Will the Leafs fade?

[1argoholic]

I hope not but I don't have the faith. They need more guys finding the back of the net and Reimer back healthy.

I'd like to see them beat Boston already.They seem to play scared against them.

[Argofan]

I was always a jets fan even when they moved, great to have them back!
I cheer for the leafs but I think they are still lacking a few good players. By the time they bring in the new players the other ones are on there way out. So round, round we go...

[Will]

They looked impressive tonight defeating the Capitals 7-1. Komisarek, Grabovski, MacArthur and Lombardi are all hurt right now. The biggest instability is in net where Gustavsson and Scrivens have looked fine in some games, but lousy in others.

[1argoholic]

Seems like the fade is happening. Just lost in OT to LA. Not winning much as of late. Fed up with Leafs crap year in and year out. With so many bloody teams we might not see a great playoff run out of them for years to come.

[matchuk]

yes...and i hope so...im a flames fan anyways

i just dont get why everyone was planing the parade route back in october after like 5 games...

[Will]

The Leafs are definitely going through a rough patch and unfortunately the closeness of the standings in the Eastern Conference means a rough patch can easily knock you out of the playoffs. The Leafs haven't had the easiest go of it in the schedule either having to face Boston twice recently, Buffalo twice recently as well as Vancouver. Not an excuse, as those are the teams that the Leafs need to start beating in order to be considered a legit contender.

[Will]

Well they got an important 3-2 victory over Buffalo yesterday. Nazem Kadri finally got himself called up and scored the winner on a nice shot. The Leafs are back at it against the Islanders in Uniondale tonight before taking off Christmas. They go on the "road" to Florida after that, and I put road in quotations because most of the crowd will be Blue and White.

[bluto]

yes...and i hope so...im a flames fan anyways

i just dont get why everyone was planing the parade route back in october after like 5 games...

welcome to a thread featuring Leafs discussion...

first time talking to our people for you?

[Will]

So after defeating both Buffalo and Long Island before Christmas, the Leafs turned around and lost to the Panthers 5-3 in Fort Lauderdale and 4-3 in overtime to the Hurricanes in Raleigh. I was at the game in Fort Lauderdale and the Leafs penalty kill is brutal! They had started off sluggish giving up an early goal to Florida before carrying the play throughout the rest of the first period. Grabovski scores a goal to tie the game 1-1 early in the second, but then the Leafs allow a breakaway goal a few minutes later before taking a series of penalties that ultimately found the Leafs down 4-1. The Leafs made it as close as 4-3, but couldn' find the equalizing goal. What I did find interesting was that while there were a ton of Leaf fans at this game that the Panther fans were much more assertive then they were in the past. That team has been one of the surprises of the first half so it makes sense.

[ArgoRavi]

When was the last time that the Leafs had good penalty-killing? And what is with Ron Wilson getting a contract extension? Is Burke in love with mediocrity?

[matchuk]

i just dont get why you give the coach a contract extension when he has not improved in the entire time he has been with the team? i guess because they are sitting in 6th place thats good enough for them? i dont get it...i would have figured a good gm would give the contract after the end of the 2011-2012 season, when this coach may have made the playoffs...

[Deerkeeper]

To paraphrase Zuzu Bailey (It's a Wonderful Life):

"Every time a bell rings, the Maple Leafs lose a hockey game".

[Argos4Life]

Leafs fan all my life, never got a chance to see them win their last cup as I wasn't born yet, closest I came was back in 93 but I'll keep the faith. I don't expect the Leafs will fade to the extent of falling hopelessly out of playoff contention but rather will be involved in a tight race right to the end of the season. I do expect Burke to make a couple of meaningful moves before the trade deadline.

[argolio]

The contract extension makes little difference. There is no cap for coaches, and it's hardly a drain on MLSE. Wilson can still be fired, and almost certainly will be if the Leafs miss the playoffs.

[1argoholic]

Well since I posted this topic they aren't exactly ripping the league apart. I'm not sure they'll make the playoffs and they need great goaltending which they're not getting at this point. Man they let in soft goals.
I just wish the World Jr were played for two months. Talk about passion.

[argolio]

Agree about the goaltending. If Reimer or Gus doesn't get on a roll, trouble will follow.

[Argos4Life]

Goaltending is one area that may need to be addressed through a trade. The penalty kill really needs to get better as well.

[marcwagz]

rw cannot coach penalty killing, i dont get it

[matchuk]

i am not talking about the contract extension in regards to being towards the cap, i am just wondering why any gm would reward a coach who has not improved the team since he has arrived

[Will]

Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have had terrific seasons so far, but they can't do it themselves offensively. Clarke MacArthur is a good player, but he may have overachieved last year, but actually should still be good for about 20 goals this season. Who needs to step up are Grabovski and Kulemin. Grabovski has been okay at times, but Kulemin has been terrible all year. Nazem Kadri looks good at times as well, but it remains to be seen whether he can contribute at a consistent level in the National Hockey League.