Marner finished 5th in the league in scoring, and 7th in Selke voting.
I get that we all need to come up with ways to cope with his impending departure, but FFS, this team will be weaker next year without him. – Atomic Wedgie
Why so angry? Lasagna issues? lol
You clearly see team and player points (and personal accolades to some degree)s being removed / lost as getting weaker (and I get that POV) but let me share some facts that may make you not feel as worried (and even surprise you because they surprised me) about how much a step back in points may or may not impact the Leaf if that step back is managed (the cap space / $’s are used) the right way.
I think it’s safe to say most folks look at the Panthers as the model to copy right now as far as roster construction.
Did you know the player with the most points on the Panthers was Reinhart with 81?
He was also their top goal scorer with 39 total goals.
Verhaeghe who many gripe about the Leafs not keeping had 20 goals and 33 assists……and was a -14
Sam Bennett had 25 goals, 26 assists and was a -15
So to summarize they didn’t have a single player who even score 40 goals and one guy who got 81 points with the next closest for points being Barkov with 71 points and for goals being Bennett with 25 goals.
And no, they didn’t ride unreal goaltending all year, BOB had a 2.44GAA and a .906 save %
The back up Vanecek was way worse at 3.64 GAA and a .884 Save %.
This is my point, the Panthers are just “built differently” than the Leafs – they are built for playoff success and regular season ‘good enough’.
To me if the Leafs have an opportunity and the flexibility to change and as TRE said “change the DNA” then that’s what I want them to. Not to try and replace the 100 point / Selke nominee Marner in full but replace some of that but also add in some of what he, the rest of the core and the bottom 6 simply hasn’t been able to deliver.
FOR ME that’s not worse that’s better but I can appreciate others don’t see it the same way as I do.