I would say B+. He did pretty well, considering how little assets and cap money he had.
- alex.TML

Agreed. I really would have preferred the damage be limited to the 2 firsts and not both + Minten, but that was the cost of doing business and he was at least able to hedge his bets with extra years on the incoming players.

We can disagree it’s ok (no matter what Marner’s biggest fan/stalker says). 🤣

I guess it depends on what else you have. Rants played way heavier (as someone else said) and the Leafs lack that.

Both are incredible players but Rants is a proven playoff contributor AND WINNER.

Marner hasn’t led this team to anything close to what Rants has.

It’s a moot point now as Rants is a Star for a long time. I just hope Shanny and Tre leverage the Rants contract when negotiating with Marner because IMO they are comparable players.
- Cush29

My primary arguement against the Stanely cup ring is that Toronto has never had a player like Mackinnon or like Makar.

Yeah, seems that Rantanen plays a heavier game, but I see people acknowledging Marner plays a better defensive game.

I agree that Marner should not get more than Rantanen. It's too close a call.

My primary arguement against the Stanely cup ring is that Toronto has never had a player like Mackinnon or like Makar.

Yeah, seems that Rantanen plays a heavier game, but I see people acknowledging Marner plays a better defensive game.

I agree that Marner should not get more than Rantanen. It's too close a call.
- Aetherial

They've had Matthews, who can flirt with Mackinnons tier but has never been able to take his team over the edge like Mac.

They've never had anyone near Makar, but never has how may other Cup winners? Makar is impossible to duplicate.

One could make the argument that having Willy and Tavares *should* help even the scales with Matthews shortcomings to MacKinnon. It's just that Rantanen helped move needles in Colorado, his playoff stats are undeniable. None of our guys have in Toronto, Willy has probably been the closest.

No but I can blame Marner for being a shell of himself and supposed leader curling up in the fetal position come playoffs.

If Marner can bring what we all know he can into the playoffs give him a blank check, but until he does he’s not worth the price tag if he can’t do it come playoff time.
- bryant

Does anyone ever really consider that Marner is an incredible regular season player....different space, different intensity, different GAF level...but that his "I'm a genius player when I have a split second more time" game just doesn't translate to the tight checking, hard nose, no space/no time game that is playoff hockey???

Not that he sucks, just that he sucks then?

And then, maybe, just hear me out, someone else on that line needs to find him a bit more time and space...like Captain Disappearing poop-my-pants.

I love Matthews, was favorite Leaf ever, but he should kinda be in the cross hairs more than Marner or Willy.....or anyone else.

He's the (frank)ing C and he delivers less at crunch time than Marner or Willy.

Are we all blind Richards?

My primary arguement against the Stanely cup ring is that Toronto has never had a player like Mackinnon or like Makar.

Yeah, seems that Rantanen plays a heavier game, but I see people acknowledging Marner plays a better defensive game.

I agree that Marner should not get more than Rantanen. It's too close a call.
- Aetherial

I agree with this, I believe Marner is better than Rantanen. Mitch has scored more points, Rantanen has a way better shot and has size. Marner is better defensively. On Marner's next contract, Leafs need to consider that the douchebag Canes will be making a significant offer sheet to Knies which will drive the price up at the very least. This will leave alot less on the table for Mitchy, JT and any aspirations for the real Connor. The rumor of Knies for Rantanen was pure bullpoop created by Pagnotta. Sign Knies first, at 22 scored the goal of the season and one for the ages. Didn't mind that he punched the smile off Whitecloud's face either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgb-_W1w0oQ

Look, you guys are getting caught up in the lines, and looking past the like combos.

Laughton can play up and down the lineup. If they need some physicality on line 2/3 they can slide him in there. I don’t see Willy having much chemistry with him on the third line.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Laughtons role is to take some of defensive zone responsibility away from Matty and JT. He will start almost every shift with a faceoff in the Leafs end. Straight up 3C. Berube will move wingers up and down around him.

Leafs got hosed going all in on the wrong players.

They got better but not enough to justify what they gave up. Silver lining is no rentals.

But didn't improve more than the Panthers.
- Rare_Jewel

This team always was and still is about the core four philosophy still in place.

Either those players elevate....or we know the result.

are the new dudes playing tonight? any of you beauty's know?

are the new dudes playing tonight? any of you beauty's know?
- systemtool

Boston was on a roadtrip of the SE, so might be hard for Carlo.

Philly was chilling at home for their home game today, so maybe easier for Laughton to hop on a plane last night?

The defense looks a lot better right now than it did last season.

Boston was on a roadtrip of the SE, so might be hard for Carlo.

Philly was chilling at home for their home game today, so maybe easier for Laughton to hop on a plane last night?
- Atomic Wedgie

Tre said both guys would be in tonight. There was also a picture yesterday on Twitter showing Carlo at the airport with his gear.

are the new dudes playing tonight? any of you beauty's know?
- systemtool

I heard they were.

Papi-lite
https://x.com/kpapetti/st...&t=zXygQ9RZlVYvHUlIXsYVmg

Let’s see how good Carlo is on the penalty kill.

When Tanev comes back, Leafs should have 2 solid PK units.

No change on the PP, though.

Papi-lite
https://x.com/kpapetti/st...&t=zXygQ9RZlVYvHUlIXsYVmg
- Canada Cup

Laughton for the Rocket.

Everyone on the ice keeps confusing him for Matthews and feeding him sick passes.

Boston was on a roadtrip of the SE, so might be hard for Carlo.

Philly was chilling at home for their home game today, so maybe easier for Laughton to hop on a plane last night?
- Atomic Wedgie

Hope we see both but don't expect to.

I heard they were.
- Drapz

Beauty news

Kevin Papetti
@KPapetti
Lowest 5v5 GA/60 among 135 NHL D with 4000+ minutes over the last 5 seasons:

1. Jared Spurgeon
2. Matt Grzelcyk
3. Mikey Anderson
4. Brandon Carlo
5. Chris Tanev
6. Hampus Lindholm
7. Ryan McDonagh
8. Gustav Forsling
9. Dylan DeMelo
10. Charlie McAvoy

Let’s see how good Carlo is on the penalty kill.

When Tanev comes back, Leafs should have 2 solid PK units.

No change on the PP, though.
- Woderwick

I wish they had made a more significant move for the forwards and scoring, but all the moves made in the off-season and now is literally a slap in the face to the Core-5. Score when it counts or shut the (frank) up you piles of overpaid crybabies. We have brought in everyone we could to shore up the other end of the ice from goalies, defense and forwards.

Interesting read:

https://www.boston.com/sp...nd/?p1=recirc_mostpopular

Interesting read:

https://www.boston.com/sp...nd/?p1=recirc_mostpopular
- Atomic Wedgie

It’s hard not to feel bad but I’ll manage

I don't really care. Just seems to be a weird trade. Why you harping on a nothing burger?

- Aaron_85

Because you said the Isles were not sellers? I thought it was a weird take because they clearly were and then it spiraled into this odd debate.

I wish they had made a more significant move for the forwards and scoring, but all the moves made in the off-season and now is literally a slap in the face to the Core-5. Score when it counts or shut the (frank) up you piles of overpaid crybabies. We have brought in everyone we could to shore up the other end of the ice from goalies, defense and forwards.
- AdamFrench

I agree it's on the core to elevate. But if they don't I actually don't really blame them as much as management who have continued down the core 5 road. If we lose again we officially are the Thorton-Marleau-Pavelski San Jose Sharks minus the SCF appearance. Good for a long time but never good enough to win.

Interesting read:

https://www.boston.com/sp...nd/?p1=recirc_mostpopular
- Atomic Wedgie

They won a Cup, made some Cup Finals, and had some very deep runs in recent years.

I wish the Leafs were now in a position to contemplate a teardown after so many years of success.

The defense looks a lot better right now than it did last season.
- GalacticStone

Maybe... ever?