Mike Augello: Highlights from Leafs locker cleanout

Go CBJ Go!

Bruins will win the cup....

I think Dubas did a great job with his comments highlighted here. Kadri said the right things too.

Leafs just need a defenseman or two and they’ll be legit contenders.

Mike Augello: Highlights from Leafs locker cleanout
- mikeinbuffalo

Good write-up - thanks for summarizing MiB.

Will be surprised if they turf Babcock, but his deal was front-loaded for a reason.
Priority should be to replace DJ Smith and Jim Hiller. Special Teams were the difference in the Leafs-Bruins series.

I think Dubas did a great job with his comments highlighted here. Kadri said the right things too.

Leafs just need a defenseman or two and they’ll be legit contenders.
- drew18

He owned a lot more than he needed to that's for sure. Good leadership from the GM. Need that in the room too...time to name a Captain.

Way to not tell us Michael in Basement!

Key quote:

"They then took out a couple of their heavier guys and inserted more speed and skill. So my conviction about speed and skill has not been shaken at all. I do think like any team, as our guys get older they’re going to naturally get heavier and grittier. As they accrue these scars and scar tissues from experiences like this, mentally they’ll deal with it."

Truth.

People keep forgetting at how young this core is. Look at how mature Rielly is and he's only a couple of years older.

Same with Kadri (when he's not doing stupid things). Kadri can hang with any line in the league; I remember when he'd fall down if you looked at him funny.

Look at how much Matthews' improved in the DZ. He was snowed under last year; this year, he looked like Toews in his prime back there; 200' game.

Marner, he's only going to get stronger, craftier, his shot will improve too.

Secondary guys like Kapanen and Johnsson need to be consistent. Kappy needs to play a heavier game, drive the net, use that thick frame more.

We have another year of Muzzin and Zaitsev was consistent and reliable that whole series. He's gotta reflect on that this off-season and bring that consistency to camp next year.

Good run Leafs. I am sorry it ended against Boston. I was pulling for you guys. I had hoped to see Leafs and Bolts, but we'll have to wait another year.

I would say thanks for busting my bracket, but this entire first round has been a bracket-breaker.

Thanks MiB,

what I took from that write up, is that Gardiner knows he's done and that Kadri would likely do that again next year, if he was in the same situation

Thanks MiB,

what I took from that write up, is that Gardiner knows he's done and that Kadri would likely do that again next year, if he was in the same situation
- PatC80

He really seems oblivious to the consequences of what he did. It's shocking actually.

I'd be willing to give 4 first rounders for Marner.

I think the kid is that good.
- Scabeh

What if those 4 firsts are

Cole Caufield
Alexander Holtz
Brennan Othmann
Shane Wright

He really seems oblivious to the consequences of what he did. It's shocking actually.
- Deeps27

That's how I read it..
I don't think he learned a thing.

I'd be willing to give 4 first rounders for Marner.

I think the kid is that good.
- Scabeh

What if those 4 firsts are

Cole Caufield
Alexander Holtz
Brennan Othmann
Shane Wright
- AdamFrench

Meh, Marner gets the HABS in the playoffs.
So those would not be the first rounders.

I'd be willing to give 4 first rounders for Marner.

I think the kid is that good.
- Scabeh

What if those 4 firsts are

Cole Caufield
Alexander Holtz
Brennan Othmann
Shane Wright
- AdamFrench

Any team prepared to offersheet Marner at 11+ is a bottom feeder, with nothing left to lose. Why would he sign to play there?

It's like, would you rather make $100K a year living in Cabo or $300K living in Nunavut?

At age 28, after essentially 10 years in the pros, Kadri is what he is. If he's still saying that he's got to learn to control his emotions at this point, this ain't gonna end well.

At age 28, after essentially 10 years in the pros, Kadri is what he is. If he's still saying that he's got to learn to control his emotions at this point, this ain't gonna end well.
- SmileandWave

Nylander playing 3rd line centre killed the Leafs.

Dubas is saying all the right things.

The Willy situation was by design. They knew full well of the CBA loophole and took advantage of it. The team just wasnt the same on his return, who knows maybe thats karma for ya. But Im sick of him, we didnt need him up to Nov 30, their record showed it, and for frank sakes heaven forbid he takes a check in the post season..or at all really. Trade his a$$ if you can. He got his money, no hard feelings, so frank off now.

He will also not admit he was wrong in the team not needing more grit, but he dam well knows it. The loss of Kadri proved it 2 years now against the Boston Buffoons. Speaking of which, really dont know what I'd do with Kadri tho if I were in their shoes as not only did he frank himself, but he sort of franked over the team. I realized he needed to do something, but a repeat offender does you no favours and he's now just gonne be a marked man. Sad to say, it maybe time for a change.

Gards, sorry, you need to go. Your back wasnt hurt last years game 7.

And enough of this no captain crap. Name one already. take your pick: JT, AM34 or Captain Morgan.

Dubas is saying all the right things.

The Willy situation was by design. They knew full well of the CBA loophole and took advantage of it. The team just wasnt the same on his return, who knows maybe thats karma for ya. But Im sick of him, we didnt need him up to Nov 30, their record showed it, and for frank sakes heaven forbid he takes a check in the post season..or at all really. Trade his a$$ if you can. He got his money, no hard feelings, so frank off now.

He will also not admit he was wrong in the team not needing more grit, but he dam well knows it. The loss of Kadri proved it 2 years now against the Boston Buffoons. Speaking of which, really dont know what I'd do with Kadri tho if I were in their shoes as not only did he frank himself, but he sort of franked over the team. I realized he needed to do something, but a repeat offender does you no favours and he's now just gonne be a marked man. Sad to say, it maybe time for a change.

Gards, sorry, you need to go. Your back wasnt hurt last years game 7.

And enough of this no captain crap. Name one already. take your pick: JT, AM34 or Captain Morgan.
- mel_vin

Mathews isn't ready and JT should not be, it will be another year.

Sad to see such a great hockey city with such a loser team. Haven't won since before the US moon landing. Just loser blood running through their veins. Very sad to see. Boston is your daddy. At this point it's probably better you just miss playoffs next year than get embarrassed by them again.

Hey, keep your chins up though. Raptors looked great the other night.

Sad to see such a great hockey city with such a loser team. Haven't won since before the US moon landing. Just loser blood running through their veins. Very sad to see. Boston is your daddy. At this point it's probably better you just miss playoffs next year than get embarrassed by them again.

Hey, keep your chins up though. Raptors looked great the other night.
- sodapop31

STFU.

Dubas is saying all the right things.

The Willy situation was by design. They knew full well of the CBA loophole and took advantage of it. The team just wasnt the same on his return, who knows maybe thats karma for ya. But Im sick of him, we didnt need him up to Nov 30, their record showed it, and for frank sakes heaven forbid he takes a check in the post season..or at all really. Trade his a$$ if you can. He got his money, no hard feelings, so frank off now.

He will also not admit he was wrong in the team not needing more grit, but he dam well knows it. The loss of Kadri proved it 2 years now against the Boston Buffoons. Speaking of which, really dont know what I'd do with Kadri tho if I were in their shoes as not only did he frank himself, but he sort of franked over the team. I realized he needed to do something, but a repeat offender does you no favours and he's now just gonne be a marked man. Sad to say, it maybe time for a change.

Gards, sorry, you need to go. Your back wasnt hurt last years game 7.

And enough of this no captain crap. Name one already. take your pick: JT, AM34 or Captain Morgan.
- mel_vin

Who would take Willy now? Maybe someone but the return will stink. Should have been traded prior to signing as there were teams interested. Either way 10 million for a 21 year old RFA while your sitting in 2nd overall is lunacy. Then factor in the 10 million made it so they couldn't trade for a rental even if they wanted to or needed to. If any contender had lost a top 4 d man in february you can bet they would have grabbed a rental. I think they are stuck with Willy now. The cap situation is so bad next year. And people can blame the Marleau deal all they want, but Dubas was well aware that it was there and still caved.

Who would take Willy now? Maybe someone but the return will stink. Should have been traded prior to signing as there were teams interested. Either way 10 million for a 21 year old RFA while your sitting in 2nd overall is lunacy. Then factor in the 10 million made it so they couldn't trade for a rental even if they wanted to or needed to. If any contender had lost a top 4 d man in february you can bet they would have grabbed a rental. I think they are stuck with Willy now. The cap situation is so bad next year. And people can blame the Marleau deal all they want, but Dubas was well aware that it was there and still caved.
- aminnes

I don't think Dubas caved.. The contract was structured so that most of the money was paid up front. When the extra cap space was available.

Dubas:

Jake's a great guy bye bye

I don't think Dubas caved.. The contract was structured so that most of the money was paid up front. When the extra cap space was available.
- PatC80

Willy Nylander is not worth 6.9 million a season. He wouldn't even get that as a UFA right now. Matthews would get his 11.5 as a UFA, but it's too much for a guy exiting entry level if he wanted to keep the team competitive. Less than 12 months ago people were laughing at Edmonton's contracts, now they look brilliant in comparison.