best article I've seen in YEARS!!!

[Newfoundlandleaf]

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/11/19/maple_leafs_struggles_nothing_new_feschuk.html

I think this hits the nail on the head....win or lose....

 

[Madferret]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

 

[Stickytape]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Because if there are trends among cup-winning teams, it's generally a good idea to emulate them.  I don't think the point is that the Leafs suck because they aren't the Blackhawks or the Kings; it's just that if the Blackhawks or the Kings are doing the opposite of what the Leafs are doing, maybe someone should look into it.

The section of the article that mentions the failure of the defense to make crisp passes to forwards while exiting the zone caught my eye, because I've noticed that Gardiner and Riley don't really skate the puck out anymore like they used to. I felt that was one of the strengths they shared, and it's dried up (or at least it seems to have, from where I've been sitting).

It's painful watching non-Leafs games and watching how easily most teams exit their own zones, thinking "why can't we do that?"

 

[freer]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Because if there are trends among cup-winning teams, it's generally a good idea to emulate them.  I don't think the point is that the Leafs suck because they aren't the Blackhawks or the Kings; it's just that if the Blackhawks or the Kings are doing the opposite of what the Leafs are doing, maybe someone should look into it.

The section of the article that mentions the failure of the defense to make crisp passes to forwards while exiting the zone caught my eye, because I've noticed that Gardiner and Riley don't really skate the puck out anymore like they used to. I felt that was one of the strengths they shared, and it's dried up (or at least it seems to have, from where I've been sitting).

It's painful watching non-Leafs games and watching how easily most teams exit their own zones, thinking "why can't we do that?"

This IMO is coach based problem... It wasnt working ANT when RC left there. Yes the players need to be better, but it a system is taught by the coach. Our in not working

 

[Highlander]

first I have heard of Bernier's knee. Ok let him take a few weeks off and rehab it, bring up Sparks or Bibeau to back up Riemer. Couldnt hurt them to play a game or two in the bigs to see what it is. And we can dream of McDavid or the other guy (Eischel?)

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

This one's better: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/mirtle-leafs-gm-dave-nonis-has-been-a-key-figure-in-the-teams-demise/article21664518/

 

[Kin]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Do you understand what it means to compare one thing to another?

 

[bustaheims]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Because they're the standard the Leafs are ultimately trying to achieve, and the standard by which all teams are really judged by.

 

[Madferret]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Do you understand what it means to compare one thing to another?

I understand you don't get to G without going A-B-C-D-E-F first. I don't think the media does.

 

[Madferret]

I don't think the fans who throw jerseys / scarfs / waffles / crutches at the players do either

 

[Kin]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Do you understand what it means to compare one thing to another?

I understand you don't get to G without going A-B-C-D-E-F first. I don't think the media does.

You'd have saved time if you'd just said no.

 

[Madferret]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Do you understand what it means to compare one thing to another?

I understand you don't get to G without going A-B-C-D-E-F first. I don't think the media does.

You'd have saved time if you'd just said no.

It would have been easier to just draw you a picture

 

[Kin]

It would have been easier to just draw you a picture

No, I get it. Against form you decided to comment in a way where you'd get to very organically reference how often the Leafs have made the playoffs in recent years despite referring to an article in which the Leafs struggles are themselves highlighted.

I get trolling, I'd just prefer that if the mods aren't going to kick you off the site that you at least make some sense in how you go about it.

 

[Madferret]

It would have been easier to just draw you a picture

No, I get it. Against form you decided to comment in a way where you'd get to very organically reference how often the Leafs have made the playoffs in recent years despite referring to an article in which the Leafs struggles are themselves highlighted.

I get trolling, I'd just prefer that if the mods aren't going to kick you off the site that you at least make some sense in how you go about it.

It's getting quite comical how you try and bait me over every comment I make then proceed to call me the troll. Are you familiar with the term "online bully"?

 

[Madferret]

Why does a team with 1 playoff appearance in how many years constantly get compared to recent Cup winners when judging their success? Seems a bit unrealistic no?

Because they're the standard the Leafs are ultimately trying to achieve, and the standard by which all teams are really judged by.

I know that you know that they didn't get there overnight and that it takes a long term plan and commitment to stay the course.

 

[bustaheims]

I know that you know that they didn't get there overnight and that it takes a long term plan and commitment to stay the course.

That doesn't mean you don't take opportunities to see how you compare to the blueprint you're using. If you don't have a basis for comparison, you can't tell how far you have to go.

 

[herman]

This IMO is coach based problem... It wasnt working ANT when RC left there. Yes the players need to be better, but it a system is taught by the coach. Our in not working

I agree. The possession stats for teams/players pre-, during, and post- Carlyle are pretty damning.
From Mirtle April 2014:

This is what I mean by our players having to play 'uphill' every night because of systematic flaws. This is why they're tired by the stretch drive (on top of playing a 3 line game).

I still believe Carlyle's extension was not an on-ice product move, but part of the Nonis package of continuity while Shanahan puts his own less-NHL-experienced, but smarter people in place. Those terribad Nonis signings are also quite crippling, so we might as well leave the terrible system in place and re-coup some high picks while we wait out those contracts/sell low.

It's a pity we're wasting the best years of Kessel, JvR, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Holland, Bernier/Reimer, but the players who can excel even hamstrung by this system will be keepers for sure in the new era.

 

[Newfoundlandleaf]

I think the article I posted is more comprehensive than James article... This isn't nonis... It's systemic, cultural, selfish and self defeating.. And I write this as the team leads 4-1...

 

[freer]

It is quite funny reading the article in between watching two really good periods by the Leafs