I mean, you could try anything. I just see a noticeable difference between when the PP was sucessful earlier in the series and now. They were moving the puck quickly, now they are back to slowly passing it around the permeter. I feel like they need to get back to quick passes and not giving the defense time to set up.

But id try anything at this point.
- Archaic

I love Knies at 5v5 but I don't think he moves the needle enough on the PP. In front of the net is the only place he could play and Tavares has better hands for that role.

I'd take Knies off the 1st PP, replace him with OEL and let OEL rip shots because the biggest thing they are missing is a threat from the blueline. The Leafs win games when their D scores. So take our best offensive D and let him fire away.

Brock Boeser is a horribly inconsistent, one-way player. His playoff resume isn't that impressive either. Nowhere near any type of physical, warrior type player. You're basically adding a worse version of Nylander.

Why would Sam Bennett leave Florida for Toronto?

Also, what's he going to look like playing without Barkov and Tkachuk?

I loved the idea of Sam Bennett as a "buy low" option for the Leafs when he was stuck on Calgary. But as a UFA soon to be on the wrong side of 30, you're going to be overpaying to sign Bennett when his best years are probably behind him.

Letting Tavares go makes perfect sense because of his age but I'd love to know the last team that let their top point scorer go as a UFA under 30 and then won a Cup because of it afterward.
- Rare_Jewel

But it doesn't work! 9 years and nothing to show for it. Regular season warriors and playoff no-shows. The core needs to be destroyed and rebuilt. We've traded the next 3 years of 1st rounders, so it won't come through the draft. It's through trade and free agency. The only one deserving a raise is Mathew Knies.

How long can you keep the "Marner is the best player in the league" schtick up.

Seriously, you don't see any issue with his play or the contract him and Paul are going to be trying to rape the Leafs for???

Come on AA, FFS, just a tiny bit of reality in your posts would go a long way.

You're 90% RareJewel right now.
- underhill14

He isn't the best player in the league, but if I had to choose between him and Matthews, I am taking Marner. I understand the debate/argument.

I also believe that Matthews gets a free pass from most Leafs fans and Marner is a favourite target for a lot of Leafs fans.

Just got done watching the game on the PVR. What a disappointment. In the second period the camera showed a shot of Matthews and Marner on the bench. No enthusiasm or energy, they looked like scared children. At that point I thought to myself they are going to lose and may lose the series.

ZERO KILLER INSTINCT

He isn't the best player in the league, but if I had to choose between him and Matthews, I am taking Marner. I understand the debate/argument.

I also believe that Matthews gets a free pass from most Leafs fans and Marner is a favourite target for a lot of Leafs fans.
- Interloper

Matthews has the hardware, Marner does not. Time for Woll to change the equation.

Ugggghhhh how do you lose in such a manner?

1 - 13 in close out games and Marner? 0 goals in 14. Matthews? 2 goals in his last 15 games during playoffs. Oh and Matthews also has just 9 points in those same 14 games.

But it doesn't work! 9 years and nothing to show for it. Regular season warriors and playoff no-shows. The core needs to be destroyed and rebuilt. We've traded the next 3 years of 1st rounders, so it won't come through the draft. It's through trade and free agency. The only one deserving a raise is Mathew Knies.
- PrinceLH

This is what they got. This is who they drafted. They hit home runs in the lottery picks and did next to nothing to give them any other heart and soul players.

Who else did they draft? Knies is the only one. The rest of the team? Scrap spare parts and trade deadline rentals.

The Leafs have thrown away 10 years of 1st round picks. 2017 to 2027 with next to nothing to show for it.

Name me the team that let their 27 year old leading scorer walk as a UFA and won a Stanley Cup. Please, go look it up. I can't think of one.

But it doesn't work! 9 years and nothing to show for it. Regular season warriors and playoff no-shows. The core needs to be destroyed and rebuilt. We've traded the next 3 years of 1st rounders, so it won't come through the draft. It's through trade and free agency. The only one deserving a raise is Mathew Knies.
- PrinceLH

So you believe they are done in the series by this thinking as well as done with this core? So I better not see you cheering for them or saying anything like "I knew it was possible!" when they beat Ottawa Thursday

Easton Cowan makes the team out of camp next year. At least he has a bit of snarl in his game, unlike Marner.
- PrinceLH

Doesn’t even need it on that line.

For him it’s bringing his two way game up to a pro level, he can do it, just when. I’m truly curious

Once in awhile teams have to say “(frank) it don’t sign him” and that hasn’t happened in a long ass time.

Maybe it needs to start to happen again. They have a couple non physical kids who could step in at a FAR cheaper price. And with Matthews and Knies as linemates? Physicality is not a concern.
- Dozzer

Despite what some usual suspects here don't understand because they are too busy insulting people, there are a couple options for how you spend your cap going forward.

You can make significant trades with significant return, and re-sign your 100 pt. guy,

or you let your 100 pt. guy in his prime, walk for cap space, so you can over-pay a lesser UFA player.

Has that ever worked? Has any team even contemplated it.

Yes. Scored back to back 40 goal seasons. Now's the time to make that trade and ditch that contract. It only goes down hill from here.
- PrinceLH

Back to back to back 40 goal seasons, actually. And went from 40 twice in a row to 45 this year.

He isn't the best player in the league, but if I had to choose between him and Matthews, I am taking Marner. I understand the debate/argument.

I also believe that Matthews gets a free pass from most Leafs fans and Marner is a favourite target for a lot of Leafs fans.
- Interloper

Matthews could get a pass for most of the season because he was playing injured. He had broken ribs. But that has to have healed by now.

Two games in a row he could have either ended or tied the game and he hit the post. Then he gives that puck away on the PP that leads to the SHG and basically ended the game.

As much poop as people want to give Marner, the 70 goal scorer of last year has 1 playoff goal this year. He's the captain. He's the sniper. He's the #1 paid player on the team. Matthews has to have a series defining moment. That's it.

Doesn’t even need it on that line.

For him it’s bringing his two way game up to a pro level, he can do it, just when. I’m truly curious
- Dozzer

He looked horrible in the world juniors. I hope he's better than that!

Despite what some usual suspects here don't understand because they are too busy insulting people, there are a couple options for how you spend your cap going forward.

You can make significant trades with significant return, and re-sign your 100 pt. guy,

or you let your 100 pt. guy in his prime, walk for cap space, so you can over-pay a lesser UFA player.

Has that ever worked? Has any team even contemplated it.
- Interloper

Is there teams out there that have strong armed their top players into waiving their full NMC's? Was it a winning formula?

Matthews could get a pass for most of the season because he was playing injured. He had broken ribs. But that has to have healed by now.

Two games in a row he could have either ended or tied the game and he hit the post. Then he gives that puck away on the PP that leads to the SHG and basically ended the game.

As much poop as people want to give Marner, the 70 goal scorer of last year has 1 playoff goal this year. He's the captain. He's the sniper. He's the #1 paid player on the team. Matthews has to have a series defining moment. That's it.
- Rare_Jewel

and his 1 goal was into an empty net after one of the best plays of the year... from the guy who people want to let walk.

Ugggghhhh how do you lose in such a manner?

1 - 13 in close out games and Marner? 0 goals in 14. Matthews? 2 goals in his last 15 games during playoffs. Oh and Matthews also has just 9 points in those same 14 games.
- Aaron_85

Because, like you refused to believe just days ago, this Leafs team takes it's foot off the gas and Ottawa will not roll over. They, much like yourself, thought this series was won in 3 games.

They haven't lost the series yet, but they're thinking about it.

and his 1 goal was into an empty net after one of the best plays of the year... from the guy who people want to let walk.
- Interloper

If anybody thinks Matthews will ever score 70 goals again without Marner is on crack.

Just like how Marner has averaged 100 points per 82 games for 5 years in a row because he's feeding one of the top snipers in the NHL.

It's a partnership that benefits them both.

Unfortunately, it's not working in the playoffs but the suggested alternatives are not logically better.

Despite what some usual suspects here don't understand because they are too busy insulting people, there are a couple options for how you spend your cap going forward.

You can make significant trades with significant return, and re-sign your 100 pt. guy,

or you let your 100 pt. guy in his prime, walk for cap space, so you can over-pay a lesser UFA player.

Has that ever worked? Has any team even contemplated it.
- Interloper

Who is already signed is already signed. If the this core continues to fail it continues to fail. Can’t have another Matthews paid player, the end. Want to keep Marner? Get rid of the captain.

It’s simple.

1- $13+ million guy
1-2- $11ish
1-2-9-10ish
1-2-7-8ish
3-6ish
Etc etc etc

But no, you can’t have two $13+ guys, that would literally be over 25% of the cap.

I checked the scores on tsn and it says that the devils and canes are in a shootout.

Because, like you refused to believe just days ago, this Leafs team takes it's foot off the gas and Ottawa will not roll over. They, much like yourself, thought this series was won in 3 games.

They haven't lost the series yet, but they're thinking about it.
- Rare_Jewel

You claimed it wasn't over because of the Sens play. It hasn't improved. Leafs have given up back breaking shorties and meh it happens. Still sucks.

At least I can admit when I'm wrong instead of cowering away from random dudes on the internet


See I knew you'd be back to puff your chest out and tout how right you think you are. I can read you like a book.

Series still ain't over despite you're wishes for the sens

So you believe they are done in the series by this thinking as well as done with this core? So I better not see you cheering for them or saying anything like "I knew it was possible!" when they beat Ottawa Thursday
- Aaron_85

They may win the series, but after watching Florida dismantle Tampa, do you really think that the Leafs win more than one game in that series?

They may win the series, but after watching Florida dismantle Tampa, do you really think that the Leafs win more than one game in that series?
- PrinceLH

Yeah. They won plenty of games against tough competition this season. Why not? Just quit watching hockey until they win so then you KNOW they're good already. What's the point until they are a perfect team with no issues?

Who is already signed is already signed. If the this core continues to fail it continues to fail. Can’t have another Matthews paid player, the end. Want to keep Marner? Get rid of the captain.

It’s simple.

1- $13+ million guy
1-2- $11ish
1-2-9-10ish
1-2-7-8ish
3-6ish
Etc etc etc

But no, you can’t have two $13+ guys, that would literally be over 25% of the cap.
- Dozzer

Marner can fit at 13 AAV. Just have to let Tavares walk (too old to get Stamkos money unless he takes 5 AAV or less) and then trade Rielly to Vancouver.

The extra money you give to Marner can be saved by replacing Rielly with another 4-5 AAV offensive D-man like when they added OEL as a UFA.

I checked the scores on tsn and it says that the devils and canes are in a shootout.
- shack67

Odd lol

If anybody thinks Matthews will ever score 70 goals again without Marner is on crack.

Just like how Marner has averaged 100 points per 82 games for 5 years in a row because he's feeding one of the top snipers in the NHL.

It's a partnership that benefits them both.

Unfortunately, it's not working in the playoffs but the suggested alternatives are not logically better.
- Rare_Jewel

It won't happen under Burube. Under Keefe it was all offense, all of the time.