You don't give the Leafs a chance to win a first round series? Surely you aren't suggesting they will miss the playoffs for an 8th straight years.
- PLindbergh31

May even be longer... This re-build has been painfully slow.

Not necessarily a concussion. It could still be a neck issue. No reason to jump to conclusions.
- MJL

It's possible they're just being extra cautious.

Im digging the Coburn and Grossmann pairing. I hope they stay together even when the D is at full strength

May even be longer... This re-build has been painfully slow.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

At what point do they stop calling it a re-build?

May even be longer... This re-build has been painfully slow.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

What the report on Luke Schenn? I see Leafs fans bashing this kid all the time. He's been a healthy scratch lately as well. Some Leafs fans have suggested Burke should have traded Schenn instead of Aulie.

What the report on Luke Schenn? I see Leafs fans bashing this kid all the time. He's been a healthy scratch lately as well. Some Leafs fans have suggested Burke should have traded Schenn instead of Aulie.
- PLindbergh31

IDK whats up with him to be honest. Good nights and Bad nights i guess. He's not very quick and the Leafs like to play that speed game. I think Carlyle will find a role for him. Aulie ill miss, i thought he was better than Schenn but both are just shut down D so its not really a big deal. Maybe Ashton will turn out alright.

At what point do they stop calling it a re-build?
- stveshdy

when they aren't the youngest team in the NHL or when they have some playoff success. Burke has done some good things but also made some bonehead moves.

when they aren't the youngest team in the NHL or when they have some playoff success. Burke has done some good things but also made some bonehead moves.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I guess there will be plenty of "re-building" going on in Toronto.

IDK whats up with him to be honest. Good nights and Bad nights i guess. He's not very quick and the Leafs like to play that speed game. I think Carlyle will find a role for him. Aulie ill miss, i thought he was better than Schenn but both are just shut down D so its not really a big deal. Maybe Ashton will turn out alright.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I guess it's growing pains for a young d-man. He's only 22 I believe, so there will be some struggles. If Ashton can develop into a power forward who can put the puck in the net, it will be a good trade for both teams. TB was desperate to try and rebuild their blueline.

I think Carlyle is a good hire, he generally likes to use a lineup that includes two scoring lines, a shutdown line, and a 4th line consisting of faceoff specialists, enforcers, etc... at least that was his MO in Anaheim.

I guess there will be plenty of "re-building" going on in Toronto.
- stveshdy

If they can get a good goalie and a top line center this off-season then they will be fine. But if goalies want what Bryz got it might not be worth it to go after someone of that calibre.

Dreger says no Crosby tomorrow vs. Boston.

If they can get a good goalie and a top line center this off-season then they will be fine. But if goalies want what Bryz got it might not be worth it to go after someone of that calibre.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

They dont have anyone down in the minors who is a top prospect? Reimer isn't a bad goalie imo but definately needs to improve his game.

They dont have anyone down in the minors who is a top prospect? Reimer isn't a bad goalie imo but definately needs to improve his game.
- stveshdy

Leafs goalies are hit and miss right now. Scrivens was starting to look good but he got sent back down and has been terrible ever since. Rynass might be our best hope. The Monster is unstable and Reimer hasn't been the same since his concussion. They all have potential but are having a hard time in TO

I guess it's growing pains for a young d-man. He's only 22 I believe, so there will be some struggles. If Ashton can develop into a power forward who can put the puck in the net, it will be a good trade for both teams. TB was desperate to try and rebuild their blueline.

I think Carlyle is a good hire, he generally likes to use a lineup that includes two scoring lines, a shutdown line, and a 4th line consisting of faceoff specialists, enforcers, etc... at least that was his MO in Anaheim.
- PLindbergh31

I think he needs a mentor much like Subban.

Who has he had to really learn from? The Leafs have rolled out some piss poor teams the last few seasons.

Leafs goalies are hit and miss right now. Scrivens was starting to look good but he got sent back down and has been terrible ever since. Rynass might be our best hope. The Monster is unstable and Reimer hasn't been the same since his concussion. They all have potential but are having a hard time in TO
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Do you think its the goalies or the philosophy of the team. Without playing solid defense most goalies get exposed.

Dreger says no Crosby tomorrow vs. Boston.
- PLindbergh31

He is coming back at the worst possible time. Down the stretch and the playoffs where the intensity and physicality are amped up even more.

I'd have sat out this whole season if I was him. Start in the pre-season and work your way back. He isn't 30 years old, the kid has a lot of years left to try and win.

I think he needs a mentor much like Subban.

Who has he had to really learn from? The Leafs have rolled out some piss poor teams the last few seasons.
- flyer_nutter

They have been a mess. Zero excuse to go 8 years without making the playoffs for any team. Let alone a franchise with the resources the Leafs have.

He is coming back at the worst possible time. Down the stretch and the playoffs where the intensity and physicality are amped up even more.

I'd have sat out this whole season if I was him. Start in the pre-season and work your way back. He isn't 30 years old, the kid has a lot of years left to try and win.
- flyer_nutter

If the risk is the same now as it will be next preseason I don't see why he would wait. I understand what your saying but there is no guarantee either way.

Do you think its the goalies or the philosophy of the team. Without playing solid defense most goalies get exposed.
- stveshdy

They have roughly 2 million in cap space.

They have some solid pieces on the D to build around but the offense is hideous. Trade as many of those fools as you can to get cap space and picks. Signs some solid FA's. They are building, what seems like to me a team of mediocre guys.

Kessel is the franchise player? That tells you all you need to know.

He is coming back at the worst possible time. Down the stretch and the playoffs where the intensity and physicality are amped up even more.

I'd have sat out this whole season if I was him. Start in the pre-season and work your way back. He isn't 30 years old, the kid has a lot of years left to try and win.
- flyer_nutter

I tend to a agree with you. I would play it ultra conservative. What happens if Crosby is concussed again? That could be it for him.

They have roughly 2 million in cap space.

They have some solid pieces on the D to build around but the offense is hideous. Trade as many of those fools as you can to get cap space and picks. Signs some solid FA's. They are building, what seems like to me a team of mediocre guys.

Kessel is the franchise player? That tells you all you need to know.
- flyer_nutter

I think Kessel (24 yrs old) is worth his 5.4M cap hit. I dont know if he should be the franchise player but he is a pretty good player imo.

I tend to a agree with you. I would play it ultra conservative. What happens if Crosby is concussed again? That could be it for him.
- PLindbergh31

No guarantee either way. The risk is exactly the same. If he passes every single test and has had no set backs theres no reason for him to wait imo.

Edit: Sidney Crosby (concussion/neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Boston.Crosby said he isn't experiencing concussion-like symptoms and he hasn't suffered a setback. This is probably just a case of him wanting more time to prepare, especially given the fact that his last comeback attempt only lasted eight games. Pittsburgh has three off days following their contest on Sunday and Crosby might still play on Thursday.
Source: Penguins.nhl.com on Twitter

Do you think its the goalies or the philosophy of the team. Without playing solid defense most goalies get exposed.
- stveshdy

If we had a bonified #1 goalie the style of play would work. The leafs have always had a good goalie like Belfour or Cujo to bail them out. But yea i think that's why these young goalies are struggling. Every time they win its cuz of their goalie. Thats another thing Burke didn't think through, he could have got a good goalie in the summer but decided to run with Reimer and Gus and now were paying for it.

I tend to a agree with you. I would play it ultra conservative. What happens if Crosby is concussed again? That could be it for him.
- PLindbergh31

Hes over his concussion, its his neck that hurts.

They have been a mess. Zero excuse to go 8 years without making the playoffs for any team. Let alone a franchise with the resources the Leafs have.
- PLindbergh31

They have the ability to spend to the cap. They are using that power to spend money on idiots like MacArthur, Grabovski, Kulemin, Connolly, Lombardi and Kessel.

Those guys, along with Lupul are what Burke has chosen to build around? Or even send out on the ice? Thats a horrific crew to lead your offense. I'd keep Lupul but the rest of those idiots would be long gone.

Wait though! There is the saviour Kadri.. Another overhyped kid made out to be the next moses by the Toronto media. The Leafs have no player even close to a Richards/Carter/Giroux in the minors.

Joke of a franchise and I love it.