I doubt that very highly. Marner is loved by many of the fans (especially kids)& is an exceptional talent and producer and a regular season darling.

Now if his regular season play was to fall off a cliff maybe but I don't see that happening at all.
- Cush29

The Cap restraints is the most telling issue. The Leafs can't afford to go forward with 4 forwards eating up the majority of the cap space. Leaf fans fall in love with glitzy players. They like the wholesome look of talented players and often look at players like Bertuzzi as pariah. In truth, you can't win with players that are soft and only elevate their game in the regular season. I can remember the Ottawa Senators of the late 90's early 2000's blowing the doors off everyone in the regular season, only to lose in the first round of the playoffs. They had a roster full of talented, finesse type of players, but they couldn't win. Astute hockey observers can see who is genuine and who is superficial when watching star players. Marner is a golly gee type of player who can do little wrong in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different animal. For the Leafs to use the scoring prowess of Matthews and Nylander, to get to the next level, sacrifices need to be made. Marner is just not cut out to be a playoff performer. He would have fit on those Senator's teams, 2 decades ago. Leafs need to do this proper next year, if they want to get the best of their two prime goal-scorers in the playoffs.

There's only so many colours.

I still remember having to avert my eyes when the Pens and Preds played in the SCF. That looked like a burst pustule on the screen.

Laine is an interesting gamble for a team not close to the cap. If he somehow got his head on straight, he's a guy you know can easily score more than 30 goals a year, maybe even 40.

I wouldn't mind the Habs taking a swing at him, they have the cap space for the next two years so if he turns into a massive failure, it's not big deal.

Of course, this is conditional to the cost being extremely low.
- Scabeh

Any team would / will take the gamble if the cost is low because he has shown he can score but I also think any team taking him holds the upper hand in negotiating with CBJ so if not lots retained (which a team like Toronto probably needs) then it'll be with some nice propsect(s) and/or picks etc.

This might appeal more to a team like the Habs than the Leafs.

Unless CBJ takes a bad contract back of course.

That’s a long way of saying he won’t be moved. The reality is he might be / he might not be nobody really knows until closer to training camp.
- Cush29

once that bonus has been paid on the 1st of July, off to the races, will he be moved or extended .....

I think that's the problem with the idea of rooting for a Canadian team to win the cup.

You know whichever fan base wins will be absolutely insufferable.

- Scabeh

they are all insufferable not which one.

True, but imagine how insufferable Florida's 38 fans will be when they win.
- GalacticStone

brown-noser

We learn the insufferable part from the so called “big brother”

Do you find your jokes up in the Peace River somewhere? Fossilized
https://forums.hfboards.c...1718373903055-png.882727/

Yeti makes no sense.

First off, yeti refers to the cryptozoological bipedal hominid of the Himalayas.

Second, Utah isn't even a hotbed of sasquatch sightings.


- Atomic Wedgie

just skinwalkers

"There will be pain" !!

The Shanaplan was born in 2014 and it was good in that it simply meant that the Leafs weren't going to patch and try to win and they were finally going to burn it down and patiently rebuild. Old man Fletch came in and treated everybody like a commodity. Garage sale this poop ....take the best offer. We were all down with the plan.

The plan worked great in terms of landing high end picks. They nailed the 3 high picks (which doesn't always happen) and nabbed 3 all-stars.

The problem was they stayed too patient, IMO. Losses to the Caps and Boston in years 1-3 - totally understandable. The loss to the Jackets ...uggh ...Covid weirdness ...(frank), ok, I'll stay patient.

The loss to the Habs in 21' - for me was the first missed opportunity to pivot. The cap was flat and they knew it'd be flat for a couple more years. They handed out big long contracts to the Core and tried to win with bits and pieces around the edges. That's when the plan went off the rails.
- The Law

Great points and perspective - hard not to agree with you, aka I agree.

It's hard to force 32 teams to have different colour schemes.

Hell, look at the NFL.


- Atomic Wedgie

Fair enough I get that there are only so many colours but the shade/tone & scheme and jersey design can really differentiate.

I mean nobody says the Saints are copying the Steelers but both have black as their base.

Hopefully whatever more permanent design they come up with will make their jerseys look more unique and less like they took a few teams colours, combined them and / or look like the discount version of another team.

Off the top of my head why not have used something like a more vibrant blue with some bright green? This was a quick grab from the internet and regadless of what colours you use my point is do something more unique colour wise than what they did but maybe the Maine/St. Mikes look will be super popular what do I know.

Preds had that terrible mustard yellow for a few years before they figured out the big bird yellow was way better....

they are all insufferable not which one.
- dmnted

Of course they are.

But imagine them after winning a cup.

Jesus christ.

I am unsure if this will be an unpopular statement on this thread but:
In mutual agreement, Mitchell Marner will be in the starting lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs when the season starts Tuesday, October 10th 2024. Management believes this agreement is best for the player, and best for the team. There will be changes and new opportunities for other players as the summer progresses to ensure the continued improvement of the organization but Mitch will remain a Maple Leaf.
- Tom Dusome

Probably.
Big changes to come next season when JT's contract comea off the books

"There will be pain" !!

The Shanaplan was born in 2014 and it was good in that it simply meant that the Leafs weren't going to patch and try to win and they were finally going to burn it down and patiently rebuild. Old man Fletch came in and treated everybody like a commodity. Garage sale this poop ....take the best offer. We were all down with the plan.

The plan worked great in terms of landing high end picks. They nailed the 3 high picks (which doesn't always happen) and nabbed 3 all-stars.

The problem was they stayed too patient, IMO. Losses to the Caps and Boston in years 1-3 - totally understandable. The loss to the Jackets ...uggh ...Covid weirdness ...(frank), ok, I'll stay patient.

The loss to the Habs in 21' - for me was the first missed opportunity to pivot. The cap was flat and they knew it'd be flat for a couple more years. They handed out big long contracts to the Core and tried to win with bits and pieces around the edges. That's when the plan went off the rails.
- The Law

You're right over the target here. It can also be said that they didn't really use their smarts, after they drafted the 3 young stars. They wasted draft capital on undersized 1st rounders like Sandin and Liljegren, trying to build up their defense. They relied on analytics, but ignored intangibles. They stuck with underachieving goaltending for way too long. Other mistakes were trading back in the draft and ending up with players like Travis Dermott instead of picking players like Travis Konecny, who Philly drafted with that Leafs pick in the first round when they traded back to gain an extra 3rd rounder. They were acting like they were too clever and lost an opportunity to really build this team's foundation.

If Marner doesn't wave and is in the starting lineup for game 1, he'll get lit up like a Roman candle by the fans and the press. It'll be ugly until he's traded or walks in free agency.
- PrinceLH

No he won’t

brown-noser

We learn the insufferable part from the so called “big brother”

Do you find your jokes up in the Peace River somewhere? Fossilized
https://forums.hfboards.c...1718373903055-png.882727/
- Ratsreign

Speaking of insufferable look who is back in here to gloat.

I don't think you understand that posting a link to attendance stats isn't the flex you think it is when the Panthers have to do poop like this just to get people to come to the rink.

I remember begging people to go to games with me at the end of the season.

You couldn't give tickets away.
- Atomic Wedgie

Key words - with me.

Yeti makes no sense.

First off, yeti refers to the cryptozoological bipedal hominid of the Himalayas.

Second, Utah isn't even a hotbed of sasquatch sightings.


- Atomic Wedgie

Like all the Raptors roaming Toronto?
Or rangers in new york (ya i know, original owner was from texas apparently)
Wash wizards

If you want it to reflect the area, just keep the Coyotes name. Theyre pretty common in utah

Speaking of insufferable look who is back in here to gloat.

I don't think you understand that posting a link to attendance stats isn't the flex you think it is when the Panthers have to do poop like this just to get people to come to the rink.


- Cush29

Gloating, more like just returning the poop talk

Key words - with me.
- Canada Cup

Savage!

Like all the Raptors roaming Toronto?
Or rangers in new york (ya i know, original owner was from texas apparently)
Wash wizards

If you want it to reflect the area, just keep the Coyotes name. Theyre pretty common in utah
- Fakepartofme

Or Montreal 'Canadians'

The Cap restraints is the most telling issue. The Leafs can't afford to go forward with 4 forwards eating up the majority of the cap space. Leaf fans fall in love with glitzy players. They like the wholesome look of talented players and often look at players like Bertuzzi as pariah. In truth, you can't win with players that are soft and only elevate their game in the regular season. I can remember the Ottawa Senators of the late 90's early 2000's blowing the doors off everyone in the regular season, only to lose in the first round of the playoffs. They had a roster full of talented, finesse type of players, but they couldn't win. Astute hockey observers can see who is genuine and who is superficial when watching star players. Marner is a golly gee type of player who can do little wrong in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different animal. For the Leafs to use the scoring prowess of Matthews and Nylander, to get to the next level, sacrifices need to be made. Marner is just not cut out to be a playoff performer. He would have fit on those Senator's teams, 2 decades ago. Leafs need to do this proper next year, if they want to get the best of their two prime goal-scorers in the playoffs.
- PrinceLH

The bolded part really isnt true.
Leafs fans usually love the lunch bucket type of player, the wendals, tuckers etc.
Bertuzzi was underwhelming, its why most dont care to have him back.

Or Montreal 'Canadians'
- Zezel

But thats not their name so to speak
:p
Canadiens - in the early 1900's were the French speaking "Canadians" the english speaking canucks still somewhat regarded themselves as brits.
It was suppose to be the french team as they previously had the wanderers
Then they adopted the toilet seat logo, cause montreal had a lot of great ass in town.
Still does ...true story

But thats not their name so to speak
:p
Canadiens - in the early 1900's were the French speaking "Canadians" the english speaking canucks still somewhat regarded themselves as brits.
It was suppose to be the french team as they previously had the wanderers
Then they adopted the toilet seat logo, cause montreal had a lot of great ass in town.
Still does ...true story

- Fakepartofme

We do have great asses. Thanks.

Gloating, more like just returning the poop talk
- Ratsreign

Enjoy your cup win.

Brought to you by the teams that keep your team afloat - Ranger, Habs, Leafs, Hawks...........

But thats not their name so to speak
:p
Canadiens - in the early 1900's were the French speaking "Canadians" the english speaking canucks still somewhat regarded themselves as brits.
It was suppose to be the french team as they previously had the wanderers
Then they adopted the toilet seat logo, cause montreal had a lot of great ass in town.
Still does ...true story

- Fakepartofme

It's true. Say what you want about Scabeh, the son of a female dog has a cute little arse on him.

It's true. Say what you want about Scabeh, the son of a female dog has a cute little arse on him.
- Zezel