People have been saying for a couple of years.
The Leafs homers did not appreciate those takes.....I see now they're changing their tune.
- Fakepartofme

Yup. God forbid you preached a narrative that the Leafs need get tougher and more difficult (physically) to play against.

Tampa learned this lesson and acquired players like Maroon, Goodrow, and Coleman. And guys like Kucherov and Point elevated their compete level as well.

The pushback from some fans on this board per adopting a more "truculent" team ethic has been mindnumbing and frustrating AF. I suspect some of that pushback may be from those who are all-in with their Dubas love.

For the record, I like a lot of what Dubas has done with this team but I just don't think he gets how to properly construct a team that can go deep in the playoffs.

Having said that, part of me wonders how this team performs with Snakevares in the lineup. I honestly think we're underestimating just how much of an impact that had in the 1st round.

But yeah, even if we did get past the Habs, I still think this team is far too soft to stand up to teams like VGK, NYI, and Tampa.

So you,Horse face and AA are all the same people right?

Just cruised the Habs blog & comments and shockingly there is some outrage about the officiating from the game last night. I will say it was terrible but it was terrible both ways - the Habs got away with just as much BS as the Habs did - maybe more.

The blog author actually whines about the lack of a boarding call Weber (Ok fair it was an uncalled penalty) but then proceeds to complain poor Suzuki was 'punched right in the face with no call'. Someone else posts the GIF of the swipe and poke at Suzuki with outrage at no call. I watched the game and can only say - Give me a (frank)ing break.

Weber got boarded - fine 2 minutes they didn't call.
He proceeded to get up, absolutely drill the Knights player with a full on Bertuzzi on Moore style punch to the back of the head - no call.
The one who can do no wrong apparently in the Habs jersey then drills the Kight player with a cross check to the back, then in the scrum rips his helmet off - all with no call.

Habs got the better end of that exchange.

And as far as poor old Suzuki - I watched the whole play + replay. Maybe if Suzuki didn't try to hold onto the Knights player's stick the whole time and prevent him from rejoining the play and also didn't start the post whistle altercation he wouldn't have got the boop.

The refereeing was terrible no doubt, but it was equally terrible both ways at best, I would have said the Habs (especially Weber as usual) got away with A LOT more but of course the Habs lost so it's the ref's fault.

And people say Leaf's fans complain and come up with any reason other than the team wasn't good enough. The Habs blog basically says "Habs were better all game long and only lost because of the referees & Robin Lehner". I watched the game and didn't see it being as one sided as that. Certainly not nearly as one sided as the prior game was for Vegas and MAF handed the Habs the tie and hope going into OT.

If Seth Jones doesn't want to sign an extension I don't want him in Toronto. Even if they do get him it shouldn't be unless they can get him in a swap with Reilly where the dollars equal out as Jones is getting 5.4 vs Reilly's 5 next season (but I still say no). Why trade for a rental for a season who has to learn your system, players etc. and have someone who already knows all that walk away? Jones isn't THAT much better than Reilly is he? Jones was a -18 this year on a team built on (from everything I hear and read) playing a stingy, defensive style. Reilly was a +11 on a team that played run and gun as much as they played '"defensive" hockey.

I still want to see Robertson on L2 with JT at Centre and Mitch on RW and then Willy up on L1 with AM and a 'new Hyman' but a bigger, stronger, more snarl type of body there. I'd even try Foligno up there to start the year if they can get him to resign on the cheap.

Then as others have mentioned a sledgehammer line for L3 would be a welcome addition and line 4 / pop corn munchers can be a mix of Spezza + others who can provide some clock killers, scoring punch (if your playing "soft" teams) or more hulk smash type of play if your playing teams that you need that against.

I still want Jamie Oleski in the blue and white also.

Should be interesting to see what Shanny and Kyle do, there is no way they can not make some medium level changes at least here if they expect different results than this year.
- Cush29

They might be on the same level, but this is kaptaan's alt.

On that front, I'd take Cole Caufield over Mitch Marner everyday of the week to be on my team. Caufield goes to the front of the net every shift it seems, and all the tough areas. Marner skates around like a waterbug avoiding hits looking to make a pass. Not a scratch on that guy Marner.

Babcock was trying to toughen him up. But obviously didn't work. I think Babcock had the right idea about Marner.
- MisterBrown

yes, hook these crazy ridiculous takes into my veins all summer.

They might be on the same level, but this is kaptaan's alt.

- 21peter

Ah that makes sense!

yes, hook these crazy ridiculous takes into my veins all summer.
- senstroll

Who said every player needs to hit?

And it’s not really about hitting, it’s about imposing your will on the other team. It’s about asserting dominance.

You can do that by scoring like Kariya, Kessel, Kane etc.. but you have to be able to take a beating. And you need your teammates reciprocating the physicality.
- Horsey Sauce

God you're annoying

Yup. God forbid you preached a narrative that the Leafs need get tougher and more difficult (physically) to play against.

Tampa learned this lesson and acquired players like Maroon, Goodrow, and Coleman. And guys like Kucherov and Point elevated their compete level as well.

The pushback from some fans on this board per adopting a more "truculent" team ethic has been mindnumbing and frustrating AF. I suspect some of that pushback may be from those who are all-in with their Dubas love.

For the record, I like a lot of what Dubas has done with this team but I just don't think he gets how to properly construct a team that can go deep in the playoffs.

Having said that, part of me wonders how this team performs with Snakevares in the lineup. I honestly think we're underestimating just how much of an impact that had in the 1st round.

But yeah, even if we did get past the Habs, I still think this team is far too soft to stand up to teams like VGK, NYI, and Tampa.
- mjones242

Adding truculence as a generic term means nothing. Trading a defenceman for Sam Bennett may add some grit which is nice until Muzzin goes down and suddenly Ben Hutton or Marincin are next up in the depth chart.

Dubas added pieces to try to make the Leafs tougher to play against - Bogo, Simmonds, Foligno. Simmonds just skated around, Foligno was hurt, Muzzin was hurt, JT was hurt.

They need to add a heavier, forechecking element to their game. Finding some size with the ability to score on the wings should be their top priority (plus a goalie) this offseason). Call it truculence if it sounds better.

God you're annoying
- Not_Yan

Agreed.

Adding truculence as a generic term means nothing. Trading a defenceman for Sam Bennett may add some grit which is nice until Muzzin goes down and suddenly Ben Hutton or Marincin are next up in the depth chart.

Dubas added pieces to try to make the Leafs tougher to play against - Bogo, Simmonds, Foligno. Simmonds just skated around, Foligno was hurt, Muzzin was hurt, JT was hurt.

They need to add a heavier, forechecking element to their game. Finding some size with the ability to score on the wings should be their top priority (plus a goalie) this offseason). Call it truculence if it sounds better.
- Canada Cup

Adding 'truculence' won't change the dynamic all that much.. Not until the big 4 start to play more truculent.

Adding 'truculence' won't change the dynamic all that much.. Not until the big 4 start to play more truculent.
- PatC80

I think YOU'RE truculent.

I think YOU'RE truculent.

- Scabeh

The only reason I'd take Cole Caufield at this point is that he has an ELC and we could spend the other 10M on players who can play in the regular and post-season.
- mjones242

Yes. That makes it even more compelling.

Ah that makes sense!
- Cush29

It doesn't make sense because someone else won the most hated blogger on hockey buzz Awards. I think it was AA.

You have to give creditto the other guys. There are higher power levels.

new blog everyone

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