Completely agree....Im hoping its reasonable as well.

The cap has ruined the game a bit from a fans perspective.

But yes that tampa series was a playoff oddity.....because its the only one MM, Rielly and AM dominated and its the only one the leafs won.
Either way it cant be discounted, we've seem barnburners in the playoffs before (with other teams)
- Fakepartofme

I hate-watched a lot of the Oilers playoffs last year, and it's just a completely different game the deeper you go. Fortunately, Mitch is solid defensively so he can contribute that way, and our D is much more solid this year, so maybe our core's lack of scoring touch can be offset by just letting in less.

I have a good feeling about this year, most solid team we've seen in maybe decades. I would just hate to finally get out of the JT anchor contract, and then overpay Mitch (again?). My entire attitude changes depending on what that cap hit winds up being.

Ah yes, the goal post have moved.
- Fakepartofme

Matt Frattin will still hit it.

Can we at least all agree that they gotta stop trying 5 FWDs on the PP?!?!?

Fair point, but shouldnt the anger then be pointed at or shared with Bettman, Owners and management?

NHL players are eating at Arbys while NBA players are eating at Jacobs & Co.
I cant blame a guy for trying to get his bag.
- Snot Dillingham

Aren't the fans to blame for salary caps not rising fast enough?

Id say the expectations were fairly high if I remember correctly (The Passion Returns)

There were a fair amount of quality vets brought in that almost got that team over the top.

I will not disagree on this current team poopting the bed. I did not realize it had been 8 years in a row now until you posted it.
Thats a kick in the balls and sucks like this Stupid Tuna Sandwich. Screw this, Im going to get a Dagwood.
- Snot Dillingham

probably by the 1994 season?

but totally from memory, I was a teen then. but they were not great in 1992, then traded for Dougie mid season which sparked the team.. 1993 was a dream run with not very high expectations. but they got hosed...so 1994..they were going to win it all.

or I just made all that up

Aren't the fans to blame for salary caps not rising fast enough?
- Atomic Wedgie

From the sounds of resale pricing, Ticketmaster is making a killing instead of the league

I mean that's sensible. John Tavares has been paid more than Marner and has also produced at a poor rate when it matters. People are mad 'cos he's slow. He puts up 22 points in 24 games and everyone is ecstatic. Marner puts up 36 in 24 games and they better not sign him!

You get my point? The fan's rage is misdirected.
- Monkeypunk

It's our Jekyll and Hyde syndrome

He is playing excellent. But he is not even a top 10 player in the world. He is worth about 11.5 but will probably get 12 because Leafs. I don't think there is a team in the NHL that would offer him 13. Certainly no team he would want to play for. Leafs should call is bluff. He was over paid in his last contract. Can't keep overpaying.

If he truly wants to be a Leaf and win as a Leaf he will take 11.5-12 and be happy. Otherwise he can piss off.

(also, if he doesn't show up in the playoffs again this year, he needs to take a pay cut, not raise)
- rSole

He is playing excellent. But he is not even a top 10 player in the world. He is worth about 11.5 but will probably get 12 because Leafs. I don't think there is a team in the NHL that would offer him 13. Certainly no team he would want to play for. Leafs should call is bluff. He was over paid in his last contract. Can't keep overpaying.

If he truly wants to be a Leaf and win as a Leaf he will take 11.5-12 and be happy. Otherwise he can piss off.

(also, if he doesn't show up in the playoffs again this year, he needs to take a pay cut, not raise)
- rSole

even if it's on a short contract. 3 or 4 years. just as long he isn't up at the same time as Matthews

You people are way too easy.

I’m going sledding.

Braaap!

You people are way too easy.

I’m going sledding.

Braaap!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Think of the carbon footprint! 😡

You monster

I get what your saying but I don't necessairly agree that had Leaf players gone after opposition players for rubbing Marner into the glass or the odd shot to the ribs after the play he woudl have changed his game much. Maybe I'm wrong but then again so many of the Leafs in the past didn't even stand up for themselves so to expect them to do so for other guys was probably unrealistic. The team wasn't built to do so and I guess that's your point - are they now? Let's hope so. I don't want any of the Leafs taking extra punishment without pushing back but these guys have to stand up for themselves somewhat too and last night Marner showed he can which is encouraging.

They need the pack mentality that we have seen from the Bruins or Tampa when someone takes a cheap shot (or a legal hit as the case may be) the guy who got it pushes back more often than not but the entire team goes ape poop and jumps in.

The Leafs need more of that come playoff time for sure - they might have the mix now to do it - Knies showed some of that last playoffs and I loved it.
- Cush29

That's what I'm talking about. It shouldn't be just Kadri or just Knies. It should be a team response. It's not so much that smaller players can't be cowed by big guys, but it's more that the big guys don't do it when the team stands up to them. Marchand has snarl but if he had been drafted by this Leaf team, I doubt he'd have the same feistiness. You need support from your whole team to pushback.

The smallest player's backbone is reinforced by a whole team.

Think of the carbon footprint! 😡

You monster
- mr.sir

Do you know how cold it gets in Northern Ontario?!?! Go burn some Styrofoam, help the poor guy out.

Can we at least all agree that they gotta stop trying 5 FWDs on the PP?!?!?
- Whipper

YES.

They have the 18th ranked powerplay. Outside of about 4 good games, it's been craptacular. Savard seems out of ideas and plays. There's got to be someone else with some input.

YES.

They have the 18th ranked powerplay. Outside of about 4 good games, it's been craptacular. Savard seems out of ideas and plays. There's got to be someone else with some input.
- Monkeypunk

*put the guy with the big one timer in the one time spot on the point and pass it to him*

There's this guy who might pass Gretzky and is the greatest PPG scorer of all time who has done it for almost 2 decades.

*put the guy with the big one timer in the one time spot on the point and pass it to him*
- AdamFrench

There's no way that would work! Everyone would see it coming for miles away.

There's no way that would work! Everyone would see it coming for miles away.
- Monkeypunk

When they put MM on the point I feel like they just need to jettison Rielly into the stratosphere because what the (frank) does Rielly do if you need Mitch to run the whole thing from there?

When they put MM on the point I feel like they just need to jettison Rielly into the stratosphere because what the (frank) does Rielly do if you need Mitch to run the whole thing from there?
- AdamFrench

Nobody is afraid of Mitchy's shot from the point, so it's four guys covering four guys - he negates our powerplay.

I won't disagree with you but that doesn't mean the Leafs should overpay Marner too (assuming you are hinting that Matthews got overpaid).

Marner WAS overpaid on his last deal to make up for Uncle Lou being a crusty (frank) and not giving Marner what he should have got, but they can't make that same mistake again and overpay on this contract.

Let's hope none of it matters and Marner gets paid the same as AM after the 2 of them combine to go on a tear in the playoffs right up to and including the Cup finals and bring Lord Stanley home.

Matthews from Marner for the cup winning goal would be insanely awesome.
- Cush29

Hey now, Hey now ....
I have Lorentz doing that in OT. my good man.
But still would supper awesome if the Leafs won.

I get what your saying but I don't necessairly agree that had Leaf players gone after opposition players for rubbing Marner into the glass or the odd shot to the ribs after the play he woudl have changed his game much. Maybe I'm wrong but then again so many of the Leafs in the past didn't even stand up for themselves so to expect them to do so for other guys was probably unrealistic. The team wasn't built to do so and I guess that's your point - are they now? Let's hope so. I don't want any of the Leafs taking extra punishment without pushing back but these guys have to stand up for themselves somewhat too and last night Marner showed he can which is encouraging.

They need the pack mentality that we have seen from the Bruins or Tampa when someone takes a cheap shot (or a legal hit as the case may be) the guy who got it pushes back more often than not but the entire team goes ape poop and jumps in.

The Leafs need more of that come playoff time for sure - they might have the mix now to do it - Knies showed some of that last playoffs and I loved it.
- Cush29

and when they do, they get suspended for it

I'm looking a Kadri years specifically

My point was that if we are sitting in a bar having a few beers and someone says they think Marner is better than Matthews, I'm going to hear them out - I'm not going to dismiss them and tell them they are stupid.
- Atomic Wedgie

Different players, but I have never understood the argument that Matthews is clearly a much better player.

You want to blame one user, but his over the top hyperbole about Marner is something you can easily ignore. What irked me was Dozzer's statement, "Who cares about Mitch’s value til he proves he’s not a wimpy ass loser who isn’t even a PPG in the post season."

You might agree with him from your statement above, but as I've said repeatedly - the numbers are not so stark that the prove anyone's statement that Marner is the problem. They ALL disappear when it counts. Marner being a puck distributor would probably excel more if the other guys (1) finished on the excellent chances and (2) were actually fighting through checks to be in places where 1 can happen. I love Matthews but his shooting distance from the net falls about 10 feet in the playoffs. His shots move from highly dangerous to sorta threatening.

It's technically all moot anyway - I really think this team is showing more character than I've seen from them in the past. In past seasons I've been enthusiastic and some wins seem bigger or larger, but this season looks like the beginning of developing the style to achieve consistently winning hockey. I believe Marner also will excel in that environment.
- Monkeypunk

Exactly.
Even the goaltending has been sketchy, at best, in deciding games.

You people are way too easy.

I’m going sledding.

Braaap!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

watch out for those trees.

That's what I'm talking about. It shouldn't be just Kadri or just Knies. It should be a team response. It's not so much that smaller players can't be cowed by big guys, but it's more that the big guys don't do it when the team stands up to them. Marchand has snarl but if he had been drafted by this Leaf team, I doubt he'd have the same feistiness. You need support from your whole team to pushback.

The smallest player's backbone is reinforced by a whole team.
- Monkeypunk

Yep - wild dogs / pack mentality is needed.

Let's hope coach Berube can bring it.