Hurricanes @ Leafs - Feb. 22nd, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[Guilt Trip]

I don't know if Dubas' system will work but I believe a smart executive, which Dubas has shown flashes of being, can adapt their system if they think it needs to be done.

I know we don't like to hear it but it is the same team we saw on Thirsday. Are they more tonight than Thursday? Eh. Somewhere in the middle.

The first thing Dubas needs to do to prove he is willing to adapt is to admit he made a bad trade and move Barrie tomorrow or Monday.  If he can't/won't do that then I don't think he's got what it takes.

He can't fix this team in the next two days and he shouldn't do anything stupid but he can do that at least.

He needs a partner to make a trade. And let's remember Brodie was Dubas' first choice. He tried to improve the D and also got Kerfoot in the process. Has and hasn't worked out like people expected. Barrie has never been that good defensively and seeing he's costing us 2.5mill, the return isn't that bad.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Arizona destroyed Tampa 7-3. Buffalo 5-2 over Pitt. Van 5-1 after 2 over Boston. Weird league some nights. Leafs would be well in the playoffs in the west.

 

[BermudaBudsFan]

I don?t think it?s too early to wonder whether this will be the great lost opportunity for the franchise.  All the skill up front, players who appeared at one time to be a championship core squandered.  Whether due to their individual flaws as players, overspending on the core, poor defensemen, bad defensively generally or a combination of the above.  I once thought these players would certainly bring a championship.  I no longer believe they are capable of so doing.

Every losing season is a loss. Let's not forget that most people here thought the Leafs would take a step back this year. It's happened. I still think Dubas' plan is to build the D next. They have the forward core signed, Rielly and Muzz signed. Sandin appears on his way and now we need a top end RHD to play with Rielly. I think this has always been the plan. He tried to help it out by getting Barrie but remember that was his second choice because Kadri nixed the deal to Calgary. We would have had Brodie I believe. I think he's better defensively. Let's see what Dubas can do by Monday and over the summer. I haven't lost faith in Dubas yet.

I suppose what I am saying is I don?t think it matters.  The present forward core plus Rielly and Muzzin aren?t likely to change.  They Have shown they are not championship pedigree.

 

[L K]

I don?t think it?s too early to wonder whether this will be the great lost opportunity for the franchise.  All the skill up front, players who appeared at one time to be a championship core squandered.  Whether due to their individual flaws as players, overspending on the core, poor defensemen, bad defensively generally or a combination of the above.  I once thought these players would certainly bring a championship.  I no longer believe they are capable of so doing.

Every losing season is a loss. Let's not forget that most people here thought the Leafs would take a step back this year. It's happened. I still think Dubas' plan is to build the D next. They have the forward core signed, Rielly and Muzz signed. Sandin appears on his way and now we need a top end RHD to play with Rielly. I think this has always been the plan. He tried to help it out by getting Barrie but remember that was his second choice because Kadri nixed the deal to Calgary. We would have had Brodie I believe. I think he's better defensively. Let's see what Dubas can do by Monday and over the summer. I haven't lost faith in Dubas yet.

We also have a forward depth problem.  After Muzzin signs for 5.5 million the Leafs will have basically 6 million to sign 4 forwards and a defenseman just to complete their roster.  We also don?t have a Kadri level asset to trade in the offseason.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don?t think it?s too early to wonder whether this will be the great lost opportunity for the franchise.  All the skill up front, players who appeared at one time to be a championship core squandered.  Whether due to their individual flaws as players, overspending on the core, poor defensemen, bad defensively generally or a combination of the above.  I once thought these players would certainly bring a championship.  I no longer believe they are capable of so doing.

Every losing season is a loss. Let's not forget that most people here thought the Leafs would take a step back this year. It's happened. I still think Dubas' plan is to build the D next. They have the forward core signed, Rielly and Muzz signed. Sandin appears on his way and now we need a top end RHD to play with Rielly. I think this has always been the plan. He tried to help it out by getting Barrie but remember that was his second choice because Kadri nixed the deal to Calgary. We would have had Brodie I believe. I think he's better defensively. Let's see what Dubas can do by Monday and over the summer. I haven't lost faith in Dubas yet.

I suppose what I am saying is I don?t think it matters.  The present forward core plus Rielly and Muzzin aren?t likely to change.  They Have shown they are not championship pedigree.

It's not an excuse but they're still very young. It's a process that can take a long time. I'm not giving up on the core just yet.
Haha 6-1 Van over Boston

 

[Stebro]

The mental toughness on this team is awful, where is the leadership?

 

[Chris]

I don?t think it?s too early to wonder whether this will be the great lost opportunity for the franchise.  All the skill up front, players who appeared at one time to be a championship core squandered.  Whether due to their individual flaws as players, overspending on the core, poor defensemen, bad defensively generally or a combination of the above.  I once thought these players would certainly bring a championship.  I no longer believe they are capable of so doing.

Every losing season is a loss. Let's not forget that most people here thought the Leafs would take a step back this year. It's happened. I still think Dubas' plan is to build the D next. They have the forward core signed, Rielly and Muzz signed. Sandin appears on his way and now we need a top end RHD to play with Rielly. I think this has always been the plan. He tried to help it out by getting Barrie but remember that was his second choice because Kadri nixed the deal to Calgary. We would have had Brodie I believe. I think he's better defensively. Let's see what Dubas can do by Monday and over the summer. I haven't lost faith in Dubas yet.

I suppose what I am saying is I don?t think it matters.  The present forward core plus Rielly and Muzzin aren?t likely to change.  They Have shown they are not championship pedigree.

Not yet, and they may never be. But as others have noted, they are a young group and hopefully will mature. Missing the playoffs might be good for them in the long run.

I hope Dubas moves Barrie but what I don't want to see is a knee-jerk response that sacrifices more youth or draft picks for another temporary bandaid, like we've done the past couple of years. If the right long term deal is there, sure take it - but if not, let this group ride it out (minus Barrie preferably) and work on things over the summer.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Arizona destroyed Tampa 7-3. Buffalo 5-2 over Pitt. Van 5-1 after 2 over Boston. Weird league some nights. Leafs would be well in the playoffs in the west.

Hockey's a dumb sport and we're all dopes for loving it.

 

[wnc096]

Arizona destroyed Tampa 7-3. Buffalo 5-2 over Pitt. Van 5-1 after 2 over Boston. Weird league some nights. Leafs would be well in the playoffs in the west.

Hockey's a dumb sport and we're all dopes for loving it.

Florida loses to Vegas.  Leafs remain in the playoffs.  Eases the pain of this one

 

[Guilt Trip]

Arizona destroyed Tampa 7-3. Buffalo 5-2 over Pitt. Van 5-1 after 2 over Boston. Weird league some nights. Leafs would be well in the playoffs in the west.

Van wins 9-3. Weird night for sure. Oh and Florida loses again so no harm. Best case scenario for us.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Arizona destroyed Tampa 7-3. Buffalo 5-2 over Pitt. Van 5-1 after 2 over Boston. Weird league some nights. Leafs would be well in the playoffs in the west.

Hockey's a dumb sport and we're all dopes for loving it.

Yup, love it for what it is tho...entertainment. Easier on the heart that way.  Enjoy the ups and downs. 

 

[berserker]

8) We are still in......

 

[Bender]

Somebody said earlier that it makes you wonder whether Dubas's big plans are going to work at this level.  Yes, Carolina is a better than average defensive team but lesser teams have defeated the possession game if they play tenaciously enough. 

Somewhere Mike Babcock is having a real nice schadenfreude.

Really? If we have the same pts % for the full season instead of what we for under Babcock we aren't having this conversation.

 

[rdowdall]

Somebody said earlier that it makes you wonder whether Dubas's big plans are going to work at this level.  Yes, Carolina is a better than average defensive team but lesser teams have defeated the possession game if they play tenaciously enough. 

Somewhere Mike Babcock is having a real nice schadenfreude.

Really? If we have the same pts % for the full season instead of what we for under Babcock we aren't having this conversation.

I think the conversation still happens, it's just not as emotional.  If you read the posts the main theme is "Are the Leafs good?'. And people are divided on what the answer is.  Their divided because there are arguments that can be made on both sides.  I think that's why the conversations in these gameday threads take these swings game to game because after each group can point a finger and say "Look see I told you"

If the Leafs were in first place In the league and last night's game happened, in a way it may have been more embarrassing.

 

[hockeyfan1]

So, did Keefe even dare show his face afterwards?  If so, what did he say?

Nevermind, I just read his bland-ish comments on MLHS.  "The game was the same" ? yeah, no shit Sherlock.

I think this team needs a John Tortorella.

I honestly thought Keefe was trying very hard not to scream at one point behind the bench.  If he had to yell it off himself, I would have given him accolades on the spot, because sometimes that?s exactly what one feels like doing on nights like this.

It was Dubas, when the camera cut to him and with the Canes having just padded their lead, who sighed in frustration and left his  box with his somewhat busy cellphone (I presume) in hand.

An A+ to Ayres and a big F for the Leafs.  If not for Andersen, the score would have been much higher.  The way the Leafs were playing can best be described as bewildered and tense and completely disorganized.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Incredible guy this David Ayres:  NHL history in the making as only the third time an EBUG has been used and at age 42, he is the oldest too.

[tweet]1231419204097789952[/tweet]

 

[hockeyfan1]

Keefe?s comment:

[tweet]1231420986467192835[/tweet]

 

[hockeyfan1]

I?m sure the ?Canes couldn?t believe it neither. 

Alright, go ahead, rant all you want , yell, scream, cry, curse...

This article actually made me laugh albeit in a strange way.

https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2020/2/22/21149131/the-maple-leafs-are-the-best-joke-in-the-world-lose-to-david-ayers-marlies-zamboni-driver

 

[L K]

I?m happy the team is taking tomorrow off.  They deserve a break after last night.  Keefe?s coddled approach really seems to be paying off with this team.  I think Nik made a great point about in game adjustment.  There really wasn?t anything from the team.  We have gone back to the team being utterly confused when the neutral zone is clogged.  Every time the leafs used the flip pass to get teams on their heels it seems to break that up but instead they just try and spin through five defenders and then the puck over constantly

 

[Bill_Berg]

The Leafs didn't get beat by Ayers, not really. The Hurricanes worked hard and beat the Leafs as a team. Or you might say the Leafs best themselves.  No reason to be upset with Ayers, as embarassing as last night was.  When I get shit for this game, my plan is to just talk about how great a hockey story Ayers is. Even if it kills me a little inside.