For the most part, I think Tre has done quite well considering what was left after Dubas’ departure. He’s completely retooled the back end, and the tendies are looking nice! Now he’s got a little bit of breathing room to play with the forwards with Shanny gone and likely having more leash.
The Carlo trade was a beauty, I can see how the Laughton trade has an odor to it, but he’s still got another year to turn it around.
Can we please stop talking about trading Rielly?!?! Mark my words, he will play out 100% of his contract in a Leaf uniform. He’s a terrible player, makes WAY too much money for what he brings, and has full trade protection. “He needs a change of scenery, someone will take a chance on him.” Bullshit! Nobody is touching that guy unless the Leafs retain 50% and throw in a sweetener or take a crap contract back.
Please, God, Tre, prove me wrong. – Whipper
Agreed on Tre re-tooling the back end nicely and the situation between the pipes being good to great currently (despite the HB blog from Ek noting Toronto as a team who is interested in Demko if Van retains. Why would the Leafs have any interest in that? The only way would be a bigger deal where goalies are included IMO).
BIG TIME AGREE on Rielly. I’m almost as tired of reading about how Rielly would agree to be moved just because it’s closer to where he is from as I am of reading how terrible JT is and that he shouldn’t be brought back regardless. Pretending like JT isn’t a legit decent option at 2C on many team or can’t be shifted to the wing is insane. The guy wants to stay, can produce, is a monster still in the faceoff dot and will take a haircut – why the fuck wouldn’t you bring him back?
JT and Rielly aren’t why this team can’t get it done.
Look harder at the players who will be paid top dollars next year and were this year if you want to know why – AM, WN and MM specifically.
Blaming the 2nd pairing D man who is for sure overpaid or the 2nd line C who was also overpaid this year as the why vs the guys making 13.25, 11 and 10.9 each (the last one who will want what 13, 14M to stay?) and are supposed to be in their prime and to major firepower up front who collectively shit the bed in games 4,5 and 7 (and even then needed the goalie to pitch a shut out in game 6 and only were responsible for 1 of the 2 goals) is insanely stupid.