Post Mortem

[Highlander]

So its not only us, that slide in Colorado would have been devastating?sort of like this one for us?however if it gets rid of Randy and his lump of sudbury granite it will be worth it. Also if we win the lottery.

 

[Joe S.]

Some I can find:

Phoenix was in 4th in 08-09 at the all-star break and finished 14th. 

Vancouver in 07-08 were something like 4th in the conference with 8 games to go, lost 7 of them and finished in 10th.

In 2010-11 Colorado was leading their division in December, was still in the playoffs by the all-star break but lost 20 of 21 games in February/March and finished 29th.

Thanks - that's very interesting, I don't know if that makes me feel any better, but it's nice to know, I suppose, that this isn't the worst collapse in recent history...

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Some I can find:

Phoenix was in 4th in 08-09 at the all-star break and finished 14th. 

Vancouver in 07-08 were something like 4th in the conference with 8 games to go, lost 7 of them and finished in 10th.

In 2010-11 Colorado was leading their division in December, was still in the playoffs by the all-star break but lost 20 of 21 games in February/March and finished 29th.

Thanks - that's very interesting, I don't know if that makes me feel any better, but it's nice to know, I suppose, that this isn't the worst collapse in recent history...

For me this 'collapse' isn't that bad because I felt all season long they were getting lucky to be where they were, so it wasn't so much surprising that their house of cards fell, so to speak.  That takes some of the shock factor away for me.

 

[pmrules]

Some I can find:

Phoenix was in 4th in 08-09 at the all-star break and finished 14th. 

Vancouver in 07-08 were something like 4th in the conference with 8 games to go, lost 7 of them and finished in 10th.

In 2010-11 Colorado was leading their division in December, was still in the playoffs by the all-star break but lost 20 of 21 games in February/March and finished 29th.

Thanks - that's very interesting, I don't know if that makes me feel any better, but it's nice to know, I suppose, that this isn't the worst collapse in recent history...

But, the same team isn't listed as collapsing 3 years in a row.  Look at Colorado now.  That has to add something.

 

[bustaheims]

For me this 'collapse' isn't that bad because I felt all season long they were getting lucky to be where they were, so it wasn't so much surprising that their house of cards fell, so to speak.  That takes some of the shock factor away for me.

Yeah. It never really felt like there was a significant drop off in the team's performance, just in their results. It never really felt like the team was suddenly bad for no apparent reason.

 

[Highlander]

Were do you get 3 years in a row. a vastly underrated Loaf squad took the mightly Bruins to within 5 mintues of a game 7 win. That a very young team lost that game was a punch to the guts but the Loafs should never have even been in a game 7

 

[Joe S.]

Some I can find:

Phoenix was in 4th in 08-09 at the all-star break and finished 14th. 

Vancouver in 07-08 were something like 4th in the conference with 8 games to go, lost 7 of them and finished in 10th.

In 2010-11 Colorado was leading their division in December, was still in the playoffs by the all-star break but lost 20 of 21 games in February/March and finished 29th.

Thanks - that's very interesting, I don't know if that makes me feel any better, but it's nice to know, I suppose, that this isn't the worst collapse in recent history...

For me this 'collapse' isn't that bad because I felt all season long they were getting lucky to be where they were, so it wasn't so much surprising that their house of cards fell, so to speak.  That takes some of the shock factor away for me.

I feel the same way - I remember back in November I think saying that this team has no business making the playoffs, but I guess the Leafs fan in me got swept away with the mirage of 2nd in the division. I knew it wasn't sustainable, but I chose to enjoy the ride while it lasted.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Some I can find:

Phoenix was in 4th in 08-09 at the all-star break and finished 14th. 

Vancouver in 07-08 were something like 4th in the conference with 8 games to go, lost 7 of them and finished in 10th.

In 2010-11 Colorado was leading their division in December, was still in the playoffs by the all-star break but lost 20 of 21 games in February/March and finished 29th.

Thanks - that's very interesting, I don't know if that makes me feel any better, but it's nice to know, I suppose, that this isn't the worst collapse in recent history...

For me this 'collapse' isn't that bad because I felt all season long they were getting lucky to be where they were, so it wasn't so much surprising that their house of cards fell, so to speak.  That takes some of the shock factor away for me.

I feel the same way - I remember back in November I think saying that this team has no business making the playoffs, but I guess the Leafs fan in me got swept away with the mirage of 2nd in the division. I knew it wasn't sustainable, but I chose to enjoy the ride while it lasted.

I definitely wanted them to make it, poor play or not, and was upset that they didn't, but it just didn't have that crushing shock factor to it.

 

[Highlander]

I think there were two defining moments in the early Leaf season that where turning points: Clarksons suspension backfired as he never caught up with the team and really when Bolland went down in Vancouver, it had the feeling of doom at the time. I wonder what the season would have been if Clarkson had stayed on the bench and Bolland had turned to the right instead of the left. 

 

[Joe S.]

You really think, honestly, that if Clarkson had stayed on the bench that would have improved his performance?

I just can't reconcile that.

 

[Andy007]

I think there were two defining moments in the early Leaf season that where turning points: Clarksons suspension backfired as he never caught up with the team and really when Bolland went down in Vancouver, it had the feeling of doom at the time. I wonder what the season would have been if Clarkson had stayed on the bench and Bolland had turned to the right instead of the left.

What would have changed? The leafs were outplayed almost every game going back to the beginning of the year. Nothing would have changed. In fact, more Clarkson would have only led to more futility.

 

[Highlander]

Clarkson got lost there somehow, when he showed signs of improvement he injured his elbow (remember those great shots on the HBO series) and fell back again. I was a big fan of Clarkson in Jersey and hope he can regain form next year. We need a coach whom can work with the young guys. I heard Trotz just became available, maybe the best available candidate.  He will shore up the defense and has enought capable scorers to overcome his major deficiency in Nashville which as finding good scoring.

 

[Highlander]

Also my comment refered to Bolland more than Clarkson but I do think with those guys at full speed it would have been better even with Randy

 

[Britishbulldog]

Also my comment refered to Bolland more than Clarkson but I do think with those guys at full speed it would have been better even with Randy

I agree on both accounts.  Bolland just seemed to click with his role with the Leafs as well as the higher expectations that Leafs coaches and management put on him. 

Clarkson just seemed out of sync from the 1st regular season games until just a week or 2 ago.  If Clarkson played like he did for the last 2 weeks for the full 82 games I know I would have been a lot less critical of him.

 

[Redleaf]

Some interesting quotes from Kessel...

On not making the playoffs...

?Other teams wanted it more, I guess,? said Kessel

On his Olympic participation....

?Doing that obviously is a great experience, but it does take a little bit out of you,? Kessel said. ?It?s no excuse, but you?re over there playing and the flights are long. There was a lot of hockey this year.?

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/04/14/kessel-sputtered-along-with-leafs-playoff-hopes

 

[Ronco]

I've been disappointed with the Leafs since last playoff series when my converter almost went through my tv.
That has carried over into this season as well.
And i must say i have not watched as many games.
At any rate i have seen this show before.
Like all the articles i have read since the collapse.
They keep changing the chairs on the Titanic, but you know next year it's gonna hit the iceberg again.
Hope is in short commodity.
The players gave up. Simple.
Some AHL Marlies showed up, but that's because they wanna shot at the big's.
The Leafs continue to string their fans along. Showing flashes of excellent potential only to revert back to mediocrity time and again.

I don't blame the coach. The players i blame.
Not picking a player in particular there were to many on this team whom took nights off.
To many nights.
I always thought you do your job to the best of your ability.
I did not see much pride on this team.Individual efforts.
The ones whom show up and the others who just look like they care.

Till next year. SS Titanic sails again.