Leafs @ Oilers - Mar. 9th, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[Bender]

Having read every GDT this year, I can unequivocally say that some people have said the Leafs suck.

Those people would be wrong.  My frustration is they have Cup calibre talent, but play awfully loose at times.

Your specific stance on things aren't the generalities we're talking about.

 

[ZBBM]

We're going to play Boston in the 1st round.

If we win, then even if TB takes us down in the 2nd round it will be hard to argue that the team hasn't taken a significant step forward.

If we lose, all the franchise-record accomplishments won't mean a thing.

It may not be fair, but there you have it.

 

[Kin]

If we lose, all the franchise-record accomplishments won't mean a thing...

To you. It won't mean a thing to you. Which is fine. You're allowed to have whatever ridiculous standards you want, we're allowed to not judge the Leafs season on whether or not it meets them.

 

[barney_rebel]

Well that means I can see them rule while I am in Boston in April.  Glad I didn't go to the game last year when they got blown out there.

 

[ZBBM]

If we lose, all the franchise-record accomplishments won't mean a thing...

To you. It won't mean a thing to you. Which is fine. You're allowed to have whatever ridiculous standards you want, we're allowed to not judge the Leafs season on whether or not it meets them.

Uh, why yes, in matters of opinion you are indeed allowed to have them.  Thanks for the timely reminder, here on a site where people share ... opinions.

 

[Kin]

Uh, why yes, in matters of opinion you are indeed allowed to have them.  Thanks for the timely reminder, here on a site where people share ... opinions.

No, I was just clarifying that when you say things like "It may not be fair but..." you're not making a statement about the harsh realities of the world but rather stating that your opinions aren't based on a fair reading of the facts.

And that, you know, some people aren't actually all that concerned about your upcoming art installation on how the Maple Leafs season made you feel.

 

[Guilt Trip]

You know, every now and then I get nostalgic for watching Mats Sundin play but the nice thing is now that it looks like I'm going to see the same bunch of chuckleheads say the exact same things about Matthews that they did about Sundin whenever he'd go pointless.

Well said.

 

[herman]

Headlines today: Leafs lose moral point giving up 2 in 3-0 lead

 

[BermudaBudsFan]

Well that means I can see them rule while I am in Boston in April.  Glad I didn't go to the game last year when they got blown out there.

I was at Game 1 in Boston last year.  Not pleasant!

 

[Highlander]

Having read every GDT this year, I can unequivocally say that some people have said the Leafs suck.

Those people would be wrong.  My frustration is they have Cup calibre talent, but play awfully loose at times.

Yes they do but they are a very very young team, once the big three and some of the supporting cast start clicking on all cylinders then we are going to see the real Leafs, hopefully the full tune up starts before the Boston series.

 

[AvroArrow]

Yes they do but they are a very very young team, once the big three and some of the supporting cast start clicking on all cylinders then we are going to see the real Leafs, hopefully the full tune up starts before the Boston series.

I feel like this point is just lost on some.

I mean, Moore, who has just been brought up to play full time NHL duties, is older than all of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Kapanen.  And 3 of those 4 guys are key cogs to this team.

The most experienced and oldest member of the core is just 25 (Rielly).

Many of the problems with this team are consistent with a young team.  It shows, and I can accept it, because if this is them while they're inexperienced, then we've got a lot of good hockey to look forward to.

 

[caver]

i think it will be an interesting playoff...neither Boston or Tampa Bay will take the Leafs lightly...cuz when they get rolling they can beat any team...

 

[disco]

Having read every GDT this year, I can unequivocally say that some people have said the Leafs suck.

haha for sure, GDT's are somewhat toxic, I check in at the end This team is 4th OVERALL IN THE LEAGUE with a 21-year-old Marnthews core having a DECADE of their best hockey ahead.  Herman your insights are great, you should do twitter.

 

[disco]

i think it will be an interesting playoff...neither Boston or Tampa Bay will take the Leafs lightly...cuz when they get rolling they can beat any team...

Because Atlantic Powers, The 4th overall best team may/will meet the 3rd overall best team in the first round. That's like a conference final calibre series. "But the Leafs haven't even won a ROUND yet." Well, they're just entering their prime, still young and keep starting with a conference final level matchup Once Bergeron/Marchy turn old we're golden.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Here's your list of the past 10 Cup winners, their total points on the regular season and their goal differential through the regular season:

2018 WSH  105 pts  +20
2017 PIT    111 pts  +48
2016 PIT    104 pts  +42
2015 CHI  102 pts  +40
2014 LA    100 pts  +32
2013 CHI*  132 pts  +90  *extrapolated from 48 games*
2012 LA      95 pts  +15
2011 BOS  103 pts  +51
2010 CHI    112 pts  +62
2009 PIT    99 pts  +25

2018-19 Leafs, projected:  107 pts  +62.  They have a points projection higher than all but 3 of the past 10 Cup winners and equal or greater goal differential than all but 1.  Only 1 of the past 10 Cup winners won the President's Trophy.  Like virtually every eventual Cup winner ever, the Leafs are very good and also flawed.  To obsess on the flaws of such a good team at the expense of enjoying the wins and the virtues seems such a depressing way to follow a team.

 

[Bullfrog]

Yes they do but they are a very very young team, once the big three and some of the supporting cast start clicking on all cylinders then we are going to see the real Leafs, hopefully the full tune up starts before the Boston series.

I feel like this point is just lost on some.

I mean, Moore, who has just been brought up to play full time NHL duties, is older than all of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Kapanen.  And 3 of those 4 guys are key cogs to this team.

The most experienced and oldest member of the core is just 25 (Rielly).

Many of the problems with this team are consistent with a young team.  It shows, and I can accept it, because if this is them while they're inexperienced, then we've got a lot of good hockey to look forward to.

I completely agree with the sentiment.

However, you have to include John Tavares as part of the core. He and Kadri are both an ancient 28 1/2.

 

[AvroArrow]

I completely agree with the sentiment.

However, you have to include John Tavares as part of the core. He and Kadri are both an ancient 28 1/2.

Those guys are only "complimentary" players.

 

[barney_rebel]

Well that means I can see them rule while I am in Boston in April.  Glad I didn't go to the game last year when they got blown out there.

I was at Game 1 in Boston last year.  Not pleasant!

One of us got tickets for his family and we sat in a bar and faced the music.

 

[princedpw]

Here's your list of the past 10 Cup winners, their total points on the regular season and their goal differential through the regular season:

2018 WSH  105 pts  +20
2017 PIT    111 pts  +48
2016 PIT    104 pts  +42
2015 CHI  102 pts  +40
2014 LA    100 pts  +32
2013 CHI*  132 pts  +90  *extrapolated from 48 games*
2012 LA      95 pts  +15
2011 BOS  103 pts  +51
2010 CHI    112 pts  +62
2009 PIT    99 pts  +25

2018-19 Leafs, projected:  107 pts  +62.  They have a points projection higher than all but 3 of the past 10 Cup winners and equal or greater goal differential than all but 1.  Only 1 of the past 10 Cup winners won the President's Trophy.  Like virtually every eventual Cup winner ever, the Leafs are very good and also flawed.  To obsess on the flaws of such a good team at the expense of enjoying the wins and the virtues seems such a depressing way to follow a team.

Great post.

 

[herman]

Having read every GDT this year, I can unequivocally say that some people have said the Leafs suck.

haha for sure, GDT's are somewhat toxic, I check in at the end This team is 4th OVERALL IN THE LEAGUE with a 21-year-old Marnthews core having a DECADE of their best hockey ahead.  Herman your insights are great, you should do twitter.

Thanks! There are a lot of more insightful posters here that make the Leafs discussion more lively and intelligent and hilarious.