2020-21 Maple Leafs Thread

[maurice93]

Should be interesting. From what I’ve been reading the Kraken will not be afraid to spend up to the cap in order to get a competitive team right off the bat.

I don’t think they should be trying to win now. But they should be using their cap space as a weapon to build up draft and prospect capital. That is one thing that is a much bigger issue today than 4 years ago with Vegas due to flat cap.

There will be first round picks offered for teams to get out of certain contracts .

 

[maurice93]

I know how you feel.

I believed the hype when they signed Babcock.
I believed the hype when they signed UFA Tavares.
Then they caved to Nylander.
Then they signed RFA Matthews to a king's ransom.
Then they signed RFA Marner to a king's ransom.
In September 2019 I stopped drinking the kool-aid and started a "Will Leafs Make the
Playoffs" thread (no, they did not).

I think it’s a bit disingenuous to claim the Leafs we’re not a legit playoff team in 2020. They were a legit top 8 team team in the conference and when the season started that was the rules. The rules changed midway due to the circumstances of COVID, but really the Leafs were a playoff caliber team.

I also consider the Columbus series a playoff series whether official or not. And Toronto did what it does in playoff series.

 

[Insidious Von]

Why are we talking about the Cream Puffs in the middle of summer? Shirley we have better things to do.

 

[Darts]

I think it’s a bit disingenuous to claim the Leafs we’re not a legit playoff team in 2020. They were a legit top 8 team team in the conference and when the season started that was the rules. The rules changed midway due to the circumstances of COVID, but really the Leafs were a playoff caliber team.

I thought in September 2019 before the season started that the Leafs were a borderline playoff team in 2019-20. As I recall, they were fighting with the Panthers for the last playoff spot. If they missed that spot, then it was unlikely that they would win a wild card.

When the regular season ended, they were ranked 8th out of 16 teams. That is middle of the pack, borderline playoff contender.

"The season was generally considered disappointing for the Leafs. In the offseason they were predicted to have a strong season and be a major playoff contender. However, they never really lived up to that promise."
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs season - Wikipedia

 

[mellowjello]

I think it’s a bit disingenuous to claim the Leafs we’re not a legit playoff team in 2020. They were a legit top 8 team team in the conference and when the season started that was the rules. The rules changed midway due to the circumstances of COVID, but really the Leafs were a playoff caliber team.

I also consider the Columbus series a playoff series whether official or not. And Toronto did what it does in playoff series.

It's not really a question of whether they're a legit playoff team or not, it's that it has become apparent they're barely a legit playoff team.
Previous three years, they collapse in the second half of the season and are fighting to lock up a playoff spot into the last week,
I don't think they would have qualified last year under normal circumstances (?).
They're out in the first round the last five years. The proof is always in the pudding.
This year they had a breeze of a division, and out again,
Still hoping they bust out, but until it happens...

 

[Insidious Von]

...until that happens the Boston Bruins sign Seth Jones.

 

[Archer2012]

The Leafs ownership actually don’t mind a loosing team under normal circumstances - still is a sell out (season tickets / corp tickets boxes). But guess what the regulars get tired of watching - give away their tickets (or sell) then those who go as a “one time treat” or a “rare treat” buy a crap load of “Leafs swag” over the course of a season. Regulars don’t spend on that stuff. Even canteen stuff - regular might have a beer - the “one timer” buys beers and beers and hot dogs and popcorn and ice cream bars etc.

 

[Darts]

Why are we talking about the Cream Puffs in the middle of summer?
They are like a train wreck. You don't want to look, but you do.
Shirley we have better things to do.
Actually, Shirley is waiting to get her nails done (long lineup) and July 16th.

 

[Darts]

Let's assume the NHL goes back to normal in 2021-22.

1) Question 1: Will Leafs be one of the top 3 in the Atlantic Division?
2) Question 2: If not top 3, can Leafs win a wild card?
3) Question 3: Will someone start a 2021-22 Leaf thread?

Divisional standings[edit]

Atlantic Division

Pos	Team v t e	GP	W	L	OTL	RW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	p – Boston Bruins	70	44	14	12	38	227	174	+53	100
2	Tampa Bay Lightning	70	43	21	6	35	245	195	+50	92
3	Toronto Maple Leafs	70	36	25	9	28	238	227	+11	81
4	Florida Panthers	69	35	26	8	30	231	228	+3	78
5	Montreal Canadiens	71	31	31	9	19	212	221	−9	71
6	Buffalo Sabres	69	30	31	8	22	195	217	−22	68
7	Ottawa Senators	71	25	34	12	18	191	243	−52	62
8	Detroit Red Wings	71	17	49	5	13	145	267	−122	39

 

[Darts]

The Leafs ownership actually don’t mind a loosing team under normal circumstances - still is a sell out (season tickets / corp tickets boxes).

Our company has a private box. It is rarely or not used at all during the NHL playoffs. Maybe I'll post a pic.

 

[glamphotographer]

Leafs acquire Jared McCann.

 

[superstar_88]

So it's a Kraken trade.
Pitts likely to loose him to Kraken if exposed.
Leafs likely to loose Kerfoot to Kraken so he's 3rd line replacement.
He has Soo ties to Dubas.

 

[bullitt]

I think I was the first critic of Marner on the Board in September 2019. (Yes, the noisy trio went apeshit, because they are lousy judges of hockey talent.)

"There's another player who's far worse but he's Canadian, it's time for...
...Ode to Mitch Marner." (Quote: Insidious von)

The following are comments from an intelligent and knowledgeable hockey player, observer and fan.
"Part 1 Although I wasn't gifted, I've played a fair bit of hockey. I found it was dramatically easier to pass to a goal scorer than score myself. More hockey players fall into my category than ones that can score. The degree of difficulty in scoring is considerably higher than assisting on a goal. There were also 1.88 assists awarded for every Leaf goal. Soccer and basketball both recognize scoring as being more valuable. Rantanen and Kane had one less point than Marner. Both were more effective in high traffic areas. Rantanen had 10 more goals. Without going further, Kane, Kucherov and Rantanen are better than Marner as right wingers. Marner should not have been on the first team all star. The F3 forward on the back check become the F1 forward on the forecheck. The F3 forward on the forecheck becomes the F1 forward on the back check. The F1 position is the closet to the net and F3 forward closest to the blue line. Marner is the F3 forward at both ends. The least physical area. He covers the least amount of ice. Which his centers have to compensate for. Yet many view him as a great 2 way player. How is that possible when he lives in the perimeter? Linemates for a goal scorer create space and quality scoring lanes. Marner did neither for Matthews in the playoffs. In addition he couldn't generate offense with limited defensive coverage on himself. Marners production is more dependent on his linemates than their production on him."

"Marners contract should have been in line with his RFA peers Aho, Point, Connor, Tkachuck and Rantanen. The $7M range. $6M if he was nice enough to give the Leafs a home discount. At that amount he would have been a keeper. At $10.9M he's over paid and a drain the the cap. Most logical to trade in fixing the salary cap and icing a more balanced and quality roster. He'll never have more value than now. The time is right to trade him."

agree. dubas handing out contracts like he,s paying them in canadian tire money. these guys are waay overpaid. kevin lowe did the same in edmonton when he was running the show. the mans an idiot, i think he,s in charge of the Concessions now.

 

[glamphotographer]

Leafs protection list
Matthews
Marner
Tavares
Nylander
Muzzin
Brodie
Rielly
Holl
Campbell
Unprotected:
Kerfoot
McCann
Engvall
Simmonds
Spezza
Dermott
Hutchinson

Looks like Seattle will take either Kerfoot or McCann.

 

[y2kmark]

So is this officially the 21-22 Maple Leafs thread now?

 

[glamphotographer]

Looks like Zach Hyman is getting the money we wanted $5M/yr for 8 years.

 

[Darts]

Good for Zach. He owes the Leafs nothing. He deserves the money and more.

 

[superstar_88]

This just in, Hyman owes the Leafs his first born.
He is entering his 30's. 8 years is a very long time.
A player like Simmonds at 32 is already considered old and contributes little.
Tavares great signing when it happened but now everyone wants him gone.
It'll be same for Hyman in 3 years or so after he signs his 8 year contract.
Edmonton signed Lucic once upon a time who became a bust.
Good player during his prime.
Leafs got Hyman during his prime for cheap.
Time to move on.

 

[glamphotographer]

This just in, Hyman owes the Leafs his first born.
He is entering his 30's. 8 years is a very long time.
A player like Simmonds at 32 is already considered old and contributes little.
Tavares great signing when it happened but now everyone wants him gone.
It'll be same for Hyman in 3 years or so after he signs his 8 year contract.
Edmonton signed Lucic once upon a time who became a bust.
Good player during his prime.
Leafs got Hyman during his prime for cheap.
Time to move on.

B U Y O U T ! ! !

 

[superstar_88]

B U Y O U T ! ! !

You need to send Dubas a memo pronto.