Time for All Leafs Fans to Cheer for the Team NOT the Tank

[GhostofPotvin29]

I'd like to see improvement overall from last year simply because I don't want them to get stuck in an Oilers-like cycle of years and years with no discernible improvement, wasting some of the most productive years of their young players.  Oilers lucked out with McDavid, if they hadn't who knows what their future would look like right now.

I get that, but, at the same time, this is very much Year 1 for this group (only 10 players who were regularly in the lineup from day 1 last season remain on the roster, meanwhile, 7 players are in their first full NHL season), so, not seeing improvement in terms of wins and losses this season doesn't seems like an indication they'll be entering an Oilers-like stagnation. It's next year where I think that starts to become something to look out for.

That's true, I was really thinking improvement also in terms of years to come as you said.  I don't expect them to take a big leap this season, but something would be nice to see.

 

[TBLeafer]

Sorry to burst the optimism bubble but yeah, it still exists.

while still recognizing that another low finish is ultimately in the team's best interest.

Thank you for airing my thoughts so eloquently, but next time get your own!

These are not exactly the words of fans that want us to be gunning for the playoffs.

No, those are fans that are being pretty honest about where the team's at. I hope they win every game this year, but the reality is they're not a playoff team, and they're going to lose more games than they win.

We all get that you want to eat your goose, but will you really be that upset if it lays a few more golden eggs first?

The older that goose gets, the better the chance it lays a dud.

Also, it seems everyone wants a top D drafted. They take longer to develop to make their team competitive.

Again, see Rielly. Drafting a top 5 OA D, probably won't won't contribute much to our team improving next season either. Now that all our top rookies are up, I'd rather see a guy like Trouba or Lindholm here now, over Lilgegren.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I'd like to see improvement overall from last year simply because I don't want them to get stuck in an Oilers-like cycle of years and years with no discernible improvement, wasting some of the most productive years of their young players.  Oilers lucked out with McDavid, if they hadn't who knows what their future would look like right now.

That's kinda how I feel too.

I just think with the level of skill they've injected and with a coach who will for sure get them playing the correct way eventually, they are going to give a lot of teams problems. Especially when those systems get tighter and there are fewer scrambles in their own zone.

My biggest concern is that a lot of coaches have "their guy" that the fans just can't understand and in certain ways you kind of grant the coach that if he is legit.

The problem is right now Babcock's guy is just brutal, they've talked about how Hunwick is teaching Zaitsev, are we sure that's a good idea?

Hopefully, Hunwick is telling Zaitsev to do the opposite of what he's been doing most nights.

 

[bustaheims]

The problem is right now Babcock's guy is just brutal, they've talked about how Hunwick is teaching Zaitsev, are we sure that's a good idea?

Hopefully, Hunwick is telling Zaitsev to do the opposite of what he's been doing most nights.

Well, you know how the saying goes - those that can't do teach. So, perhaps, Hunwick is a very effective teacher.

 

[ZBBM]

The problem is right now Babcock's guy is just brutal, they've talked about how Hunwick is teaching Zaitsev, are we sure that's a good idea?

Hopefully, Hunwick is telling Zaitsev to do the opposite of what he's been doing most nights.

Well, you know how the saying goes - those that can't do teach. So, perhaps, Hunwick is a very effective teacher.

Jeez, Hunwick is the new Jyrke Lummi around here.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Tank or not, I'm eager to see the youngsters and the team in general churn out some form of hope (as we've seen so far), and to translate Improvement into winning & eventually be competitive.

All of this will take time, but judging by the seeds planted, so to speak, in the vernacular, the sprouting has slowly but surely begun.

Not expecting the team to make the playoffs doesn't transcend tanking.  Whether they have a lowly finish (bottom five again) or are just simply out of the playoffs,  I'd have faith in our management to draft prudently.

 

[4EVRLEAFAN]

I agree with this, we know we probably won't make the playoffs but that's part of the rebuilding process, the pain has happened, the big contracts have been dumped, the young talent has bean acquired, time to move forward and build a winner, no more tanking it's time to start winning!  8)

 

[Highlander]

They say there will be more pain (like learning to close out games) but I think the majority of the root canal work is done.

 

[disco]

They say there will be more pain (like learning to close out games) but I think the majority of the root canal work is done.

Agreed man of the Highlands, really only one pain/tank year of unwatchable hockey. They've got players again now and it's fun to watch, even if their goal differential ends up being zero.

With extra picks for 3 years starting last draft, they can fill out the rest of the roster after getting those high skill forwards in Auston, Mitch and Willie.

Future is bright indeed.