this... and mileage... Doughty is 30 or 31 at this point... best years are behind him.

1.5Million retained isn't enough for it to make sense.... certainly not in 2-3 years time.

no thanks... he's past his best before date
- BorjeFan4Ever

So Tavares is finished too? Best years behind him? Tavares at 11 AAV when he's 34/35 makes sense?

Elite defensemen play at a high level into their mid 30s and beyond all the time. Niedermayer, Chara, Pronger, Lidstrom; there's a lot of examples.

Remember when Andersen would make big saves like that?

At least Florida is going to lose...
- Steven_Seagull

Yea, Dyke back on a hot streak

So much stick work in this game that goes uncalled by the Stars and the leafs have two phantom stick infractons called against them

2 on 0. Yikes. Good job Andersen, we needed that one.

Remember when Andersen would make big saves like that?
- gravyface

He just made a big save on a break.

Leafs always play to win 4-3 or 5-4 so he did his job so far. If Leafs are going to outscore everybody to win games, they should start scoring more than 1 goal.

Notice how they are all going 5 hole on Andersen, book is out

Net off, how (frank)ing convenient.

They need to start reviewing that poop too.

Matthews line is looking pretty good.

Notice how they are all going 5 hole on Andersen, book is out
- Archaic

Impossible. These kids don’t read books anymore.

Matthews line is looking pretty good.
- Thecakeisalie

3 of the team's 4 best forwards.
Tavares drew the short straw.

So Tavares is finished too? Best years behind him? Tavares at 11 AAV when he's 34/35 makes sense?

Elite defensemen play at a high level into their mid 30s and beyond all the time. Niedermayer, Chara, Pronger, Lidstrom; there's a lot of examples.
- JohnFergusonJr

sorry - your examples don't hold water. None of those great players played in this more wide open era, with the speed being what it is now. Chara, only survives as a defensive option because of his size - and because he gets away of crap that no one else does - especially in the playoffs.

Niedermayer might have lasted because of his elite elite skating - but he retired age 36-37 in 09-10. So no that doesn't fly.

But Dallas is so boring with their 5 man trap.
- Landsbergfan

Wank away

3 of the team's 4 best forwards.
Tavares drew the short straw.
- plantheparade

exactly... 3 of 4 of the best forwards Matthews, Marner and Hyman

3 of the team's 4 best forwards.
Tavares drew the short straw.
- plantheparade

Except Hyman can’t make a pass or handle the puck tonight it seems

sorry - your examples don't hold water. None of those great players played in this more wide open era, with the speed being what it is now. Chara, only survives as a defensive option because of his size - and because he gets away of crap that no one else does - especially in the playoffs.

Niedermayer might have lasted because of his elite elite skating - but he retired age 36-37 in 09-10. So no that doesn't fly.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Sorry but your criticism holds no water. Doughty can skate just fine to keep up with the speed. He's never had problems skating. Neither did Coffey or Bourque or any other elite level offensive D in their mid 30s and even 40s.

The only problem with Doughty's game is that he's stuck playing on the 2nd worst team in the league. He's twice the player Kessel was but remember what Kessel looked like in Toronto compared to how he looked in Pittsburgh?

Hey. At least the leafs are winning the stats battle.

Except the score one.

3 of the team's 4 best forwards.
Tavares drew the short straw.
- plantheparade

Lol, Hyman isn't better than Willy, Max, despite your obsession.

He's a different type of player that is more effective on that line with Matthews and Mitch, while Tavares needs someone like Nylander on his line to create plays with.

Notice how they are all going 5 hole on Andersen, book is out
- Archaic

High blocker too.

Hey. At least the leafs are winning the stats battle.

Except the score one.
- senstroll

Phewww

I witnessed 88 actually drive to the front...or at least try.

Whoop whoop

High blocker too.
- gravyface

Damn. Teams have figured out to shoot the puck at places in the net where the goalie isn't

Leafs pressing. Getting chances. Outshooting.

This is Dallas playing elite defensive hockey

Sorry but your criticism holds no water. Doughty can skate just fine to keep up with the speed. He's never had problems skating. Neither did Coffey or Bourque or any other elite level offensive D in their mid 30s and even 40s.

The only problem with Doughty's game is that he's stuck playing on the 2nd worst team in the league. He's twice the player Kessel was but remember what Kessel looked like in Toronto compared to how he looked in Pittsburgh?
- JohnFergusonJr

so you're argument is that a to elite skaters who played in the 80s and 90s .. are good examples in today's game.

well to each his own.

Doughty's best before date is not a date with 202x in it.

certainly part of the downturn in LA is because their best players are getting older - or is that not possible.

ZACH ATTACH