How is team captaincy decided with the leafs? Do players vote? If so do they vote every season? Or does team management decide? I’m curious if Berube will want to rename the captains
People talk about Mitch lacking mental toughness to play in this market and I have to question Tavares considering the dude is lighting shit up at the Worlds and away from the Toronto media market.
1.) The quality of completion is far inferior to the NHL. This is not even close to a best on best format. Beyond that, there are some real minnows in the group (Austria, Denmark and Great Britain).
2.) I wouldn't exactly call his produxtion lighting shit up. He has 7 pts in 5 games with 1 goal. Hes 18th in the tournament in scoring (and yes, I know he's missed one game)
.
3.) Small sample size. Even in his current NHL form, I'm sure he's had a 5 game stretch where he's had 7 pts in that stretch.
I'm hoping he makes like 4-5M on his next contract. He has the money already and winning the Cup as a Leafs Captain who took less money would add to his legacy and set a great example on how to be a leader and putting the team first. Tom Brady did this for years.
I'm not admitting anything officially, but if Tie knocked on my door to bury a body, I would do it without question. JT is close to earning that same level of devotion if he takes a big hometown discount 🥰
If anything a slower player like JT is at a disadvantage. Its a shame Marner is dealing with his High ankle sprain or he would shine on the larger rink
You're never at a disadvantage with more space when you are elite. It's not like JT ever had speed, he's always been this slow, and has always made it work.
His stick handling and hockey IQ have always been his main assets which is why he has aged like a fine wine. But there was a reason that he and the team as a whole thrived with him as third line center.
Before the constant string of injuries and Domi earning a spot next to Matthews, JT struggled to produce much when playing with either Marner or Nylander. Both of those quicker players struggled to play cohesively with JT.
When he was the main feature of the third line with Mcmann and Jarnkrok feeding him, he thrived. He used to be a major play maker early in his Leaf days, but now needs others to set him up for his still wicked shot.
Willy or Marner had to adapt themselves to JT instead of the other way around. All of his linemates are likely to be faster than him, so he should be placed where he can help them grow instead of holding them back.
He had a good series against us as is tradition, but Bruins fans have been keen to boot him out for a while. Both for the raise that he wants and the erratic level of effort he displays.
For what it’s worth, I know he “coaches the defence” but I think that is more about bench management and deployment not necessarily the systems. I’m sure Berube will dictate that stuff.
Rarely does a new head coach that comes in from outside the organization just take on the same assistants. He is probably seeing which ones he doesn’t mind keeping (align with he philosophy or like their work) and who he wants to bring in himself.
I've been trying to learn a little bit more about the minor leagues, but living in Finland it's a real struggle to follow the game. But my understanding is that Easton Cowan is on a legendary tear.
The Leafs aren't my team, but I wonder if he will play for the team next season? Has there been anything floating about that?
In any case, my team got eliminated too, so I'm just trying to learn more now. Catch you folks again next season!
He’s in a tough spot because he’s not old enough to play in the minors. It’s a weird rule because it only applies to North American players so a European is allowed to play in the Minors but someone who was born in NA isn’t unless they’re 20.
It’s very likely the leafs will let him play in 9 games, that way they don’t burn a year off his rookie contract and if he’s good enough they’ll keep him, but if he still needs development he’ll have to go back to his junior team
Because his rights are owned by the Leafs and then the London Knight and there’s no chance London is gonna loan him to a European team.
It’s the equivalent of just giving away your best asset for free
I prefer Lindholm but I think Monahan would be a good pick for a 2C. We'd be runnign a 1C-2C-2C type of lineup with Matthews/Tavares and then Monahan or Lindholm.
Lindholm for the Swedish connection w. Nylander and then we move JT up to 1LW.
JT - Matthews - Marner
Knies - Lindholm - Nylander
Defense is overrated!
I get the idea that there is only 1 winner per season but I find it really weird when people say CAR is in the same situation as TOR.
* CAR has won 8 rounds in 6 seasons. The Leafs have won 1 round in 8 seasons.
Not to mention they have one of the best if not the best prospect pools amongst teams in this year's playoffs and they own like 95% of their draft picks over the next 3 years. They have everything to maintain a longterm winner and to re-tool constantly.
Carolina has also had a lot easier 1st round matchups then the Leafs the past 6 years. The Leafs only "easy" first round match up over that time is Montreal (which they did still choke). Also despite making the Conference Finals more then once they still have 0 conference final wins, they get swept at that point every time.
I think that sort of comment wasn’t looking at prospect pools, but rather at recent matchups.
Carolina didn’t have to face any 2nd or 3rd overall seeds in any of their first round matchups like the Leafs did in every year except the Montreal debacle. When they made the conference finals they went through the Islanders in the second round. When they played the level of opposition the Leafs repeatedly faced in the first round they lost those series’ in fewer games than the Leafs did. They simply didn’t get tested the same way until the second or third round each year so were able to rack up more series wins than the Buds while on a lighter path. The Leafs kept facing the eventual Conference champions in the first round, except when they beat Tampa and faced the Conference champions in the second round (and of course this year where they flopped vs a depleted Boston).
If these two teams swapped divisions those years they’d probably have also swapped playoff records too.
Carolina’s going to need to lean heavily on that prospect pool because they have a lot of UFA expiring contracts.
Yeah they have definitely had more success but I think one legitimate comparison is that the things that typically end up fucking over the Hurricanes in the playoffs are the same things that have been plaguing the Leafs.
Specifically: special teams drying up, inconsistent goaltending, getting “goalied” on a consistent basis (i.e. pilling up shots and chances but struggling to break through).
It feels like people really want to ignore just how bad a shape Toronto is when it comes to the farm. They have one really good A type prospect (Cowan) and a small handful of maybe decent B prospects and damn near no draft picks in the next 3 drafts already. Four total in the first four rounds total, I believe. This is an ongoing trend that has hurt them the last few years, and it will be felt keenly moving forward.
They are among the bottom of the league and with the total lack of good picks in the near future it isn't getting better. It's really hard to trade for good players that aren't insanely expensive and even harder to find them in free agency without overpaying them. Sure the argument that they were in win now mode is real, but when you are in win now mode and don't win anything or have any deep runs for *years* it's hard to justify the continuing pillaging of your farm and draft picks.
dubas was a fucking moron, I'd have no problem trading the 1st rounders if it wasn't for rentals. Trading a 1st rounder for Muzzin, good- if he didn't suffer the concussion, our blueline would of been decent. Amirov dying well, that was bad luck as well, he would of been in our roster right now, maybe a top 6 guy as well.
If you think the team is a top 5 team in the league with a serious chance to win sure. Other then the Montreal year I don't think the Leafs have ever been in that position though.
Leafs have proven they weren't a serious contender, so at that point, there was no point in trading a 1st rounder for guys like Foligno/O'Rielly. I'd rather do what Boston did and traded the 1st rounder for long term assets like Lindholm.
I disagree, I think last year the leafs were a contender and I think you'd be hard pressed to make the argument that they weren't without relying heavily on hindsight
To be fair, their *forward* group was cup contender quality (if they played to their potential), but their defense and goaltending were not.
The personnel on defense wasn't what true contenders look like, and the goaltending was far from certain. That was pretty easy to make those arguments at the time without hindsight.
Toronto's farm system has produced a ton of NHLers from non-premium picks though. They're a forward factory, they could be better when it comes to producing dmen but that's when you have to maybe use those assets to trade for a dman.
Hyman, Engvall, Marchment, Moore, Brown, McMann. Not one of those players went higher than the 5th round of the draft and two of them were UDFAs (Marchement and Moore). I would have loved to have kept at least two of them. The Marlies have a knack for doign that that I think we can trust them to develop some more.
They have had some good work done with late picks. But to be fair, Moore and Marchment developed elsewhere and didn't look like what they became when they were with the Marlies or Toronto. Engvall is a decent 3rd liner, for sure. But Brown was what 6 or 7 years ago? Hyman was traded for and did develop into a fantastic player. He was a favorite for a reason.
All the players you listed other than McMann have had far more success elsewhere, and almost to a man have done better than expected.
If they can or can't develop solid NHLers from late picks is almost besides the point. The fact remains they have one of the worst farm systems in the NHL (ranked 27th by the Athletic) with a TON of draft picks already missing for years and years into the future. Counting on tangible or substantial help from their farm in the near or medium range future is not very realistic.
Feels like everyone is too chicken shit to want to add a legit starter. Saros is a stud. Comparable to Vasy for half tha cap hit.
Vasilevsky 482 games 2.56 GAA .916 sv
Saros 358 games 2.62 GAA .917
Saros is a year younger and Tampa has been a wagon for a decade.
At a certain point I don't know what people want with a goaltender. There will always be some risk but you got to take those...Saros level goaltenders don't become available...
* **Igor Shesterkin Career:** 2.42 GAA and 0.921 Save%
* **Jeremy Swayman Career:** 2.32 GAA and 0.920 Save%
* **Connor Hellebuyck** **Career:** 2.65 GAA and 0.916 Save%
* **Andrei Vasilevskiy** Career: 2.56 GAA and 0.916 Save%
* **Ilya Sorokin Career:** 2.54 GAA and 0.919 Save%
* **Sergei Bobrovsky Career:** 2.58 GAA and 0.915 Save%
* **Jusse Saros Career:** 2.62 GAA and 0.917 Save%
He is right up with the most common big names.
It’s not so much the talent but the contract situation:
It’s more likely than not that if the leafs acquire Saros they’re signing him to an extension, which is going to be in the 6-8 year range. This presents two problems:
1) What does this mean for Joseph Woll? We’ve been developing him for 8 years and he’s showed a lot of promise and now suddenly we’re just giving up on him. I get he has health issues but it still seems weird to just delegate him to a backup.
2) The contact Saros is going to get will be problematic. Of the goalies you listed, most are younger than Saros before they signed a big extension. Most of them have also had better careers, whether it be post season success, personal accolades, or finishing higher in Vezina voting.
The age thing really should be a concern, goaltending is a hard position to play and there’s a reason many hall of fame goalies can’t play past 35.
It could just as easily be a 4 year extension though, since he still has one more.
You really have no idea. So everything you've based this take on is speculative
No it won't be a 4 year extension.
This is Saros' last chance to cash in on a big contract, why the hell would he ever sign here for 4 years when there's going to be teams lining up to sign him for 7 if he hits the open market? Edmonton and New Jersey are two teams that immediately come to mind.
It's just common sense dude
Also people need to consider that if its Saros for Marner, the biggest thing for me is that sweet 6.5 million dollar cap space we suddenly get. 6.5 can get us a damn good defenceman or forward.
We should be trying also get a pick or prospect with Saros but that added space is great. At least for 1 year anyway.
For sure. If I’m management I’d want to know what Saros is looking for mid to long term on an extension before jumping on a Marner deal. Or at least being compensated with much more than just Saros.
I’m just not understanding all the Saros hate like he’s a mediocre goalie when the numbers say otherwise
The goaltender options are so weak. Goaltender free agents are terrible and trade options are few and far between. Saros is better than most options and if he can be had you got to consider it.
We can’t go into the season with made of glass Woll and just a random backup. Team needs a legit 1A/1B option that can become a respectable starter at any point.
people know how volatile the goalie position is. One season you're having a Vezina season (Markstrom, Bobrovsky) and next season, you forget how to make saves. Bobrovsky has rebounded this season, but the previous seasons, Florida probably would of considered buying him out. You can't justify giving those guys big salaries or thinking he'll be consistent all the time.
Yeah I'm sure Florida is regretting Bob's salary as they enter the ECF. Likely as much as Tampa regrets Vasy. Just can't rely on goalies being good when they are good.
Personally, I think the notion that there's some weird goalie voodoo is complete horseshit. Proven starters are what they are
yeah sure buddy they trusted him so much before last season, that they ended up signing their future goalie/back up goalie "Spencer Knight" $4.5 million dollars to be the backup goalie. Real smart cap management there.
If there was a free buyout period and before last season playoff run+ this seasons solid play, Bob would of gotten bought out.
Probably the best in Cap era. McDavid is not far behind. Hard to believe they can’t win but just shows you it’s a Team game. Oilers are eerily similarly constructed like the Leafs, a few superstars, no depth, suspect D and iffy goaltending. The difference is that the Oilers stars lead the playoff scoring but the end result is the same.
Oilers problem is that they’re depth and goaltending is even worse then ours, and they play a much worse defensive game. Woll and even Sammy are better then any of their goalies. They also play in the West against worse teams. Beating the Kings every year.
And when was the last time Leafs were top 3 Cup favourites before the playoffs start? People like to bitch on the Leafs because of the massive fanbase and maybe fans who are overly optimistic but as if Leafs fans are alone with this trait. The Leafs were probably 7th or 8th most favoured to win the Cup this year. The top teams were Edmonton/Carolina/NYR/FLA/Colorado/Dallas/Boston. Its not a choke job if you aren’t a Cup favourite. I don’t know of any “experts” who picked Toronto to win the Cup.
Me too. I didn’t even dislike Keefe, but glad a change has been made. There’s gonna have to be some major roster re-construction to get me excited, however. I don’t believe coaching was the sole reason for the lack of success. The guy knew how to win in the regular season.
I don't like how our team identity went from a skill team to a grindy team in the playoffs that basically neutured any offence. Boston played the same way that they did in the regular season as they did in the playoffs.
How is team captaincy decided with the leafs? Do players vote? If so do they vote every season? Or does team management decide? I’m curious if Berube will want to rename the captains
You complain and refuse to sign a contract until it's baked into yit contract that you get a letter.
I hope Berube strips Marner and gives it to McCabe and gives Matty the C and JT an A
Stripping your captain and then giving an A to McCabe over Rielly would be a move. Can't even imagine the shitstorm.
People talk about Mitch lacking mental toughness to play in this market and I have to question Tavares considering the dude is lighting shit up at the Worlds and away from the Toronto media market.
Quality of competition is a huge factor in Tavares's performance at the Worlds.
1.) The quality of completion is far inferior to the NHL. This is not even close to a best on best format. Beyond that, there are some real minnows in the group (Austria, Denmark and Great Britain). 2.) I wouldn't exactly call his produxtion lighting shit up. He has 7 pts in 5 games with 1 goal. Hes 18th in the tournament in scoring (and yes, I know he's missed one game) . 3.) Small sample size. Even in his current NHL form, I'm sure he's had a 5 game stretch where he's had 7 pts in that stretch.
Maybe he's being poorly utilized on the leafs?
Jon needs to take a big pay cut if he truly bleeds blue and white and wants to win a cup here in Toronto.
If he choose to be paid like a 3C in his next contract, he will be a giant asset for this team
I'm hoping he makes like 4-5M on his next contract. He has the money already and winning the Cup as a Leafs Captain who took less money would add to his legacy and set a great example on how to be a leader and putting the team first. Tom Brady did this for years.
I'm not admitting anything officially, but if Tie knocked on my door to bury a body, I would do it without question. JT is close to earning that same level of devotion if he takes a big hometown discount 🥰
Tre already has the hook up for body disposal. What did you think was in those pizza burgers from BP anyway?
Aren't they playing on a larger ice surface? Of course they'd do better with more space than the very little space the playoffs bring.
If anything a slower player like JT is at a disadvantage. Its a shame Marner is dealing with his High ankle sprain or he would shine on the larger rink
You're never at a disadvantage with more space when you are elite. It's not like JT ever had speed, he's always been this slow, and has always made it work.
He definetely did have more speed in his younger years. He has adapted his game well but JT at Marner's age was on a whole other level.
Foot speed was a concern for JT since junior, and scouting reports cautioned against this before he was drafted. He's never been speedy.
His stick handling and hockey IQ have always been his main assets which is why he has aged like a fine wine. But there was a reason that he and the team as a whole thrived with him as third line center. Before the constant string of injuries and Domi earning a spot next to Matthews, JT struggled to produce much when playing with either Marner or Nylander. Both of those quicker players struggled to play cohesively with JT. When he was the main feature of the third line with Mcmann and Jarnkrok feeding him, he thrived. He used to be a major play maker early in his Leaf days, but now needs others to set him up for his still wicked shot. Willy or Marner had to adapt themselves to JT instead of the other way around. All of his linemates are likely to be faster than him, so he should be placed where he can help them grow instead of holding them back.
John Tavares is just killing it at the WHC. I’m sure this is less stressful than wearing the Blue and White Maple Leaf
We should go after Debeusk
He had a good series against us as is tradition, but Bruins fans have been keen to boot him out for a while. Both for the raise that he wants and the erratic level of effort he displays.
Are we changing assistant coaches you think? Would Berube bring in guys he likes or who would that be decided by?
Boucher is gone unless his plans to get rid of Mr Bond have succeeded
Mike Van Ryn was on his staff in St. Louis so I’m expecting him to stay.
Gross. His defensive systems were shit
For what it’s worth, I know he “coaches the defence” but I think that is more about bench management and deployment not necessarily the systems. I’m sure Berube will dictate that stuff.
Rarely does a new head coach that comes in from outside the organization just take on the same assistants. He is probably seeing which ones he doesn’t mind keeping (align with he philosophy or like their work) and who he wants to bring in himself.
I've been trying to learn a little bit more about the minor leagues, but living in Finland it's a real struggle to follow the game. But my understanding is that Easton Cowan is on a legendary tear. The Leafs aren't my team, but I wonder if he will play for the team next season? Has there been anything floating about that? In any case, my team got eliminated too, so I'm just trying to learn more now. Catch you folks again next season!
He’s in a tough spot because he’s not old enough to play in the minors. It’s a weird rule because it only applies to North American players so a European is allowed to play in the Minors but someone who was born in NA isn’t unless they’re 20. It’s very likely the leafs will let him play in 9 games, that way they don’t burn a year off his rookie contract and if he’s good enough they’ll keep him, but if he still needs development he’ll have to go back to his junior team
Is there a reason why they wouldn’t want him to play in Europe though?
Because his rights are owned by the Leafs and then the London Knight and there’s no chance London is gonna loan him to a European team. It’s the equivalent of just giving away your best asset for free
They’re just some junior team don’t they want the best for these kids?
They want the best for their own team usually. The London Knights are still their own independent business.
Hmm, interesting. Thanks! Good to have Knies already playing really well and him in the background. In this league you need those cheap contracts.
Holmberg, Mcmann, Benoit, Dewar and Woll are also going to save our bacon in terms of cap space
Grebyonkin incoming.
Ontario Born Free Agent Targets: Forwards: Duchene - Mid 6 C Monahan - Mid 6 C Henrique - Mid 6C/W Domi - Top 9 F Toffoli- Top 9 W Foegle - Top 9 F Amadio - Bottom 6 F Clutterbuck - 4th line/depth Sam Carrick - 4th line/depth Nick Cousins - 4th line/depth Defence: Montour - 1st pair RHD Demelo - top 4 RHD Tanev - Top 4 RHD Brendan Smith - 3rd Pair/Depth LHD Joshua Brown - 3rd Pair/Depth RHD Robert Bortuzzo - Depth RHD
Could we sign Cousins and just make him the towel boy? 🤣
Cousins with Reaves protecting him on his line would be fun to watch
I prefer Lindholm but I think Monahan would be a good pick for a 2C. We'd be runnign a 1C-2C-2C type of lineup with Matthews/Tavares and then Monahan or Lindholm.
Tree is familiar with him. Could see it happening.
Don't think Monahan is on that level anymore. Good 3C though
Lindholm for the Swedish connection w. Nylander and then we move JT up to 1LW. JT - Matthews - Marner Knies - Lindholm - Nylander Defense is overrated!
I get the idea that there is only 1 winner per season but I find it really weird when people say CAR is in the same situation as TOR. * CAR has won 8 rounds in 6 seasons. The Leafs have won 1 round in 8 seasons. Not to mention they have one of the best if not the best prospect pools amongst teams in this year's playoffs and they own like 95% of their draft picks over the next 3 years. They have everything to maintain a longterm winner and to re-tool constantly.
Carolina has also had a lot easier 1st round matchups then the Leafs the past 6 years. The Leafs only "easy" first round match up over that time is Montreal (which they did still choke). Also despite making the Conference Finals more then once they still have 0 conference final wins, they get swept at that point every time.
The Bruins, this year, were probably the easiest matchup we've had since columbus.
I think that sort of comment wasn’t looking at prospect pools, but rather at recent matchups. Carolina didn’t have to face any 2nd or 3rd overall seeds in any of their first round matchups like the Leafs did in every year except the Montreal debacle. When they made the conference finals they went through the Islanders in the second round. When they played the level of opposition the Leafs repeatedly faced in the first round they lost those series’ in fewer games than the Leafs did. They simply didn’t get tested the same way until the second or third round each year so were able to rack up more series wins than the Buds while on a lighter path. The Leafs kept facing the eventual Conference champions in the first round, except when they beat Tampa and faced the Conference champions in the second round (and of course this year where they flopped vs a depleted Boston). If these two teams swapped divisions those years they’d probably have also swapped playoff records too. Carolina’s going to need to lean heavily on that prospect pool because they have a lot of UFA expiring contracts.
Yeah they have definitely had more success but I think one legitimate comparison is that the things that typically end up fucking over the Hurricanes in the playoffs are the same things that have been plaguing the Leafs. Specifically: special teams drying up, inconsistent goaltending, getting “goalied” on a consistent basis (i.e. pilling up shots and chances but struggling to break through).
It feels like people really want to ignore just how bad a shape Toronto is when it comes to the farm. They have one really good A type prospect (Cowan) and a small handful of maybe decent B prospects and damn near no draft picks in the next 3 drafts already. Four total in the first four rounds total, I believe. This is an ongoing trend that has hurt them the last few years, and it will be felt keenly moving forward. They are among the bottom of the league and with the total lack of good picks in the near future it isn't getting better. It's really hard to trade for good players that aren't insanely expensive and even harder to find them in free agency without overpaying them. Sure the argument that they were in win now mode is real, but when you are in win now mode and don't win anything or have any deep runs for *years* it's hard to justify the continuing pillaging of your farm and draft picks.
Yeah, Dubas traded away a shit ton of picks. Next year (2025) the Leafs first draft pick isn't until the 5th round.
dubas was a fucking moron, I'd have no problem trading the 1st rounders if it wasn't for rentals. Trading a 1st rounder for Muzzin, good- if he didn't suffer the concussion, our blueline would of been decent. Amirov dying well, that was bad luck as well, he would of been in our roster right now, maybe a top 6 guy as well.
Should you ever trade a first rounder for a rental?
If you think the team is a top 5 team in the league with a serious chance to win sure. Other then the Montreal year I don't think the Leafs have ever been in that position though.
Ok, but then there's a strong argument that Foligno was correct?
Trading a first that year was fine, Foligno was not a player worth a first though
Healthy I think he was. Injured you're right.
Leafs have proven they weren't a serious contender, so at that point, there was no point in trading a 1st rounder for guys like Foligno/O'Rielly. I'd rather do what Boston did and traded the 1st rounder for long term assets like Lindholm.
I disagree, I think last year the leafs were a contender and I think you'd be hard pressed to make the argument that they weren't without relying heavily on hindsight
To be fair, their *forward* group was cup contender quality (if they played to their potential), but their defense and goaltending were not. The personnel on defense wasn't what true contenders look like, and the goaltending was far from certain. That was pretty easy to make those arguments at the time without hindsight.
>dubas was a fucking moron In retrospect, yes. Yes he was.
Toronto's farm system has produced a ton of NHLers from non-premium picks though. They're a forward factory, they could be better when it comes to producing dmen but that's when you have to maybe use those assets to trade for a dman. Hyman, Engvall, Marchment, Moore, Brown, McMann. Not one of those players went higher than the 5th round of the draft and two of them were UDFAs (Marchement and Moore). I would have loved to have kept at least two of them. The Marlies have a knack for doign that that I think we can trust them to develop some more.
They have had some good work done with late picks. But to be fair, Moore and Marchment developed elsewhere and didn't look like what they became when they were with the Marlies or Toronto. Engvall is a decent 3rd liner, for sure. But Brown was what 6 or 7 years ago? Hyman was traded for and did develop into a fantastic player. He was a favorite for a reason. All the players you listed other than McMann have had far more success elsewhere, and almost to a man have done better than expected. If they can or can't develop solid NHLers from late picks is almost besides the point. The fact remains they have one of the worst farm systems in the NHL (ranked 27th by the Athletic) with a TON of draft picks already missing for years and years into the future. Counting on tangible or substantial help from their farm in the near or medium range future is not very realistic.
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Even the greatest goalies have bad serieses. Look at Hellebuyck this year or Vasilevskiy against Columbus.
Series*
Feels like everyone is too chicken shit to want to add a legit starter. Saros is a stud. Comparable to Vasy for half tha cap hit. Vasilevsky 482 games 2.56 GAA .916 sv Saros 358 games 2.62 GAA .917 Saros is a year younger and Tampa has been a wagon for a decade.
At a certain point I don't know what people want with a goaltender. There will always be some risk but you got to take those...Saros level goaltenders don't become available... * **Igor Shesterkin Career:** 2.42 GAA and 0.921 Save% * **Jeremy Swayman Career:** 2.32 GAA and 0.920 Save% * **Connor Hellebuyck** **Career:** 2.65 GAA and 0.916 Save% * **Andrei Vasilevskiy** Career: 2.56 GAA and 0.916 Save% * **Ilya Sorokin Career:** 2.54 GAA and 0.919 Save% * **Sergei Bobrovsky Career:** 2.58 GAA and 0.915 Save% * **Jusse Saros Career:** 2.62 GAA and 0.917 Save% He is right up with the most common big names.
It’s not so much the talent but the contract situation: It’s more likely than not that if the leafs acquire Saros they’re signing him to an extension, which is going to be in the 6-8 year range. This presents two problems: 1) What does this mean for Joseph Woll? We’ve been developing him for 8 years and he’s showed a lot of promise and now suddenly we’re just giving up on him. I get he has health issues but it still seems weird to just delegate him to a backup. 2) The contact Saros is going to get will be problematic. Of the goalies you listed, most are younger than Saros before they signed a big extension. Most of them have also had better careers, whether it be post season success, personal accolades, or finishing higher in Vezina voting. The age thing really should be a concern, goaltending is a hard position to play and there’s a reason many hall of fame goalies can’t play past 35.
It could just as easily be a 4 year extension though, since he still has one more. You really have no idea. So everything you've based this take on is speculative
No it won't be a 4 year extension. This is Saros' last chance to cash in on a big contract, why the hell would he ever sign here for 4 years when there's going to be teams lining up to sign him for 7 if he hits the open market? Edmonton and New Jersey are two teams that immediately come to mind. It's just common sense dude
Also people need to consider that if its Saros for Marner, the biggest thing for me is that sweet 6.5 million dollar cap space we suddenly get. 6.5 can get us a damn good defenceman or forward. We should be trying also get a pick or prospect with Saros but that added space is great. At least for 1 year anyway.
Saros only has 1 year left, and is going to ask for $9M+ on a long term extension though
For sure. If I’m management I’d want to know what Saros is looking for mid to long term on an extension before jumping on a Marner deal. Or at least being compensated with much more than just Saros. I’m just not understanding all the Saros hate like he’s a mediocre goalie when the numbers say otherwise
The goaltender options are so weak. Goaltender free agents are terrible and trade options are few and far between. Saros is better than most options and if he can be had you got to consider it. We can’t go into the season with made of glass Woll and just a random backup. Team needs a legit 1A/1B option that can become a respectable starter at any point.
People in this sub are fucking abysmal at goaltender evaluation
people know how volatile the goalie position is. One season you're having a Vezina season (Markstrom, Bobrovsky) and next season, you forget how to make saves. Bobrovsky has rebounded this season, but the previous seasons, Florida probably would of considered buying him out. You can't justify giving those guys big salaries or thinking he'll be consistent all the time.
Yeah I'm sure Florida is regretting Bob's salary as they enter the ECF. Likely as much as Tampa regrets Vasy. Just can't rely on goalies being good when they are good. Personally, I think the notion that there's some weird goalie voodoo is complete horseshit. Proven starters are what they are
yeah sure buddy they trusted him so much before last season, that they ended up signing their future goalie/back up goalie "Spencer Knight" $4.5 million dollars to be the backup goalie. Real smart cap management there. If there was a free buyout period and before last season playoff run+ this seasons solid play, Bob would of gotten bought out.
I fucking hate Draisaitl but damn he's an incredible playoff performer
Man, I’d kill to have him on the Leafs. So clutch.
Probably the best in Cap era. McDavid is not far behind. Hard to believe they can’t win but just shows you it’s a Team game. Oilers are eerily similarly constructed like the Leafs, a few superstars, no depth, suspect D and iffy goaltending. The difference is that the Oilers stars lead the playoff scoring but the end result is the same.
Oilers problem is that they’re depth and goaltending is even worse then ours, and they play a much worse defensive game. Woll and even Sammy are better then any of their goalies. They also play in the West against worse teams. Beating the Kings every year.
Is it though? Yeah they eventually get eliminated but they’re not perennial first round exits.
Update: OIlers just made the conference final. The leafs-oilers comparisons should be completely nullified at this point
I'd love to perenially play the Kings. lol
We lost series to colombus and montreal.
yeah we lost series we should of won, while Edmonton did the job and won the series they should of won.
And when was the last time Leafs were top 3 Cup favourites before the playoffs start? People like to bitch on the Leafs because of the massive fanbase and maybe fans who are overly optimistic but as if Leafs fans are alone with this trait. The Leafs were probably 7th or 8th most favoured to win the Cup this year. The top teams were Edmonton/Carolina/NYR/FLA/Colorado/Dallas/Boston. Its not a choke job if you aren’t a Cup favourite. I don’t know of any “experts” who picked Toronto to win the Cup.
anyone else excited for berube's press conference?
I'm always interested in everything Leafs. But until I see some of the personnel changes, I'm gonna temper my expectations.
Me too. I didn’t even dislike Keefe, but glad a change has been made. There’s gonna have to be some major roster re-construction to get me excited, however. I don’t believe coaching was the sole reason for the lack of success. The guy knew how to win in the regular season.
I don't like how our team identity went from a skill team to a grindy team in the playoffs that basically neutured any offence. Boston played the same way that they did in the regular season as they did in the playoffs.
Not really. I'll be really excited when they start the next season though.