Toronto Maple Leafs - 2016/17 Season

[Samranchoi]

The goal of Brendan Shanahan and Lou Lamoriello is to rebuild the Leafs into a powerhouse and perennial Stanley Cup contender and they started this process when Babcock was hired. He is one of the top coaches, if not the best, in the NHL. The Leafs have a solid goaltender which is what every top tier team requires. 6 or 7 solid forwards in Matthews, Nylander and Marner at the head of the class with Brown, Kadri and Hyman (totally underrated player) as highly dependable and useful pieces of the puzzle. Komarov, Boyle, JVR and Bozak (again an underrated and under appreciated player) as key pieces to the current Leaf team. Kapinen for Kessel a couple of years ago will look like a steal for the Leafs in a couple of years (although getting rid of Kessel's contract was the key point of the deal like it was with the Phaneuf deal).

I would like to keep Bozak on this team, especially if Boyle is lost to free agency at the end of the year. JVR and Komarov may be too expensive to keep although Komarov is the type of player that this Leaf team requires. Martin has the sandpaper that every team needs and he is a dependable 4th line hockey player who has been signed to a reasonable long term deal so he will be around for awhile.

Defence definitely needs improving but there is a good core to work with who will only get better. I think Cherry's comments were also unwarranted in reference to Zaitsev but I can see his point. Even on this board, some thought that losing Zaitsev was a huge blow and the Leafs had no chance. The Leafs didn't do too bad with him out of the line up. Cherry just thought that giving him a 7 year contract for approx $32 million was a bit much for a player who has been in the league for one year. The Leafs though, obviously see Zaitsev's upside and are willing to take a chance on him turning into a very good NHL defenceman.

It will be interesting to see what Leaf management does in the off season to improve the team. Based upon the results so far, I have 100% trust in Shanahan and Lamoriello in making the moves that will make the Leafs an even better team in 2017/2018 and for years to come.

 

[dirkd101]

I don't put too much stock into what Cherry says, but his point is well taken. What this team needs a true stud on the back end, a real #1 D-man. Paying Zaitsev a big contract will not add that depth that is needed, it's counterproductive, much like paying a guy like Clarkson top 3 money, when he's at best a third liner.

The Leafs D is coming along and there is a ranking, but in reality, these guys wouldn't be a #1 D-man on any other team. The process is slow and there is a learning curve. Adding a #1 D-man will help the current roster of Leafs D with becoming better and eventually becoming #1 guys.

Regardless of what Cherry says, I read his comments to be just what I've stated above, but he's lost this translation by bad mouthing Zaitsev instead.

 

[Samranchoi]

Finding a true #1 defenceman is very difficult these days in the NHL. If you have to trade for that person, you will most certainly weaken your team, and in the Leafs case, teams will start off asking for Nylander and/or Marner who have the potential to be a superstars or at a minimum, very very good NHL players. Shattenkirk will be the best available free agent defenceman this summer but is he really worth the money he will be asking for? He hasn't shown his worth in the playoffs so far this year and that is where the real hockey season starts.

It is possible for the teams to win the Stanley Cup without a true #1 defenceman as long as you have a good system which includes the forwards and defencemen playing as a unit. Hopefully the Leafs can obtain a true #1 defenceman but if they cannot, a couple of strong #2 and #3 defencemen will be just fine. Zaitsev is probably projected to be a good #3 defenceman (#2 at best) and will be paid accordingly at about $4.5 million/year. Just like Rielly and Gardiner are being paid as #2 or #3 defencemen. Rielly is also a leader whereas Gardiner can concentrate solely as a player.

 

[ultistar]

If the buds didn't make a few brain farts we would be up 3-1. But I say the Leafs in 7 in OT.

 

[glamphotographer]

Leafs always bounce back after a lost. I too think it will go 7 games.

 

[superstar_88]

If the buds didn't make a few brain farts we would be up 3-1. But I say the Leafs in 7 in OT.

Washington playing desperate with more energy. Leafs lacked the urgency and the focus. But Holtby looks to be feeling the pressure. All 4 games by a goal. This is a very close series. Who would have thunk that before the playoff started?

 

[glamphotographer]

Washington playing desperate with more energy. Leafs lacked the urgency and the focus. But Holtby looks to be feeling the pressure. All 4 games by a goal. This is a very close series. Who would have thunk that before the playoff started?

i picked the caps in 5. glad i'm wrong.

 

[SkyRider]

Poor Morgan Rielly. His face looks like he was in a fight with his girlfriend/wife.

That 5th Washington goal reminds me of the "too many cooks in the kitchen" expression.

 

[frankcastle]

i heard that since february the caps were only 4 games ahead of the leafs. i think their performance shows they are closer to the leafs than their overall records indicate.

game 5 is must win for leafs.

good young team not sure how they will be able to keep it together after rookie contracts expire.

 

[dirkd101]

Finding a true #1 defenceman is very difficult these days in the NHL. If you have to trade for that person, you will most certainly weaken your team, and in the Leafs case, teams will start off asking for Nylander and/or Marner who have the potential to be a superstars or at a minimum, very very good NHL players. Shattenkirk will be the best available free agent defenceman this summer but is he really worth the money he will be asking for? He hasn't shown his worth in the playoffs so far this year and that is where the real hockey season starts.

It is possible for the teams to win the Stanley Cup without a true #1 defenceman as long as you have a good system which includes the forwards and defencemen playing as a unit. Hopefully the Leafs can obtain a true #1 defenceman but if they cannot, a couple of strong #2 and #3 defencemen will be just fine. Zaitsev is probably projected to be a good #3 defenceman (#2 at best) and will be paid accordingly at about $4.5 million/year. Just like Rielly and Gardiner are being paid as #2 or #3 defencemen. Rielly is also a leader whereas Gardiner can concentrate solely as a player.

I agree, finding a #1 is tough and could be costly, but there are some alternatives that work for the team that they could pursue that would merely be a money issue. Along the lines that management and the coach know they could put to good use with the core of guys they have now.

 

[Insidious Von]

I spent almost the entire day Wed at the Ciocaro Social Club, a lovely place at the west end of the Vaughan Sports Park. I have to go there more often

I went there to watch the Juve - Barcelona match, had dinner then stayed for the Leafs-Caps. My demeanour for the games was totally different. The Juve match was a nail biter, I rarely sat down. I was expected Juventus to advance but Barcelona is capable of scoring at will. The Leafs/Caps game was pure pleasure, I had no expectations. Regardless of the outcome enjoy this series for what it is folks, it wont happen again. As the Leafs mature expectations will be higher.

Juventus did lay another goose egg on Barca so it was almost a perfect day.

 

[dirkd101]

If the buds didn't make a few brain farts we would be up 3-1. But I say the Leafs in 7 in OT.

It was those "brain farts" that were costly. They also should have cashed in on that 5 on 3, but didn't. That hurt.

Hunwick must have had a no hit clause in his contract for his first shift. He passed up two hits in the first, which isn't how you play playoff hockey.

 

[catherinetog]

The young Leafs have to find a way to protect their own net in the first period like the game 2 in washington---extremely focus on the puck. When you on the defense position, I don't think you should look out any other alternatives that all your attention should be on the puck and puck only! To give up 4 goals in the first period in the playoffs is unacceptable.

I really hope the young Leafs learned the hard lesson and don't ever repeat again.

Extremely focus on the puck not your teammates when you are in the defense zone to ignore the confusion---your teammates are not existed at that moment only the puck---you are the only one to respond to the puck and get the puck out and far as quick as you can.

I am so proud of the young Leafs performances so far.

Go Leafs Go!!!

 

[Dawgger]

i picked the caps in 5. glad i'm wrong.

I was actually hoping they might win one, so they have exceeded my expectations. It has been awesome year for the Leafs and their fans. Leafs finished dead ass last in 2016,and made the playoffs in 2017. The foundation of a team of the future is there. Add a couple of pieces and they should be contenders for years to come. Would love to see them win a few more and with these players anything might happen. Just enjoying the Leafs playing meaningful hockey in April!

 

[SkyRider]

The Leafs actually outplayed the Capitals in the last 2 periods. That keystone kop fcuk up in the 3rd period was a killer.

 

[kyleb899]

Caps will win this series, The Capitals played desperate at the beginning of Game 4, Tom Wilson ,TJ Oshie were on fire. I say Caps in 6.
What up will those dumbass Leafs fans cheering acting like there winning the cup in Game 3, Give me break This is only Round 1. The 50 year Stanley Cup drought continues LOL.

 

[mynameisearl11]

Something is not right with Andersen since he came back with a suspected concussion. Can't give up 3 goals or more in each game of the playoffs and expect to move to the next series. That 5th goal was brutal and bad timing. Even Andersen admitted it after the game. Leafs are who they are with no defence and lots of offence. That's their DNA. But, Andersen can prolong their playoff by 'stealing' at least a game in this series. Gm5 will be a good idea to do that!

 

[smuddan]

Something is not right with Andersen since he came back with a suspected concussion. Can't give up 3 goals or more in each game of the playoffs and expect to move to the next series. That 5th goal was brutal and bad timing. Even Andersen admitted it after the game. Leafs are who they are with no defence and lots of offence. That's their DNA. But, Andersen can prolong their playoff by 'stealing' at least a game in this series. Gm5 will be a good idea to do that!

Andersen was both great and lucky in the two wins but not so in the two losses with some soft goals allowed. The good news is Holtby hasn't been very good and the the series may be decided by which goalie can step up and play two stellar games.

 

[Insidious Von]

If Roman Polak had taken the Orpik hit flush, he would still be playing.

That's the Leafs biggest weakness at the moment, Polak is irreplaceable. Caps forwards are not afraid to go to the net, that's why I was pissed when the Panthers traded Gudbranson to the Canucks. I was shocked they traded him in the first place and dissapointed we didn't make more of an effort to acquire him.

 

[smuddan]

If Roman Polak had taken the Orpik hit flush, he would still be playing.

That's the Leafs biggest weakness at the moment, Polak is irreplaceable. Caps forwards are not afraid to go to the net, that's why I was pissed when the Panthers traded Gudbranson to the Canucks. I was shocked they traded him in the first place and dissapointed we didn't make more of an effort to acquire him.

I agree with you totally. The good structure that Babcock put in has programmed the defence to move the puck out quickly and make good positional plays, but the physical battles in front of the net will require brute strength and size which the Leafs d men sorely lack. Zaitsev and Carrick are trying to be physical but they lack size. I'm sure it'll be an area that Lou will address in the off season.