Is it panic time yet?

[TML fan]

Panic? No.

Admit the team isn't that good and isn't ready to challenge for a Cup? Yes.

Halfway into the season you want to write them off? Makes sense.

I never thought the Leafs were good enough to win a Cup this year, so I suppose you could say I wrote them off before the season even started. I'm just not sure what you mean by "write them off" at this point.

 

[TML fan]

I think everything is good in the sense that they have a strong core and they should be well aware by now of what their weaknesses are. Things are still good if we are all looking at the big picture.

 

[Bullfrog]

Exactly. Aside from old men Tavares and Kadri, our best players are our youngest players.

 

[Zee]

Who is it exactly that claims everything is good? Why is it either "open your head and feast on the goo" or "complete ignorant bliss" with you panickers? Most of us are being rational. Nylander's production is terrible (despite otherwise good play), Kadri's in a slump, our defence behind the three puck-movers (Rielly, Gardiner, Dermott) is below average, etc. I don't think anyone is claiming this is the best team in history.

I'll just speak for myself and say that it's definitely not a time for panic. They're in a tiny slump; it'll be balanced by a winning streak. Look at the criticism in the GDT's. Those of us "who think everything is good" are constantly suggesting Babcock mix up the lines. We're critical of crappy giveaways, lazy plays, and puzzling coaching decisions. We just balance our emotions by recognizing the good stuff. For example, as much as he's ripped on, Gardiner makes tonnes of great little plays that don't even get mentioned.

Eh, I never placed myself as a "panicker" as you suggest. But I do believe this team is playing far below what the team's talent level is. They're in a very real situation now of having this malaise continue and slipping to the bottom of the playoff picture. Even when they were winning a lot of games they were doing it on sheer talent many nights. The effort never seems to be there on a consistent basis. How many times did we see this team lollygagging through games and then play one good period to win? Quite a few.  They put together a great effort against Tampa the other night and then collectively decided that was good enough and no effort was required against the Panthers. It's ridiculous how inconsistent their effort is and it speaks to a larger issue here. This team is outworked by lesser teams far too often.

 

[azzurri63]

My opinion but I think some of the players are tired of Babcock.
Nylander with his handling last year as well as Matthews supposed rift last year.
I agree with Mike that if you're playing like crap you deserve to sit or move down the lineup but that has to be with all players.
Problem with Babcock is he won't do that with the veterans.

His handling of players, ice time, accountability list goes on is utter BS.

 

[Bender]

Panic? No.

Admit the team isn't that good and isn't ready to challenge for a Cup? Yes.

Halfway into the season you want to write them off? Makes sense.

I never thought the Leafs were good enough to win a Cup this year, so I suppose you could say I wrote them off before the season even started. I'm just not sure what you mean by "write them off" at this point.

The way I read it is the team goes into a slump and we shouldn't count them as contenders. I don't really agree with that. If this is an 18 wheeler situation like under Burke, fine. But I don't think we can really cross the bridge of whether or not they're contenders until closer to the end of the regular season.

 

[Bender]

Who is it exactly that claims everything is good? Why is it either "open your head and feast on the goo" or "complete ignorant bliss" with you panickers? Most of us are being rational. Nylander's production is terrible (despite otherwise good play), Kadri's in a slump, our defence behind the three puck-movers (Rielly, Gardiner, Dermott) is below average, etc. I don't think anyone is claiming this is the best team in history.

I'll just speak for myself and say that it's definitely not a time for panic. They're in a tiny slump; it'll be balanced by a winning streak. Look at the criticism in the GDT's. Those of us "who think everything is good" are constantly suggesting Babcock mix up the lines. We're critical of crappy giveaways, lazy plays, and puzzling coaching decisions. We just balance our emotions by recognizing the good stuff. For example, as much as he's ripped on, Gardiner makes tonnes of great little plays that don't even get mentioned.

And I mean, what who's time to panic is it? Us as fans? What are we supposed to do about the team's slump anyway?

As a GM (and I'm sure in many other jobs/roles etc) panicking is almost certainly the way forward for assured failure.

 

[TML fan]

Panic? No.

Admit the team isn't that good and isn't ready to challenge for a Cup? Yes.

Halfway into the season you want to write them off? Makes sense.

I never thought the Leafs were good enough to win a Cup this year, so I suppose you could say I wrote them off before the season even started. I'm just not sure what you mean by "write them off" at this point.

The way I read it is the team goes into a slump and we shouldn't count them as contenders. I don't really agree with that. If this is an 18 wheeler situation like under Burke, fine. But I don't think we can really cross the bridge of whether or not they're contenders until closer to the end of the regular season.

Sure that's fine. But I'm not basing my opinion on a slump. This slump is just symptomatic of a bigger issue with the team which simply boils down to they are not ready yet.

I would never have labeled them a contender at the start of the season or anywhere in between then and now. So no, I'm not writing them off, or discounting the possibility of them magicking their way through the playoffs. I'm just not banking on it, and as I see it that's what it's going to take for them to advance this year.

The future is bright, it's just not now.

 

[Bender]

Panic? No.

Admit the team isn't that good and isn't ready to challenge for a Cup? Yes.

Halfway into the season you want to write them off? Makes sense.

I never thought the Leafs were good enough to win a Cup this year, so I suppose you could say I wrote them off before the season even started. I'm just not sure what you mean by "write them off" at this point.

The way I read it is the team goes into a slump and we shouldn't count them as contenders. I don't really agree with that. If this is an 18 wheeler situation like under Burke, fine. But I don't think we can really cross the bridge of whether or not they're contenders until closer to the end of the regular season.

Sure that's fine. But I'm not basing my opinion on a slump. This slump is just symptomatic of a bigger issue with the team which simply boils down to they are not ready yet.

I would never have labeled them a contender at the start of the season or anywhere in between then and now. So no, I'm not writing them off, or discounting the possibility of them magicking their way through the playoffs. I'm just not banking on it, and as I see it that's what it's going to take for them to advance this year.

The future is bright, it's just not now.

That makes sense. I can see your point for sure.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Sure that's fine. But I'm not basing my opinion on a slump. This slump is just symptomatic of a bigger issue with the team which simply boils down to they are not ready yet.

I would never have labeled them a contender at the start of the season or anywhere in between then and now. So no, I'm not writing them off, or discounting the possibility of them magicking their way through the playoffs. I'm just not banking on it, and as I see it that's what it's going to take for them to advance this year.

The future is bright, it's just not now.

Good points for sure and I'd agree. I never expected then to win it all this year, like a Tampa Bay. We are a very good team but not quite elite status yet. I certainly won't say they can't win tho. They certainly could but everything will have to fall into place.

 

[Highlander]

Hey Zee, I am in the US for the winter, Congress just passed a law to accept CBD as an acceptable, legal product, completely non THC.  As I suffer from severe anxiety I bought a bottle which is administered under the tongue.  After two days I am feeling an almost Zen like calm, my muscle pain is gone etc.
As it is now completely legal in Canada, I can highly recommend a non high, non pharmaceutical alternative to your Leaf stress.  Sorry but had to share this, as I am a compulsive worrier. Not about the Leafs but things that matter.  Wish I had found this decades ago.

 

[Zee]

Habs and Bruins both lose tonight, Leafs maintain 2nd in the division, all is well, close this thread.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Helping hands from the US. I said it somewhere, people worry way too much about this team. Enjoy the ride for better or worse. After all this isn't life and death.
Oh and both Boston and the Habs lost tonight and last checked, the pitiful Panthers were beating Nashville 3-0. Wonder if their fan bases are panicking yet?

 

[Zee]

Hey Zee, I am in the US for the winter, Congress just passed a law to accept CBD as an acceptable, legal product, completely non THC.  As I suffer from severe anxiety I bought a bottle which is administered under the tongue.  After two days I am feeling an almost Zen like calm, my muscle pain is gone etc.
As it is now completely legal in Canada, I can highly recommend a non high, non pharmaceutical alternative to your Leaf stress.  Sorry but had to share this, as I am a compulsive worrier. Not about the Leafs but things that matter.  Wish I had found this decades ago.

Glad to hear it's working for you, health is the most important thing. As for the Leafs I've long past the stage of the fortunes of the team stressing me out, I mean I'm a fan and I want them to win, but I'm not gonna lose sleep over it if they don't. Got a wife and 3 kids that bring me joy in life, what else matters?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Glad to hear it's working for you, health is the most important thing. As for the Leafs I've long past the stage of the fortunes of the team stressing me out, I mean I'm a fan and I want them to win, but I'm not gonna lose sleep over it if they don't. Got a wife and 3 kids that bring me joy in life, what else matters?

You got it because nothing else matters. Love the Leafs and want them to win but I will enjoy my summer whether they win the cup or not. Still going to bash players for stupid plays tho! Go Leafs Go!

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Habs and Bruins both lose tonight, Leafs maintain 2nd in the division, all is well, close this thread.

Concussion for Rask tonight, too.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Habs and Bruins both lose tonight, Leafs maintain 2nd in the division, all is well, close this thread.

Concussion for Rask tonight, too.

Don't like hearing that about any player. Halak has been very good for them tho if memory serves.

 

[Highlander]

Hey Zee, I am in the US for the winter, Congress just passed a law to accept CBD as an acceptable, legal product, completely non THC.  As I suffer from severe anxiety I bought a bottle which is administered under the tongue.  After two days I am feeling an almost Zen like calm, my muscle pain is gone etc.
As it is now completely legal in Canada, I can highly recommend a non high, non pharmaceutical alternative to your Leaf stress.  Sorry but had to share this, as I am a compulsive worrier. Not about the Leafs but things that matter.  Wish I had found this decades ago.

Glad to hear it's working for you, health is the most important thing. As for the Leafs I've long past the stage of the fortunes of the team stressing me out, I mean I'm a fan and I want them to win, but I'm not gonna lose sleep over it if they don't. Got a wife and 3 kids that bring me joy in life, what else matters?

Zee that is perspective, it took me most of my life to stop being a total selfish as_hole, for the last several years it really came to me, my family is the most important part of my life, not work. I am probably still an as_hole but a nicer one. And now a calmer one....

 

[Phileas Fogg]

To answer the question specifically - no, I don't think so. He's got 18 points this season playing for Arizona, and although his acquisition cost would be fairly low, I don't see how he'll make a big difference in the lineup.

 

[L K]

Big scary Boston 13-10-1 since December 1st
Awful pathetic Toronto 11-8-2 since December 1st

All teams go through ebbs and flows (except Tampa so far).