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Even if they do as you say, their toughness quotient is not up to the task. Watching Florida manhandle and destroy Carolina, a Euroteam, after the score was out of hand is a major red flag. Leafs need some high end grit to take care of the nonsense that Florida seems to get away with. It’s better to initiate, than take it from that goon squad. It’s quite effective. Florida is winning again this year.
I would like to agree with most of what you say, but the same problem exists. Two right wingers who will command too much cap space. Sure, sign Marner, but you’d need to be moving on from Willie, since he’s got another 7 years on his contract. Marner can’t get more than $12.5m per season or it just won’t work. Knies must be the priority, since he’s younger and a playoff player. Trading Stolarz might be an idea, since his stock has risen. The Oilers might be willing to make a trade to upgrade their goaltending. Make them pay, for sure.
The Panthers are just dummying the Canes again tonight. If only Willy and Knies could have scored in overtime, in game 3 against the Panhandlers, then we could have been dummying the Canes. Now there’s a team that needs a retool. I guess losing in 7 against this team doesn’t look as bad, after seeing the Canes and Bolts getting destroyed by the Panthers.
The Leafs scored goals in spite of Rielly, not because of him. His goals were mostly flukes. He has been so horrid in offensive situations, he’s been removed from the PP1 and replaced by a forward. His defensive errors, were as numerous and as obvious as they ever have been. He played the most ice time, he gets paid the most money, he can’t be that bad and expect success. He is a passenger at this point. He can still provide value to a team like Vancouver or Seattle, trying to salvage a wild card spot, but he’s not winning anybody a Cup making 7.5 AAV. Not going to happen.
Of all of the Leafs contracts, this one needs to be moved. Even for a 3rd rounder, if possible. Ekblad would be the player that I’d target for that money in the off season.
Was Mark Hunter in charge of the entire draft without question? No, he wasn’t. There were always conflicting voices in the room that muddies the waters to whom he actually picked and whom dumbass Dubas wanted. Or Shanahan. Or Lou. His work with the London Knights speaks for itself. He always builds a competitive team. London Knights players usually compete for and win Cups when they make the NHL for a reason.
After watching Easton Cowan and the Hunter Brothers London Knights, they deserve an NHL look. That OHL franchise has been one of the best run franchises for over a decade. If they really want to make a difference, bring the Brothers in and put them into upper management. A winning pedigree is just that. The Leafs need more winners, not has-beens. To beat the Panthers, you have to be as tough as the Panthers. It looks like they’re going to roll into the finals and probably win it again.
If Shanny ends up on the Island, maybe we can cut a deal to send Marner for his 8th year for a pick or a much larger trade with multiple pieces on the move.
Willy seems to be skating by with little or no examination. Maybe he needs a little bit of the Marner/Matthews treatment. He is top 3 in salary, so scrutinizing him isn’t a bad thing. Leafs need a true #2 centre to replace Tavares. Rielly should be the first out the door and replaced with a UFA. Another righty is required for the 2nd pair to play with OEL.
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Cush n dozzer would never ban me for my timeless hb idiom????????♂️????Welcome to your new home. The key is under the Mitch Marner doormat, whenever you want to come in.
Good analysis. I agree with at least 80% of it. My biggest issue is paying two right wingers $12M each per season. It doesn’t work. Centre, Defense and Goaltending should come before Wingers. It would be all well and good if there were no Cap, but there is. One has to go. Either move Willy, or Mitch will have to sign elsewhere, if he won’t sign for similar money than Willy. I’m not totally sold on McMann either. He did show some decent play in the regular season, but did little in the playoffs. It’s not like he’s under 25, unlike Knies, who really does deserve a long term extension.
