf team is beyond needing any change nor improvements - they are far from it but the constant double standard people here have when evaluating if a team is good or bad is laughable.

Sure I get it Leaf fans have PTSD but holy hell it's next level in here by many, quite frequently.

You cant think them winning isn't about them overcoming adversity, I disagree pretty strongly on that point looking at what they have on D right now vs what they planned to have on D this year.

Yes the D (even if everyone was healthy) needs to be improved but look at what they have had and have in the lineup for D lately.

I want to see games where guys in the bottom 6 come up big and win games for them, doesn't everyone? The big guns can't be the only way you win, that has proven to be unsuccessful in the playoffs and makes it easy for opposition teams to just focus on 1 or 2 lines.

The top guns haven't been where we would all like them to be but is it a bad thing to see Gregor have a great game and get the GWG? Or Woll to outgoalie another goalie/team?

Re your 4 'why the leafs are not a good team':

1. Tkachuk's aren't coming here so constantly pining and whining about it seems like a waste of time. Ottawa one hasn't got his team to the promised land and let's not pretend the Florida one is why they ended up where they did last year - that was goalie BOB. Are the Lleafs top heavy and too soft - yep. Can they do much about it? Maybe. Will they - guess we will see but Tre has to do work here because the way it is now it's clear it's not just going to happen with the big $ players and likely not the coach either.

2. You could be right but I don't think they Axe Keefe unless they miss the dance or go into a huge tailspin. I could be wrong and would love to have a fresh voice in there but who knows and who is available and better? I wanted the Leafs to hire Bruce Boudreau (still do) and then maybe he or Boucher could take over if needed but guess we will see. I think Shanny is perhaps a bigger part of the problem at this point TBH and hope if they don't have a deep run in the playoffs he gets axed too.

3. This one and #4 are cap realted for sure and too much $ up front right now. JT's contract ending should help but we will see if a move to get one big salary out from the front end and use it for the back end /bottom 6 are happening. I personally don't think the Leafs not having playoff success has been a poor bottom 6 problem and I'm not even sure it's been a Defense problem. It's what we are seeing now in some ways - top paid players not performing but maybe also not being able to out goalie teams / have bottom 6 guys pick up the slack (a la Gregor the other night).

I hate to see Holl have success now that he is gone but he was used in a spot here he was not built for and was the whipping boy because of it (me included).

Work to be done - I agree 100%

Do we expect the Leaf roster today to be the one they go into the playoffs with? I would really doubt Tre sees it that way - I sure as Fak hope not but for 1/4 of the way through the season I'm not in a panic, they will make the playoffs and that's what matters until the Playoffs (to me).
- Cush29

Nothing wrong with any of that response post Cush.

We're on the same page, just sometimes on a different paragraph I guess.

All good though.

Ya, I agree with that. Less patience then the rest of us I guess.

I like when they win, sure, doesn't necessarily mean I enjoy the on-ice style game they play. (lazy and soft) And, that's why some have just relented to wait for playoff success.

I'm sure it would be a lot different for ALL of us fans if the Leafs at least won a Cup or three in the last 56 years. But alas, here we all are.
- underhill14

I really haven’t heard anyone say they’re playing great right now and are ready for playoffs. Is there any team in the league you can say that about? NYR, Vegas, Avs?

They’re now close to firing on all cylinders and have 3 AHL’ers playing D. In the meantime, I’d rather have them win games in OT or shootouts instead of losing in regulation. I’m not really disturbed by the 5 regulation win stat but I do want to see them play better and see some additions to the team

Nothing wrong with any of that response post Cush.

We're on the same page, just sometimes on a different paragraph I guess.

All good though.

- underhill14

Well considering I had to go back and correct some typos there was maybe only a little wrong.


I want to see them win as much as anyone and I have to think they are close, closer than before like the Caps were or even Tampa when both sputtered before they got to the promised land. I have to think this because for me viewing it the other way is just too defeatist.

As far as Vegas and the success - FAK them, the other GM's in this league were playing checkers and the Vegas GM was playing 4D chess and they ended up with a wildly talented 'expansion' team because of it.

I hate everything about that TBH - it just gives the BOG and Bettman the abiliity to point to an expansion team in a 'non traditional' market and say "see it works.....no no don't look over there at that team out in the desert playing in a frigging college rink".

I also want Vegas fans to suffer for a decade of more of having a terrible team to see how much they really do support hockey - plus their fans need to feel the other side of it like we all have!

Ya, I agree with that. Less patience then the rest of us I guess.

I like when they win, sure, doesn't necessarily mean I enjoy the on-ice style game they play. (lazy and soft) And, that's why some have just relented to wait for playoff success.

I'm sure it would be a lot different for ALL of us fans if the Leafs at least won a Cup or three in the last 56 years. But alas, here we all are.
- underhill14

People have to get over the past. It has no bearing on what’s going on now. We have a bunch of twenty something stars who have no idea what happened to the Leafs in the past, and they don’t care either.

I really haven’t heard anyone say they’re playing great right now and are ready for playoffs. Is there any team in the league you can say that about? NYR, Vegas, Avs?

They’re now close to firing on all cylinders and have 3 AHL’ers playing D. In the meantime, I’d rather have them games in OT or shootouts instead of losing in regulation. I’m not really disturbed by the 5 regulation win stat but I do want to see them play better and see some additions to the team
- Canada Cup

The leafs have been lucky so far, when was the last time that happened?

The leafs have been lucky so far, when was the last time that happened?
- shack67

It's been awhile......lol

There are a few posters here that seem disappointed when we win. Last season the Bruins were piling up points in a similar fashion as we are now, I don’t think their fans were whining like some of ours do.
- shack67

Wtf.
Last year, the bruins weren't winning in ot or the shootout most games, they were pretty dominant until thr playoffs.
Also, no one was expecting much from the bruins last year.
Also, were you on bruins boards all the time?

Oh and theyve won a cup in the past 25 years....so its just not a good comparison

Plus Boston sports fans have nothing to complain about, theyve seen pretty much all their sports teams win a championship

Not a golf fan, but this is a great graphic for the Canadian open.

https://twitter.com/AHBSe...QaadcKeyLmE1NHIf5YoA&s=19

We're not a very good hockey team.
- fifty__missions

. They talked about the opposite last night on the broadcast I was watching. Only really really good teams find a way to squeak out wins while playing poorly.

new blog everyone