Official Tank Nation Topic

[Kin]

Anaheim won with Bobby Ryan.

Did they?

 

[lamajama]

If the season ended today the Leafs would finish 11th in the East and have the 9th pick overal.

Rotten season and rotten draft pick.

....and THAT is my biggest frustration Fanatic.  After being a Leaf fan for around 38 years I have been hoping for some semblance of hope for the team.  Not to sound mellow dramatic but I sincerely have no desire to have the Leafs ranked as one of the worst teams in the league.  When they don't make the playoffs what I am hoping is that they get some top draft picks to get better and dominate.

So yeah, right now I am getting surprisingly frustrated that the Leafs are winning when it doesn't matter, not because I want to see them lose, but because I want to see them dominate for years with some top players.  I don't know if Burke can do it.

I agree 100% - except that it's been 45 years and I'm not surprisingly frustrated I'm downright angry. This is the same BS that happens every year with this team. The Leafs are not trading for a dominating player. Not happening. Make this miserable finish worth something.
But they won't.

 

[Kin]

What about the teams that have had top 5 picks (some of them multiple times) and still have no success to show for it?

I always love this argument. It's "How can you say you need bricks to build a house when lots of people have bricks and didn't build a house".

 

[The Red Polar Bear]

What about the teams that have had top 5 picks (some of them multiple times) and still have no success to show for it?

I always love this argument. It's "How can you say you need bricks to build a house when lots of people have bricks and didn't build a house".

I prefer to follow the MLSE construction code and build my house out of cards.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What about the teams that have had top 5 picks (some of them multiple times) and still have no success to show for it?

I always love this argument. It's "How can you say you need bricks to build a house when lots of people have bricks and didn't build a house".

No, it's more akin to "I sucked in life in order to get first dibs at the brick lottery but then failed in my attempt to build a house anyways."

And you don't need bricks to build a house.

 

[DieWilsonDie]

Drafting will never ever be part of the Leafs priorities, and that is unfortunate because that is how you truly build a contender.  Free agency and shrewd trading will only get you so far.  Building a team through the draft heightens loyalties and consolidates a winning atmosphere.  If you want proof of why the Leafs are in such a big hole you only need to look at their dealings with Boston.  Every team needs a great goalie, a top center, and a stud defense man to be successful in this league for a sustainable amount of time, we arguably could have had all three without making any knee jerk trades.  Rask, Seguin, and Hamilton, could have led us into a new age, yet here we are with seven years out of the playoffs with a team so mentally damaged that it can only compete when the pressure is off.  As long as the coffers are full no fans will hold this club accountable for the last half century of mediocrity (and that is putting it lightly).  Burke and Co. want to preach patience, well if they were patient we wouldn't be in this mess with no hope.  And yes I know it wasn't Burke responsible for the Rask deal, but what does it matter when Tannenbaum still holds a position of influence? 

 

[DieWilsonDie]

Anaheim won with Bobby Ryan.

Did they?

Bobby Ryan was a part of Anaheim's organization when they won the cup in 2007, but he wasn't even close to being an active contributor on the roster yet (in fact he wasn't on the roster).  Ryan was in the minors for quite a bit of time before he became a prominent member of that team.  Still though, the Ducks won the cup in 2007, yet they still possess the necessary pieces to be competitive and restart another cycle of success. 

 

[leafplasma]

I was all about the tank but now with the the Leafs last two wins and what is looking like may be the 2nd loss in a row by the Caps tonight we are 6 points back with 10 to play.  May as well hope for a miracle because we are starting to climb over teams again.

 

[leafplasma]

I was all about the tank but now with the the Leafs last two wins and what is looking like may be the 2nd loss in a row by the Caps tonight we are 6 points back with 10 to play.  May as well hope for a miracle because we are starting to climb over teams again.

Honestly talk to me after Monday, if the Leafs beat the Bruins (certainly due to happen) and the Caps lose to the Wings we could be just 4 points back Monday night with 9 to play.  Then things get interesting and I may feel a little bit like watching some more games this season.

 

[moon111]

Current odds. 
At 10-0-0 -->81.5%
At 09-0-1 -->62.9%
At 09-1-0 -->42.8%
At 08-0-2 -->40.8%
At 08-1-1 -->23.4%
At 07-0-3 -->21.4%

They could easily not lose another game all season and not make the playoffs.

 

[Kaberle15]

So Anahein is winning, Washington is down by 2 with 10 to go in the game and Carolina and Winnipeg are tied 1-1 in the first (this game could have the best result if Carolina wins in regulation, this way Carolina passes the Leafs and Winnipeg fails to get ground aiming the 8th spot, so 8th is still duable and we get a better pick otherwise).

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

So Anahein is winning, Washington is down by 2 with 10 to go in the game and Carolina and Winnipeg are tied 1-1 in the first (this game could have the best result if Carolina wins in regulation, this way Carolina passes the Leafs and Winnipeg fails to get ground aiming the 8th spot, so 8th is still duable and we get a better pick otherwise).

Winnipeg gives up a goal with less than 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd and lose 4-3.

 

[Kin]

No, it's more akin to "I sucked in life in order to get first dibs at the brick lottery but then failed in my attempt to build a house anyways."

And you don't need bricks to build a house.

Pedantry aside, it's an argument that assumes that people who advocate the necessity of high draft picks are saying that getting those high draft picks is the first, last and only step in building a competitive club which is on it's face a complete and utter strawman.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Since I started score board watching I have noticed that the Leafs aren't the only inconsistent team.  Teams will win and lose but being inconsistent in my mind is different.  Some teams with better talent are wildly inconsistent like LA Kings, San Jose, Washington and Philadelphia.  I would almost add Boston and Vancouver.  Other teams that are inconsistent the last 2 months atleast are Minnesota, Anaheim and Tampa Bay.

So...I don't know had flipped out I should be getting with the Leafs.

Some teams are impressive as well and some feel only like a Cinderella team that will come crashing back to earth next year and are only winning because certain players are having anomaly career years.

 

[Zee]

What a frustrating season.  Even with all the turmoil, you look back 1 week, had the Leafs beaten Washington last Sunday, we'd be only 2 points out of the playoffs right now.

 

[Bender]

What a frustrating season.  Even with all the turmoil, you look back 1 week, had the Leafs beaten Washington last Sunday, we'd be only 2 points out of the playoffs right now.

I know, right? I also don't expect the team to throw games so it's frustrating that they went on a tear. A couple of guys should've been shipped off for a couple of first rounders.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

They went on a tear?  Or do you mean a losing tear?

 

[Optimus Reimer]

It's possible the Leafs could be tied with the Capitals by March 28.  The only they should lose against is Boston.  After that it is the Islanders, Devils, Rangers, Canes - all winnable games.

 

[Zee]

What a frustrating season.  Even with all the turmoil, you look back 1 week, had the Leafs beaten Washington last Sunday, we'd be only 2 points out of the playoffs right now.

I know, right? I also don't expect the team to throw games so it's frustrating that they went on a tear. A couple of guys should've been shipped off for a couple of first rounders.

I mean it's frustrating that we tanked so hard.  Just plain mediocrity and the Leafs would be in right now.  A few wins here and there is the difference, but the 15 losses in 17 games...*sigh*

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

What a frustrating season.  Even with all the turmoil, you look back 1 week, had the Leafs beaten Washington last Sunday, we'd be only 2 points out of the playoffs right now.

I know, right? I also don't expect the team to throw games so it's frustrating that they went on a tear. A couple of guys should've been shipped off for a couple of first rounders.

I mean it's frustrating that we tanked so hard.  Just plain mediocrity and the Leafs would be in right now.  A few wins here and there is the difference, but the 15 losses in 17 games...*sigh*

That they still got a remote chance this late in the season after dropping 15 in 17 really shows how much the East has imploded this year (and they still couldn't make the play offs).