Leafs claim Tim Erixon off waivers

[Chris]

What happened to Holzer? I missed the early part of the game and all I heard the announcers say was he left with an "upper body injury". Did it look season-ending?

 

[cw]

Be nice to get a second at least for Polak or team him with Bozak for a first

Maybe I've been watching too long. Or maybe I'm just having a rough year. I'd look at dumping the entire roster of these losers. First time ever, I can't recall finding one guy I'd really like to keep (like many have said, maybe Morgan Rielly - but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he went too).

I'd take what I could get with picks/prospects and might tell the rest, they're on waivers and will never wear the jersey again and they can take their GM and coaches with them.

This group and organization are an embarrassment. They need to absolutely napalm it (figuratively) to expunge the chronic disease.

Wow, that's rough CW, I've never read a post that I felt was more angry by you to a point where you wouldn't keep one person on the roster.

Unless you can get a cornerstone piece of the franchise there's no way you trade Rielly, especially if we can get a potential 1C in Strome or Marner.

I mean if someone can look at Morgan Rielly and can't instantly say he's a player they'd "really like to keep," I don't know what to say.  He's not even 2 seasons into a career after being very highly touted.

I agree on that point.  Anybody else on the roster traded and, so long as it's for what I consider to be fair value, I don't mind.  With everybody except Rielly, I think I have a good handle on their present strengths and weaknesses and what their ceiling is, if they haven't already reached it.  But Rielly, I can't say what his ceiling is (though I feel it's pretty high), and so I can't pin fair trade value on him.  Maybe he's the next Niedermayer (for lack of a better description), maybe not.  But getting rid of every single player on the roster because of the team performance feels too much like "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out".  I may not have an emotional attachment per se to Rielly, but I feel it is too likely that if they trade him, what they get back in the end won't match up to what they gave up.

Rielly is obviously their top young talent. I wouldn't waive him or give him away or do something foolish.

The notable thing for me is if they traded him or anyone else from this roster, I wouldn't care.

Sundin, Clark, Gilmour and I could go on and on with a fairly long list, I liked those guys as a fan. Cared a bit. When their time came to go, I was a bit saddened.

But this current group? I don't care about any of them. I have absolutely no fan attachment to any of them and a pretty severe lack of respect. I guess I'm just numb from their years of awful play.

 

[Captain Canuck]

I totally get where you are coming from cw. There is a definite lack of likeability with the current Leafs roster. I used to have favourite Leafs players until about 5 years ago. I don't think its a coincidence that is when the current group began to be assembled. I just couldn't care less about this group of players!

 

[pmrules]

Be nice to get a second at least for Polak or team him with Bozak for a first

Maybe I've been watching too long. Or maybe I'm just having a rough year. I'd look at dumping the entire roster of these losers. First time ever, I can't recall finding one guy I'd really like to keep (like many have said, maybe Morgan Rielly - but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he went too).

I'd take what I could get with picks/prospects and might tell the rest, they're on waivers and will never wear the jersey again and they can take their GM and coaches with them.

This group and organization are an embarrassment. They need to absolutely napalm it (figuratively) to expunge the chronic disease.

Wow, that's rough CW, I've never read a post that I felt was more angry by you to a point where you wouldn't keep one person on the roster.

Unless you can get a cornerstone piece of the franchise there's no way you trade Rielly, especially if we can get a potential 1C in Strome or Marner.

I mean if someone can look at Morgan Rielly and can't instantly say he's a player they'd "really like to keep," I don't know what to say.  He's not even 2 seasons into a career after being very highly touted.

I agree on that point.  Anybody else on the roster traded and, so long as it's for what I consider to be fair value, I don't mind.  With everybody except Rielly, I think I have a good handle on their present strengths and weaknesses and what their ceiling is, if they haven't already reached it.  But Rielly, I can't say what his ceiling is (though I feel it's pretty high), and so I can't pin fair trade value on him.  Maybe he's the next Niedermayer (for lack of a better description), maybe not.  But getting rid of every single player on the roster because of the team performance feels too much like "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out".  I may not have an emotional attachment per se to Rielly, but I feel it is too likely that if they trade him, what they get back in the end won't match up to what they gave up.

Rielly is obviously their top young talent. I wouldn't waive him or give him away or do something foolish.

The notable thing for me is if they traded him or anyone else from this roster, I wouldn't care.

Sundin, Clark, Gilmour and I could go on and on with a fairly long list, I liked those guys as a fan. Cared a bit. When their time came to go, I was a bit saddened.

But this current group? I don't care about any of them. I have absolutely no fan attachment to any of them and a pretty severe lack of respect. I guess I'm just numb from their years of awful play.

Same here cw.  I was actually at this same point you were about this time last year.  When they would allow a third collapse to happen after what happened in game 7, I was done with this core group.  It's not that they lost - I don't mind the losing, but it's the way that they lost, and continued to lose, that mattered to me. I agree, there is nothing endearing about any of the core.  Kessel can not be the best forward on this team and Phaneuf can't be the best defence man on this team.  They've proven they can't be it as a tandem.  Something has to change with this core.  Either Kessel needs to be slotted down or phaneuf does or both need to be slotted down.

I can be convinced of a Kessel for Norris type d-man in return to slot Phaneuf down one or something to that effect. 

In terms of who I would keep....yes Reilly is part of the future.  I don't know what Kadri is....is he a number 1 or a number 2.  I can wait to find out.  I've been waiting for a year and a half for either Bernier or Reimer to take the reigns of the net, but neither has.  Reimer has had ample opportunity, as has Bernier.  Gardiner is great offensively, but defensively is suspect - Am willing to wait unless a solid offer comes in.

Not too attached to anyone else.

 

[Chris]

Yeah, not attached to any of this group. It would be nice to see Rielly develop over the years and become a key part of the resurgence. Kadri seems to want to be here and is working at his game, but I don't really see #1 center potential in him. Maybe he can get there with time. Many seem to think JVR should be part of the rebuild but I don't like what I've seen of his game during the past couple of months.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Yeah, not attached to any of this group. It would be nice to see Rielly develop over the years and become a key part of the resurgence. Kadri seems to want to be here and is working at his game, but I don't really see #1 center potential in him. Maybe he can get there with time. Many seem to think JVR should be part of the rebuild but I don't like what I've seen of his game during the past couple of months.

IMO Reilly and Kadri should stay.  I like what I see in Reillly much more than what I see in Gardiner, and as for Kadri, of all the Leaf players under Horachek, it seems that Nazem has tried hard to change his game to adapt as a better two-way forward.  He seems interested in improving.

The rest...well, figure them out. 

 

[MetalRaven]

Be nice to get a second at least for Polak or team him with Bozak for a first

Maybe I've been watching too long. Or maybe I'm just having a rough year. I'd look at dumping the entire roster of these losers. First time ever, I can't recall finding one guy I'd really like to keep (like many have said, maybe Morgan Rielly - but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he went too).

I'd take what I could get with picks/prospects and might tell the rest, they're on waivers and will never wear the jersey again and they can take their GM and coaches with them.

This group and organization are an embarrassment. They need to absolutely napalm it (figuratively) to expunge the chronic disease.

Wow, that's rough CW, I've never read a post that I felt was more angry by you to a point where you wouldn't keep one person on the roster.

Unless you can get a cornerstone piece of the franchise there's no way you trade Rielly, especially if we can get a potential 1C in Strome or Marner.

I mean if someone can look at Morgan Rielly and can't instantly say he's a player they'd "really like to keep," I don't know what to say.  He's not even 2 seasons into a career after being very highly touted.

I agree on that point.  Anybody else on the roster traded and, so long as it's for what I consider to be fair value, I don't mind.  With everybody except Rielly, I think I have a good handle on their present strengths and weaknesses and what their ceiling is, if they haven't already reached it.  But Rielly, I can't say what his ceiling is (though I feel it's pretty high), and so I can't pin fair trade value on him.  Maybe he's the next Niedermayer (for lack of a better description), maybe not.  But getting rid of every single player on the roster because of the team performance feels too much like "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out".  I may not have an emotional attachment per se to Rielly, but I feel it is too likely that if they trade him, what they get back in the end won't match up to what they gave up.

Rielly is obviously their top young talent. I wouldn't waive him or give him away or do something foolish.

The notable thing for me is if they traded him or anyone else from this roster, I wouldn't care.

Sundin, Clark, Gilmour and I could go on and on with a fairly long list, I liked those guys as a fan. Cared a bit. When their time came to go, I was a bit saddened.

But this current group? I don't care about any of them. I have absolutely no fan attachment to any of them and a pretty severe lack of respect. I guess I'm just numb from their years of awful play.

For me its not just the awful play its mostly, like you said, lack of respect for these players.

"I skated about 3 times or so this summer" Phil said something along these lines at the beginning of the year (Im sure someone has the direct quote). What kind of attitude is that? Seriously? Even if it isn't true, if you're coming into the season basically saying I took the summer off...you had better get us to the playoffs minimum. If not you deserve every tossed jersey and criticism leveled at you. Then we got Bozak saying how disrespectful the fans are for booing. Tough. Our top point getter told us at the beginning of the season that he didn't care enough to train in the off season, so when it looks hes mailing it in and to be honest most of the team looks that way on most nights, I think we can boo...Maple Leaf fans are still paying the highest ticket prices, about a months rent for some tickets, I think they deserve to express displeasure when the team cant be bothered. So they follow that up with? Skipping the fan salute.

This from a team that is responsible for the longest losing streak in TML history.

Historically bad, and to hear them talk, its the fans fault.

 

[skrackle]

Yeah, not attached to any of this group. It would be nice to see Rielly develop over the years and become a key part of the resurgence. Kadri seems to want to be here and is working at his game, but I don't really see #1 center potential in him. Maybe he can get there with time. Many seem to think JVR should be part of the rebuild but I don't like what I've seen of his game during the past couple of months.

IMO Reilly and Kadri should stay.  I like what I see in Reillly much more than what I see in Gardiner, and as for Kadri, of all the Leaf players under Horachek, it seems that Nazem has tried hard to change his game to adapt as a better two-way forward.  He seems interested in improving.

The rest...well, figure them out.

I basically agree. Those two are the players I would look at keeping through a re-build. But, if they are essential parts of a trade that moves the Leafs forward, well then, goodbye and thanks.

Some people are looking at this as a 3 year process. That timeline could be accurate if everything works perfectly and then some for the Leafs, but when does that ever happen? I think 5-7 years is more realistic, with a contending team possibly emerging in the last 1 or 2 years.

Almost everybody on the current team should really be on the way out. It won't happen all at once, though.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Yeah, not attached to any of this group. It would be nice to see Rielly develop over the years and become a key part of the resurgence. Kadri seems to want to be here and is working at his game, but I don't really see #1 center potential in him. Maybe he can get there with time. Many seem to think JVR should be part of the rebuild but I don't like what I've seen of his game during the past couple of months.

IMO Reilly and Kadri should stay.  I like what I see in Reillly much more than what I see in Gardiner, and as for Kadri, of all the Leaf players under Horachek, it seems that Nazem has tried hard to change his game to adapt as a better two-way forward.  He seems interested in improving.

The rest...well, figure them out.

I basically agree. Those two are the players I would look at keeping through a re-build. But, if they are essential parts of a trade that moves the Leafs forward, well then, goodbye and thanks.

Some people are looking at this as a 3 year process. That timeline could be accurate if everything works perfectly and then some for the Leafs, but when does that ever happen? I think 5-7 years is more realistic, with a contending team possibly emerging in the last 1 or 2 years.

Almost everybody on the current team should really be on the way out. It won't happen all at once, though.

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Be nice to get a second at least for Polak or team him with Bozak for a first

Maybe I've been watching too long. Or maybe I'm just having a rough year. I'd look at dumping the entire roster of these losers. First time ever, I can't recall finding one guy I'd really like to keep (like many have said, maybe Morgan Rielly - but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he went too).

I'd take what I could get with picks/prospects and might tell the rest, they're on waivers and will never wear the jersey again and they can take their GM and coaches with them.

This group and organization are an embarrassment. They need to absolutely napalm it (figuratively) to expunge the chronic disease.

Wow, that's rough CW, I've never read a post that I felt was more angry by you to a point where you wouldn't keep one person on the roster.

Unless you can get a cornerstone piece of the franchise there's no way you trade Rielly, especially if we can get a potential 1C in Strome or Marner.

I mean if someone can look at Morgan Rielly and can't instantly say he's a player they'd "really like to keep," I don't know what to say.  He's not even 2 seasons into a career after being very highly touted.

I agree on that point.  Anybody else on the roster traded and, so long as it's for what I consider to be fair value, I don't mind.  With everybody except Rielly, I think I have a good handle on their present strengths and weaknesses and what their ceiling is, if they haven't already reached it.  But Rielly, I can't say what his ceiling is (though I feel it's pretty high), and so I can't pin fair trade value on him.  Maybe he's the next Niedermayer (for lack of a better description), maybe not.  But getting rid of every single player on the roster because of the team performance feels too much like "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out".  I may not have an emotional attachment per se to Rielly, but I feel it is too likely that if they trade him, what they get back in the end won't match up to what they gave up.

Rielly is obviously their top young talent. I wouldn't waive him or give him away or do something foolish.

The notable thing for me is if they traded him or anyone else from this roster, I wouldn't care.

Sundin, Clark, Gilmour and I could go on and on with a fairly long list, I liked those guys as a fan. Cared a bit. When their time came to go, I was a bit saddened.

But this current group? I don't care about any of them. I have absolutely no fan attachment to any of them and a pretty severe lack of respect. I guess I'm just numb from their years of awful play.

For me its not just the awful play its mostly, like you said, lack of respect for these players.

"I skated about 3 times or so this summer" Phil said something along these lines at the beginning of the year (Im sure someone has the direct quote). What kind of attitude is that? Seriously? Even if it isn't true, if you're coming into the season basically saying I took the summer off...you had better get us to the playoffs minimum. If not you deserve every tossed jersey and criticism leveled at you. Then we got Bozak saying how disrespectful the fans are for booing. Tough. Our top point getter told us at the beginning of the season that he didn't care enough to train in the off season, so when it looks hes mailing it in and to be honest most of the team looks that way on most nights, I think we can boo...Maple Leaf fans are still paying the highest ticket prices, about a months rent for some tickets, I think they deserve to express displeasure when the team cant be bothered. So they follow that up with? Skipping the fan salute.

This from a team that is responsible for the longest losing streak in TML history.

Historically bad, and to hear them talk, its the fans fault.

You think that because Toronto fans are idiotic enough to pay the highest prices in the league on a terrible hockey team that they have the right to boo?

I'm not removing a fan's right to voice displeasure or boo but I'm certainly not booing based on my stupidity of buying an overpriced ticket to a show I knew was going to be terrible in the first place.

 

[MetalRaven]

Be nice to get a second at least for Polak or team him with Bozak for a first

Maybe I've been watching too long. Or maybe I'm just having a rough year. I'd look at dumping the entire roster of these losers. First time ever, I can't recall finding one guy I'd really like to keep (like many have said, maybe Morgan Rielly - but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he went too).

I'd take what I could get with picks/prospects and might tell the rest, they're on waivers and will never wear the jersey again and they can take their GM and coaches with them.

This group and organization are an embarrassment. They need to absolutely napalm it (figuratively) to expunge the chronic disease.

Wow, that's rough CW, I've never read a post that I felt was more angry by you to a point where you wouldn't keep one person on the roster.

Unless you can get a cornerstone piece of the franchise there's no way you trade Rielly, especially if we can get a potential 1C in Strome or Marner.

I mean if someone can look at Morgan Rielly and can't instantly say he's a player they'd "really like to keep," I don't know what to say.  He's not even 2 seasons into a career after being very highly touted.

I agree on that point.  Anybody else on the roster traded and, so long as it's for what I consider to be fair value, I don't mind.  With everybody except Rielly, I think I have a good handle on their present strengths and weaknesses and what their ceiling is, if they haven't already reached it.  But Rielly, I can't say what his ceiling is (though I feel it's pretty high), and so I can't pin fair trade value on him.  Maybe he's the next Niedermayer (for lack of a better description), maybe not.  But getting rid of every single player on the roster because of the team performance feels too much like "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out".  I may not have an emotional attachment per se to Rielly, but I feel it is too likely that if they trade him, what they get back in the end won't match up to what they gave up.

Rielly is obviously their top young talent. I wouldn't waive him or give him away or do something foolish.

The notable thing for me is if they traded him or anyone else from this roster, I wouldn't care.

Sundin, Clark, Gilmour and I could go on and on with a fairly long list, I liked those guys as a fan. Cared a bit. When their time came to go, I was a bit saddened.

But this current group? I don't care about any of them. I have absolutely no fan attachment to any of them and a pretty severe lack of respect. I guess I'm just numb from their years of awful play.

For me its not just the awful play its mostly, like you said, lack of respect for these players.

"I skated about 3 times or so this summer" Phil said something along these lines at the beginning of the year (Im sure someone has the direct quote). What kind of attitude is that? Seriously? Even if it isn't true, if you're coming into the season basically saying I took the summer off...you had better get us to the playoffs minimum. If not you deserve every tossed jersey and criticism leveled at you. Then we got Bozak saying how disrespectful the fans are for booing. Tough. Our top point getter told us at the beginning of the season that he didn't care enough to train in the off season, so when it looks hes mailing it in and to be honest most of the team looks that way on most nights, I think we can boo...Maple Leaf fans are still paying the highest ticket prices, about a months rent for some tickets, I think they deserve to express displeasure when the team cant be bothered. So they follow that up with? Skipping the fan salute.

This from a team that is responsible for the longest losing streak in TML history.

Historically bad, and to hear them talk, its the fans fault.

You think that because Toronto fans are idiotic enough to pay the highest prices in the league on a terrible hockey team that they have the right to boo?

I'm not removing a fan's right to voice displeasure or boo but I'm certainly not booing based on my stupidity of buying an overpriced ticket to a show I knew was going to be terrible in the first place.

I don't think Leaf fans are idiots.  I actually believe Leaf fans pay for those tickets with an expectation that the players actually show some motivation or emotion during the game, and if dissatisfied, I most definitely believe that gives them right to "boo"

Management and players should hear from the fans if they fail to meet expectations, ultimately its the fans paying for all of it.

(My personal contribution is a mini stick, a couple of face cloths and a jersey...so I boo, quietly, at home.)

 

[mr grieves]

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

Yeah, that's about what I think of where they are, and why I don't think things are as bleak as some apparently do. It's certainly not a core to build a contender around, but some of the secondary pieces -- which would take longer to develop anyway -- are already in place and developing into their primes (Kadri, Gardiner, JvR). And there are some promising guys who might also pan out (Panik, Holland, Percy) as solid top-6/top-4 contributors. If the Leafs draft sufficiently high-end talent this year, they might have a good team by 2018-19.

 

[hap_leaf]

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

Yeah, that's about what I think of where they are, and why I don't think things are as bleak as some apparently do. It's certainly not a core to build a contender around, but some of the secondary pieces -- which would take longer to develop anyway -- are already in place and developing into their primes (Kadri, Gardiner, JvR). And there are some promising guys who might also pan out (Panik, Holland, Percy) as solid top-6/top-4 contributors. If the Leafs draft sufficiently high-end talent this year, they might have a good team by 2018-19.

You'll have to forgive those in their 40's who have watched this team since Sittler was our Captain, for a lack of optimism.  I never thought I'd watch this team all this time and never see a Cup.

 

[hockeyfan1]

You'll have to forgive those in their 40's who have watched this team since Sittler was our Captain, for a lack of optimism.  I never thought I'd watch this team all this time and never see a Cup.

I echo.  Been watching the Leafs since the mid '70's and I don't think we'll see a Cup until we all grow whiskers!   

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

Yeah, that's about what I think of where they are, and why I don't think things are as bleak as some apparently do. It's certainly not a core to build a contender around, but some of the secondary pieces -- which would take longer to develop anyway -- are already in place and developing into their primes (Kadri, Gardiner, JvR). And there are some promising guys who might also pan out (Panik, Holland, Percy) as solid top-6/top-4 contributors. If the Leafs draft sufficiently high-end talent this year, they might have a good team by 2018-19.

You'll have to forgive those in their 40's who have watched this team since Sittler was our Captain, for a lack of optimism.  I never thought I'd watch this team all this time and never see a Cup.

This feels like the 80's again to some extent.

 

[freer]

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

Yeah, that's about what I think of where they are, and why I don't think things are as bleak as some apparently do. It's certainly not a core to build a contender around, but some of the secondary pieces -- which would take longer to develop anyway -- are already in place and developing into their primes (Kadri, Gardiner, JvR). And there are some promising guys who might also pan out (Panik, Holland, Percy) as solid top-6/top-4 contributors. If the Leafs draft sufficiently high-end talent this year, they might have a good team by 2018-19.

You'll have to forgive those in their 40's who have watched this team since Sittler was our Captain, for a lack of optimism.  I never thought I'd watch this team all this time and never see a Cup.

This feels like the 80's again to some extent.

Hey we were bad in the 80's, but we still made the playoffs.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

This feels like the 80's again to some extent.

Hey we were bad in the 80's, but we still made the playoffs.

That's a reflection of the 1980s NHL, not of the Leafs.  In 1985-86, the Leafs made the playoffs with 57 points and the 3rd worst record in the NHL.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

Yeah, that's about what I think of where they are, and why I don't think things are as bleak as some apparently do. It's certainly not a core to build a contender around, but some of the secondary pieces -- which would take longer to develop anyway -- are already in place and developing into their primes (Kadri, Gardiner, JvR). And there are some promising guys who might also pan out (Panik, Holland, Percy) as solid top-6/top-4 contributors. If the Leafs draft sufficiently high-end talent this year, they might have a good team by 2018-19.

You'll have to forgive those in their 40's who have watched this team since Sittler was our Captain, for a lack of optimism.  I never thought I'd watch this team all this time and never see a Cup.

This feels like the 80's again to some extent.

Hey we were bad in the 80's, but we still made the playoffs.

They never once made the playoffs in the 80s with a winning record.  That's more a reflection of the composition of the NHL at that time than anything.  In 85-86 they made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs with a regular season record of 25-48-7.

 

[freer]

I think part of that optimism is tied to the fact that Toronto is rebuilding from a spot that not a lot of others have done.

Usually when a team enters a rebuild, it has mortgaged its future on a bunch of older veterans with not a lot left in the tank and very little youth on the horizon.

Toronto has at least two blue chips in the system already.

Rielly and Nylander

You then have a group of guys who could still be in their prime in 3 years.

Kadri, JVR, Gardiner.

They also have a lot of picks coming up and I'd hazard a few guys with the Marlies who will be strong NHLers.

This is not to mention any return Lupul, Kessel(he could conceivably be part of the Kadri group above) Phaneuf etc bring.

Yes things have to pan out, but it's not outside the realms of possibility.

Yeah, that's about what I think of where they are, and why I don't think things are as bleak as some apparently do. It's certainly not a core to build a contender around, but some of the secondary pieces -- which would take longer to develop anyway -- are already in place and developing into their primes (Kadri, Gardiner, JvR). And there are some promising guys who might also pan out (Panik, Holland, Percy) as solid top-6/top-4 contributors. If the Leafs draft sufficiently high-end talent this year, they might have a good team by 2018-19.

You'll have to forgive those in their 40's who have watched this team since Sittler was our Captain, for a lack of optimism.  I never thought I'd watch this team all this time and never see a Cup.

This feels like the 80's again to some extent.

Hey we were bad in the 80's, but we still made the playoffs.

They never once made the playoffs in the 80s with a winning record.  That's more a reflection of the composition of the NHL at that time than anything.  In 85-86 they made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs with a regular season record of 25-48-7.

Still better then any of us have seen in the last 10 plus years.

 

[bustaheims]

Still better then any of us have seen in the last 10 plus years.

The recent Leaf teams have mostly had better records and been better teams than most of the Leafs teams from the 80s, so, no. Simply making the playoffs doesn't mean much now. It meant even less then, when all you had to do to make it was not be the worst team in your division.