2021-22 Maple Leafs Thread

[smuddan]

You are now where I was in September 2019 when I finally stopped drinking the kool aid. The last straw was the signing of Marner for $10.9mm per. Marner is a good player but not $10.9mm per season good. So, I raised the question "Will Leafs Make the Playoffs?" No, they did not.
(41) Will Leafs Make the Playoffs? | Toronto Escorts Review Board Forum | Terb

It seems to me that some fans believe that being a loyal fan you should never criticize the franchise, it’s management or players. To me that’s drinking the kool aid.

I consider myself a loyal fan, but my loyalty is on the “team that represents my city”, not it’s ownership, management or players. I support these people as long as I have confidence in their abilities to lead the team to success, but I will criticize and rant when I see that the team is in the wrong hands. I don’t think that’s drinking the kool aid.

As a big Marner fan, even I can’t defend his recent performance, but if you think he was way overpaid then you should point your finger at Dubas. The first mistake he made was to announce “we can and we will” even before he got on the negotiation table with Nylander/Marner/Matthews. Contract negotiations are a lot like playing poker, you just don’t lay your cards on the table to allow the other side to dictate the outcome. After the Nylander long holdout, Dubas panicked and cave in on both Marner and Matthews camps‘ demands. That’s how he ended up overpaying Marner and signing Matthews to a relatively short term.

 

[chuckertmg]

Leafs playing Chicago tomorrow, who haven’t just lost all their games but haven’t even had a 1 point lead over anyone at any point in their six games.

These are the Hawks currently out on covid protocol, not counting other injuries: Kane, Toews and three coaches…

Doesn’t look like a fair fight from here.

 

[oral.com]

You mean another 7-1 shellacking to a team missing their best starters?

 

[John Wick]

Assuming things go sour and the LEAFS only pick up one, maybe two wins in the next 5 games, my sense is that Dubas will be toast. So who does Shanny bring in as the next GM?

 

[Fun For All]

Assuming things go sour and the LEAFS only pick up one, maybe two wins in the next 5 games, my sense is that Dubas will be toast. So who does Shanny bring in as the next GM?

That's quite an assumption you're making...you're saying they only win one or two of their next five and Dubas will be fired...ya sure.

 

[smuddan]

Assuming things go sour and the LEAFS only pick up one, maybe two wins in the next 5 games, my sense is that Dubas will be toast. So who does Shanny bring in as the next GM?

The soon the better imo but my guess is that only if by mid season the Leafs are in real danger of not making the playoffs, then Dubas and/or Keefe will get fired. The talent is still good enough to be at least above .500 in the regular season with the current system and being the stubborn guy he is, Shanny will give Dubas’s team more chance to prove what they can do in the playoffs. The problem as I see it is that there’s no evidence to show that this is a better team than the previous 3 years’.

 

[Fun For All]

The soon the better imo but my guess is that only if by mid season the Leafs are in real danger of not making the playoffs, then Dubas and/or Keefe will get fired. The talent is still good enough to be at least above .500 in the regular season with the current system and being the stubborn guy he is, Shanny will give Dubas’s team more chance to prove what they can do in the playoffs. The problem as I see it is that there’s no evidence to show that this is a better team than the previous 3 years’.

Dubas should be fired for not convincing Ottawa that Nylander and Ramos Sandin wasn’t fair compensation for Brady Tkachuk...

 

[smuddan]

Dubas should be fired for not convincing Ottawa that Nylander and Ramos Sandin wasn’t fair compensation for Brady Tkachuk...

Hey, I know you’re trying hard to be recognized as the biggest smart ass poster here and you’re going a fine job. You may even make the dumbest smart ass if you talk some more about AHL prospects.

 

[John Wick]

The soon the better imo but my guess is that only if by mid season the Leafs are in real danger of not making the playoffs, then Dubas and/or Keefe will get fired. The talent is still good enough to be at least above .500 in the regular season with the current system and being the stubborn guy he is, Shanny will give Dubas’s team more chance to prove what they can do in the playoffs. The problem as I see it is that there’s no evidence to show that this is a better team than the previous 3 years’.

You could be right about timing, I just wonder how much pressure is building up above Shanny and Dubas' pay grade right now. Negative public opinion and frustration with the team's performance appears to be approaching a tipping point. If the Leafs go 2-8 in a 10 game block at the start of the season, does/can Shanny really just stand pat? Can't forget that this season has a major interruption in the form of the Olympic break that could factor into things as well. I hope this group can turn it around quickly and pull out some upsets in the next 4-5 games, but they were lucky to get out of CHI with the OT win last night, and I didn't see anything in that game that inspired any kind of renewed confidence they're about to go on any winning streak.

 

[Fun For All]

It seems to me that some fans believe that being a loyal fan you should never criticize the franchise, it’s management or players. To me that’s drinking the kool aid.

I consider myself a loyal fan, but my loyalty is on the “team that represents my city”, not it’s ownership, management or players. I support these people as long as I have confidence in their abilities to lead the team to success, but I will criticize and rant when I see that the team is in the wrong hands. I don’t think that’s drinking the kool aid.

As a big Marner fan, even I can’t defend his recent performance, but if you think he was way overpaid then you should point your finger at Dubas. The first mistake he made was to announce “we can and we will” even before he got on the negotiation table with Nylander/Marner/Matthews. Contract negotiations are a lot like playing poker, you just don’t lay your cards on the table to allow the other side to dictate the outcome. After the Nylander long holdout, Dubas panicked and cave in on both Marner and Matthews camps‘ demands. That’s how he ended up overpaying Marner and signing Matthews to a relatively short term.

No...the first mistake that Dubas made was to sign Taveras to that big contract...what should Matthews do, he's as good as Taveras and should be paid around the same, Marner is a little behind and should be paid accordingly...if they didn't sign Taveras not only would they have saved 11 mil a season they would have probably got Matthews for 9 mil and Marner maybe foe 7.5.

Paying Nylander less than 7 mil has been a good contract for the Leafs.

 

[shack]

No...the first mistake that Dubas made was to sign Taveras to that big contract...what should Matthews do, he's as good as Taveras and should be paid around the same, Marner is a little behind and should be paid accordingly...if they didn't sign Taveras not only would they have saved 11 mil a season they would have probably got Matthews for 9 mil and Marner maybe foe 7.5.

I am not disputing you, but just asking a fair question.

I seem to recall the city was buzzing when we signed Tavares. Without hindsight, how many people saw that as a mistake at that time?

 

[Fun For All]

I am not disputing you, but just asking a fair question.

I seem to recall the city was buzzing when we signed Tavares. Without hindsight, how many people saw that as a mistake at that time?

If they won some playoff series they'd still be buzzing...

 

[Darts]

No...the first mistake that Dubas made was to sign Taveras to that big contract...
I think the rational was that Taveras was an UFA.

what should Matthews do, he's as good as Taveras and should be paid around the same,
Saying Matthews is as good as Taveras might not be much of a compliment. I think the argument there is that RFA don't get the same money as an UFA. Of course, Dubas disagrees.

Marner is a little behind and should be paid accordingly...if they didn't sign Taveras not only would they have saved 11 mil a season they would have probably got Matthews for 9 mil and Marner maybe foe 7.5.

Paying Nylander less than 7 mil has been a good contract for the Leafs.

 

[Darts]

Rielly extended for 8 years.

 

[seagerbuzz]

Rielly extended for 8 years.

Good move. It's less that what he would get on the open market.

 

[shack]

If they won some playoff series they'd still be buzzing...

But that is with hindsight. I was asking how much negativity was there about Tavares at the time of the trade?

 

[GameBoy27]

Good move. It's less that what he would get on the open market.

5 Players now account for 60% of the Leafs payroll.

 

[kyleb899]

Garbage overpaid contract, these bums haven't earned nothing yet, haven't won no playoffs series in the cap era. They probably might not make the playoffs this season.

The only player I liked in this team is Jason Spezza , hard working player

 

[shack]

Rielly extended for 8 years.

Looks like Morgan Rielly will play out his contract and test UFA in 2022.

I think most Leaf fans know that Rielly is gone after this season.

I think Morgan Rielly will be gone within 12 months. He's from the west and will probably join a team in the west.

Darts, the expert, proves once again that his claims of being knowledgeable are a joke. Hahahahaha.

 

[Fun For All]

But that is with hindsight. I was asking how much negativity was there about Tavares at the time of the trade?

First, it wasn't a trade...second, people that knew what they're talking about knew it was going to cause cap problems down the road...third, Joe Blow Leaf fan was excited but they didn't consider my second point.