The first move after Shanny is fired, the Leafs hire Derek Lalonde as assistant coach.
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2025-2026 Leafs Season
- Thread starter glamphotographer
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Gotta like it. With high skill employees with not quite enough will the key is for management/coaches to motivate them. Bérubé did nicely here and hopefully Lalonde will add also to that. Plus, if Matthew has passengers again then he as Captain needs to adjust for that and lead accordingly.
It hurts so bad when you know the team is so close versus the 70s and 90s when they overachieved and were worshipped for it.
It hurts so bad when you know the team is so close versus the 70s and 90s when they overachieved and were worshipped for it.
The Leafs were so close, yet they’re too far away. Softness, lack of depth, bad defence and goaltending were ultimately caused their downfall in the season ending games. More importantly than anything, the performances of the core 5 in all were utterly disappointing. There’s no reason to believe that to run it back with the same core will yield any better results in the most important games of the season.
It’s true that this was the best team in this era, and I would attribute that to the additions made by Treliving. Solartz, Tanev, Benoit, OEL, Carlos, etc. were upgrades over the ones they replaced and made this a better team but that wasn’t enough because the core 5 could not elevate their game.
It would be unfair to lay all the blame on individual players, but I found it disturbing for Matthews to essentially throw his teammates under the bus by saying “there were too many passengers” when he himself did not perform to a level that was expected of him by most. It’s not like he scored a ton of goals more than anyone else. As usually he and the other core 4 never take accountability and offer no apology for their poor performance. I don’t think I’ve seen this kind of behaviour from the true leaders of this game past and present.
It’s true that this was the best team in this era, and I would attribute that to the additions made by Treliving. Solartz, Tanev, Benoit, OEL, Carlos, etc. were upgrades over the ones they replaced and made this a better team but that wasn’t enough because the core 5 could not elevate their game.
It would be unfair to lay all the blame on individual players, but I found it disturbing for Matthews to essentially throw his teammates under the bus by saying “there were too many passengers” when he himself did not perform to a level that was expected of him by most. It’s not like he scored a ton of goals more than anyone else. As usually he and the other core 4 never take accountability and offer no apology for their poor performance. I don’t think I’ve seen this kind of behaviour from the true leaders of this game past and present.
Patrick Kane plays RW and he's American. Both Knies and Matthews are American. Kane only plays for original 6 teams. Leafs are an original 6 team. Kane and Matthews should be able to develop elite chemistry. They could give each other the hand behind the ear salute after every goal. Kane is a career over a point per game player. He should reach 500 career goals next season easily. He can also help the PP. He has also won the Conn Smythe. He'll be a free agent. The topper he wears 88.
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If Shanny didn’t choose a GM with no NHL experience in building a winner I am convinced we wouldn’t be in this mess.
dubas bent over for Matthews, Marner and Nylander. Take the money sure. It was offered. Hell id sign but like be realistic. You can’t build a winner with 4 guys making that kind of dough. I don’t blame dubas for signing Johnny tits. He was going to get laid wherever he went.
dubas bent over for Matthews, Marner and Nylander. Take the money sure. It was offered. Hell id sign but like be realistic. You can’t build a winner with 4 guys making that kind of dough. I don’t blame dubas for signing Johnny tits. He was going to get laid wherever he went.
Draisaitl's playoffs stats are astounding.
95 games played 52 goals 141 points.
Marner's playoffs stats for comparison
70 games played 13 goals 63 points.
For those who feel regular season is more important Draisaitl in 2025 lead the league in goals with 52.
Second place was Nylander with 45. Draisaitl also had 106 pts in 71 games.
Marner had 102 pts in 81 games of which 27 were goals.
So 10 more games played with less pts and plenty less goals.
Draisaitl is also a center and carries his own line.
Plays with McD only when they load up.
Marner is a winger and plays primarily with Matthews.
There's also big strong vs timid.
95 games played 52 goals 141 points.
Marner's playoffs stats for comparison
70 games played 13 goals 63 points.
For those who feel regular season is more important Draisaitl in 2025 lead the league in goals with 52.
Second place was Nylander with 45. Draisaitl also had 106 pts in 71 games.
Marner had 102 pts in 81 games of which 27 were goals.
So 10 more games played with less pts and plenty less goals.
Draisaitl is also a center and carries his own line.
Plays with McD only when they load up.
Marner is a winger and plays primarily with Matthews.
There's also big strong vs timid.
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