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16 Mar 2026 12:49:47
Roy 5 games 2 goals and a fight with Colorado 12:58 ATOI.
McMann 2 games 3 goals 2 assists with Seattle 18:50 ATOI.
Laughton 5 games 2 goals 1 assist with LA 16:10 ATOI.
Only Roy getting less ice time than he did with the Leafs, as Colorado is possibly the best team in the League.
Laughton avg 13:40 in Toronto.
McMann had avg 15:19 in Toronto.
So yes, it is a Leaf problem.
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16 Mar 2026 11:58:31
Meaning Berube?
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16 Mar 2026 12:11:09
Rsears. Could be. Also could be the culture in that room from all the long standing Leafs.
They remind me of the Senators in the Alfredsson days. Mostly skill then tried to change and get tougher etc. The big difference, the Sens actually had playoff success before it all went down hill.
I said this back at the start of the season. These Leafs are mentally broken. The guys around a long time have let the playoff losing get to them and lack confidence. They play and look defeated.
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16 Mar 2026 14:36:13
I do understand culture, an important intangible that can easily translate to a willingness to deliver at your peak 100% of the time.
Not winning for 58 years has, in part, created that. Knowing how to win is part of the needed culture change.
That was part of my rationale for sending Cowan to the AHL.
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17 Mar 2026 01:01:15
@RLF I think Laughton wasn’t used well in this lineup. Roy was solid for us but was streaky, and McMann same thing. When we look back at this year's roster, I think it will come down to the fact that this team wasn’t built to be successful in a Berube system.
He wanted to play dump and chase hockey, but the problem is they were and still are too slow of a team… I also think you can chalk it up to the fact that our defence as a whole has been awful.
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17 Mar 2026 12:09:34
Goat. I think the idea was/is that any team can play a Berube style game, but they have to want to, and commit to playing that way. Too many Leafs don't want to. I don't think Berube is a bad coach, but I still think the most logical thing to do is remove him end of year.
The real problem isn't the McMann's or Roy's, it's the original build this team was based on. Your top players also have to buy into playing a playoff style game. The Leafs top players don't. No playoff success under Keefe either, who coached a completely different style. I have never seen Matthews, Rielly and even JT look so defeated as they do this year. And I don't mean now, I mean all season. Leafs can changed the complimentary players all they want. They can get players with more speed and less size and physicality, but I think they already tried that. It's on the top players when it comes down to it.
How often do we see Matthews, Nylander, Rielly or JT take their frustration or anger out on the other team (or Marner)? We don't. That's the problem to me. Your leaders have to lead. The Leafs leaders are passengers who wait for someone else to lead. Even Matthews said it, although we are not sure who he was referring to, I knew who I am referring to, and he's one of them.
As for Laughton. When we got him and going into this season, I thought he should be the 3C, I didn't get a lot of support back then or for this year. Many called him a 4th liner even before he got here. No many say he was misused, even though he was slotted where they thought he should be (not saying you). Roy was Meh. But at least he got turned into a 1st round pick+. McMann was great value and played with a little edge, but not all the time. That is where I wanted him to be more consistent.
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17 Mar 2026 14:51:01
RLF, I agree with your McMann assessment. Liked when he had the edge and that was when he would score on a consistent basis. He would go to the net hard and take the body hard with his speed. Where he would hit the slumps is when he thought his speed meant he was in McDavid or McKinnon territory.
Yes he had similar top end speed as them but he doesn't possess those same hands and skill moves. I think with the right coach that harnesses that physicality with the speed he will be more consistent in the point production.
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17 Mar 2026 22:43:02
You could tell already in preseason the Leafs were in trouble this season.
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15 Mar 2026 20:05:57
So I’ve been looking the bargain basement bin of this year’s UFA list looking a lustre-less “gem” to polish up.
Could we find a surprise or two?
Thinking about several actually.
Not in any specific order so what about Matej Blume?
He’s a 26yo left shooting RW with explosive speed, hi-energy with a great wrist shot. At 6’ 205 he plays in a pest-like manner & described as a “compact power forward”. He’s played 17 NHL games over three seasons.
Or Riley Tufte, a 6.6’ 233 28yo LW, who was drafted #28 in 2017 and has been a very good AHL scorer who plays a strong physical game. He’s also a decent fighter.
And finally on RD how about Jacob Bernard-Docker, 6.1’ 196 26yo in April and drafted #26 in 2018. A very good skater who plays on 3rd pairing with DRW.
I’d give them all a 1-year contract at $.85m. If they don’t work this year they go the Marlies or put on waivers.
Why not?
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15 Mar 2026 20:30:05
I like Bernard Docker more than most. I'm surprised he didn't end up better.
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16 Mar 2026 00:35:12
I would go after Ryan Suzuki as a low end Free Agent. He isn't his Brother for sure, but.... he is not a bad hockey player and is buried in Carolina's deep system and had some injuries in first few season that slowed down his development. He is on a $1m two way contract and could maybe get him for not much more than that maybe if he was going to a team he had a chance to crack the lineup on.
Nice part is he can play Centre and Left WIng. So he could be a 3rd line left winger that could bounce to Centre if Tavares slows down another gear.
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16 Mar 2026 00:39:22
Sorry Suzuki is only earning $775,000 so for sure he would be interested in a team than he truly had a shot with. For a rasie.
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16 Mar 2026 12:01:50
I'd add Cole Schwindt to the list. Only 24. Big body, right shot. Never given much of a real opportunity at the NHL level but has produced decently at the AHL level.
Ville Heinola could be worth a gamble on D if looking for an Offensive D-man possibility. Only 25.
I'm just looking at young guys who may still have potential.
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16 Mar 2026 12:05:28
Yes, Suzuki could be another player to sign as well. I’m in.
He will be 25 in April, is 6.1’ 190 C, drafted #28 in 2019, and has been a very solid AHL scorer.
Very smart, mobile player who has 2-way skill like his brother, but needs to be stronger on the puck.
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16 Mar 2026 14:43:40
I also like Cole Schwindt for sure.
Heinola has had difficulty breaking the Jets lineup and is a good Dman but is an RFA.
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16 Mar 2026 16:36:31
Another Free Agent to target that isn't a pro player is T. J. Hughes. Could be a bit of a diamond in the rough and has got better every year at Michigan. Thing I like about him as well as his point production is his commitment.
It takes a lot to do the full 4 years at College when you see people around you turning pro for the $$$ every year.
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16 Mar 2026 16:57:09
Good stuff guys, turn over every rock.
Just looked at the KHL.
How about Vitali Pinchuk, a 6.3 190 24yo C who is strong KHL scorer. This year in 63gp he has 31g & 33a.
Another possible gem!
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16 Mar 2026 18:49:21
Pretty sure Heinola is going to be UFA. I could be wrong.
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16 Mar 2026 21:25:45
Here is my out of left field free agent signing suggestion. He is making roughly $1.5 U.S. in the KHL once bonuses are added in. Josh Leivo.... He can flat out put the puck in the net. The poor guy got messed around with the Leafs during the Babcock years, then had Travis Green and Darryl Sutter that thought they would turn him into a Two way 3rd or 4th line winger.
Sorry but this guy can bang with the best of them but he is a goal scorer. I would take a flyer on him and bring him back to finish out his days in North America with the Babcok less Leafs. It might be the KHL but the fact you hold the season record for goals in it speaks for something.
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16 Mar 2026 22:51:44
You know, I always liked Leivo and felt he never got a fair chance.
Why not offer a PTO if the Leafs don’t want to sign a contract?
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16 Mar 2026 22:57:39
RLF
You’re right about Heinola.
He will likely become a Group6 UFA because he’s 25yo and has played less than 80 NHL games.
Good catch; I looked at only PuckPedia.
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17 Mar 2026 01:05:19
@Randy What about just using the guys you drafted and developed… isn’t this the reason why the Leafs always end up with bad contracts? Let’s use Quillan, Haymes, Valis, etc.
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17 Mar 2026 13:08:47
@ Goat2.0, I think you just highlighted Randy's point of this post. He is saying we should look for some diamonds in the rough. The three players you mentioned are a perfect example. None of the 3 were ever drafted. The Leafs signed them as undrafted players. We are not saying to not use those guys, some might stick with the team and some won't. But it is worth beathing the bushes looking for similar types of players that might pan out.
The farm team still needs to be restocked every year and right now we don't have high end draft picks to do so, so adding guys on affordable 2 way contracts might be the way to find one or two that can crack the lineup and 2 or 3 serviceable to call up to fill in for injuries.
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17 Mar 2026 13:26:45
Well put suffering. That's how I feel about it as well.
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14 Mar 2026 01:21:28
Let’s open this Maccelli talk up here. Yes he is playing better, congrats, we’re out. The problem is this type of player is redundant and he is the worst of them (well besides Domi). We can’t have a bunch of small only offensive guys. Robertson, Domi, Maccelli, Cowan. This is almost half of your top 9. This team needs to get tougher. Proof is that 3rd period. Only period all year where they played with heart and passion. It’s too bad it took their captain to get knocked out and their coach to yell at them in between periods.
This isn’t the only problem obviously because we also have the worst neutral zone play in the league. Gap control is terrible and no one is hitting or even forechecking with pace. Watch other games around the league, the pressure on the puck carriers are relentless. We give up way too much time and space and it hasn’t been corrected all year. Sorry to go in on 2 different topics but love to hear others opinions.
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17 Mar 2026 01:10:27
@clarky The theme with the guys you mentioned is this: they always show up when it doesn’t matter … Love Robertson, kid works hard but when’s the last time he scored a goal where it wasn’t a 5-2 game? Maccelli same thing imo. He was a “guy” most of the year but now when the games don’t matter he’s gonna show up to pad his stats.
Domi is another one; he’s got no role on this team, hasn’t had one since he came to the Leafs. We need speed and skill but the Leafs need guys who contribute on a regular basis.
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13 Mar 2026 14:01:08
Sorry in advance for this epistle.
But I’m quite pissed that we won last night!
In life, as in business, it’s important to have goals or objectives.
Otherwise how do you measure success?
In planning a trip you have a destination; without a destination any road will get you there.
The Leafs objective SHOULD now be to finish the year no better than 28th. PLAIN & SIMPLE.
Now the question becomes what do we do and how do we get there?
And the answers should center around strategies and tactics that support or are connected to that objective, like resting the injured & weary plus giving AHLers a chance to prove their worth.
I am okay with rotating Woll and Stolarz to see who we keep/ trade. We know Hildeby will be our backup next year.
Groulx and Quillan are two solid prospects that should be given every chance, if only to give them experience for this year’s playoff run by the Marlies.
Why are we playing Jarnkrok, Benoit, Carlo, Rielly, McCabe every game?
Give them some starts but let’s see if Valis and Haymes can give us a hint of what to expect as forwards.
Let’s see what Villeneuve and Thrun can do and maybe even see if Webber’s stellar defence is real.
What about giving Chadwick a game or three? Or, if available, Danford!
Aren’t all these moves helping the team achieve our “new” objective for this year?
Will it not help to assess key prospects?
Honestly I’d send Cowan down to the Marlies for two reasons! His personal confidence will get a needed boost and he will not watch his teammates give up in the face of adversity.
And bless Cowan’s soul for fighting Lacombe! Funny but very telling about his willingness to be a good teammate, unlike others when Gudas purposely kneed Matthews.
And speaking about Matthews, I think he’s facing a HUGE let-down that is likely very difficult for him.
He just left the Olympics with a Gold medal and “on-top-of-the-worl” and is now trying to contribute on a failing team. After each season in his career, he was competing in the playoffs and now this reality.
Please don’t forget, Matthews is only human and still young; I hope he will learn from this harsh reality and, through it, become a better player.
I personally think he has the right character but time will tell.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to vent.
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13 Mar 2026 20:00:06
Loved the way Groulx played. Which shows that we need to start bringing up more Marlies. They have a positive impact in this team. Would love to see Haymes this year too along with Marlies tough guys and some D. This should be a tryout the rest of the year but also try not to win.
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13 Mar 2026 21:17:59
Agree with most of this and good writeup.
Matthews is the one exception for me. He has not looked right in 2 years now regardless of linemates. I am leaning towards chronic injury.
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16 Mar 2026 11:37:21
Be careful what you wish for if you want to tank. Playing Marlies are playing guys that have something to play for. They want an NHL job and NHL pay. They will be working their a** off to prove they belong.
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13 Mar 2026 12:51:51
I can't believe there was no response when you see your captain on the ice in pain.
Where is Wendel when you need him?
Is it possible his team mates just don't like him? Is it possible that the underlying root cause of all the Leaf's problems is they don't like each other? Or they don't like certain players? Is that why they don't stick up for certain team mates?
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13 Mar 2026 19:56:20
No it’s that they need to change their tampons before getting in any physical altercations. I cannot wait for Reilly to be traded.
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13 Mar 2026 02:25:03
Last win of the season tonight.
Matthews goes on LTIR.
Nylander goes on leave to heal whatever ailments he had before the Olympics.
Knies also gets a leave to rest and prepare for next season.
Lose = Win.
Tanks for listening.
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13 Mar 2026 06:06:33
Is tanking good though? I been thinking about this.
Should they get a top 5 pick, the next two years are unprotected picks. Do we really believe this is a one year retool?
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13 Mar 2026 08:00:53
No, but do you believe that the next two years will yield top 10 picks?
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13 Mar 2026 08:31:50
@Goat Honestly I'm not sure. If you get in the top 5 this year then you probably can't tank for two years. If this year's pick is, say, number 11, you can sell off a bunch and try to retool in the fly.
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13 Mar 2026 13:21:49
No need to tank twice!
Just need this year to protect the R1 traded to Boston.
Worry about next year, next year!
Anything can happen, especially given this year’s unexpected flop.
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13 Mar 2026 00:16:06
I've been seeing a few during a few posts how some are changing their mind on Macelli. It's funny how players that don't do anything most of the year when they don't get traded and the team is out of it, start to put points up when they are heading into a RFA or UFA at end of season.
Novenber or December when their might have been a chance would have been a better time for those points for the fans that follow the team.
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13 Mar 2026 12:46:32
I didn't mind Maccelli from the start, as mad as that makes Clarky lol.
He struggled at the beginning, but since they sat him out for those number of games a while ago (end of November to almost Christmas), I don't understand why people are so down on the guy. Hard to score in December when you're not in the lineup. He's been pretty good for a long stretch now. It's not just after the Olympic break.
Shouldn't we be more concerned about guys who haven't been doing much for the last while?
Matthews - 1 goal in last 13
Robertson - 1 goal in 11
Domi 0 in last 10
Cowan 1 in last 16
Can't win with that lack of production in your top 9.
It's not like the guys above were lighting it up in November and December either. And except for Domi, many want to keep the other 3. One of those is also heading into an RFA year and is doing squat.
Yet, the focus is on the guy who has 7 in has last 10?
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13 Mar 2026 17:08:23
RLF
Each post stands on its own and often deals with a singular thought.
What I mean by this is that I can still be very concerned about several players recent play but write a post about Maccelli playing well recently.
I, for one, wasn’t happy with how he started and am not ashamed to admit it!
He’s shown that he is a very capable playmaker and puck carrier and perhaps the best Leaf on PP zone entries.
In my proposal for forwards I chose to keep him, feeling there was redundancy in player type with Cowan and Robertson.
I am ready to trade Robertson over Cowan though have real concerns about him long term.
I’m just not certain he will be star. He’s got a lot to learn to play properly in the NHL; he should learn it in the AHL in my view.
Suffering
Not sure if you’re suggesting to offload Maccelli or not. Is he playing now because his $3,43m is at risk as a RFA this summer?
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12 Mar 2026 21:26:15
I think it’s still early, but I am curious and want to start a conversation.
If the Leafs somehow win the lottery, who should they take at 1? I’m genuinely curious to know. Is it the lock McKenna, or do they go with world junior star Stenberg, or do they finally address the need and draft a stud D for the first time ever in the Matthews era? My personal take is I hope they do not win the lottery and land at 3-5 and take Reid or Verhoffe.
The blueline has never had a true star, not in a long time anyway, and it scares me to draft another small skilled winger and expect different results
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12 Mar 2026 20:40:46
Of course we first need to be in total tank mode to be in bottom 5; lots of bad teams below us with the same idea!
So no chance if we are 27th or better.
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12 Mar 2026 21:20:44
McKenna is probably a lock at 1 for me.
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12 Mar 2026 22:41:30
@ RandySears We don't have to be in Tank Mode. Didn't you hear the news today? Ottawa got their first round pick back today because they appealed the Dadonov rulling and will pay the fine but get their pick back because Andlauer feels he was treated unfarily.
Well the Leafs have been given their first round pick back from Boston for this year because the league saw receipts from the liquor bill from the Skip The Dishes delivery bill for the Leaf Executive on trade deadline day from last year and agreed.....
no-one who had not been drinking heavily would have made that deal with Boston. :o)
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12 Mar 2026 22:45:06
If picking a forward I would take Stenberg. I think McKenna would crack under the media in Toronto. If D man, take Verhoeff. Pretty level-headed guy with huge potential. He still views the play from his position as an ex-goalie would. He sees everything in front of him in a very quick but analytical way.
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13 Mar 2026 08:04:01
@Randy you don’t have to finish last to get 1st overall. The Islanders moved up 6 spots last year to get Schafer…
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13 Mar 2026 12:49:26
McKenna is very slick, but man it's hard for me not to consider a D that may end up a true 1st pair.
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13 Mar 2026 17:15:41
Goat
You’re correct but you have to have a 1st in 2026 to win the lottery. Leafs do not have a first in 2026 unless they finish 28th or worse. It was traded to Boston
Rlf
An elite Dman is hard to argue with and I also have similar thoughts.
And considering Suffering’s comment about media pressure on McKenna it might also further support your position.
I do hope we have that problem tho’.
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13 Mar 2026 19:21:12
@Randy
I'm not sure what you're saying about Toronto having to finish 28th or worse.
Do you mean points wise?
Who owns the 1st is determined after the draft lottery is complete, not before.
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13 Mar 2026 23:37:57
The only way we are guaranteed a 1st round pick in this year's draft is we have to finish in the bottom 3 in the regular season. Even if we finished 4th or 5th worse. There is a chance that with the 2 lottery balls for 1st and 2nd, we could have 2 teams behind us push us to 6th or 7th. Bottom 3 are guaranteed to stay in the Top 5 draft spots. It would suck huge if we finished in the 4th spot and ended up 6th after the lottery balls.
So we need somehow to get into the worse 3 teams in regular season. It could happen. We need to tank and other teams behind us have players playing to prove their worth. Only because their teams were not stupid enough to be the only team in the NHL last year that traded a 1st round pick and only went Top 5 protected.
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13 Mar 2026 23:46:21
Yes, we can go up maximum 10 spots and down maximum 2.
So yes, to guarantee a top 5 pick, we need to have the 3rd worst record. This will probably not happen though, so we will be relying on the lottery.
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14 Mar 2026 12:48:50
Tags97
Your question prompted me to read the rules governing the NHL Draft Lottery and I need to thank you because You are correct!
I mistakenly have always thought, despite your position in the regular season, that you had to hold a R1 pick to qualify.
So if the Leafs finish no worse than 22nd position they still can win pick #1. They can also be drawn for 2nd pick as well if not drawn first.
Finishing in 17th to 21st they also qualify for the Lottery but can move up a maximum of 10 spots.
So a 20th place finish could get them at best a 3rd pick or worst a 4th pick if they get lucky and their number is drawn.
Our chances right now are 13.2% that we will win one of the two lottery draws.
Finishing 28th (top5 protected) ensures retention of the Boston pick and also increases our chances for #1 or #2 to 17.1%.
Also if this top5 position happens things get really crazy with TML having to satisfy conditions from other trades (Laughton trade with Philly) as well as the Bruin trade. Musical chairs for sure.
So thank you again; I now know enough to be dangerous!
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14 Mar 2026 13:28:51
@Randy
You're welcome.
Go be dangerous 😆
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14 Mar 2026 22:24:00
Actually Randy, if we finish 28th in the regular season standings it does not guarantee the Boston pick back. If someone behind us lands a top 5 pick or 2 teams land top 5 picks, we are relegated out of the top 5 and lose that pick.
The only sure fire guarantee that we get the pick back is to finish 30th, 31st or 32nd in the regular season stats. The top 5 and top 10 picks are not guaranteed and settled until the lottery balls drop.
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14 Mar 2026 22:27:45
If the season finished today we are tied for 8th worse record leading into todays games. That gives us a 6% chance winning the Number one spot.
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15 Mar 2026 12:12:11
You are correct, I’m wrong, that a 28th place finish could bump us two places if we don’t win a lottery pick.
So a 30th place finish will guarantee a R1.
And of course %s change daily.
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12 Mar 2026 19:08:08
I haven't posted in a while, this Leafs team has been painful to watch. I am going to touch on a few things.
Berube
Berube needs to go, preferably end of the year so the Leafs don't start playing better. You guys remember how Ovi went through a bunch of coaches until they found Trotz? I feel like Toronto is in need of something similar. I don't think Matthews just can't score anymore, I think Berube's style leaves him to tired to be dynamic in the offensive zone. Hence why we have seen him not back check at least twice in OT this year and watch his guy score.
Treliving.
I have mixed feelings about Treliving. He acquired a garbage heap with a few gems in it from Dubas. Where I do blame Treliving is going all in last year. He grossly overpaid for Laughton and Carlo. I would've rathered him do nothing than make either of those moves. Beyond the deadline last year I don't hate a lot of his moves.
I am one of the few on here that is a pretty big fan of Domi. We all thought Joshua would be more impactful. Macelli had a slow start but is looking like a decent move now. OEL was a great signing. The haul he got for Roy was pretty good. Marner was mismanaged but he had like a week to get a feel for the situation. I don't blame him there.
Treliving I'd give a little more rope, but it'd be a short leash. 1 year to right the ship.
I would not bring Keefe or Dubas back. Neither did it for me.
I'm not sure who I would look at for GM, probably Pridham, unless someone was available that would bring the right mix of experience and winning pedigree.
For a coach, I wish we jumped at Quenville. I am not entirely sure who else could get this team playing the way they need to.
Tough times being a Leafs fan, tank for Mckenna, cup next year. /S
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09 Mar 2026 21:12:35
Not really a Leafs talk post but could be if it happens here Thursday night during our game. So John Carlson needs 4 shots to become the NHL Career Leader in blocked shots. If he doesn't get it tomorrow night against the Jets, he might on Thursday night against the Leafs.
I am hoping one of those teams take the time in a break in the action to acknowledge that record. It is crazy hard record to possess expecially for a player most people just looked at as a Offensive D-man.
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09 Mar 2026 20:27:39
I should clarify... that is, if he plays in those games. He is day-to-day but reports are he might play.
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08 Mar 2026 08:52:04
Well I think I figured out the Berube Head injury. They tried to play it off on a gym injury.
Turns out he was called into the office and he kind of knew bad news was coming. He sat solemnly hanging his head down and they gave him the bad news. "Craig we are going to have to Axe you!" He jolted up and said "Huh" just as he heard a swoosh and a man with a Black hood ran out the door with a bloody axe. He vowed at that moment he would make every leaf fan have the same upside down smile that resembles the scar on his forehead from that almost fateful day.
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08 Mar 2026 12:49:10
Shades of Kennedy humour!
Love it!
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