Right now WC1 is on pace for 86, WC2 is 84. That's awful.
- BINGO!

good for the fans of the middling crap teams

We'll see. They have played 41 games so far; 23 of them against teams presently in a playoff position and they are 15-8 against those teams. In the 18 games they have played against non-playoff positioned teams, they are 12-6.

They have 41 games remaining, 16 of which are against playoff teams, leaving 25 against non-playoff teams.

They even have a pretty even split right now with 21 games at home and 20 on the road, leaving the inverse for their remaining 41 games.

That is a well situated team.

Compare that to us - we've played 17 against playoff teams and are 10-7, 26 against non-playoff teams and are 17-9 in those games. 19 of our 43 games have been on the road.

Of the 39 remaining games, 21 are against playoff teams.

One of these teams has a harder road.
- Monkeypunk

Interested to see what the Caps do at the deadline. They're in a weird position.

NHL Playoffs if the season ended today:

Washington vs Ottawa
Toronto vs Columbus
Florida vs Tampa Bay
Carolina vs New Jersey

Vegas vs Vancouver
Winnipeg vs Colorado
Los Angeles vs Edmonton
Minnesota vs Dallas
- BINGO!

Colorado vs Winnipeg would suck in the first round. That could conceivably be the west semi.

Blue jays projections

https://blogs.fangraphs.c...ctions-toronto-blue-jays/

I like the Giminez projections. bit surprising 3.9war, 105 ops+ 26sb, highest war proj on the team.

Vlad..good, 30 hr.. but other than that, really need another Bat.. yeesh
Bo a little lower than I would hope..a nice bounce back would be helpful

need 1 bat, 1 SP and a couple more relief P.. not looking that great for all of that

adding this quote



not good enough
- senstroll

I think a Sasaki + Alonso would salvage this off season

I think a Sasaki + Alonso would salvage this off season
- mr.sir

If they don't keep Vladdy long term, I'm not going to even bother watching them for a while. How do baseball contracts work? They have him signed for next year, but when can they in theory sign him to an extension?!?

My gut tells me he's gone after next season.

I think a Sasaki + Alonso would salvage this off season
- mr.sir

I dont see either for the Jays.

Alonso..maybe, but id tread with caution. he is declining and hes not hitting (hard) like he used to. very short term deal. kinda like Bellenger..risk but could work out..

If they don't keep Vladdy long term, I'm not going to even bother watching them for a while. How do baseball contracts work? They have him signed for next year, but when can they in theory sign him to an extension?!?

My gut tells me he's gone after next season.
- Whipper

they can sign him anytime. I really dont know how it will play out, but I think its just a matter of putting a deal in front of him thats close to what hed expect to get as a ufa and he likely signs.

Rielly stinks
- bryant

This. He is absolutely the worst defenceman on the team. So soft and weak on one on one battles and moving guys in front of the net. He is also so predictable in the offensive zone. He can't shoot (or won't shoot).

Most frustrating player to watch this year.

This. He is absolutely the worst defenceman on the team. So soft and weak on one on one battles and moving guys in front of the net. He is also so predictable in the offensive zone. He can't shoot (or won't shoot).

Most frustrating player to watch this year.
- rSole

Realistically, what does he do for the Leafs?!? Doesn't score a tonne, doesn't defend well, isn't physical, isn't fast, doesn't move the puck overly well, brings nothing to the PP. This contract hurts more than any other on the team.

This. He is absolutely the worst defenceman on the team. So soft and weak on one on one battles and moving guys in front of the net. He is also so predictable in the offensive zone. He can't shoot (or won't shoot).

Most frustrating player to watch this year.
- rSole

I was harping on this for a few seasons.. but gave up, since hes a staple and is what he is.

I can stomach it more now that there is Tanev, and Mccabe and to a lesser extent OEL who can play D and MR doesnt have to be the man

Realistically, what does he do for the Leafs?!? Doesn't score a tonne, doesn't defend well, isn't physical, isn't fast, doesn't move the puck overly well, brings nothing to the PP. This contract hurts more than any other on the team.
- Whipper

Rielly always shows up in playoffs

Look at the partners he’s had
Hunwick, Schenn, Franson, Myers etc.

They finally went out and got him a partner (Tanev) but switched before they had a chance to build chemistry, which they had previously shown at World Championship

He will be great with Rasmus 😃

Also….Succubus 😡

I was harping on this for a few seasons.. but gave up, since hes a staple and is what he is.

I can stomach it more now that there is Tanev, and Mccabe and to a lesser extent OEL who can play D and MR doesnt have to be the man
- senstroll

It's sort of funny (not funny).

I recall when we got Kessel . . and we knew some of the guys weren't that talented. Like the roster had Stajan, Poni, Grabovski, Kulemin and I think Jason Blake and maybe Stempniak? But you'd watch camp and you'd see Kessel and you'd realize . . . he is the only true top NHL talent on that roster. You didn't (or I didn't at any rate) realize just how far away from decent the team, on average, was until I saw Kessel skating with them.

That's sort of the thing with Morgan Rielly. You have OEL who does what he does, but better - for $3m cheaper. Tanev coming along has really pulled McCabe up with him and it's really shone a light on how soft Rielly's game is. Like we all knew it was, but you don't see how long the shadow is until you shine a light on it, so to speak.

It's sort of funny (not funny).

I recall when we got Kessel . . and we knew some of the guys weren't that talented. Like the roster had Stajan, Poni, Grabovski, Kulemin and I think Jason Blake and maybe Stempniak? But you'd watch camp and you'd see Kessel and you'd realize . . . he is the only true top NHL talent on that roster. You didn't (or I didn't at any rate) realize just how far away from decent the team, on average, was until I saw Kessel skating with them.

That's sort of the thing with Morgan Rielly. You have OEL who does what he does, but better - for $3m cheaper. Tanev coming along has really pulled McCabe up with him and it's really shone a light on how soft Rielly's game is. Like we all knew it was, but you don't see how long the shadow is until you shine a light on it, so to speak.
- Monkeypunk

Rielly has had his ups and downs. Like you alluded to, he's played as the number 1 defenseman for almost a decade now. We also have to recognize that Mario Ferraro is a "number 1 defenseman," or Seth Jones or Jack Johnson in the past. It's not always the best indicator for play. He's been fine this year, but that's probably the biggest indictment since we all hoped extra talent and insolation would allow him to elevate and hone his game. I guess it doesn't help that yet again he's on 6/7th defense pairing duties...but at some point you either need to thrive or die. Hedman has killed it with the revolving door of Rutta/Perbix etc.

I heard he's working at a Cinnabon in an Omaha mall.
- GalacticStone

Cinnabon does rule.

Cinnabon and Popeyes are owned by the same company. A wonderful, magical company.

Rielly always shows up in playoffs

Look at the partners he’s had
Hunwick, Schenn, Franson, Myers etc.

They finally went out and got him a partner (Tanev) but switched before they had a chance to build chemistry, which they had previously shown at World Championship

He will be great with Rasmus 😃

Also….Succubus 😡
- mr.sir

Tanev Mccabe is basically the top defensive pair in the league. at least by some xg numbers. So yeah, id punt Morgan somewhere else

Cinnabon does rule.

Cinnabon and Popeyes are owned by the same company. A wonderful, magical company.
- Zezel

Do you think they use the grease from one to oil the other?

Do you think they use the grease from one to oil the other?
- AdamFrench

They should. They should sell a sandwich that is a popeyes breaded chicken piece with cinnabons as the bon.

But perhaps they tried it in their test kitchens and it was too good to release publicly.

https://nationalpost.com/...ra-over-millions-in-taxes
https://www.msn.com/en-ca...ar-tax-battle/ar-BB1rbS03

Man, I hope the CRA looses their cases.

Interested to see what the Caps do at the deadline. They're in a weird position.
- AdamFrench

I'll tell ya the one thing they did really well... And that was hit an absolute Home Run with Carbery... that cat is the real deal.


I'd give anything to have him instead of swarm the 2nd... cronin.

I'll tell ya the one thing they did really well... And that was hit an absolute Home Run with Carbery... that cat is the real deal.


I'd give anything to have him instead of swarm the 2nd... cronin.
- dozerD10

Ducks seem like they're at the point in their build where they need the loose fun guy before replacing him with the monster. Ducks have so much talent and it seems to be sucked out of them at all levels (Troy "Hard Worker" Terry as the exception). Bring in Bald Bruce for 2 seasons and poop can him once he's got them smiling again.

It is weird to say on a 5 game win streak....but the Leafs are due for a everything is clicking dominating game while Willy busts his slump with 2 goals
- Santo_44

6-3 wasn't quite as egregious as my original 8-2 loss prediction, but no one is perfect, eh?

The Leafs may have been on a 5 game win streak prior to last night, but they hadn't exactly looked fabulous during that run.

This team still needs to work very hard on improving their 5v5 scoring. Earlier this season they were getting Vezina quality goaltending which has slipped since Stolarz went down.

Still a lot of work to be done on this squad.

6-3 wasn't quite as egregious as my original 8-2 loss prediction, but no one is perfect, eh?

The Leafs may have been on a 5 game win streak prior to last night, but they hadn't exactly looked fabulous during that run.

This team still needs to work very hard on improving their 5v5 scoring. Earlier this season they were getting Vezina quality goaltending which has slipped since Stolarz went down.

Still a lot of work to be done on this squad.
- mjones242

Meh Matthews has either not played or been injured for 90% of the time. Most man games lost.

There is work to do sure but I like the way they have played and battled.

I also don't buy that the goalies have been vezina level, it is all relative.

I know we are all wearing our grumpy pants after last night's loss, but cheer up.

The current wild card race is as follows (based upon winning %, not points):

Columbus Blue Jackets - 7th seed

Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadians - tied for 8th seed

Pittsburgh Penguins - 10th seed

Boston Bruins - 11th seed
- Atomic Wedgie

I hope boston makes it, so we can sweep them.
Or beat them in 5.
(frank) the sens and habs....although I do believe I said the sens would make run to the playoffs.

I hope boston makes it, so we can sweep them.
Or beat them in 5.
(frank) the sens and habs....although I do believe I said the sens would make run to the playoffs.
- Fakepartofme

Ullmark is week to week and isn't even skating...They are toast. Too much competition

If they don't keep Vladdy long term, I'm not going to even bother watching them for a while. How do baseball contracts work? They have him signed for next year, but when can they in theory sign him to an extension?!?

My gut tells me he's gone after next season.
- Whipper

They just signed him for this, year but they can extend him anytime prior to season.
I doubt they extend mid season.

They should have offered him 10 x $30m right after this season.
Now they will have to overpay for him....$35 plus per