A Kinder, Gentler 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs thread

[John Wick]

This is a thread intended for serious and knowledgeable hockey fans, and in particular, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hopefully shit disturbers will content themselves with posting in the 'other' TML thread, where back biting, acrimony, and insults seem to be acceptable, if not expected.

So, as far as this thread is concerned, would be nice to hear what everyone thinks should happen next for the TML? Thoughts on the new season, possible/potential trades, signings and re-signings, promotions of prospects and demotion of under-performers, COVID 19 implications in Toronto and abroad, coaching and upper management decisions...everything on the table...just PLEASE! Treat each other with civility and we can enjoy a fantastic, months-long discussion!

 

[Darts]

Another 2020-2021 TML thread?

Nothing wrong with giving members choices.

 

[mellowjello]

Another 2020-2021 TML thread? Say it ain't so. Tampa Bay, the "hot bed" of hockey, just won its second Stanley Cup in the past 16 years. Wonder how many threads would exist if the sorry and disgraceful Maple Leafs have actually won something in the past 53 years? "Fantastic, months-long discussion" about nothing. At least that show about nothing was good for laughs. This one evokes grunts.

These threads are all about speculation.
There's lots to speculate about with the season over and the Leafs needing to make some serious moves before the season starts.

 

[smuddan]

For the upcoming season the main focus will be on fixing the defence, followed by : goaltending, depth and team toughness.

The Leafs should also be very concerned with the overall cap structure. Dubas went on a spending spree committing over 40 millions on 4 forwards with anticipation of increasing cap limits. However, with no end of the pandemic in sight and no guarantee of live gate revenues, teams will not be quite willing to spend even on superstars. A good example is the blues have asked Pietrangelo to explore the free agency market as seemingly they’re not close to meeting his salary demand.

 

[Darts]

Now that the 2019-20 season is finally over (congrats to the Lightnings), it's time to focus on the 2020-21 season (if there is one). So, what are the Leafs doing to improve the team?

1) Kapanen is gone.
2) Clifford is testing free agency.
3) Assistant coaches Paul McFarland and Andrew Brewer are gone.
4) Coming on-board are new assistant coaches Manny Malhotra and Paul MacLean (former coach of the year).

 

[Darts]

A good example is the blues have asked Pietrangelo to explore the free agency market as seemingly they’re not close to meeting his salary demand.

Here is one possibility for Alex. He's also a right handed shot defenseman. He could be a good replacement for the aging Weber.

Montreal Canadiens: Is Marc Bergevin Trying to Get Alex Pietrangelo’s Attention?

The Montreal Canadiens have made a couple of moves already this offseason. Could they be trying to entice Alex Pietrangelo?

awinninghabit.com

 

[John Wick]

These threads are all about speculation.
There's lots to speculate about with the season over and the Leafs needing to make some serious moves before the season starts.

True. Wonder if Dubas is waiting for the upcoming draft to try and make some more significant moves? After that, I suspect there won't be a new season start until Jan 2021, so maybe more time then for trade discussions and FA signings...

 

[Insidious Von]

I suspect there won't be a an NHL season thanks to the NFL. Stage 2 is already well under way...at least the TML are spending their time wisely.

 

[shack]

This is a thread intended for serious and knowledgeable hockey fans, and in particular, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hopefully shit disturbers will content themselves
...just PLEASE! Treat each other with civility and we can enjoy a fantastic, months-long discussion!

Wonder how many threads would exist if the sorry and disgraceful Maple Leafs have actually won something in the past 53 years? "Fantastic, months-long discussion" about nothing.

So have two same threads about a team that just keeps peeing in its pants year after year? This is what passes for an enlightened choice for you? Embarrassing.

I would consider these shit disturbing posts from a non-Leaf fan. A good head start on acrimony by basically insulting the team that its' fans are rooting for.

John, just wondering if these posts are what you would consider acceptable in light of some the reasonable guidelines that you laid out.

 

[Archer2012]

Awe, you guys and this hockey talk. Man I come on here to look at Ladies I can’t see due to Covid and I never get to those threads cause I spend my time reading these threads! Ha ha ha

The Leafs aren’t goona give this old guy a chubby until they make some major changes - I would suggest start at the top (Management). They had “The Lou” there for a while - to bad.
Leafs got a firm straight up offer: Drew Doughty for Mitch and they shot it down. I understand Drew at 30 and they need some tough guys not more skill. Mitch is a hell of a player in today’s league - but for long runs they need a guy on the ice when Mitch is one the ice that every opposition player spends their time worrying about hearing the guys foot steps. Would give Mitch more room - when he can be mist dangerous.

I like the Assistant Coach Changes - Paul MacLean will get these young “sensitive” players off their asses and into playing more of a complete game.
I’m not the biggest Babcock fan but when he was doing that “speed - run / gun” game with very quick shift changes - it did produce some exciting offence. However, back to the same old same old - in order to win in playoffs / the game picks up a few notches - they need more GRIT ! Bottom line.
My memory might be slipping but I believe it was last year (2019 Entry) - the Leafs did not draft a Canadian Born player. WTF?

 

[Darts]

Awe, you guys and this hockey talk. Man I come on here to look at Ladies I can’t see due to Covid and I never get to those threads cause I spend my time reading these threads! Ha ha ha

The Leafs aren’t goona give this old guy a chubby until they make some major changes - I would suggest start at the top (Management). They had “The Lou” there for a while - to bad.
Leafs got a firm straight up offer: Drew Doughty for Mitch and they shot it down. I understand Drew at 30 and they need some tough guys not more skill. Mitch is a hell of a player in today’s league - but for long runs they need a guy on the ice when Mitch is one the ice that every opposition player spends their time worrying about hearing the guys foot steps. Would give Mitch more room - when he can be mist dangerous.

I like the Assistant Coach Changes - Paul MacLean will get these young “sensitive” players off their asses and into playing more of a complete game.
I’m not the biggest Babcock fan but when he was doing that “speed - run / gun” game with very quick shift changes - it did produce some exciting offence. However, back to the same old same old - in order to win in playoffs / the game picks up a few notches - they need more GRIT ! Bottom line.
My memory might be slipping but I believe it was last year (2019 Entry) - the Leafs did not draft a Canadian Born player. WTF?

1) Pat Maroon was an UFA and signed with the new Stanley Cup champs for $900,00. The Leafs will very likely lose Kyle Clifford to free agency. The Leafs had Matt Martin and let him go to a better team.
2) The Paul MacLean signing is interesting. Doubt he wants to be an assistant coach for too long instead of head coach or GM.
3) Speaking of the draft, Dubas like them small. He probably thinks every small player is a Patrick Kane or Brayden Point.
'All six Leafs draft picks came in under 6’0 in height and none weigh more than 200 pounds. Similar to last year’s draft under GM Kyle Dubas,"
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/06/23/2019-nhl-draft-toronto-maple-leafs-pick-list/

The Lightnings have had skilled players since forever but didn't win the CUP until Maroon and Coleman joined the team plus Luke Witkowski.

 

[Archer2012]

1) Pat Maroon was an UFA and signed with the new Stanley Cup champs for $900,00. The Leafs will very likely lose Kyle Clifford to free agency. The Leafs had Matt Martin and let him go to a better team.
2) The Paul MacLean signing is interesting. Doubt he wants to be an assistant coach for too long instead of head coach or GM.
3) Speaking of the draft, Dubas like them small. He probably thinks every small player is a Patrick Kane or Brayden Point.
'All six Leafs draft picks came in under 6’0 in height and none weigh more than 200 pounds. Similar to last year’s draft under GM Kyle Dubas,"
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/06/23/2019-nhl-draft-toronto-maple-leafs-pick-list/

The Lightnings have had skilled players since forever but didn't win the CUP until Maroon and Coleman joined the team plus Luke Witkowski.

We all know - no matter how much they say “it’s not the size of the ship it’s how you sail it” - SIZE MATTERS (Heart as well actually - but not as funny). Look at Frédérik Gauthier - they list him at 6 foot 5 and 239 - can’t skate (terrible form) - plays way to soft for his size. I marvel when I watch him play and wonder how the hell does he stay up in the bigs without pounding people or something?Did they just have a 33 XL jersey that needed to be worn? His salary is in line with Maroon WTF?

 

[John Wick]

They had “The Lou” there for a while - to bad.

This feels like it could really be the single biggest mistake the Leafs have made in 10 years - letting Lou get away. Add to that letting Hunter walk away and the foundation fell out from underneath everything.

 

[Archer2012]

This feels like it could really be the single biggest mistake the Leafs have made in 10 years - letting Lou get away. Add to that letting Hunter walk away and the foundation fell out from underneath everything.

True story - but in my advanced age can’t remember the name of the goalie. Anyway - the player (goalie) went into to meet with Lou - through their discussion demanded a bigger contract. Lou says hmm.... let me think about it. Player leaves his office grabs the elevator and by the time he got off the elevator he was traded. Now that’s LOU!

 

[Insidious Von]

Let's be objective about this.

Since 1967, the Leafs have had their share of horrific management and bad luck over the years. Some would say that it started in 1961 when Conn Smythe was deposed and Jack Kent Cooke outmaneuvered from owning the team. After that the new management team fronted by the alcoholic Stafford Smythe ran the club strictly for profit. After their Stanley Cup wins, they attempted to build strong teams again - and on four occasions they were sabotaged by upper management. The first happened when Jim Gregory put forth a new contract for Bernie Parent but Harold didn't want to pay it. He jumped to the WHA and a number of young prospects followed suit. You can guess the others.

Not to relive the horrors of the past but the putrid stench of failure is difficult to get rid of once it sets in. Wrong decisions are inevitably made, the ghost of Harold Ballard lingers over the team.

 

[Gooseifur]

This feels like it could really be the single biggest mistake the Leafs have made in 10 years - letting Lou get away. Add to that letting Hunter walk away and the foundation fell out from underneath everything.

I don't think letting Lou get away was a big deal. The bigger deal was the hiring of Dumbass who thinks analytics are the way to win a Stanley Cup. I hope they do much better this year but I doubt they will. If they don't thast will hopefully be the end of Dumbass as Leafs GM. The Islanders are good because they have one of if not the best coach in the league. Lou signed Marleau to a 3 year deal. A terrible signing. Lou has done nothing special in NY. They were nothing until they got Trotz.

 

[John Wick]

There are actually 3, not 2, exact threads on these sorry Maple Leafs. What a joke! Tampa Bay, where no kid plays hockey, has won twice in the last 16 years. The Dallas Stars, playing also in a city where no kid plays hockey, have won the Cup. Both teams were formed after the Leafs last won. Let that sink in.

And here you have the Maple Leafs playing the most popular sport in the land, cheered on by a huge rabid fan base and is the most valuable hockey club in the world and they haven’t been able to win in 53 years??? And there are 3 exact same threads on them? Do all these threads serve a cathartic effect?

This is one of the reasons the Leafs never win. They know their fans will cheer them on regardless of their performance. No motivation. Shame.

BTW, my team is Les Canadiens de Montreal. We haven’t won in a while but we have won 17 Cups since the Leafs last won

Your passion for your team doesn't seem so far off from others' for the Leafs. Out of curiosity, I wonder if there is a similar thread to this one for the Habs on MERB? Personally, I think every hard core sports fan suffers from the same irrational, unjustifiable love of their favorite team. In essence - we're all a very sick bunch!

 

[Darts]

Here are two of the priorities for the Leafs.

1) Unsigned players ---Spezza, Barrie, Ceci and Clifford are UFA's and Dermott is an RFA, maybe more. Who do the Leafs want/will re-sign?

2) Th draft --- who will the Leafs draft this year. Bear in mind Dubas has a fondness for smaller players as seen in the past 2 drafts.

 

[John Wick]

Here are two of the priorities for the Leafs.

1) Unsigned players ---Spezza, Barrie, Ceci and Clifford are UFA's and Dermott is an RFA, maybe more. Who do the Leafs want/will re-sign?

2) Th draft --- who will the Leafs draft this year. Bear in mind Dubas has a fondness for smaller players as seen in the past 2 drafts.

The only FA on your list they should look at is Dermott. The rest should be cut loose. In the draft, a win would be if Dubas could move up from 15th pick to get right shooting defenseman Brayden Schneider of the WHL. Tough farm kid from western Canada with tons of upside.

 

[bemeup]

Trade Nylander for Matt Dumba. Sign Wayne Simmonds and Radko Gudas as free agents. There, solved their problems.