Will the Leafs fade?

**1argoholic** · 01-22-2012, 11:58 PM

I was just saying that to my wife this morning. All the whining and complaining in Montreal and they are still in the mix if they string a few more wins together.
You should have heard all the talk in these parts early on about Vancouver. Well that changed bigtime as did the early on first overall Leafs.

**ArgoRavi** · 01-23-2012, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

I was just saying that to my wife this morning. All the whining and complaining in Montreal and they are still in the mix if they string a few more wins together.
You should have heard all the talk in these parts early on about Vancouver. Well that changed bigtime as did the early on first overall Leafs.

The one thing about today's NHL though is that when you drop even 6 or 8 points out of a playoff spot with several teams to hop over and only half of the season left, it is tough to make that ground up. It isn't impossible but it is very tough with all of the points now available for teams to claim with OT and shootout loss points available. The Canadiens could ring off five wins in a row and still not gain much ground on a playoff spot.

**294life** · 01-23-2012, 08:51 AM

I'm not sure how happy I should be that the Habs actually won. Are the Leafs That bad? omg.

**1argoholic** · 01-23-2012, 06:25 PM

If the Leafs crap these two game to the Isles I'm counting them out.

**Will** · 01-23-2012, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

If the Leafs crap these two game to the Isles I'm counting them out.

Well they shut 'em out 3-0 tonight!

**argolio** · 01-23-2012, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

Leafs have faded and every friggin Leaf game I get is a crappy loss. When I get to see them they stop skating and look lost. This doesn't look like a playoff team to me.

The Leafs are talented but they're also the youngest team in the league, so I think that accounts for some of the inconsistency.

As for a playoff spot, that probably won't be decided until the least week of the season.

**1argoholic** · 01-24-2012, 12:17 AM

Frustrating that's all I can say about this team and that the fans cut them way too much slack.

**argolio** · 01-24-2012, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

Frustrating that's all I can say about this team and that the fans cut them way too much slack.

Too much slack implies this year's team is under-achieving. Not buying that one.

Burke's only got two more years left on his contract after this one to deliver on his promise of a contending team. I doubt he'll finish out his deal if he can't even produce a playoff team.

**bluto** · 01-24-2012, 11:48 AM

for me, this should be a playoff team. but when i see two crucial games like this past weekend where the Leafs have a chance to move on in their division and conference and hurt their rivals... then it looks like the team didn't ever get out of second gear then i have to look at the coach. it's his job to prepare the men and make sure that they put in an honest shift.

looking at the roster, the obviously glaring hole is the lack of a true #1 centre. i don't know who is available for trade... and i don't even know if we have assets enough to trade for one (as i am sure that Burke wouldn't want to face the fan's wrath if he dealt another 1st rounder away)... so i don't anticipate any big moves.

the Connolly signing looked bad to me when we made it... it looks now.

**1argoholic** · 01-24-2012, 01:10 PM

The Leafs are the bottom feeders of the original six which just makes me sick. It would be nice to have one of these Leaf teams over achieve for a change. Who thought Ottawa would be where they are this year? Every original six team has won at least one cup in the last 20 years except who?

**ArgoRavi** · 01-24-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

The Leafs are the bottom feeders of the original six which just makes me sick. It would be nice to have one of these Leaf teams over achieve for a change. Who thought Ottawa would be where they are this year? Every original six team has won at least one cup in the last 20 years except who?

Other than the most recent expansion teams, the Leafs are one of the very few teams since 1967 who hasn't even made it to the Stanley Cup final. The Jets/Coyotes and Sharks have never made it to the Stanley Cup final during that time along with the Wild, Thrashers/Jets, Blue Jackets and Predators. Is there anyone else who hasn't made it to the finals over the last 40+ years?

**Will** · 01-24-2012, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

The Leafs are the bottom feeders of the original six which just makes me sick. It would be nice to have one of these Leaf teams over achieve for a change. Who thought Ottawa would be where they are this year? Every original six team has won at least one cup in the last 20 years except who?

The Bruins and Blackhawks just ended long droughts themselves, but yes it now puts the Leafs in that unenviable position.

They won 4-3 in OT against the Islanders and go into the break with two in a row.

**DanTheFan** · 01-25-2012, 02:04 PM

They just re-signed Liles to a four year extension: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=386045

I imagine he's almost ready to return. No doubt the Leafs will try to flip a defenseman or two at the trade deadline, especially if they can get a top six forward in a package deal. I'm sure there are many sports fans like myself that get sick of the build-up that comes with the NHL trade deadline in Canada, usually followed by questions of why the Leafs didn't get a deal done. If Burke's tenure with the Leafs is any indication, the biggest trade he'll end up making will probably be within a week or two from now.

**Will** · 02-03-2012, 09:27 AM

The Leafs took 3 out of 4 from the Penguins this week. They blew a 4-1 lead in the first game and lost 5-4 in the shootout before James Reimer shut them out 1-0 the next night after barely playing for the last month. The Leafs have a huge matchup with the Senators tomorrow. The Leafs aren't too far behind Ottawa and the Senators have been struggling so it's a big opportunity. Plus, losing to Ottawa really sucks!

**argolio** · 02-04-2012, 04:24 PM

Arguably the biggest Leaf game in years (which isn't saying a lot I realize), but it should be a great atmosphere.

**DanTheFan** · 02-04-2012, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by argofan87

The Leafs took 3 out of 4 from the Penguins this week. They blew a 4-1 lead in the first game and lost 5-4 in the shootout before James Reimer shut them out 1-0 the next night after barely playing for the last month. The Leafs have a huge matchup with the Senators tomorrow. The Leafs aren't too far behind Ottawa and the Senators have been struggling so it's a big opportunity. Plus, losing to Ottawa really sucks!

Boy was I pissed off after that first Penguins game. Definitely a big opportunity game today. Easily my most anticipated Leaf game of the new year. Hopefully Leafs fans flood Ottawa like they often do.