Comments on: Dave Nonis says goaltending is team’s No. 1 priority

By: nordiques100

nordiques100 — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:25:15 +0000

I think though you always have to shoot for the playoffs. This is because it hurts the current group. They’re not ready for championship mode, but the shortened season, plus the fairly balanced nature of the East gives Toronto a chance. The experience will go a long way in helping what was what, the 2nd youngest team in the NHL last year?

An addition or two is only fair to the current group at hand who have been in essence eaten alive with criticism and failure. They sure could stand to have some confidence infused. I think a proven goalie for example would give them that injection of confidence and hope.

Lupul, Kessel, Phaneuf have missed the playoffs for 3 straight years now. MacAthur, Grabovski, Kulemin, Bozak, Gardiner, Gunnarsson and the two goalies among others, have never played in the playoffs.

The constant losing/failure is going to hurt these younger players in the long run in my opinion. The success with the Marlies is fine, but its not the same.

I realize the satisfaction of getting a top 2 or 3 pick, but the failure is going to grate on what the Leafs currently have as a core group. Kessel, Dion, Kulemin, etc are still learning to be better players and playoff competition can only help them be better IMO. and playoffs too help evaluate who the team eventually wants/should have going forward in the trenches. You learn even more of a players makeup in the playoffs.

If tanking is the name of the game, perhaps it is best to start thinking of parting with Kessel, Dion, etc, to get even younger, even more long term. But I don’t know if i would allow Nonis to do that. His job seems insecure. The starting over has to be decided after the season. The whole organization will be re-evaluated then likely.

Also, I think they passed that point, especially since its not even a brand new regime stepping in. I’m pretty sure Nonis will continue Burke’s work rather than strip it down and start over.

I won’t blame Nonis at all for adding pieces, trying to give them a better chance. But in doing so, it has to not include Gardiner, Reilly or their 1st round picks. That will be the thing to watch for. If Nonis can get it done, without these 3 assets being included, its not going to set Toronto back at all IMO.

By: doorman

doorman — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:47:12 +0000

Ya, I think you will see what you want to some respect. I think at the draft this year we saw the first sign of a choice of direction. With Rielly then finn they took what they felt were the best avail players regardless of position. Then took a position of strength and used it to strengthen a weakness(schenn for JVR). As long as they play hard and continue down aq path not flip flopping i will be a happy camper so to speak. I can handle short term pain for long term gain. Besides this is a breeze compared to being a leafs fan in the 80′s lol.

By: 93killer93

93killer93 — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:42:24 +0000

Ya at this point I would rather we just play out the season and trade our FA for picks. Burke said they were offered a 1st for macarthur last season, so trade him and if we’re not going to resign Lupul then trade him too.

By: doorman

doorman — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:52:51 +0000

Exactly, which is why, I don’t want Nonis or ownership too shoot for 8th and hope for the best lol.

By: 93killer93

93killer93 — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:50:51 +0000

The kings are probably the worst example to look at, they were a cup contender heading into the season and they struggled. Plus after the Carter trade they finished the season 13-5-3.

By: doorman

doorman — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:16:37 +0000

Nords, while 14 of 24 to start on the road isn’t good, it could be a great tool to judge where these Leafs are as a team. While a great bluechip piece would be great at the draft,all I truly want from them this season is a solid nightly effort. I can stand losing during a rebuild if the effort is there. From solid efforts will come improvenents. My preference is to compete not just get into the playoffs. Eveyone can opint to the Kings all they want as an 8th seed that won, but seriously that team had way more talent then your average 8th seed.

By: nordiques100

nordiques100 — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:49:11 +0000

14 of the Leafs first 24 games are on the road. That’s going to be real tough for them. Hopefully they can survive.

They end the year with 3 of the last 4 on the road. Not great if they end up in a dogfight for 8th. Especially too since games 46 and 47 are in Florida, the furthest the team has to travel and places where they generally fail.

So all in all, not a very favorable sked for them.

By: lafleur10

lafleur10 — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 03:30:42 +0000

do you think it’s possible that charelli will fleece doug murray in anaheim and trade krejci for ryan?