i would tend to agree with you guys if it was earlier in the year. for the past couple of games, the leafs have been looking really good. they look really composed, cycle the puck, and most of all, have that confidence that they've been lacking.
durign this game in the 2nd period, before they started scoring all those goal, they were already looking good then and doing all the right things. it was only a matter of time before they started scoring. yes, the bruins hit the post 2 times, but thats part of the game. you get those kind of breaks.
this team is really starting to look and play like the carolina team that maurice coached when he beat the leafs in the playoffs that one year.
ps...lol at raycroft getting an assist
Jeff Button
quote:
Originally posted by devilish_fever
Is it a suprise that they win big one night and will lose big the next night? Of course not!!! I would so bet they lose the next game!! Welcome to the leafs way!!!!:conf:
uh, did they not win the game before 5 - 1 ?
smuncky
quote:
Originally posted by Jeff Button
uh, did they not win the game before 5 - 1 ?
yeh id consider that a big win.
but the other games, 5-1 win in montreal followed by 2 losses in ottawa. 7-1 win in washington followed by 7 losses in a row... 9-1 win NYR followed by a coiuple of losses after.
so hopefully they broke that kinda trend by winning 2 big ones.
smuncky
this is really funny
check out his flip flops!
ChemEnhanced
Wow what a game tonight......I wish they would score that many goals every game.
Fir3start3r
quote:
Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
Wow what a game tonight......I wish they would score that many goals every game.
uh....wow? :eyes:
9 unanswered goals even....go Steen!! :D
High on PSI
quote:
Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
you are not looking at the big picture.....Pittsburg will probably have a Stanley cup in the next five years.....they can build a team around these players.....toronto doesn't stand a chance of actually building a team because they always draft in the middle
Not even a top draft pick can guarantee you a new franchise player. You dont need a top 5 pick every year for 2-3 years to build a good team. Sure, it helps, but it is very much possible to compete and continue building your team at the same time. NJ, DET, COL, OTT and other teams have shown that. This team is built around Mats, and if you're looking for a new player to build your team around, he doesnt have to be aquired in the draft any more. The new CBA allows for UFA for a player as young as 25 years old.
And with the new found parity in the league, any team that makes the playoffs can win the cup. Edmonton showed that by finishing in the last playoff position last year and coming only 1 win short of the cup.
High on PSI
quote:
Originally posted by TO guy
That may be true. But what are the Leafs doing with their budget? I bet almost any hockey player out there would love to play in a market like Toronto, but who's their biggest signing last fall ... Kubina? Come on, they should be able to do better than that, Pronger was a free agent, Hossa .....
Its just not that easy. First you have to address the problem on your team. Our problem last year was GA, so thats why our GM put money into defense.
Second, the player has to want to come here. Toronto is a love/hate city for a player. You love it when you're doing well, but when you're stinking it up, everyone in the city hears about it.
Did you know JFJ put in a $7M offer for Zdeno Chara that was turned down? They're trying, it just doesnt happen as easily as you think.
ChemEnhanced
quote:
Originally posted by High on PSI
Not even a top draft pick can guarantee you a new franchise player. You dont need a top 5 pick every year for 2-3 years to build a good team. Sure, it helps, but it is very much possible to compete and continue building your team at the same time. NJ, DET, COL, OTT and other teams have shown that. This team is built around Mats, and if you're looking for a new player to build your team around, he doesnt have to be aquired in the draft any more. The new CBA allows for UFA for a player as young as 25 years old.
And with the new found parity in the league, any team that makes the playoffs can win the cup. Edmonton showed that by finishing in the last playoff position last year and coming only 1 win short of the cup.
You are right...a top 5 draft pick isn't a guaranteed franchise player but when you are picking in the late teens and further back it is even less of a chance of finding someone who will even make the NHL within a few seasons.
In the "new" NHL no team has had a chance to show you can build a team at the same time as competing. Its easy to compete every year when you can go out and throw money at a position player that you need. When you have a limit to the amount of money you can spend you have to find ways to get the best bang for your buck.
Toronto has 26.5 million dollars tied up in five players this year. When half of your money is eaten up by five players it doesn't leave much room to really improve your team by signing free agents. Even with the one or two million the team might be holding back to sign someone
Mats is not going to be here when and if the leafs win another stanely cup so why not get something for him now.
Before I start putting any weight in a team finishing in 8th and making it to the finals I think it needs to happen a little more often. If I recall, all top four teams lost in the first round last year....when you have 5th through 8th place teams playing each other the games are going to be closer and the chances of success are greater.
High on PSI
quote:
Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
Toronto has 26.5 million dollars tied up in five players this year. When half of your money is eaten up by five players it doesn't leave much room to really improve your team by signing free agents. Even with the one or two million the team might be holding back to sign someone
You're right. I meant that instead of building your team around a player obtained in the draft, you can do it with UFA signing since a player will still be very young. Once Mats is gone, the money will be there. Just to name an example, a player like Rick Nash will be available in 2 more years as an UFA unless his team locks him up.
Building your team through the draft is essential as you mentioned. All im saying is that the person you build your team around doesnt have to be acquired through the draft either (and therefore you dont need top 5 pick). Improve your scouting (which the leafs have done IMO), and you can be competitive and continue building your team for years to come as well.
Kate Manus
Going to the game versus Boston tonight as a xmas present from one of my suppliers... it will be my first Leafs game! Can't wait... seats are awesome too... 14th row, section 102! :D
I'll be cheering for Boston though... given I am a Sens fan ;)
Turntabulls
LEAFS just plain suck
"dreaming since 1967"
half of you leafs fans have never even see a mapleleaf raise the cup.. they suck.. and always will.
