It is intriguing, though, isn't it?

The idea of "buying" talent has been something I think the Leafs should be pursuing more often. The Lombardi trade worked out great for us.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Yeah almost has us in the playoffs.

lol our pk improved to the point where we have to give up a short handed goal just so that they can score against our special teams. but seriously, damn do these guys look lazy tonight

Yeah almost has us in the playoffs.
- honesthockey

No, you're right.

Trading Lebda to get a good young talent like Franson was a total failure.

Are you really this obtuse or is it an act?

We deserved that.
How is it the ISLANDERS can rough around Kessel and nobody does anything?
I wouldn't care about the PP opportunity. Stand up for your best forward even if it means getting the minor. I'd rather see 4 on 4 then get a Powerplay at the expense of Kessel getting whipped around.

lol our pk improved to the point where we have to give up a short handed goal just so that they can score against our special teams. but seriously, damn do these guys look lazy tonight
- RoyMunson

Because they are, They can't even clear the puck from there own end. Too busy playing with it and thats how the Islanders scored the 1st goal, Lazy ass clearing off the zone. Its been a problem all year.

remember when the Leafs were a fast young team.....now they are this.....whatever this is.

He was the last man back and blew it.

He pinched. Was it the right play? Maybe if he had made a better play on the puck.

But rather than get up close to the boards and make a strong play, he weakly flailed his stick at it and turned it over easily.
- Leeman4Gilmour

There should have never been a 2 on 1 in the first place......Phaneuf was no where to be found and no forward covered for him.....wake the (frank) up

No, you're right.

Trading Lebda to get a good young talent like Franson was a total failure.

Are you really this obtuse or is it an act?
- Leeman4Gilmour

So I'm wrong Leafs are well into the playoffs.

Yeah almost has us in the playoffs.
- honesthockey

Because they are, They can't even clear the puck from there own end. Too busy playing with it and thats how the Islanders scored the 1st goal, Lazy ass clearing off the zone. Its been a problem all year.
- Leafsfan9329

Zero motivation after winning a game. They just mail it in the game after.

It sure would be nice to see them string together a decent stretch of good, fundamentally solid hockey (win or lose).

This is a group of underachievers, and that can be traced back to a coach that hasn't inspired them one bit in his 4 years here.

Because they are, They can't even clear the puck from there own end. Too busy playing with it and thats how the Islanders scored the 1st goal, Lazy ass clearing off the zone. Its been a problem all year.
- Leafsfan9329

i wish there was some one who could see that and correct their lazy habits that have been ongoing. is there a person whos supposed to be responsible for that? like some one to, for lack of a better term, "coach" them out of bad habits insted of repeating them?

There should have never been a 2 on 1 in the first place......Phaneuf was no where to be found and no forward covered for him.....wake the (frank) up
- jimdavis

no one to cover + gunner tried to break up the 2 on 1 pass with his hand or something,

So I'm wrong Leafs are well into the playoffs.
- honesthockey

No you are right some people just think being in 9th is still a playoff spot, Its there wishful thinking.

So I'm wrong Leafs are well into the playoffs.
- honesthockey

How does that change the outcome of the Franson/Lombardi for Lebda trade? You don't have to win the cup to prove that a trade in the off-season was beneficial.

Yes or no: Did we win the trade?

How does that change the outcome of the Franson/Lombardi for Lebda trade? You don't have to win the cup to prove that a trade in the off-season was beneficial.

Yes or no: Did we win the trade?
- Leeman4Gilmour

Absolutely!!! Beneficial nope! Hence 9th.

Absolutely!!! Beneficial nope! Hence 9th.
- honesthockey

I dont get it, so ur saying we shouldnt have traded lebda?

I dont get it, so ur saying we shouldnt have traded lebda?
- RoyMunson

Sure. Has it made us better?

Sure. Has it made us better?
- honesthockey

yup

not in the standings.. but stats wise absolutely

Sure. Has it made us better?
- honesthockey

we traded a crappy player for a better player. So i would tend to say yes

Sure. Has it made us better?
- honesthockey

we traded a crappy player for a better player. So i would tend to say yes

yup

not in the standings.. but stats wise absolutely
- Dozzer

If stats were the big prize then that would be great.

Sure. Has it made us better?
- honesthockey

Yes.

Franson is a clear upgrade over Lebda. Is this really that controversial or do you just get off on being contrarian?

HUGE GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

its still a game boys n girls

we traded a crappy player for a better player. So i would tend to say yes
- RoyMunson

Biggest issue is that we are so ok with being mediocre.

So I'm wrong Leafs are well into the playoffs.
- honesthockey

I've been saying it for a while. The Leafs probably won't make the playoffs, and if we do it will be against Boston.

We need to improve for the future now. We always rush the rebuild. Unless we have a five player deal going in which we get a Top 10 tier 1 centre, A strong veteran goalie, and some veteran gritty power forwards, we're not going to have any impact this year.

Needed:
1 Playmaking centre that can score in the Top ten year after year
1 Veteran goalie that can share the work load and mentor one of our young goaltenders
2 proper leading gritty veterans over 6ft, 220lbs that can come and gel with this team without overshadowing Phaneuf, Lupul and Komi.