2020-2021 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[L K]

I guess a related question could be does the unique circumstances of the junior seasons this year mean anything to the value of a 1st round draft pick?

If there is no draft this year, the value of that pick definitely goes down in terms of immediate help.  Even if the draft happened this year, there is a generation of players who are a year behind in terms of their development right now.  The truly elite kids are probably getting some form of one-on-one tutoring to advance their skills but who knows how much further behind these kids will be in terms of being NHL ready.  The alternative would be that if this years draft gets pushed back a year, drafting a 19 year old with a mid-late pick is probably more valuable in terms of being closer to the NHL (assuming development wasn't slowed) than an 18 year old with that same pick.

 

[Bullfrog]

I'd say yes if that means looking for smart ways to improve the team, no if it means moving any more high round draft picks. This team desperately needs more talent in the system otherwise they really risk wasting some good years from a very talented core.

I'm 100% with you on this one. Hang on to those picks.

I think in the context of this year being unique and and the Leafs having a good shot at advancing to the conference and or SCF, parting with 1 high pick won't be the end of the world if the end result is a Stanley Cup.  Would it be a high pick + prospect to bring back an impact guy?  Who knows, it all depends on the player coming back and the contract status, if said player is an upcoming UFA the price shouldn't be as high so you won't be mortgaging the future.

Nah, I'm tired of seeing the picks dealt away. Hang on to them; compete with what you've got. A cup is great, but I'm more interested in a perennial contender.

 

[Zee]

I'd say yes if that means looking for smart ways to improve the team, no if it means moving any more high round draft picks. This team desperately needs more talent in the system otherwise they really risk wasting some good years from a very talented core.

I'm 100% with you on this one. Hang on to those picks.

I think in the context of this year being unique and and the Leafs having a good shot at advancing to the conference and or SCF, parting with 1 high pick won't be the end of the world if the end result is a Stanley Cup.  Would it be a high pick + prospect to bring back an impact guy?  Who knows, it all depends on the player coming back and the contract status, if said player is an upcoming UFA the price shouldn't be as high so you won't be mortgaging the future.

Nah, I'm tired of seeing the picks dealt away. Hang on to them; compete with what you've got. A cup is great, but I'm more interested in a perennial contender.

What's a perennial contender?  Would you be happy if the Leafs turned into San Jose who went to like 4 conference finals, a stanley cup final and never win.  They looked great for years and years and have nothing to show for it.  Nothing's ever a guarantee but when you have a good shot I say go for it.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

I think after this season is over, no one is really going to look back fondly on who won the Stanley Cup during a world wide pandemic. 

I don't really want the Leafs to win this year.  Shortened season, messed up schedules, playing the same 6 teams all season.  You know it will always come with a "yeah, but".

Why should we be nervous about going through Tampa or Boston?  That's kind of cowardly.  Do we not want the Leafs to win a cup, beating teams no matter who they play? 

Absolutely no way should the Leafs do something stupid and trade away assets for "win now" mode. 

 

[bustaheims]

I think after this season is over, no one is really going to look back fondly on who won the Stanley Cup during a world wide pandemic. 

I don't really want the Leafs to win this year.  Shortened season, messed up schedules, playing the same 6 teams all season.  You know it will always come with a "yeah, but".

Why should we be nervous about going through Tampa or Boston?  That's kind of cowardly.  Do we not want the Leafs to win a cup, beating teams no matter who they play? 

Absolutely no way should the Leafs do something stupid and trade away assets for "win now" mode.

If the Leafs win the Cup, you can bet fans of every other team will be screaming about there being an asterisk on it. Personally, I don't care. Winning 4 rounds in the playoffs is still difficult, regardless of everything else.

I agree with your last point, though. This season is not a good measuring stick as to where the Leafs are in terms of winning.

 

[Highlander]

Remember Buffalo or Minnesota in the NFL. 4 Superbowls each and no wins.

 

[Kin]

I think in the context of this year being unique and and the Leafs having a good shot at advancing to the conference and or SCF, parting with 1 high pick won't be the end of the world if the end result is a Stanley Cup.

Oh, I didn't realize we were talking about trades where the end result is a Stanley Cup. They should definitely do those. In fact they probably should have been doing them for some time.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think after this season is over, no one is really going to look back fondly on who won the Stanley Cup during a world wide pandemic. 

I don't really want the Leafs to win this year.  Shortened season, messed up schedules, playing the same 6 teams all season.  You know it will always come with a "yeah, but".

I agree that regular season stats will end up being pretty skewed. I mean I'm sure the Leafs won't play at .821 all season but whatever they end up at is probably going to be higher than it would have been if they were playing a more balanced schedule. So if the Leafs or anyone breaks some sort of record there it'll probably be seen with an asterisk.

But the Cup? I don't think so. That'll still be the same 16 team tournament we're used to. I admit I was skeptical of how last years playoffs would go and be responded to but I don't think anyone tried to downplay how much Tampa deserved their victory and I don't think it'll happen this year either.

 

[Kin]

I admit I was skeptical of how last years playoffs would go and be responded to but I don't think anyone tried to downplay how much Tampa deserved their victory and I don't think it'll happen this year either.

I mean, Damien Cox very much did.

But beyond that, who cares if they do? People who don't like the Leafs will always find some reason to do it and you can always pick apart any title. More to the point, are you cheering for the Leafs to win a cup so Leafs fans and players are happy or to shut people up? Because if it's the latter, you may be losing perspective.

 

[L K]

I think after this season is over, no one is really going to look back fondly on who won the Stanley Cup during a world wide pandemic. 

I don't really want the Leafs to win this year.  Shortened season, messed up schedules, playing the same 6 teams all season.  You know it will always come with a "yeah, but".

I agree that regular season stats will end up being pretty skewed. I mean I'm sure the Leafs won't play at .821 all season but whatever they end up at is probably going to be higher than it would have been if they were playing a more balanced schedule. So if the Leafs or anyone breaks some sort of record there it'll probably be seen with an asterisk.

But the Cup? I don't think so. That'll still be the same 16 team tournament we're used to. I admit I was skeptical of how last years playoffs would go and be responded to but I don't think anyone tried to downplay how much Tampa deserved their victory and I don't think it'll happen this year either.

Noone really complains about the lockout shortened seasons.  In fact you had some people making the arguments that the bubble playoffs was harder on some teams because of the lack of crowds and being confined.

I think calling this a "different" kind of championship isn't unreasonable but I would savor a win this year just as much as any other.

 

[Bullfrog]

No asterisk for me so long as all the teams are under the same circumstances.

 

[Bullfrog]

I'd say yes if that means looking for smart ways to improve the team, no if it means moving any more high round draft picks. This team desperately needs more talent in the system otherwise they really risk wasting some good years from a very talented core.

I'm 100% with you on this one. Hang on to those picks.

I think in the context of this year being unique and and the Leafs having a good shot at advancing to the conference and or SCF, parting with 1 high pick won't be the end of the world if the end result is a Stanley Cup.  Would it be a high pick + prospect to bring back an impact guy?  Who knows, it all depends on the player coming back and the contract status, if said player is an upcoming UFA the price shouldn't be as high so you won't be mortgaging the future.

Nah, I'm tired of seeing the picks dealt away. Hang on to them; compete with what you've got. A cup is great, but I'm more interested in a perennial contender.

What's a perennial contender?  Would you be happy if the Leafs turned into San Jose who went to like 4 conference finals, a stanley cup final and never win.  They looked great for years and years and have nothing to show for it.  Nothing's ever a guarantee but when you have a good shot I say go for it.

Ya, I'd prefer that to a crappy team that wins the cup and goes on to continue to be crappy.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/pr_nhl/status/1359959219110297601
We will see where this goes as the Oilers have encountered a (potential) positive test. The Leafs play Montreal on Saturday.

https://twitter.com/pierrevlebrun/status/1360014451223715840

 

[princedpw]

I?d say the difficulty of winning is best judged by the number of competitors. It?s just as hard to win this year as last year ? in each case, one of 31 teams win and the others lose.

 

[Zee]

I think after this season is over, no one is really going to look back fondly on who won the Stanley Cup during a world wide pandemic. 

I don't really want the Leafs to win this year.  Shortened season, messed up schedules, playing the same 6 teams all season.  You know it will always come with a "yeah, but".

Why should we be nervous about going through Tampa or Boston?  That's kind of cowardly.  Do we not want the Leafs to win a cup, beating teams no matter who they play? 

Absolutely no way should the Leafs do something stupid and trade away assets for "win now" mode.

That's fine. We can take this Cup and then defend it next season for a back to back. OK?

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

I think after this season is over, no one is really going to look back fondly on who won the Stanley Cup during a world wide pandemic. 

I don't really want the Leafs to win this year.  Shortened season, messed up schedules, playing the same 6 teams all season.  You know it will always come with a "yeah, but".

Why should we be nervous about going through Tampa or Boston?  That's kind of cowardly.  Do we not want the Leafs to win a cup, beating teams no matter who they play? 

Absolutely no way should the Leafs do something stupid and trade away assets for "win now" mode.

That's fine. We can take this Cup and then defend it next season for a back to back. OK?

OK.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kevin_mcgran/status/1360069321368698881
Kevin McGran is growing on me

 

[Kaberle15]

The rules are the same for every team, so I don't have any problem, no asterisk attached to the cup whatsoever.

That said, I do hope they do get home ice advantage, break every record that is to be broke, sweep every playoff series and hoist the Cup. Go Leafs Go!!!

 

[herman]

https://theathletic.com/2096762/2021/02/12/auston-matthews-maple-leafs-stories/

So Hart, Rocket, and Selke (haha PK min) are probably on the table for Matthews this season.
It's going to be hard to keep pace with Marner, let alone McDavid/Draisaitl for the Art Ross.

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/kevin_mcgran/status/1360069321368698881
Kevin McGran is growing on me

MTL 6 of 8 wins against VAN and OTT... I like the narrative. Leafs sitting idol while MTL will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights tomorrow. Leafs have OTT 3 times next week. One game at a time but the Leafs could potentially build a big cushion here.

Next Saturday against MTL should be tough, MTL has the whole week off Saturday to Saturday?