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I took a day to digest what just happened at the trade deadline. It was abysmal and with a competent GM, they would have gotten more. On the up-side, they kept their defensive core intact. The 3 players moved were easily replaceable. Where do I see them going? I figure that now that the trade deadline is over, they’ll settle in with their current roster. At the end of the year, they’ll fire the Coach and GM. While the playoffs continue, they’ll cull together who they want as GM and he’ll bring in his own coaching staff. If I had my way, it would be the Hunter’s but I’m guessing it’ll be a more established GM and Coach. What needs to happen is the gutting of the bottom 2 lines of the roster. Through free agency, they need to find a competent winger that can play with Matthews and Knies. I wish that they’d consider moving Nylander, while he’s still near the top of his game. It’s there they recoup picks and or a blue chip prospect. I’d like to see him traded to Utah in exchange for Logan Cooley. Put Cooley at second line centre and move Tavares to the wing. Get younger and move some salary. If Utah makes it into the playoffs, they might see it as an opportunity to advance, next year, with a 40 goal scorer. Leafs might need to sweeten the deal, but if it’s manageable, make that move. Next, moving a goaltender. It depends what the offer is for any of the 3. If it’s for one of the younger goalies, make sure it’s a tangible young asset, either on the wing or on defense. Lastly, Morgan Rielly. I’m not sure about the structure of his contract, but if there’s a signing bonus, wait until after July 1st and find a new home elsewhere. Even consider a Darnell Nurse even up swap. At least Nurse has a physical element to his game, but he’s also overpaid. Is it worth paying that extra $1.5M per to make that trade? Maybe. In closing, it’s not hopeless. It looks like hot garbage right now, but with a proper GM and Coach, plus some free agents and a couple of trades, this team could bounce back into the playoffs next year.
One last thing. Boycott the games for the rest of the year. Boycott the team merchandise. Make it hurt in MLS&E’s wallet. Stop watching the games on T.V. Just stay away and let it burn. Who knows?
This is one uninspired game. This is almost as bad as a preseason game. It’s gotten so bad, that I wished that it was June and we could forget about it. The end of this season can’t come soon enough.
It’s all good that they got a 1st for Roy, but that’ll probably be around #30. So you might get lucky and get another Easton Cowan type player. Leafs really need to move up in the draft to at least 15. That might get you a good second liner or a 2nd pair defenseman, in 5 years. A start, yes, but they better not say good enough and go back into complacency. Time to make those moves to reacquire youth for the pipeline. Maybe it is time to see what Matthews is worth. If it brings you a blue chip prospect and a number of first rounders. You could rebuild quickly by beefing up in the draft and free agency. Keep your good young players like Knies, Woll and Cowan. Players like McCabe, Tanev and Nylander can be the veteran anchors.
I also looked at the standing and noticed that. They really are in no-mans land. They do have games against these bottom feeders so it’s up to them to lose in regulation. If not, try to get north of the 10th overall pick. Moving some talent for picks is a must, sooner than later. Time to look at some of the Marlies that are having good years. If you look at the defense on paper, removing Rielly and OEL, you can say that keeping McCabe as the first defensive pairing, while Tanev playing on the right side next year. After that, they need 2 left shot defensemen for slots on the second and third pairing. Carlo, with a proper partner named not Rielly, would probably look better on the second pairing would be acceptable on a playoff team. Stecher on the 3rd pairing is not a bad option with a new partner not named Benoit. They need to shore up the Left side of the Defense.
Looking at forwards, Matthews and Knies on line 1, find a right winger. Line 2 has Tavares and Nylander, add a left winger. Find a spot for Cowen on the 3rd line. Laughton at 4C. Add accordingly. The rest can go in trades if the price is right. A few strategic free agents and they could be back in the playoffs, a year from now.
In goal, it has to be Woll and Hildeby. Stolarz needs to be traded, due to his age and injury issues.
Coaching and GM? Goodbye at years end. Interview the Hunter’s at years end. Not a complete rebuild but a heavy reset is in order.
OK, it’s time to get the Tank out of mothballs and start losing. Time to get near the bottom and get a top end draft pick. It’s obvious that the bed has been stripped and the shitty sheets are in the wash. Anyone that wants this team to succeed must get on the tank and get some prospects into the cupboard. The Leafs missed the wave, the change in hockey. Teams that acquired young talent are now riding the wave to the top. Watching the Habs, Sens, Wings and others, it’s not the veterans that get the job done, it’s youth with mobile defensemen that win in today’s NHL. The Leafs started to build a team to beat Florida. The problem with that, Florida too is on the decline. Both teams could miss the playoffs. The answer is asset management and rebuild your draft capital. It’s time for Rielly, Domi, McMann, OEL and Stolarz to move on and draft picks coming back. The only untouchables include Matthews, Nylander, Woll and Hildiby. Now is not the time to be a buyer. Get the assets, fire the GM and Coach, start with a new Coaching staff and use the acquired Cap Space to get into free agency and rebuild. My friends, you can argue back and forth and disagree, but the retool must start this week, and not the end of the season.
A puke worthy effort. It’s like they have a hard turd stuck up their asses. This team is starting to become as hateful to watch as the Phaneuf/Kessel years.
9 goals in 2 games against. Unacceptable! Fire the Coach and GM. Call London and airlift the Hunter Brothers. I’m watching a real game now, Sens vs Wings. An entertaining tilt!
I’m glad that the NHL is soon back. Too many nights to do nothing but talk to the wife. I can only take so much of that and go shovel snow. I’ve seen enough snow. I haven’t seen enough NHL hockey. Treliving better be ready to pull that trigger on McMann…..the next David Clarkson. Say goodbye to Rielly while we’re at it. Retool on the fly and get ready for next year. Let’s see a few Marlies up with the big team to see what we’ve got. Mitch the bitch can show the league his prowess by getting knocked out of the second round. Enjoy your little slug Las Vegas.
Connor McDavid and Mitch Marner…….Never a bride, only a bridesmaid. Auston showed that he was an elite talent at the Olympics. It’s not all about the goals and big shots, but the 200 foot game and stellar defense. You win with players like that. You don’t win with players who play a fancy game. Case closed!
Different situation. Canada is expected to be a powerhouse at the Olympics. Marner’s goal was spectacular, but it’s a one off game. Of course it did win them a chance to get to the Gold medal game. It’s a lot different playing a 7 game series where you’ve got players that want your scalp. Marner has issues playing in traffic, but freewheeling he’s magnificent. However, that contract wasn’t viable for the Leafs. You can’t pay 3 players max value and be able to build around them. Many forget, he was the player that didn’t pick up his check in overtime of game 7 versus the Bruins. Pasternak blew by him and he just let him go to the net on a dump in. This is what the Leafs Nation remember. They also remember him backing down from the Panthers and the Leafs lose in 7. If Marner had made them eat an elbow or his stick, message would have been sent. Marner is a wonderfully skilled player, made for International hockey. It doesn’t translate into anything close to NHL Playoff calibre. We will see how he does in Lost Wages when the Playoffs begin. Then, you can make an informed decision on him as a playoff performer.
All I can say is this: Leafs just need to win every game that they possibly can. It’s obvious that they’re not finishing in the bottom 5. They only have a 25% chance of making the playoffs. They have to hold off Florida and catch either Boston or Buffalo. As the season gets later, the 3 point games will be telling, when it’s time to make a playoff push. The other only reason is, to deny the Bruins a higher 1st round pick that the Leafs traded to them. Giving them a top 10 pick would be disaster. Finishing outside of a playoff spot would make it around 14 or 15. Too many Western teams will have a worse record. The problem is, Florida and Ottawa are also close to the Leafs. They need to get some picks through trades and still be competitive down the stretch. Finish strong and rebound through free agency and having a healthier roster next year.
As usual, procrastination. Too many chiefs, not enough indians. Nothing decisive means mediocrity. I guess, what do you expect?
When I looked at the schedule, before the season, I looked and said to myself; Self, with all of those home games to start the year, I hope they don’t sh!t the bed, because if they fall behind and have to catch up on the road, it won’t end well. Self, also thought, injuries could also be the start of a death spiral, with a veteran team and more fringe players from losing teams. It’s a bad road to go down. Fast-forward to now and sure enough, it happened. A total sh!t show. Why Maccelli? Too small, had one decent season, so let’s take him. Why? Just a dumb move. Treliving is showing why he was canned in Calgary. Just a total waste of one year. Time to get the neon sign ready for Robidas Island.
Leafs will do what they always do…..procrastinate until other teams do the bold deals. Pelly should have a new management team in the wings and ready to go at the end of the Olympic break. The Hunter’s should be at the top of the list, with their experience in winning at the Junior ranks. These retreads we have now, show why they’re retreads. Antiquated coaching, slow moving General Manager and no vision of the future. The Leafs should look long and hard at moving Matthews. He’s one of the premiere goal scorers in NHL history and also an American. You’d think that teams like the Rangers, Kings and Stars would have a keen interest. To make that deal, they’d better get a haul of a couple of 1st rounders, and two blue chip prospects. He could be the answer for a team like Dallas or Los Angeles to make a move in the standings. Best to either get close to the playoffs, or in the bottom 5. Giving up a top 6th or 7th overall pick will sting.
