ahhhh....the good old dog days of summer.

I am confident that Phaneuf is going to get a lot of credit this year for the Sens playing a far stronger defensive game. Ceci/Phaneuf will take some pressure off of Karlsson/Methot. Not sure that Phaneuf will have the impact of Kessel in leading Pittsburg in their Stanley Cup run, but he will have a very good year. The Phaneuf deal was a shrewd move by Ottawa. Hard to believe the Leafs took back more than $10.5m in salary as well.




Except if you serve an ace and squeeze the juice out of the other guy. We will have a chance to review this all season. i suspect Leaf fans will become as quiet on Phaneuf as they are on Kessel.





Boring. We listen to this kind of crap every summer. It vomits out of Leaf fans, unthinking, unbalanced, even a few that are a little unhinged.

But it is entertaining. Everyone, even the Leaf fans, know that the big stumble starts when they drop the puck for real. Leafs are about 5 years behind Edmonton in their rebuild and you all note that Edmonton is just now starting a rebuild off the rebuild and they have the bet hockey player on the plant.

But it is summer and it is hockey talk and it is, of course, Leaf fans providing the opportunity for laughter.We will wait for the fall before doubling up in laughter as Leaf fans start another false hope cycle.




This is an important point. I have always thought the Toronto media had way too much influence in the Leaf decision making. The media creates a theme, they pump the theme and everyone comes to believe in the theme because nobody wants to break the story line.

I believe the Austin Matthews story is a prime example of a runaway theme. Matthews was not even close to being the best player in the draft after Christmas. Both Finns were clearly better and had it not been for the media pumping his story as the Leafs first overall selection he would have dropped to third or fourth. Simply, everyone had too much invested into the storyline too pull back on the story everyone (including fans) wanted to see.

Anyway it will be apparent once the season starts that Matthews (a good player) does not punch in the same class as the Finns. Leaf fans will likely be discouraged. But, I don't think anyone will figure it out. They will wonder why everyone missed on Laine and they will blame Leaf management. They will miss on the pervasive influence the media has on Leaf management decisions.

Forgot this amazing thread existed.

Forgot this amazing thread existed.
- GreatGigInTheSky

it's pure gold.

I wonder what he (now) thinks of Zaitsev?

Dubas has badly mismanaged the file.
Leafs need to just take the picks and begin to assess the damage Dubas has done in just two short years. I am certain it is the Islanders who are on the come. Lou has been plotting his revenge for more than a year.

We are moving into stage II of a typical blue koolaid summer. Fans are beginning to notice the stories being floated that Marner might not be fit enough or ready for NHL prime time. Leafs are a last place team, they are sort of like a very young Edmonton crew of last year without McDavid.

But Leaf fans are great hockey fans and now that the silly summer chatter is winding down, they are getting around to a more balanced level of hockey discussion. We will see the Stage III early season euphoria when they win a few games at the beginning of the season and the Toronto based media predicts good things for them. But the Stage III crash into despair will come like clockwork in early December. Stage IV acceptance of reality will include some anger and frustration but it is not long lasting. And, come early March, Stage I starts again with a high degree of hopefulness as speculation of the guaranteed Tavares signing gets ramped up and fans discuss the great potential of the impending lottery and draft.
- spatso
- Tumbleweed

This one might be my favourite.

This one might be my favourite.
- GreatGigInTheSky

i'm mostly just in these threads to laugh at dErps killing himself with his keyboard and i don't really know spatso that much but anyone who writes this much about another team is only displaying how deeply that team is embedded firmly in their head. so yeah.

i think your missing the underlying math. There is nothing on the horizon that is going to result in any kind of material increase of the CAP next year.

It is hard to construct a contending team that will finish strong in the regular season and still have the depth to go deep into the playoffs. The numbers don't lie. Close to 60% of your budget is spent if three players (Marner, Tavares and Matthews) contracts averaging $11.5m each and you retain Nylander at $7m. as well as Reilly and Anderson at $5m.

How do you go into the playoffs without the money to pay a #2 Man? This is not a team that would have the depth to contend in the playoffs and, likely, does not have the depth to be able to finish strong in the second half of the season.

Forgot this amazing thread existed.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I said it awkwardly. Point led the regular season scoring for all the players advancing to the Stanley Cup finals. He was 34th overall in regular season scoring. Point's cap hit is 74th highest among all NHL players.

Not sure what it means. But, we also know that, except for Price, no $10m+ player advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs.

We know the cap is pretty much frozen for the next four years. The frozen cap era will poses challenges for many teams. Is it going to change the way we think that teams should be constructed?
Spatso

Heard a thought provoking point when listening to NHL Channel 91 (Serius) this morning. Going into the finals, the player with the most playoff scoring points on either team ranked 34th in NHL scoring during the NHL regular season.

Even more impressive he tied with 6 other guys @ $6.75m. for 74th on the list of players with the highest salary. .
- spatso


That settles it, teams should dump their leading scorers at the deadline from now on.

The Leafs should not let Hyman walk. Especially, if, as rumoured, he is looking towards Ottawa.
- spatso


I'm sure Hyman has contacted his agent and told him to get the deal done with Melnyk. After all he has a reputation for outbidding other teams for UFA's

Heard a thought provoking point when listening to NHL Channel 91 (Serius) this morning. Going into the finals, the player with the most playoff scoring points on either team ranked 34th in NHL scoring during the NHL regular season.

Even more impressive he tied with 6 other guys @ $6.75m. for 74th on the list of players with the highest salary. .
- spatso


That settles it, teams should dump their leading scorers at the deadline from now on.
- winsix

or just put their art ross winning players on the IR for the season, and pull them out for the playoffs.

or just put their art ross winning players on the IR for the season, and pull them out for the playoffs.
- prock

This one might be my favourite.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Where are you?

I wonder what he (now) thinks of Zaitsev?
- Feeling Glucky?

He has created a pre-madonna culture. It shows all the time. Why does Marner wear an "A" or have that contract? Why does he coddle the team's failures? I will say one thing, it is ballsy to triple down on his theory. No doubt about it, it's now or never for him.
- iTOLDu


Mardonna, hand of God.

Dubas should sign him now....but I think he is entirely retired.

Spatso

We should have drafted Laine

Partially valid.

The Oilers are attempting to scoop Hyman because the Leafs are unable or unwilling to match their offer. The Leaf vulnerability is their limited free cap.

On the other hand, the Leafs are trying to inflict a wound on the Oilers by forcing a better return knowing that the Oilers vulnerability is the accrued commitment on future years.
- spatso


Yes Speedo, cap math means that age 29 + 8 years = 37 and that is clearly a Leaf vulnerability. The Leafs choose to not sign someone who wants a long term deal. Holland is prepared to sign a long term deal to get the cap down because he only cares about the short term. Your blinders are astounding except for their being predictable.
-Canada Cup

ahhhh....the good old dog days of summer.

I am confident that Phaneuf is going to get a lot of credit this year for the Sens playing a far stronger defensive game. Ceci/Phaneuf will take some pressure off of Karlsson/Methot. Not sure that Phaneuf will have the impact of Kessel in leading Pittsburg in their Stanley Cup run, but he will have a very good year. The Phaneuf deal was a shrewd move by Ottawa. Hard to believe the Leafs took back more than $10.5m in salary as well.




Except if you serve an ace and squeeze the juice out of the other guy. We will have a chance to review this all season. i suspect Leaf fans will become as quiet on Phaneuf as they are on Kessel.





Boring. We listen to this kind of crap every summer. It vomits out of Leaf fans, unthinking, unbalanced, even a few that are a little unhinged.

But it is entertaining. Everyone, even the Leaf fans, know that the big stumble starts when they drop the puck for real. Leafs are about 5 years behind Edmonton in their rebuild and you all note that Edmonton is just now starting a rebuild off the rebuild and they have the bet hockey player on the plant.

But it is summer and it is hockey talk and it is, of course, Leaf fans providing the opportunity for laughter.We will wait for the fall before doubling up in laughter as Leaf fans start another false hope cycle.




This is an important point. I have always thought the Toronto media had way too much influence in the Leaf decision making. The media creates a theme, they pump the theme and everyone comes to believe in the theme because nobody wants to break the story line.

I believe the Austin Matthews story is a prime example of a runaway theme. Matthews was not even close to being the best player in the draft after Christmas. Both Finns were clearly better and had it not been for the media pumping his story as the Leafs first overall selection he would have dropped to third or fourth. Simply, everyone had too much invested into the storyline too pull back on the story everyone (including fans) wanted to see.

Anyway it will be apparent once the season starts that Matthews (a good player) does not punch in the same class as the Finns. Leaf fans will likely be discouraged. But, I don't think anyone will figure it out. They will wonder why everyone missed on Laine and they will blame Leaf management. They will miss on the pervasive influence the media has on Leaf management decisions.
- Tumbleweed

lots of gold in this one.

Phaneuf is their saviour!!! He'll really make the Leafs regret letting him go, he'll be great with Ceci, behind Karlsson and Methot!!!

This one might be my favourite.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Oops hit wrong button, meant to quote you but hit flag. Sorry, hope it does not cause you any inconvenience.

Spatso

Oops hit wrong button, meant to quote you but hit flag. Sorry, hope it does not cause you any inconvenience.

Spatso
- winsix

- winsix

Today @ 5:55 AM ET
Puck possession statistics are evil. They are revered by fans, writers and hockey executives who have never played the game at a competitive level.

Playoff hockey is not for the mild and meek. Winners dominate. Losers fade as games progressively become more physical.

The Leafs are a highly skilled, entertaining team in the regular season. But, they are too soft. Is there any evidence that will cause us to believe that next season will produce a different outcome?

Spatso

Today @ 5:55 AM ET
Puck possession statistics are evil. They are revered by fans, writers and hockey executives who have never played the game at a competitive level.

Playoff hockey is not for the mild and meek. Winners dominate. Losers fade as games progressively become more physical.

The Leafs are a highly skilled, entertaining team in the regular season. But, they are too soft. Is there any evidence that will cause us to believe that next season will produce a different outcome?

Spatso
- winsix

- winsix

Spatso's take on Ottawa acquiring Eichel.

So, in a conversation with myself I asked me, "Self, would you pay a huge price for Eichel, age 25 and 5 years remaining on his $10m AAV contract or would you rather pay a modest price (3rd round pick) for Johnny T. age 30 at $11m AAV?

I want some of that Rum Punch too! Getting Johnny T for a 3rd round pick?

ahhhh....the good old dog days of summer.

I am confident that Phaneuf is going to get a lot of credit this year for the Sens playing a far stronger defensive game. Ceci/Phaneuf will take some pressure off of Karlsson/Methot. Not sure that Phaneuf will have the impact of Kessel in leading Pittsburg in their Stanley Cup run, but he will have a very good year. The Phaneuf deal was a shrewd move by Ottawa. Hard to believe the Leafs took back more than $10.5m in salary as well.




Except if you serve an ace and squeeze the juice out of the other guy. We will have a chance to review this all season. i suspect Leaf fans will become as quiet on Phaneuf as they are on Kessel.





Boring. We listen to this kind of crap every summer. It vomits out of Leaf fans, unthinking, unbalanced, even a few that are a little unhinged.

But it is entertaining. Everyone, even the Leaf fans, know that the big stumble starts when they drop the puck for real. Leafs are about 5 years behind Edmonton in their rebuild and you all note that Edmonton is just now starting a rebuild off the rebuild and they have the bet hockey player on the plant.

But it is summer and it is hockey talk and it is, of course, Leaf fans providing the opportunity for laughter.We will wait for the fall before doubling up in laughter as Leaf fans start another false hope cycle.




This is an important point. I have always thought the Toronto media had way too much influence in the Leaf decision making. The media creates a theme, they pump the theme and everyone comes to believe in the theme because nobody wants to break the story line.

I believe the Austin Matthews story is a prime example of a runaway theme. Matthews was not even close to being the best player in the draft after Christmas. Both Finns were clearly better and had it not been for the media pumping his story as the Leafs first overall selection he would have dropped to third or fourth. Simply, everyone had too much invested into the storyline too pull back on the story everyone (including fans) wanted to see.

Anyway it will be apparent once the season starts that Matthews (a good player) does not punch in the same class as the Finns. Leaf fans will likely be discouraged. But, I don't think anyone will figure it out. They will wonder why everyone missed on Laine and they will blame Leaf management. They will miss on the pervasive influence the media has on Leaf management decisions.
- Tumbleweed