What do you mean the players “ weren’t having it?” They might get all poopy pants about line configurations but what are they gonna do? Carry out a mutiny? Intimidate the Chief? Refuse to hop over the boards when their number is called? I called BS on that one. Bérubé doesnt strike me as the kind of coach that’s gonna bend to the wishes of crybabies.
- HonkyTonkMan

Have you seen yoots today? If they don't like it, you have to apologize profusely and promise to never do anything like that again, and yes you can live at home until your 40 rent-free.

"Hey, Willmeister. We realize we never had a problem with your lack of contact, but that has changed. If you shy away from contact and do not backcheck, you will sit the next game, every game. You can turn Call of Duty back on now."
- sokosteve

Yes, something like this.

Bennett or Nylander?
- Horsey Sauce

At what price?
Leafs still need wingers, specially with Marner taking his soft skills elsewhere.
No, I dont want bennett at $10m.
He simply would be less effective as a leafs.

$7-8m on a short term deal...sure. But its Tre....so its gonna be a long term deal

At what price?
Leafs still need wingers, specially with Marner taking his soft skills elsewhere.
No, I dont want bennett at $10m.
He simply would be less effective as a leafs.

$7-8m on a short term deal...sure. But its Tre....so its gonna be a long term deal
- Fakepartofme

Nvm. Just as I thought.

"Hey, Willmeister. We realize we never had a problem with your lack of contact, but that has changed. If you shy away from contact and do not backcheck, you will sit the next game, every game. You can turn Call of Duty back on now."
- sokosteve

He does was he was hired to do - generate offence and score.
It's not like Mitch Marner was much better at it in the playoffs. Both were in the minus.

And you can't keep 11.5M of Cap on the bench long-term - especially if the Leafs are losing games because they are missing a top forward. Top brass would step in IMO.

McDavid is a manimal

He does was he was hired to do - generate offence and score.
It's not like Mitch Marner was much better at it in the playoffs. Both were in the minus.

And you can't keep 11.5M of Cap on the bench long-term - especially if the Leafs are losing games because they are missing a top forward. Top brass would step in IMO.
- Nasty_Duck

Just watched Berube on Riley Cote and Derek Settlemyre podcast where he said they will demand from Willy certain things next season.
Nobody is hired to do only offense or defense. I never seen such poor defense from any player in playoffs. Willy has to change.

McDavid is a manimal
- AdamFrench

Unreal what one man can do in hockey.

Making the playoffs is kind of important for winning
- Chunga’s Revenge

Bud you stated that making the playoffs was good enough. I disagree, and sometimes a step back is needed to get better. I’d be ok with missing next year if we won the cup the year after, whereas it seems you’re ok with losing the first round every year as long as we make it to the playoffs. I’ve been watching for over 50 years and making the 1st round isn’t good enough……perhaps you need another 20-30yrs of this.

Haymanimal.

Just watched Berube on Riley Cote and Derek Settlemyre podcast where he said they will demand from Willy certain things next season.
Nobody is hired to do only offense or defense. I never seen such poor defense from any player in playoffs. Willy has to change.
- alex.TML

For a 11.5m per, agreed he better play some defense.

Bud you stated that making the playoffs was good enough. I disagree, and sometimes a step back is needed to get better. I’d be ok with missing next year if we won the cup the year after, whereas it seems you’re ok with losing the first round every year as long as we make it to the playoffs. I’ve been watching for over 50 years and making the 1st round isn’t good enough……perhaps you need another 20-30yrs of this.
- Bullot

I agree with you.
But.
The leafs dont have their 1st fot the next 3 years, so unfortunately...they cant miss the playoffs
Or they'll be helping another team

I don’t think the Leafs are far off. But what make Florida stand out is their discipline. Commitment to defensive systems, relentless forecheck, eagerness to win puck battles.

Swap Nylander with Bennett and instantly you get a poopload tougher. Laughton, Domi, McMann, Knies all can be ratty, get in your face. Add another older FA like Marchand, and a tough (frank)er who can actually contribute then you have yourself a tough ass team. Oliver? M.Foligno? Wilson? Our D are mean. Benoit (AA guy) is a unit, easily a top 4 guy, found money.

Make these type of changes. Go get guys who love to fight for pucks. But are skilled enough to make plays. They can’t just have guys like Passenger Willy wheeling around looking for breakaway passes. That’s not how you win as a team. You can’t just freewheel around. Marner plays a sound all around game. He’s 1PK and almost always on the ice in critical moments. Craig Berube is reportedly saying he wants Marner to stay. You never hear him say anything positive about Willy these past couple months. He even benched him one period. Matthews and Marner both blamed Passenger Willy.
- Horsey Sauce

Wilson is EXACTLY what this team needs.

Bud you stated that making the playoffs was good enough. I disagree, and sometimes a step back is needed to get better. I’d be ok with missing next year if we won the cup the year after, whereas it seems you’re ok with losing the first round every year as long as we make it to the playoffs. I’ve been watching for over 50 years and making the 1st round isn’t good enough……perhaps you need another 20-30yrs of this.
- Bullot

I think you’re confused, bud. Didn’t say that. Don’t think that but I don’t agree that missing the playoffs next year would help win the cup the next year.

In my fantasy world of no NTC clauses and having free reign id do the following moves.

Rielly and Robertson for JT Miller

Nylander, Jamrock and Danford, for Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram.

Giddy up.

Throw everything and their mother and their mothers kitchen sink at Marchard July 1.

Bring back Marner.


Miller Matthews Marner
Knies Tavares Tuch
Marchand Laughton McMann/Cowen
Don't really care

McCabe Tanev
Byram Carlo
Benoit OEL

Wilson is EXACTLY what this team needs.
- systemtool

Absolutely

Absolutely
- Aetherial

We can dream

Wilson is EXACTLY what this team needs.
- systemtool

We can dream
- systemtool

Yeah.

That should be the blueprint for their drafting and trading though.

So it turns out that the World Championships are the biggest tournament ever.

USA! USA! USA!

So it turns out that the World Championships are the biggest tournament ever.

USA! USA! USA!
- Chunga’s Revenge

I can't believe it took only 92 years to win the tournament.

My Oilers v Panthers prediction moves ever closer to fruition.

Think McJesus is on a Holy mission this year and will bring the Cup back to Canada.

My Oilers v Panthers prediction moves ever closer to fruition.

Think McJesus is on a Holy mission this year and will bring the Cup back to Canada.



- mjones242

No one deserves to win the Cup more than McJesus.

Nice blog!!!!


Can’t we just let MM walk and hold out a big bag of gold to McJesus when he’s a UFA? 😎

Nice blog!!!!


Can’t we just let MM walk and hold out a big bag of gold to McJesus when he’s a UFA? 😎
- Garnie

The idea is certainly out there that teams need to make sure they are ready just in case, until McDavid is officially staying with Edmonton. I wonder if this will cause teams like the leafs to hold back spending a bit.

Probably a good idea anyway. UFAs will command ridiculous prices as always.