Leafs @ Capitals - Mar. 1st, 7:00pm - CityTV, TSN 1050

[L K]

Why can't we have nice shiny things like Ovechkin.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'm thankful and confident Nonis, Shanahan, Dubas and Hunter are fortunately going to make moves or not make moves without consideration of "emotional attachment."

 

[L K]

I like Washington's PP strategy.  It's called 'Pass it to Ovechkin'

 

[cw]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'd prefer they were worse, at least from a record standpoint, for 1-2 more years (but I think you meant more from a personality/attitude standpoint).

They're probably going to be bad for 1-2 or more years anyway because the foundation is pretty bad. Whether past or present management realizes it or not, treading water is not a good direction for a club. And they've been doing that since JFJ - right through Burke-Nonis.

They have a lack of talent problem but what bothers me more is I think they have a deeper character problem as a club. I have little patience for that as a fan. Fight and try like heck and lose I can tolerate. But this deer-in-the-headlights, mindlessly lost, don't-give-a-damn hockey ... I just can't handle watching it or buy in. I don't respect it.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'd prefer they were worse, at least from a record standpoint, for 1-2 more years (but I think you meant more from a personality/attitude standpoint).

They're probably going to be bad for 1-2 or more years anyway because the foundation is pretty bad. Whether past or present management realizes it or not, treading water is not a good direction for a club. And they've been doing that since JFJ - right through Burke-Nonis.

They have a lack of talent problem but what bothers me more is I think they have a deeper character problem as a club. I have little patience for that as a fan. Fight and try like heck and lose I can tolerate. But this deer-in-the-headlights, mindlessly lost, don't-give-a-damn hockey ... I just can't handle watching it or buy in. I don't respect it.

But Phil Kessel said he's trying..........

 

[cw]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'm thankful and confident Nonis, Shanahan, Dubas and Hunter are fortunately going to make moves or not make moves without consideration of "emotional attachment."

I hope not or the next number of years will look like the last decade.

I'm all for management being emotionally detached and using their heads instead of their hearts when making decisions. And there's no doubt skill and other factors are key attributes one wants in their players. However, the game is played at it's best with some emotion, some pride and with those who compete to win. This roster seems sorely lacking in that department and has for some time.

 

[Redleaf]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'd prefer they were worse, at least from a record standpoint, for 1-2 more years (but I think you meant more from a personality/attitude standpoint).

They're probably going to be bad for 1-2 or more years anyway because the foundation is pretty bad. Whether past or present management realizes it or not, treading water is not a good direction for a club. And they've been doing that since JFJ - right through Burke-Nonis.

They have a lack of talent problem but what bothers me more is I think they have a deeper character problem as a club. I have little patience for that as a fan. Fight and try like heck and lose I can tolerate. But this deer-in-the-headlights, mindlessly lost, don't-give-a-damn hockey ... I just can't handle watching it or buy in. I don't respect it.

But Phil Kessel said he's trying..........

He also said, "I don't really care."

Oh wait. That was regarding all the trade rumours....Or was it?? 

 

[rdowdall]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'd prefer they were worse, at least from a record standpoint, for 1-2 more years (but I think you meant more from a personality/attitude standpoint).

They're probably going to be bad for 1-2 or more years anyway because the foundation is pretty bad. Whether past or present management realizes it or not, treading water is not a good direction for a club. And they've been doing that since JFJ - right through Burke-Nonis.

They have a lack of talent problem but what bothers me more is I think they have a deeper character problem as a club. I have little patience for that as a fan. Fight and try like heck and lose I can tolerate. But this deer-in-the-headlights, mindlessly lost, don't-give-a-damn hockey ... I just can't handle watching it or buy in. I don't respect it.

A couple of years ago I hit this point.  It was during the Winnipeg game where they were down 4-1, came back and tied it, and then lost 5-4.  I put all my Leaf stuff in a box.  I was pretty close to mailing it back to them.  The stuff is still in a box though.

I remember in the 1990 - 1991 season I hit that point as well.  I can remember one game where they were playing the North Stars and they were losing bad.  I destroyed hockey cards that I had because I was so angry.  A year later they traded for Gilmour and things changed.  Gilmour came in and refused to lose. 

They need that kind of leadership.  The sort of leadership that a Toews brings.  The sort of leadership that Sundin used to bring.  I hope they find that type of player in this years draft.

 

[lamajama]

This team has been sh***y for almost 10 years.

Never a hope for a long playoff run or even contending. The Leafs
have become the punchline to a lot of jokes and it's a real detriment to the NHL.  The revenue this team could generate for the league would be astounding.

So Gary, work your Penguin magic and bring Connor to Toronto.

 

[Tigger]

As far as 'emotional attachment', I have some for Komarov, Reimer and to a lesser extent Rielly. If any of them could be traded to make the Leafs better, I could live with it. My favourite player for quite a while went for nothing to my chagrin as a fan, bring it.

 

[cw]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'd prefer they were worse, at least from a record standpoint, for 1-2 more years (but I think you meant more from a personality/attitude standpoint).

They're probably going to be bad for 1-2 or more years anyway because the foundation is pretty bad. Whether past or present management realizes it or not, treading water is not a good direction for a club. And they've been doing that since JFJ - right through Burke-Nonis.

They have a lack of talent problem but what bothers me more is I think they have a deeper character problem as a club. I have little patience for that as a fan. Fight and try like heck and lose I can tolerate. But this deer-in-the-headlights, mindlessly lost, don't-give-a-damn hockey ... I just can't handle watching it or buy in. I don't respect it.

A couple of years ago I hit this point.  It was during the Winnipeg game where they were down 4-1, came back and tied it, and then lost 5-4.  I put all my Leaf stuff in a box.  I was pretty close to mailing it back to them.  The stuff is still in a box though.

I remember in the 1990 - 1991 season I hit that point as well.  I can remember one game where they were playing the North Stars and they were losing bad.  I destroyed hockey cards that I had because I was so angry.  A year later they traded for Gilmour and things changed.  Gilmour came in and refused to lose. 

They need that kind of leadership.  The sort of leadership that a Toews brings.  The sort of leadership that Sundin used to bring.  I hope they find that type of player in this years draft.

I do think leadership is a problem for the team and the fans. For years since their last Cup, we had guys like Sittler, Clark, Gilmour & Sundin (for example) and those guys help right a wobbly ship - on the ice and off it. They didn't hoist the Cup but they fought back and tried.

Phaneuf and Kessel have some hockey talent - no question. But they wouldn't enter a conversation the way the four I listed above would in how they could step up and put the team on their back in a rough spell, etc.

Whether one buys that or not, there's something seriously wrong with the way this roster continually folds, year after year, under pressure or during some tough moment in the season. The fight just sort of evaporates out of them and they get get steamrolled - spiraling downward in some terrible funk they can't crawl out of. They can't compete worth a lick when the going gets tough. They just kind of roll over.

It's really hard to be a fan of that.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

That girl on hometown hockey has such an awkward vibe, her mouth is so weird. 

 

[rdowdall]

Reimer really wants to play with McDavid

Man cw, just read your tirade in the Erixon thread.  When a voice of reason goes fullbore blowup ... color me impressed.

I am close to agreeing with you -- nobody on this squad is untouchable, including Rielly.  But I do think they should keep him short of an extraordinary offer, he's got a skillset that should flourish in the league the way it's going.

I am torn on what to do with Bernier.

I have absolutely no emotional attachment to anyone on this roster ... because for the most part, they played like they had no emotional attachment or devotion towards winning for their fans. And they've done that for a few seasons.

This roster is rotten to the core. They're a disgrace to the jersey. I hope Shanahan really cleans house. Good riddance to the whole lot of them. I won't miss them. There's no place to go but up.

I'd prefer they were worse, at least from a record standpoint, for 1-2 more years (but I think you meant more from a personality/attitude standpoint).

They're probably going to be bad for 1-2 or more years anyway because the foundation is pretty bad. Whether past or present management realizes it or not, treading water is not a good direction for a club. And they've been doing that since JFJ - right through Burke-Nonis.

They have a lack of talent problem but what bothers me more is I think they have a deeper character problem as a club. I have little patience for that as a fan. Fight and try like heck and lose I can tolerate. But this deer-in-the-headlights, mindlessly lost, don't-give-a-damn hockey ... I just can't handle watching it or buy in. I don't respect it.

A couple of years ago I hit this point.  It was during the Winnipeg game where they were down 4-1, came back and tied it, and then lost 5-4.  I put all my Leaf stuff in a box.  I was pretty close to mailing it back to them.  The stuff is still in a box though.

I remember in the 1990 - 1991 season I hit that point as well.  I can remember one game where they were playing the North Stars and they were losing bad.  I destroyed hockey cards that I had because I was so angry.  A year later they traded for Gilmour and things changed.  Gilmour came in and refused to lose. 

They need that kind of leadership.  The sort of leadership that a Toews brings.  The sort of leadership that Sundin used to bring.  I hope they find that type of player in this years draft.

I do think leadership is a problem for the team and the fans. For years since their last Cup, we had guys like Sittler, Clark, Gilmour & Sundin (for example) and those guys help right a wobbly ship - on the ice and off it. They didn't hoist the Cup but they fought back and tried.

Phaneuf and Kessel have some hockey talent - no question. But they wouldn't enter a conversation the way the four I listed above would in how they could step up and put the team on their back in a rough spell, etc.

Whether one buys that or not, there's something seriously wrong with the way this roster continually folds, year after year, under pressure or during some tough moment in the season. The fight just sort of evaporates out of them and they get get steamrolled - spiraling downward in some terrible funk they can't crawl out of. They can't compete worth a lick when the going gets tough. They just kind of roll over.

It's really hard to be a fan of that.

Agreed, but I think there is reason for hope.  For one, a Maple Leaf executive (Dubas) actually said that the team needed to be rebuilt.  This is the first time we have heard the team talk openly about this. 

Also their actions seem to point to them actually taking this route, so they aren't just paying lip service to the fans.

They have to stay the course, and that will be tough.  They can't try and speed up the process, they have to see it through.  If they do this the right way then when we come out on the other side we will hopefully have a team that we can cheer for. 

I look at the Leafs situation similar to that of the Hawks when they tried to build around Kyle Calder, Mark Bell, Steve Sullivan, Eric Daze and the like.  Didn't work.  They had to strip it down and draft the likes of Seabrook, Kane, Keith, and Toews. 

Lets hope that the Leafs can do the same and that some of the players they have now like Leivo, Brown, Nylander, Percy, Finn can enhance some elite talent that the will hopefully draft over the next couple of years.

 

[cw]

Agreed, but I think there is reason for hope.  For one, a Maple Leaf executive (Dubas) actually said that the team needed to be rebuilt.  This is the first time we have heard the team talk openly about this. 

Also their actions seem to point to them actually taking this route, so they aren't just paying lip service to the fans.

They have to stay the course, and that will be tough.  They can't try and speed up the process, they have to see it through.  If they do this the right way then when we come out on the other side we will hopefully have a team that we can cheer for. 

I look at the Leafs situation similar to that of the Hawks when they tried to build around Kyle Calder, Mark Bell, Steve Sullivan, Eric Daze and the like.  Didn't work.  They had to strip it down and draft the likes of Seabrook, Kane, Keith, and Toews. 

Lets hope that the Leafs can do the same and that some of the players they have now like Leivo, Brown, Nylander, Percy, Finn can enhance some elite talent that the will hopefully draft over the next couple of years.

For sure. I wish the best for the franchise and hope they can commit to the direction they've declared. It will be good for the fans - even when they're not winning - if they're taking constructive steps.

I've seen this club win a Cup so I've been at this crossroads a number of times. This is the first time ever when I looked at a Leafs roster and didn't care if a single player on it ever came back. Over the years, there were always a few I kind of liked or had developed some attachment to that I preferred remained. But not this year. Rielly and a few, they're ok but I have no attachment. It's pretty sad.

 

[rdowdall]

Agreed, but I think there is reason for hope.  For one, a Maple Leaf executive (Dubas) actually said that the team needed to be rebuilt.  This is the first time we have heard the team talk openly about this. 

Also their actions seem to point to them actually taking this route, so they aren't just paying lip service to the fans.

They have to stay the course, and that will be tough.  They can't try and speed up the process, they have to see it through.  If they do this the right way then when we come out on the other side we will hopefully have a team that we can cheer for. 

I look at the Leafs situation similar to that of the Hawks when they tried to build around Kyle Calder, Mark Bell, Steve Sullivan, Eric Daze and the like.  Didn't work.  They had to strip it down and draft the likes of Seabrook, Kane, Keith, and Toews. 

Lets hope that the Leafs can do the same and that some of the players they have now like Leivo, Brown, Nylander, Percy, Finn can enhance some elite talent that the will hopefully draft over the next couple of years.

For sure. I wish the best for the franchise and hope they can commit to the direction they've declared. It will be good for the fans - even when they're not winning - if they're taking constructive steps.

I've seen this club win a Cup so I've been at this crossroads a number of times. This is the first time ever when I looked at a Leafs roster and didn't care if a single player on it ever came back. Over the years, there were always a few I kind of liked or had developed some attachment to that I preferred remained. But not this year. Rielly and a few, they're ok but I have no attachment. It's pretty sad.

I've never seen them win a cup.  I know what you mean though, over the years even when they were horrible there was someone to get behind.  You had Sittler and Salming in the 70's, Vaive, Clark, and maybe Damphouse in the 80's.  Gilmour and then finally Sundin.  These last 5 or 6 years though, it's hard to really identify with a player.  Kessel is a great hockey player, but he is a mismatch for this market what with the current state of the Leafs.  Phanuef isn't really the leader the team needs.  I liked Kadri during the lockout shortened season.  His play reminded me of Gilmour.  I had hoped that he would grow in to that type of player, but I haven't really seen it.

It's funny, I was at the game where they honoured Gilmour's jersey.  I made mention of how I was going to the game at work and a co-worker said "Over the next couple of years I think Leaf fans are going to realize just how bright of a light Sundin was for the Leafs.  Perhaps the brightest since their last cup win.  Even brighter than Dougie."  That guy was not wrong.   

 

[Damian]

Phaneuf looked awesome on that last one

 

[ZBBM]

Not that it matters, but ... oh, forget it.

 

[ZBBM]

Agreed, but I think there is reason for hope.  For one, a Maple Leaf executive (Dubas) actually said that the team needed to be rebuilt.  This is the first time we have heard the team talk openly about this. 

Also their actions seem to point to them actually taking this route, so they aren't just paying lip service to the fans.

They have to stay the course, and that will be tough.  They can't try and speed up the process, they have to see it through.  If they do this the right way then when we come out on the other side we will hopefully have a team that we can cheer for. 

I look at the Leafs situation similar to that of the Hawks when they tried to build around Kyle Calder, Mark Bell, Steve Sullivan, Eric Daze and the like.  Didn't work.  They had to strip it down and draft the likes of Seabrook, Kane, Keith, and Toews. 

Lets hope that the Leafs can do the same and that some of the players they have now like Leivo, Brown, Nylander, Percy, Finn can enhance some elite talent that the will hopefully draft over the next couple of years.

For sure. I wish the best for the franchise and hope they can commit to the direction they've declared. It will be good for the fans - even when they're not winning - if they're taking constructive steps.

I've seen this club win a Cup so I've been at this crossroads a number of times. This is the first time ever when I looked at a Leafs roster and didn't care if a single player on it ever came back. Over the years, there were always a few I kind of liked or had developed some attachment to that I preferred remained. But not this year. Rielly and a few, they're ok but I have no attachment. It's pretty sad.

I've never seen them win a cup.  I know what you mean though, over the years even when they were horrible there was someone to get behind.  You had Sittler and Salming in the 70's, Vaive, Clark, and maybe Damphouse in the 80's.  Gilmour and then finally Sundin.  These last 5 or 6 years though, it's hard to really identify with a player.  Kessel is a great hockey player, but he is a mismatch for this market what with the current state of the Leafs.  Phanuef isn't really the leader the team needs.  I liked Kadri during the lockout shortened season.  His play reminded me of Gilmour.  I had hoped that he would grow in to that type of player, but I haven't really seen it.

It's funny, I was at the game where they honoured Gilmour's jersey.  I made mention of how I was going to the game at work and a co-worker said "Over the next couple of years I think Leaf fans are going to realize just how bright of a light Sundin was for the Leafs.  Perhaps the brightest since their last cup win.  Even brighter than Dougie."  That guy was not wrong. 

Indeed, he was not wrong.  I do think almost all Leafs fans finally came to appreciate him in his last few seasons with the team.

For me, it's not so much not having an emotional attachment to anyone on the current roster.  It's the other way round.

 

[ZBBM]

Well done Horachek.  Last night +4, tonight +5. 

 

[Chris]

Just a remarkable, sustained period of ineptitude.