Matthews at times could lay claim to the best player in the League. I never really had any problem with his contracts. he could if he wanted, held out and asked for more. Also I think it says more about the player when the team signs him to what he asked for. he really doesnt have any comps. unicorn goal scorer. Ovy maybe?

MM he got a bit more than every comp he had. just bad look from day 1
- senstroll

AM needs to produce in the playoffs, no doubt. But he competes, he goes into the tough areas and battles. The results will come, I'm confident of that.

Mitch is likely never going to thrive in physical, tight checking playoff hockey. Sure, he'll have some sick passes when he can find space, but that space gets more and more rare the further you go in the playoffs. Who knows, maybe he has a monster year in the playoffs this year. I would LOVE to be wrong about him. But, I think there is starting to be enough of a sample size to show that he might not be a $13M+ player.

Those stats 100% matter. The issue is, we've committed to Matthews and Nylander, and virtually nothing can be done about that. So, we can keep throwing money at the same 3 or 4 players, and somehow expect different results, or we can go in a radically different direction. I have my preference but who knows, might turn out worse.
- Whipper

A radically different direction is not an option considering what is available as replacements via the UFA market.

The Red Wings were in this same situation with Yzerman in the 80s. Took them 14 years to win a Cup. He was deemed "only offense" and on the trading block every year. Eventually, they found the right coach, they got the right supporting cast and they won 3 Cups in 6 years.

I'd rather have Marner, Matthews and Nylander at 900K. But it's not happening.

If ANYBODY needs to STFU and take a discount, it's Tavares.

He was given absolutely EVERYTHING when he came to Toronto and delivered NOTHING.

Rielly, is no different than any other player who got traded with a NMC in the past. He still has value in the correct situation. He might be willing to go to Vancouver. You might have to take back salary to make it work but it's nothing that hasn't been figured out before.

It's either that or you clear some space to bring in another RHD (maybe Ekblad) and hope he benefits from having a solid RHD beside him like he did with Schenn, which again, the Leafs were too stupid to acquire because they seem to hope Hakanpaa will be able to play on a destroyed knee.
- Rare_Jewel

I disagree with the JT statement. To me he's lived up to his contract. Not soully his fault the team did not make it pass the 1st round but once where he did score the GWG.
Rielly, lately has been not himself, well mostly this season.

- Rare_Jewel

You should look at this meme every time you post - it's incredibly true for the vast majority of what you post here.

I disagree with the JT statement. To me he's lived up to his contract. Not soully his fault the team did not make it pass the 1st round but once where he did score the GWG.
Rielly, lately has been not himself, well mostly this season.

- dmnted

Tavares was the 2nd highest paid player in the league when he signed and won zero trophies both on an individual level and a playoff level.

His contract screwed this team and won nothing.

A radically different direction is not an option considering what is available as replacements via the UFA market.

The Red Wings were in this same situation with Yzerman in the 80s. Took them 14 years to win a Cup. He was deemed "only offense" and on the trading block every year. Eventually, they found the right coach, they got the right supporting cast and they won 3 Cups in 6 years.
- Rare_Jewel

There is a nice little guy that might be a UFA in 2026

Tavares was the 2nd highest paid player in the league when he signed and won zero trophies both on an individual level and a playoff level.

His contract screwed this team and won nothing.
- Rare_Jewel

Love JT, but this is absolutely correct.

There is a nice little guy that might be a UFA in 2026
- Whipper

He didn't score in game 7 though so he sucks.

Tavares was the 2nd highest paid player in the league when he signed and won zero trophies both on an individual level and a playoff level.

His contract screwed this team and won nothing.
- Rare_Jewel

The only player from the Leafs that won a individual NHL trophy is Matthews.
Since no one else from the team won any individual NHL Trophies, the rest of the team are crap.

No it's a great example of taking a meaningless and arbitrary look at a set of 3 games in a series compared to looking at the importance of the specific game in a series. Using only games 5, 6 and 7 is manipulation. Playing in a game where your season can end or carry on is a better indicator of stepping up when it counts isn't it?
- Monkeypunk

If you think games 1-4 hold the same amount of importance or meaning as games 5-7 in a best of 7 hockey series then we will never agree (which is fine because i am fairly sure that's the case here based on our prior conversations about this). lol

You can say using the back 3 games only is manipulation, I can say treating all 7 dames with the same level of importance when evaluating a players effectiveness is manipulation - it's a difference of opinions.

I happen to think those back 3 games hold far more importance but again that's my opinion. What the stats do show & what many complain about the game of Marner but holds almost equally true for the rest of the core players - ESPECIALLY IN GAME 7 - they are all way too soft and nowhere near good enough.

It's along the same lines of the Leafs being regular season heros and playoff zeros - Many here have said they are ok with the Leafs just getting into the playoffs and they don't really care in what place but the real judgement starts once the playoffs start. That opinion has shifted for some, I still don't care - crawl in and face the top team in the East for all I care just win.

The only player from the Leafs that won a individual NHL trophy is Matthews.
Since no one else from the team won any individual NHL Trophies, the rest of the team are crap.

- dmnted

They weren't the 2nd highest paid player in the league though. They also weren't in their prime and expected to be the final UFA piece of the Cup winning puzzle.

The only player from the Leafs that won a individual NHL trophy is Matthews.
Since no one else from the team won any individual NHL Trophies, the rest of the team are crap.

- dmnted

You should look at this meme every time you post - it's incredibly true for the vast majority of what you post here.
- Cush29

Or I'll use it when you rightfully deserve it, like below...

If you think games 1-4 hold the same amount of importance or meaning as games 5-7 in a best of 7 hockey series then we will never agree (which is fine because i am fairly sure that's the case here based on our prior conversations about this). lol

You can say using the back 3 games only is manipulation, I can say treating all 7 dames with the same level of importance when evaluating a players effectiveness is manipulation - it's a difference of opinions.

I happen to think those back 3 games hold far more importance but again that's my opinion. What the stats do show & what many complain about the game of Marner but holds almost equally true for the rest of the core players - ESPECIALLY IN GAME 7 - they are all way too soft and nowhere near good enough.

It's along the same lines of the Leafs being regular season heros and playoff zeros - Many here have said they are ok with the Leafs just getting into the playoffs and they don't really care in what place but the real judgement starts once the playoffs start. That opinion has shifted for some, I still don't care - crawl in and face the top team in the East for all I care just win.
- Cush29

If you win games 1-4, there is no game 5, 6 or 7.

I disagree with the JT statement. To me he's lived up to his contract. Not soully his fault the team did not make it pass the 1st round but once where he did score the GWG.
Rielly, lately has been not himself, well mostly this season.

- dmnted

No no don't you know how wrong you are?

JT is to blame for not delivering a cup but Marner absolved of any blame despite maxxing out his last contract and looking more and more like that is the plan this time because Mitch has lots of points.

FFS blame all the core players for the lack of playoff success - I do.

As Whipper said the difference is they have committed to some from a contract perspective now so win now with this core or break it up and build around the pieces you committed to. Moving guys they have committed to and who have a NMC or a NTC isn't giong to happen and won't yield what they need if they player agrees to move to one of a very small # of teams.

Morgan Reilly agreeing to be moved is a fantasy that isn't going to come true so time to just hold your nose on that contract and ride it out.

So if the Leafs bow out of the playoffs early and JT and Marner both go so be it I'm more than fine with it because this isn't the Stevie Y Red Wings nor the Black Hawks. Neither of those teams dumped as much money from a cap % on offense as the Leafs have. It was a strategy that so far hasn't paid off - Covid hurt the Leafs a lot but the strategy to draft high end offensive talent and stick with it & fill in the roster with what money is left the best they can has been how they have done this for a long time now, I am sure MLSE is looking at that and re-thinking the approach or they should be if not.

Or I'll use it when you rightfully deserve it, like below...



If you win games 1-4, there is no game 5, 6 or 7.
- Rare_Jewel

You should use it for 99% of your own posts but you just refuse to face reality.

Glad you know how a 7 game series works. How many of them has this core won in 4 games? or 5 games?

You should use it for 99% of your own posts but you just refuse to face reality.

Glad you know how a 7 game series works. How many of them has this core won in 4 games? or 5 games?
- Cush29

Much better used on stupid poop like this.

No no don't you know how wrong you are?

JT is to blame for not delivering a cup but Marner absolved of any blame despite maxxing out his last contract and looking more and more like that is the plan this time because Mitch has lots of points.

FFS blame all the core players for the lack of playoff success - I do.

As Whipper said the difference is they have committed to some from a contract perspective now so win now with this core or break it up and build around the pieces you committed to. Moving guys they have committed to and who have a NMC or a NTC isn't giong to happen and won't yield what they need if they player agrees to move to one of a very small # of teams.

Morgan Reilly agreeing to be moved is a fantasy that isn't going to come true so time to just hold your nose on that contract and ride it out.

So if the Leafs bow out of the playoffs early and JT and Marner both go so be it I'm more than fine with it because this isn't the Stevie Y Red Wings nor the Black Hawks. Neither of those teams dumped as much money from a cap % on offense as the Leafs have. It was a strategy that so far hasn't paid off - Covid hurt the Leafs a lot but the strategy to draft high end offensive talent and stick with it & fill in the roster with what money is left the best they can has been how they have done this for a long time now, I am sure MLSE is looking at that and re-thinking the approach or they should be if not.
- Cush29

Much better used on stupid poop like this.
- Rare_Jewel

lol yes, everyone who disagrees with you is stupid, the most articulate and insightful way to have a differing opinion. Not sure if you have ever been told this but just because your being the loudest or voicing your opinion the most times doesn't mean your 'winning' the debate.

lol yes, everyone who disagrees with you is stupid, the most articulate and insightful way to have a differing opinion. Not sure if you have ever been told this but just because your being the loudest or voicing your opinion the most times doesn't mean your 'winning' the debate.


- Cush29

It's actually MonkeyPunk that's correct here, you just can't see it yet.

It's actually MonkeyPunk that's correct here, you just can't see it yet.
- Rare_Jewel

He has an opinion, as do I.

The difference is he and I can agree to disagree without calling each other names and posting meme's like we are 12 years old.

He has an opinion, as do I.

The difference is he and I can agree to disagree without calling each other names and posting meme's like we are 12 years old.
- Cush29

No, the difference he is coherent and makes sense. You, do not.

No, the difference he is coherent and makes sense. You, do not.
- Rare_Jewel

You talking about anyone posting coherently is the biggest joke of the day - congrats you won something!

You talking about anyone posting coherently is the biggest joke of the day - congrats you won something!
- Cush29

That already went to you thinking you had any good points.

You should use it for 99% of your own posts but you just refuse to face reality.

Glad you know how a 7 game series works. How many of them has this core won in 4 games? or 5 games?
- Cush29

Games 5 through 7 are a different beast. It's when you analyze your opponent and play vs their weaknesses, as they do to you. Those games tend to be very low scoring games, usually an under 5 total goals. Scoring stats are skewed with such little offense. It's either a total blowout or a one goal game. It's those games that define a player. Plus/minus is also an indicator of a playoff performer. It's why you see unsung players score the deciding goals, most of the time. It's due to the top lines being checked and canceling each other out. Goaltending is the key.

That already went to you thinking you had any good points.
- Rare_Jewel

🥱

Wtf Berube. Max back to 3C tonight, Laughton 4C. Matthews back with Marner and Knies.
Kampf sits again and Matthews killing penalties?

🤦🏼‍♂️