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08 May 2023 13:26:38
That was definitely not a game that was played in a way that screamed desperation. It looked like a team that was either playing not to lose or already defeated. Not by everyone, but definitely the more high profile players didn't seem to want to put the outcome in their hands.

Marner was brutal. Matthews looked ordinary. Willy looks completely uninterested in any play that means even being touched. JT, the effort was there, but he isn't a game breaker like the other 3. The D wasn't horrible, but some plays were.
Winning one round shouldn't be enough for these guys, but it almost looks like it either took everything out of them or it was such a relief, they don't know how to put the gas pedal down now.

Changes have to be made this off season. Realistically, Burning it down isn't going to happen. They need cap space and they should be looking to resign Samsonov, Acciari and O'Reilly especially should they want to return. I'd bring bac Schenn on a cheaper deal if he wants to come back. JT isn't going anywhere, neither is Matthews. That leaves Marner or Willy. Not sure a team that would want Marner could afford him, so as usual, back to Willy.

Willy is a very good point producing complimentary player and should be in demand with his cap hit. The negative is only one year left on the deal.

If it is me, I let Kerfoot, Simmonds, Gustafsson for sure walk. Bunting, Kampf and ZAR all depend on the amount of money they want. Kampf would have to take a paycut. ZAR sign for the same and Bunting nothing over $2M.

Buyout Murray. I am assuming Muzzin is finished so should be some LTIR available. I have Knies and McCann slotted in to make the team next year. Two big bodies that can skate. Possibly Robertson and/or Holmberg can make the team as well. Gives them 4 cheap options.

A trade for Willy would be for a high end prospect+, which would open up the cap space needed. I had suggested to Buffalo for Kulich, Murray and a 1st(I expect around 12-15th overall pick).

These moves should open enough cap space to re-sign the players suggested and add another player where required. That is the direction I would like to see the Leafs go.

Acciari 3X$1.5M
O'Reilly 6X$3.75M(heavily front loaded)
Samsonov 4X$3.6M
Schenn 2X$.9M
ZAR 2X$.850M

I'd like to see a guy like Killorn, Barbashev on the Leafs depending on cost and put him with JT and Knies.

Mock regular season lineup if no one else added.

Jarnkrok Matthews Marner
Knies JT (Robertson/Kulich)
McMann O'Reilly Acciari
Murray Lafferty ZAR
Holmberg, Steeves, Abruzeese etc

Rielly Schenn
Brodie McCabe
Gio/Liljegren/Timmins

Samsonov
Woll

Agree0 Disagree0

08 May 2023 15:00:51
For the most part I agree this is how it will go. I don't see Marner, Mathews or JT moved.

That leaves the question, is running it back without Nylanfer enough? Or is this just more of tbe same. Banging your head against the wall and hoping it gets better.

08 May 2023 18:35:36
The problem is and will continue to that this team as is was not a playoff built team. The additions definitely helped get them over that 1st round hump but they cannot go 7 games against the same team without being figured out. Florida is hitting everything they see. Mathews, Marner Na Willy aren't interested in that type of play. If they had 1/ 2 Tavares' heart, we'd be cup bound. Why do you think the Leafs were favored to win it all going into game 1 against Fla, then once they lost not even favored to win the round?

08 May 2023 19:20:11
@LL. I think a coaching change is in order as well to say the least in management. My original post is obviously the beginning and shot across the bow so to speak. They could wait until next summer to trade Marner and retain on the final year of his deal and get back a really good prospect+/ +. Matthews is the one I would keep unless you can make a one for one kind of deal for another superstar or he makes it clear that he isn't resigning.
JT may resign on the cheap to try and win a Cup like Gio and Spezza did.
I don't think Leafs need a complete breakdown, but I think the core 4 needs a shake up and one of them has to go.

08 May 2023 22:18:38
@RLF I'm on board with keeping Mathews, but I would definitely move on from Marner. I think a lot of us saw this coming. He can't seem to do anything when open ice becomes less available.

Nylander has been bad because he looks disinterested, Marner has been bad because he isn't as strong on the puck or as skilled.

If anybody wants Marner, he'd be the first I'd throw in.

09 May 2023 13:36:14
@BabyJ/ LL
Yes, the problem that many of us have complained about for years is that the Leafs have too many "star" players that won't or don't like to play physical. JT will grind. Matthews will use his body to maintain control of the puck, Marner will block shots and Willy, well Willy just doesn't like playing physical at all if he had his choice.

What none of them will do, is push back. They won't fight to establish that they won't be pushed around. They won't get involved in scrums. They won't retaliate physically against someone taking liberties. They would rather whine to the refs to get a PP so they can show off their skills. No one wants these guys in the penalty box retaliating all the time or fighting. Problem is, when the PP dries up, the opponents take more liberties because they aren't afraid of the PP and THAT is when these guys need to push back and show they won't take it.

All that said, I would still keep Matthews. Ovi, Stamkos etc never won the Cup until a little older and they had to learn what it takes by failing in the playoffs many times. Once Stamkos got more physical and would even fight, things turned for the better. Once Ovi realized he needed to play at both ends of the rink and not just score goals, things turned for the better. Matthews is still only 25.

What they need is a guy like McBain, Trenin, Jeannot etc that can play in the top 9 and bring a physical presence. I really like McBain as many know. If resigning O'Reilly, McBain can also play 3C if Leafs want O'Reilly in the top 6.

Anyhow, coach at least needs to go and at least one of the core 4 this summer. imo.







 

 

 
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