-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
NHL Off-Season 2014 |OT| - O stands for Overhaul
- Thread starter yyzjohn
- Start date
Kuro Madoushi
Unconfirmed Member
You get criticized either way.
Positive after 18 wheeler 2014 = blind fan hurr durr MLSE will never change cause you fans keep supporting then.
Negative after 18 wheeler 2014 = bandwagon fans who aren't 'true' fans.
Unless Leiweke takes a good long hard look at the crown jewel in MLSE and has a plan and makes a concentrated effort to fix this; yes, we're in for a rough ride.
- Get a new GM that is more shrewd and willing to make changes when necessary.
- Tell that GM to hunt for a coach that isn't just a sloppy defensive coach but one who can instruct in the game
- Buy out Clarkson I don't think we can trade him with the NTC clause...and I'm not sure any teams want him after this season especially at that price unless he agrees to a trade and we trade but also retain salary...
- Reimer, Franson, enforcers are gone. Revamp and take a chance on the kids.
- Emphasis on speed and skill. We can do what other teams have done and emulate a good team for once instead of griping about blindly.
- Fuck this 9-11 draft pick...get more scouts in Europe to get that surprise player. We have never stolen a franchise or generational player in the lower picks. Canada and America have a ton of scouts and media around already and there are rarely surprises
At this point I don't want to cheer for another team cause the stench of our failures would inevitably bring them down.
In short, fuck everyone!
Positive after 18 wheeler 2014 = blind fan hurr durr MLSE will never change cause you fans keep supporting then.
Negative after 18 wheeler 2014 = bandwagon fans who aren't 'true' fans.
Unless Leiweke takes a good long hard look at the crown jewel in MLSE and has a plan and makes a concentrated effort to fix this; yes, we're in for a rough ride.
- Get a new GM that is more shrewd and willing to make changes when necessary.
- Tell that GM to hunt for a coach that isn't just a sloppy defensive coach but one who can instruct in the game
- Buy out Clarkson I don't think we can trade him with the NTC clause...and I'm not sure any teams want him after this season especially at that price unless he agrees to a trade and we trade but also retain salary...
- Reimer, Franson, enforcers are gone. Revamp and take a chance on the kids.
- Emphasis on speed and skill. We can do what other teams have done and emulate a good team for once instead of griping about blindly.
- Fuck this 9-11 draft pick...get more scouts in Europe to get that surprise player. We have never stolen a franchise or generational player in the lower picks. Canada and America have a ton of scouts and media around already and there are rarely surprises
At this point I don't want to cheer for another team cause the stench of our failures would inevitably bring them down.
In short, fuck everyone!
Why not go two for two?
Every team that misses the playoffs can get the first overall pick
I think it's the same odds as before so there isn't much chance unless we lose every remaining game (seems possible)
That'll probably improve a bit over the next 7 games lol. Good to know that there is HOPE!!
FUBAR McDangles
Member
Wild are looking to barely make the playoffs or miss altogether yet again on a late season collapse.
It's been this way since Richards was the coach. I don't even know what they can do to change it but something does need to change.
Phoenix will likely finish ahead of the Wild in standings. Compare our rosters. The Wild are unquestionably better on paper yet are failing miserably.
The Wild get pushed around physically by most of the Western teams. The Wild have only 5-6 forwards under six foot, but almost all of them are big minute top-9 guys. Parise, Granlund, Pominville, and so on. Sure, we have Nino and Coyle and hopefully they can grow into more prolific scorers and be more physically engaged in the future, but they cannot be the only ones. Koivu is too hit or miss physically and only throws hits when he gets especially angered - which is not very often. He has looked slow for a good chunk of the season and it's going to be a stretch to see him score ten goals. Even with the injury factored in that is unacceptable for a top-six center getting high power play minutes.
A strong draft picking up big forwards is a must. Where the Wild will likely pick, I really like Larkin, Scherbak, and Pasternak, who are all big body guys or have large frames to grow into who can also score. Scherbak especially intrigues me, but Fletcher has never drafted a Russian and I don't know if that will change. Larkin seems like more of the same type of guy they usually covet so I would not at all be surprised to see them take him.
There needs to be more size up front, and not just passive big guys who can get pushed around. Vanek seems like one of the latter and is a reason I would like the Wild to look at other targets. The problem is that there really aren't any players on the market that fill the niche we want.
It's been this way since Richards was the coach. I don't even know what they can do to change it but something does need to change.
Phoenix will likely finish ahead of the Wild in standings. Compare our rosters. The Wild are unquestionably better on paper yet are failing miserably.
The Wild get pushed around physically by most of the Western teams. The Wild have only 5-6 forwards under six foot, but almost all of them are big minute top-9 guys. Parise, Granlund, Pominville, and so on. Sure, we have Nino and Coyle and hopefully they can grow into more prolific scorers and be more physically engaged in the future, but they cannot be the only ones. Koivu is too hit or miss physically and only throws hits when he gets especially angered - which is not very often. He has looked slow for a good chunk of the season and it's going to be a stretch to see him score ten goals. Even with the injury factored in that is unacceptable for a top-six center getting high power play minutes.
A strong draft picking up big forwards is a must. Where the Wild will likely pick, I really like Larkin, Scherbak, and Pasternak, who are all big body guys or have large frames to grow into who can also score. Scherbak especially intrigues me, but Fletcher has never drafted a Russian and I don't know if that will change. Larkin seems like more of the same type of guy they usually covet so I would not at all be surprised to see them take him.
There needs to be more size up front, and not just passive big guys who can get pushed around. Vanek seems like one of the latter and is a reason I would like the Wild to look at other targets. The problem is that there really aren't any players on the market that fill the niche we want.
Dastardly Jerks
Banned
Please god, let the Islanders be good next year after Wang sells his stock.
Doesn't matter where we end up, if its not in the top 5 the Leafs are just going to pick some 6'3 goon 
Teethmummy
Teethmummy
Buba Big Guns
Banned
Chris Phillips. This guy has fucked over Ottawa in every way possible.
Just imagine for a moment....
You could have Clarkson instead
Just think about it.
bonesmccoy
Banned
I have zero faith in Nonis and the front office he manages. It took this current (yet widely predicted) collapse to get guys like Poulin and Loiselle to even entertain the idea that Carlyle's systems weren't working with this roster.
This makes me think that they look at this as a roster problem first and foremost, and think that Carlyle just needs different personnel to succeed. Which is massively depressing.
It's entirely possible that we see the team's most promising young players shipped out in order for more 'Carlyle players' to be brought in.
This makes me think that they look at this as a roster problem first and foremost, and think that Carlyle just needs different personnel to succeed. Which is massively depressing.
It's entirely possible that we see the team's most promising young players shipped out in order for more 'Carlyle players' to be brought in.
Unhandled Exception
Member
You have my sympathies gentlemen. May this draft be better than expected.
Coldnoodle
Member
Leafs are in the same hockey purgatory that the Jets are.
Too many middling to good players signed long term and not enough difference makers.
JVR = Kane
Phaneuf = Byfuglien
Gunnarsson = Enstrom
Bozak = Little
Lupul = Wheeler
Too many middling to good players signed long term and not enough difference makers.
JVR = Kane
Phaneuf = Byfuglien
Gunnarsson = Enstrom
Bozak = Little
Lupul = Wheeler
JvR is signed for 4.25million dollars for the next 4 seasons.
He is going to have a 30 goal/60 point season.
Hes not just "middling to good" he's a first liner on any team, especially yours.
There is also nothing wrong with Gunnarson, everyone is aware of the fact that he is forced to play on the 1st pairing when really he is a 2nd pairing guy, but he only makes 3.15million.
bonesmccoy
Banned
I really hope I'm wrong, re Carlyle.
I probably am. There have been a few stories floating around about Nonis actually telling Carlyle to stop scratching certain players (Gardiner/Rielly) and to use other players (Holland) properly. It's not much, but it's something!
Is there any truth to the Meddlesome Cheveldayoff rumour?
I probably am. There have been a few stories floating around about Nonis actually telling Carlyle to stop scratching certain players (Gardiner/Rielly) and to use other players (Holland) properly. It's not much, but it's something!
Is there any truth to the Meddlesome Cheveldayoff rumour?
And then you add in kadri, rielly, bernier, gardiner
Leafs have a lot of quality players ... Their roster problems are really line 3 and 4, which isn't a huge issue. What the major problem is... Is the lack of direction and focus.
Our PP is a disaster. Our D zone everything is a disaster. Our passes are all sorts of fucked up... So many passes to covered people, people going the wrong way or in absolutely no position to do anything but pass it back or turn it over.
We are having bad line matchups and constant icings.
Why players like Gleason, Phaneuf or franson are taking the puck behind the or own net when they have the puck at the hashmarks will always remain a mystery. Pass or clear. Unless the name on the back is Rielly or Gardiner.
I seriously feel like we could have been closer to the wild card spot had Weircioch played the whole in place of Philoops.
Even last season he wasn't that high in praise for Caryle. They asked what he expected out of the team to be considered successful and he said "make it to the playoffs". I can't see them crashing out like this and Nonis suddenly giving Carlyle a pass.
Coldnoodle
Member
Oh definitely, there are a few great players on the Leafs and Jets that I'd love to have opposite of Backis and Ovi. Kane, Kessel, Ladd and JVR come to mind.
And there's nothing wrong with Gunnarson but they have too many players having to play one spot up from where they should be.
Phaneuf needs a Keith.
Gunnarson could be like Hjarlmasson if he was played on the second pairing.
Bozak would be the perfect second line centre, though he's done an admirable job this year on the first line.
They have some good pieces, I just think that it won't be easy to really get this roster where it needs to be to consistently make the playoffs especially with that albatross of a contract that Clarkson has.
Or maybe you just fire Carlyle and everything becomes better.
Im my eyes the fundamental direction they took with the rebuild was just wrong. Point me at a NHL club that has won a cup without building around a 1st line elite centre in the last 10 years.
Actually lets see!
Hawks - Toews
Kings - Kopitar
Bruins - Bergeron and Krecji
Hawks - Toews
Pittsburg - Crosby/Malkin
Detroit - Zetterburg, Datsuyk (And Lidstrom helps
)Anaheim - Getzlaf (?) but I guess having Pronger, Niedermeyer helps
and Selanne was a beast.Carolina - Staal
Tampa Bay - Lecavalier
New Jersey - I don't think they had an elite #1? I don't remember...
CrazedArabMan
Member
I don't like this thread, but unless our entire team shows up, not just one part of it, its inevitable this is our new home in a week or two.
Coldnoodle
Member
Boston is probably the only one, but they had Hasek 2.0 in net and a Norris trophy winner on the back end.
Edit: Yeah and New Jersey had Scott Stevens, Niedermayer, Rafalski and Brodeur so they didn't really need a first line centre.
Yea and Krecji transforms into an elite centre in the playoffs somehow
I know I might get shit for this but I would have much rather built around Seguin then Kessel for this reason alone, and now for the next 8 years Kessel has to be the guy that leads us to the playoffs, just from a financial perspective, unless we somehow get a Bergeron type centre.
This is how I see our team anyway:
JvR - _____ - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - ______
Kulemin - Bozak - Clarkson
D'Amigo - McClement - Bodie
______ - Phaneuf
Gunnarson - Gardiner
Rielly - Gleason
Boy I just realized how terrible our right wing depth is, if Kessel goes down either Lupul has to switch or Kulemin/Clarkson is our new 1st line right winger.
Coldnoodle
Member
Yeah, Kessel is amazing but Seguin is exactly what this franchise has needed ever since Sundin left.
Burke was really short sighted.
And I really don't know how you get out of this without blowing it up...unless Staal wants to come here.
Just from a financial perspective the team is in limbo for the next 4-5 years unless the cap rises quickly and/or someone takes a bad contract for us.
Oh and yea Burke and Nonis have both been shortsighted in the sense they overestimated the team, Burke never thought they would be bottom 5, let alone bottom 2 and Nonis thought we were depth pieces and a Bernier away from being a deep playoff team.
I'm gonna get cozy in here.
This makes me feel better until I realize that we almost did....
Imagine having Philoops and Clarktard on the same team.
Thank you for saving us from that nightmare Leafs.
This makes me feel better until I realize that we almost did....
Imagine having Philoops and Clarktard on the same team.
Thank you for saving us from that nightmare Leafs.
Coldnoodle
Member
If I was Nonis I'd be calling Edmonton about Phaneuf, might get Yak in return.
I don't know if we could get Yak but I'd be willing to move his contract
But the city, the media, the ownership has to be ready to not be that great of a team in this scenario for another 3-4 years. We have good defensive depth in our system but none of it is really 1st or 2nd D potential.
I wonder what Edmonton does if Ekblad is gone when they pick...
I wouldn't be so negative until we get a coach that actually preaches d first. Both Wilson and Carlyle have the Leafs playing high risk hockey.
Both those GMs should have known what type of game the team would be playing and should have factored that into their considerations, I mean unless they don't talk to the coaches
Anyway I hope we can draft Ritchie/Nylander/Ho-Sang
bonesmccoy
Banned
I think that is what he preaches. He's steadfastly rejected any suggestion that the team plays high-risk, rush hockey.
It's more that the defensive system he employs (collapsing wingers, swarming the puck, allow 'low quality shots') is about as out-dated as a system can be these days. Not to mention that the only time it worked for him was when he had a team stacked with generational talent.
Hopefully Nonis clears the entire coaching staff out.
After the loss to St. Louis, one of the assistant coaches, Greg Cronin, was telling the players that the Blues only had a handful more scoring chances, and that's all they need to worry about. The rot is deep.
Yeah I remember that. Shots were like 23-6 but Cronin said actually scoring chances were only 5-3 LOL
I think Gunnarsson was talking about shot quality in an interview too.
The players have been corrupted
I think Gunnarsson was talking about shot quality in an interview too.
The players have been corrupted
I wouldn't read too much into that. They can't go in the press and rip the coaching staff.
condompickle
Banned
toronto fans already callin clarktard, clarktard. love it. he should of stayed in jersey where he would of been productive. he doesn't fit into the leafs system at all. god bless that contract.
Coldnoodle
Member
Caps aren't making the playoffs.
I'll make this my home.
Fire McPhee and Oates!
Hire Carbonneau!
I'll make this my home.
Fire McPhee and Oates!
Hire Carbonneau!
condompickle
Banned
i fwonder what my devils will do with their newly aquired first round pick. i would assume a winger. we can draft another clarktard in the 6th round. lol sorry