• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

herman said:
Eh since the season starts tonight, and I recall there was some consternation in the first week of free agency, how do y?all feel about this past off-season now?

How many years does Dubas get a pass for not finding a LW for the second line?

(I hope it's Robertson finally this year)
 
Dappleganger said:
herman said:
Eh since the season starts tonight, and I recall there was some consternation in the first week of free agency, how do y?all feel about this past off-season now?

How many years does Dubas get a pass for not finding a LW for the second line?

(I hope it's Robertson finally this year)

Well his first act as GM was to get John Tavares, so...
 
herman said:
Eh since the season starts tonight, and I recall there was some consternation in the first week of free agency, how do y?all feel about this past off-season now?

Preseason is too short to conclude much.

Statement of the obvious: it was a good team last year and it will be a good team this year.
Odds makers, media, etc - most agree with that.

I think the forwards are moderately improved. I like Jarnkrok and the 3rd line - it can score and defend. Malgin/Robertson will do better than Ritchie. 4th line looks like it might work.

I think the growth of Liljegren last year, the improvement of Sandin over the summer - looks like a stronger and more confident player and a good preseason by Holl bodes well for the D. Giordano for a whole season .. One could argue the D are moderately improved.

Liljegren coming off LTIR would turn the above into a mirage in that some players will have to go.


Like many have said, the goaltending is the box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get. With a good team in front of him, Murray should deliver better results this year. How good? I have no idea. They looked decent in preseason.

They were one of the best teams in the NHL last year and I do not see major regression beyond we can't be sure of the net. They looked decent in preseason. The next 10-20 games will give us some idea of what we've got. Goaltending is so unpredictable it is hard to judge Dubas at this juncture. But it will probably decide whether he is here next year.

I like the depth this year. Some decent players on the Marlies.

I was thinking of Bill Torrey who built the Islanders team that won four Cups in a row. To paraphrase, he said to win a Cup, you need talent/skill, good health and luck. The is a good hockey team. They might have a special season. It think it was a credible offseason.
 
Bender said:
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Dubas's offseason, and maybe his career, ride on the two goalies.  It's a huge gamble and the biggest obstacle to the team finally breaking through in the playoffs.  His handling of the goalie situation is arguably his biggest weakness.

In what sense? Its hard to fathom what could actually have been done with Freddy just not getting it done here and Jack wanting an exorbitant contract after a great November but an otherwise terrible year. I was on board with Mrazek until he crapped the bed.

I'm not defending Murray/Samsonov as they're both gambles but I mean people are talking about paying Husso like it's a sure bet after he imploded in the playoffs.

Mrazek was a fairly large overpay and of course didn't work out, and they have no one in development that excites.  I'm not sure letting Freddie go was the best move given the lack of options.
 
herman said:
https://twitter.com/leafspr/status/1581669014618574848
Everyone they didn?t want to send down

That was fairly predictable. (I'd already added them to my spreadsheet)

I think the earliest Liljegren can come back is Nov 6th (24 days min for LTIR)
The earliest Murray can come back is Nov 8th.

Even with those three added (Mete would have to go down to make room and could easily without waivers due to 30 day clearance after being waived), Liljegren can return without forcing any cap roster decisions.

Therefore, their cap roster decisions are currently put off until Murray returns (assuming Liljegren returns before him as he's already practicing with the club).

In the short term, Dubas' 20 man roster gamble has worked out. We have a long way to go. Of course, his goalie gamble is on less certain ground - though they knew his health risk could be partially solved by LTIR)
 
News out of Sweden is unfortunately that Salming can no longer talk on his own without using an Ipad, he's been depressed and the ALS is progressing quickly. His message to all supporters is "I'm thinking of you". Then Salming bursts out into tears in an interview. His wife says that it's impossible to describe how it feels to see someone you love so much feel this way.

In September he told media that he can no longer read. 🙁

https://www.expressen.se/tv/sport/hockey/borje-salmings-halsning-jag-tanker-pa-er/

This is in swedish, but you could probably tell that things aren't great.
 
Stebro said:
News out of Sweden is unfortunately that Salming can no longer talk on his own without using an Ipad, he's been depressed and the ALS is progressing quickly. His message to all supporters is "I'm thinking of you". Then Salming bursts out in tears in an interview. His wife says that it's impossible to describe how it feels to see someone you love so much feel this way.

In September he told media that he can no longer read. 🙁
Really heartbreaking news about Borje, my favorite Leaf.  ALS is one of the worst ailments
 
I watched the video with English subtitles. Had to turn it off. Did not want to see him that way.
 
Stebro said:
News out of Sweden is unfortunately that Salming can no longer talk on his own without using an Ipad, he's been depressed and the ALS is progressing quickly. His message to all supporters is "I'm thinking of you". Then Salming bursts out into tears in an interview. His wife says that it's impossible to describe how it feels to see someone you love so much feel this way.

In September he told media that he can no longer read. 🙁

https://www.expressen.se/tv/sport/hockey/borje-salmings-halsning-jag-tanker-pa-er/

This is in swedish, but you could probably tell that things aren't great.

That was heartbreaking to watch.  He can't speak already.

You know, when Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with this he gave one last speech at Yankee Stadium and famously said he was the luckiest man in the world.  Now Borje, when asked what he wants to say to his fans, types out "I'm thinking of you."

That's how to be a sportsman.

And then there's this, which is IMO incredible: there's clinical evidence that the kind of people who get ALS are those who are "particularly nice":

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6192405/
 
I saw him a few years ago out jogging being really happy and fit, and happy. To see him like like this is devestating. To see see him like this makes me so sad. I just want to give him a hug. My mum met him a few years ago, and he was such a good sport and gave me the best wishes, since my mom teld him I was a leaf fan. He gave her a hug and gave her an autograph fo me😔 bless B?rje😔
 
cw said:
I watched the video with English subtitles. Had to turn it off. Did not want to see him that way.
I understand that, even if I understood every word, it was very difficult for me to watch.
 
Stebro said:
I saw him a few years ago out jogging being really happy and fit, and happy. To see him like like this is devestating. To see see him like this makes me so sad. I just want to give him a hug. My mum met him a few years ago, and he was such a good sport and gave me the best wishes, since my mom teld him I was a leaf fan. He gave her a hug and gave her an autograph fo me😔 bless B?rje😔

It's especially tough for you, Stebro, and I imagine for all fans of the Tre Kroner.
 
I had a friend and former team mate who died of this a couple of years ago at the age of 45 or so.

When I was about 11 he was one of the "coaches" at a summer camp I went to. He was about 15 or 16 at that time and obviously did a good job of enthusing me in the sport. Eventually a few years down the line when I reached the age to play in the mens teams, I became a team mate. We played in the same teams for a couple of decades and also did a lot of work on the club committee and so on.

He was diagnosed about 2 years before he ultimately passed but the decline was absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking. It's a horrible illness. From an active and mentally bright and switched on guy to not even being able to feed himself within less than 12 months.

I feel for Salming and his family.
 

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top