2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[mr grieves]

Well, you can sign a FA like Tavares, be honest with and about him, know that he's coming in early in the process, and then simply choose not to go down "a false road of trading assets every deadline." Nothing about signing Tavares necessitates all the other mistakes that weakened the supporting cast and taught the wrong lessons (just a trade deadline acquisition away from breaking through)

 

[dappleganger]

I don't agree. When you have a chance to sign an FA like Tavares — well, you don't have that chance, basically. And of the Core 4 JT is the least culpable. He has delivered on his money.

The JT signing was good, and I agree you make that signing 100% of the time. He scored 38 goals in the last year of the deal. He only scored more goals than that once in his career.

 

[Zee]

I think that's what goes on the headstone for this team. Probably something should've been after the Montreal series, but standing pat while Marner's NMC kicked in is the truly egregious mismanagement.

I know people with the team and even around here have said 'well how would they get better??' but I don't think expecting that they'd do something is really all that outlandish. How many really good/great talents have been traded, even at a loss, when it looked like things just weren't going to work out where they were? It happens! And I bet it often works out better for the team trades them!

That’s the other problem, paralysis by fear. Scared to make a mistake on a star player trade, so they do nothing and pray it magically works out. Meanwhile, other teams don’t flinch at no-move clauses, they move guys if it makes the team better. Ruthless? Sure. But it works. Toronto keeps tinkering with the bottom six like that’s going to unlock something. Newsflash: it hasn’t. The stars are the problem, and no amount of fourth-line shuffling is going to fix that.

 

[L K]

That’s the other problem, paralysis by fear. Scared to make a mistake on a star player trade, so they do nothing and pray it magically works out. Meanwhile, other teams don’t flinch at no-move clauses, they move guys if it makes the team better. Ruthless? Sure. But it works. Toronto keeps tinkering with the bottom six like that’s going to unlock something. Newsflash: it hasn’t. The stars are the problem, and no amount of fourth-line shuffling is going to fix that.

That's where I couldn't agree with cw on his assessments of Marner this year. Other organizations do that stuff and move on from it. I don't blame Marner for saying no to a trade to Carolina at the deadline. I also don't blame him if he goes to Carolina on July 1st either. But I also don't blame the organization for trying.

 

[Zee]

That's where I couldn't agree with cw on his assessments of Marner this year. Other organizations do that stuff and move on from it. I don't blame Marner for saying no to a trade to Carolina at the deadline. I also don't blame him if he goes to Carolina on July 1st either. But I also don't blame the organization for trying.

Carolina won't pay what he wants

 

[Bender]

That's where I couldn't agree with cw on his assessments of Marner this year. Other organizations do that stuff and move on from it. I don't blame Marner for saying no to a trade to Carolina at the deadline. I also don't blame him if he goes to Carolina on July 1st either. But I also don't blame the organization for trying.

I love cw but that defense of Marner does not look great in retrospect. Marner refused to negotiate or sign during the year and it sounds like the Leafs org felt like they may be getting strung along so had a deal ready in the event that Marner wanted out. CW said you can't make Marner mad because now he won't want to stay. Frankly I don't think either side wants Marner in Toronto next year.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I love cw but that defense of Marner does not look great in retrospect. Marner refused to negotiate or sign during the year and it sounds like the Leafs org felt like they may be getting strung along so had a deal ready in the event that Marner wanted out. CW said you can't make Marner mad because now he won't want to stay. Frankly I don't think either side wants Marner in Toronto next year.

Leafs want him, but at a certain price point. It's going to be a very interesting month and a bit to July 1 to see what happens.

 

[Bender]

Leafs want him, but at a certain price point. It's going to be a very interesting month and a bit to July 1 to see what happens.

I mean yeah, that's true of lots of star players, but I doubt the Leafs even want him at 12-12.5. There's rumours that the Leafs offered him a very sizable deal mid-season. I don't think Marner wants to come back and I think the Leafs pull that offer even if he does.

 

[Zee]

Leafs want him, but at a certain price point. It's going to be a very interesting month and a bit to July 1 to see what happens.

I can't see any way that Marner wants to stay. He's had enough of the market and the criticism.