Toronto Maple Leafs

[Will]

Bye bye Babcock?

[ArgoFan1]

I would say so. His decisions of who to have on the ice was pathetic. Matthews should have been on the ice almost every second shift in the last 10 minutes and the fourth line should sit. This is common sense.

[AngeloV]

Bye bye Babcock?

I say no. He had his team ready to play. Unfortunately, 2 really soft goals against killed them.

More like Bye to Nylander. Not that he isn't a good player, but they have too many offensive type guys. Need to get some physical guys that can also play. Kadri may also be on his way out. 2 years in a row his lack of discipline has cost the team.

[Argo57]

If I was the Leafs GM I would move Kadri out first as he has a cap friendly contract and may help solve an issue on D, besides as Angelo mentioned he has put himself before the team two years in a row against Boston.
Nylander’s playoff performance was embarrassing, the guy looked out to lunch and unwilling to compete which will make it difficult to get any return for him and his bloated contract at this time.
Leafs may have to hope Nylander returns to form before considering a trade.

[AngeloV]

If I was the Leafs GM I would move Kadri out first as he has a cap friendly contract and may help solve an issue on D, besides as Angelo mentioned he has put himself before the team two years in a row against Boston.
Nylander’s playoff performance was embarrassing, the guy looked out to lunch and unwilling to compete which will make it difficult to get any return for him and his bloated contract at this time.
Leafs may have to hope Nylander returns to form before considering a trade.

I think Nylander has some value, especially to a budget rather than cap team. I'm not down on him as a player, and really don't think he was that bad against Boston (other than 1 play in game 2). I just feel that the Leafs have too many offensive players, and if Nylander isn't playing top minutes, and first power play, it's better to move him.

[Argo57]

I think Nylander has some value, especially to a budget rather than cap team. I'm not down on him as a player, and really don't think he was that bad against Boston (other than 1 play in game 2). I just feel that the Leafs have too many offensive players, and if Nylander isn't playing top minutes, and first power play, it's better to move him.

Nylander held out thinking he deserved upper echelon cash but came nowhere near backing it up with his performance which he should own.
Didn’t compete hard and looked soft during the playoffs which he should also own, problem now is the rest of the league will probably recognize his limitations if trade discussions occur.

[argolio]

The turning point was laying an egg in game 6. They were the better team in the series until then.

In the bigger picture, it's now officially another playoff disaster for Rogers. Canadian teams, superstar team Tampa, and superstar players Crosby and Ovechkin are all out. If you're walking by a Rogers building, watch out for executives jumping out of windows.

[gilthethrill]

The turning point was laying an egg in game 6. They were the better team in the series until then.

In the bigger picture, it's now officially another playoff disaster for Rogers. Canadian teams, superstar team Tampa, and superstar players Crosby and Ovechkin are all out. If you're walking by a Rogers building, watch out for executives jumping out of windows.

All the Rogers executives have been relocated to the ground floor...but they could still twist an ankle if they jump out.

["Issues"Mcgee]

I feel the need to point out Jake Gardiner is a career -10 in game sevens. Combine that with the fact he is a ticking time bomb night after night, I would ship him out before anyone else.

[Neely2005]

All the Rogers executives have been relocated to the ground floor...but they could still twist an ankle if they jump out.

So kind of like all the people jumping off the leaf bandwagon?
:-)

[Neely2005]

I feel the need to point out Jake Gardiner is a career -10 in game sevens. Combine that with the fact he is a ticking time bomb night after night, I would ship him out before anyone else.

Isn't he a UFA?

[AngeloV]

Nylander held out thinking he deserved upper echelon cash but came nowhere near backing it up with his performance which he should own.
Didn’t compete hard and looked soft during the playoffs which he should also own, problem now is the rest of the league will probably recognize his limitations if trade discussions occur.

If the Leafs wait until after July 1, they will have no problem moving Nylander. Although his cap hit will remain at 6.9M per year, actual money being paid will be considerably less, closer to 5M in fact.

[Argo57]

If the Leafs wait until after July 1, they will have no problem moving Nylander. Although his cap hit will remain at 6.9M per year, actual money being paid will be considerably less, closer to 5M in fact.

Agreed Angelo, sticky part for Dubas will be going back on his word in not trading Nylander.

["Issues"Mcgee]

Isn't he a UFA?

Well that explains why I was the only one to bring up that name haha

All I have left to say is, I can't wait until Matthews, Marner and to a lesser extent Nylander (I think he's staying) are a few years older. I think they haven't developed into adults yet. They still have the build of highschool students.

Once they are in their mid to late 20's they will be even more dominant on the ice than they already can be.

I have a few years left of clinging to that hope.

[argonaut11xx]

Lou's team made it farther. Little Kyle Dumbass, er Dubas is the problem.

Nylander was a botched signing, which will be an anchor moving forward.

Babcock is a top coach, Lamerello should have been retained, because Dubas just isn't ready, and may not ever mesh properly with the coach.

[Will]

Lou saddled the Leafs with bad contracts in Zaitsev, Marleau and Brown.

Barry Trotz was responsible for the Islanders making it to the 2nd round.

[doubleblue]

Well that explains why I was the only one to bring up that name haha

All I have left to say is, I can't wait until Matthews, Marner and to a lesser extent Nylander (I think he's staying) are a few years older. I think they haven't developed into adults yet. They still have the build of highschool students.

Once they are in their mid to late 20's they will be even more dominant on the ice than they already can be.

I have a few years left of clinging to that hope.

I can agree on these young guys still not being man grown yet. That generally comes at 24 25 depending on the person.
I don't know how Dubas can make it work but he has to move Marleau's contract somehow. Pat's a great guy and HOFer but his play has fallen off the proverbial cliff this year. Plus maybe one of Johnsson or Kapanen may have to be traded. Johnsson may have cooked his goose turning down 2.1 million for 2 years or 2.8 for 4 years. Zaitsev's 4.5 million would be nice to move but he did play better once paired with Muzzin. Brown and his 2 million salary has to be moved. Gardiner will probably go home to Minnesota and his 4.5 million. Hainsey is a warrior but getting near the end. Might make a great defensive coach. The trick will be getting in cheaper and IMO tougher players to replace them.
But I believe just about everybody but Dubas knows the Leafs have to get some tougher players in to go with their skill guys. Columbus are showing what it takes to handle Boston even with much less skill than the Leafs.
Keepers IMO: Hyman, Tavares, Marner, Matthews, Kapanen, Kadri, Nylander, Rielly, Muzzin, Dermott, Rosen, Moore and Andersen. And as the saying goes, all other options are on the table.

[Will]

I cannot help but wonder how the Leafs plan on breaking our hearts this year.

[argolio]

I cannot help but wonder how the Leafs plan on breaking our hearts this year.

[Will]

Well, Keefe definitely does have them playing some excellent hockey and both Matthews and Marner have taken their games to the next level.