Tough to say. There are teams that manage to become top performers year after year, and never make it over the top. San Jose is a great example of that. They get criticized for being chokers. There are also teams that eventually do. Like the Washington Capitals. The Caps were labelled chokers for years, and bowed out in early rounds regularly, until they won.

While it's disconcerting to have a team bow out 2 years in a row as favourite, it is what it is. Sometimes you run into a hot team, a hot goalie, or your have some injuries, have a few players slump, or your goalie coughs up some ill timed games. There is an element of luck to it all. Anybody can win a 7 game series, and there are cinderella teams like the Habs every year. Most often those teams eventually lose out to better built teams, and fall back to earth the next year.

I'm not really convinced there are "chokers" and "playoff performers", or "teams built for the playoffs". Players have ebbs and flows, and so do teams. One ill timed slump and your team is done for. One hot streak and you go deep.

The Leafs can't really "rebuild" at this point. They are a well built team in my opinion, and have to keep trying. It may or may not end up resulting in some significant playoff success, but either way, tearing down or trading significant pieces isn't really likely to result in a better team. Gotta ride this one out and keep trying.

But yeah, it definitely sucks.

Look on the bright side, could be a team like the Sens.
- prock

yeah, seriously....who would want to cheer for a team that doesn't gag like a thai pornstar every time they make the playoffs.

yeah, seriously....who would want to cheer for a team that doesn't gag like a thai pornstar every time they make the playoffs.

- haywoodjablome

Im sure its easy to be happy when they exceed expectations. Expectations are rock bottom for a trash organization like the sens.

Im sure its easy to be happy when they exceed expectations. Expectations are rock bottom for a trash organization like the sens.
- prock

Expectations are a first round loss in TO so there's that. Hell, even TO fans expect it. The tide is about to turn again as the Sens usher in 5 years of draft picks.

Im sure its easy to be happy when they exceed expectations. Expectations are rock bottom for a trash organization like the sens.
- prock

Exceeding expectations is better than meeting expectations.

For example, leaf fans, and hockey fans in general, expect the leafs to choke in the 1st rd every year, or not even make the playoffs.....and they meet those expectations EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

Expectations are a first round loss in TO so there's that. Hell, even TO fans expect it. The tide is about to turn again as the Sens usher in 5 years of draft picks.
- golfingsince

If that were true you woulnd't have idiots rejoicing in the Leafs loss while their team finishes in the league basement.

Exceeding expectations is better than meeting expectations.

For example, leaf fans, and hockey fans in general, expect the leafs to choke in the 1st rd every year, or not even make the playoffs.....and they meet those expectations EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
- haywoodjablome

I guess that's a matter of perspective. Would you rather expect to finish dead last, and finish 5th or 6th last, or expect to win the division, and then win the division, but lose in the first round?

I guess that's a matter of perspective. Would you rather expect to finish dead last, and finish 5th or 6th last, or expect to win the division, and then win the division, but lose in the first round?
- prock

i'm not a sens fan so i don't give a poop what they do.......but seeing leaf fans suffer because EVERY YEAR they think their team won't suck, only to watch them choke again and again and again and again, etc, etc, etc......it's (frank)ing wonderful to see. no fan base in the league is more deserving of the suffering you guys have had, and it's beautiful to watch.

as for you bashing ottawa, well at least they seem to have a plan and are trending up. also, weren't they in the ECF like 3 years ago? You can call the sens poop all you want, but that was expected of a rebuilding team.....the leafs were HISTORICALLY awful for like 3 years in order to get Matthews........but Ottawa has had infinitely more playoff success than the leafs over the last 2 decades....like holy (frank), the core of your team was still in diapers the last time that joke of a team won a playoff series.

the leafs are a flawed team. it's a poorly constructed roster that will continue to fail in the playoffs, year after year after year for the simple fact that they have no cap space to fix it.

enjoy mediocrity, you'll be living there for a long time.

If that were true you woulnd't have idiots rejoicing in the Leafs loss while their team finishes in the league basement.
- prock

they rejoice because idiots like you pump leaf tires all season, claiming that "this is the year" and then you end up looking like the idiot that you are when they inevitably fail....year after year after year after year after year.

The Leafs should not let Hyman walk. Especially, if, as rumoured, he is looking towards Ottawa.
- spatso

I'm sure Hyman has contacted his agent and told him to get the deal done with Melnyk. After all he has a reputation for outbidding other teams for UFA's

I'm sure Hyman has contacted his agent and told him to get the deal done with Melnyk. After all he has a reputation for outbidding other teams for UFA's
- winsix

Nobody goes to Ottawa by choice. They go because they have no other offers.

Nobody goes to Ottawa by choice. They go because they have no other offers.
- prock

Other than giving up 11 mil for Tavares ( ), what UFAs of value have signed with the leafs……other than old, light years past their prime 4th liners.

Nobody wants to play in Toronto, thats why all your young guys signed deals to get them out of there ASAP.

Other than giving up 11 mil for Tavares ( ), what UFAs of value have signed with the leafs……other than old, light years past their prime 4th liners.

Nobody wants to play in Toronto, thats why all your young guys signed deals to get them out of there ASAP.
- haywoodjablome

Very Obvious that the Leafs reside between your ears, 24/7. That is the best part..

All your female dogin just makes YOU look like the fackin fool.. Keep up the good work.

Very Obvious that the Leafs reside between your ears, 24/7. That is the best part..

All your female dogin just makes YOU look like the fackin fool.. Keep up the good work.
- bixll

solid question dodge......although, since we both know the answer, i'm not surprised you dodged it.

why didn't any of your RFAs take max terms deals?
why didn't any of them take a home town discount?
why haven't the leafs been able to sign a "big name" UFA, other than Tavares, in like 20 years?

it's easy, cuz nobody wants to play in that city, with that media and that level of scrutiny........plus, the guarantee of never going anywhere in the playoffs probably hurts them too.

solid question dodge......although, since we both know the answer, i'm not surprised you dodged it.

why didn't any of your RFAs take max terms deals?
why didn't any of them take a home town discount?
why haven't the leafs been able to sign a "big name" UFA, other than Tavares, in like 20 years?

it's easy, cuz nobody wants to play in that city, with that media and that level of scrutiny........plus, the guarantee of never going anywhere in the playoffs probably hurts them too.
- haywoodjablome

Poor fella.. Which team do you cheer for ?

solid question dodge......although, since we both know the answer, i'm not surprised you dodged it.

why didn't any of your RFAs take max terms deals?
why didn't any of them take a home town discount?
why haven't the leafs been able to sign a "big name" UFA, other than Tavares, in like 20 years?

it's easy, cuz nobody wants to play in that city, with that media and that level of scrutiny........plus, the guarantee of never going anywhere in the playoffs probably hurts them too.
- haywoodjablome

Ed Belfour
Mike Peca
Pavel Kubina
Jason Blake
Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin
Colby Armstrong
Clarke Macarthur
Brayden Irwin
Fabien Brunnstrom
Jonas Gustavsson
Tyler Bozak
Ron Hainsey
Patrick Marleau
Tavares


The list is longer, but I didn't bother. Most teams don't have many players higher caliber that sign as UFAs, because they just don't move teams very often. There are some players that certainly did not work out, but that doesn't change that they were very highly sought after (including some of the college/Euro undrafted kids that were seen as "free pickups", and subject to ELCs. Half the league was trying to sign guys like Bozak, Brunnstrom, and Irwin, despite the fact that Brunnstrom and Irwin never amounted to anything. And no team could offer more than any other).

There is no doubt Toronto wasn't one of the most attractive UFA desinations for a time, but nothing like the depths of the Sens. You know, with that "guarantee of never even making the playoffs".

Ed Belfour
Mike Peca
Pavel Kubina
Jason Blake
Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin
Colby Armstrong
Clarke Macarthur
Brayden Irwin
Fabien Brunnstrom
Jonas Gustavsson
Tyler Bozak
Ron Hainsey
Patrick Marleau
Tavares


The list is longer, but I didn't bother. Most teams don't have many players higher caliber that sign as UFAs, because they just don't move teams very often. There are some players that certainly did not work out, but that doesn't change that they were very highly sought after (including some of the college/Euro undrafted kids that were seen as "free pickups", and subject to ELCs. Half the league was trying to sign guys like Bozak, Brunnstrom, and Irwin, despite the fact that Brunnstrom and Irwin never amounted to anything. And no team could offer more than any other).

There is no doubt Toronto wasn't one of the most attractive UFA desinations for a time, but nothing like the depths of the Sens. You know, with that "guarantee of never even making the playoffs".
- prock

wow, trying to prove something and THAT is the list you come up with....

i don't give a poop about the sens, but off the top of my head....

macarthur
gonchar
dadanov
kovalev
Hasek
ruutu

that's INFINITELY better than your garbage list.

wow, trying to prove something and THAT is the list you come up with....

i don't give a poop about the sens, but off the top of my head....

macarthur
gonchar
dadanov
kovalev
Hasek
ruutu

that's INFINITELY better than your garbage list.

- haywoodjablome

Bahahahahahaha, you criticize the Leafs because they only sign old has beens, and my list, and then come up with
macarthur - who was becoming an injury problem.
Gonchar - was 36 years old and they signed him to age 40
dadonov - okay, not that big a deal.
Kovalev - 36 year old has been
Hasek - FORTY year old has been struggling with injury
Jarko Ruutu? - Seriously? You're naming Jarko Ruutu?

Yap and scream about signing has beens then list off a bunch of has beens.

of all the guys i listed, only Marleau was over 35. i only listed him because it's obviously not easy to pry a lifetime player off a team (unless it's the Sens, it's easy to get players out of there, like 3 straight captains)

Ed Belfour
Mike Peca
Pavel Kubina
Jason Blake
Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin
Colby Armstrong
Clarke Macarthur
Brayden Irwin
Fabien Brunnstrom
Jonas Gustavsson
Tyler Bozak
Ron Hainsey
Patrick Marleau
Tavares


The list is longer, but I didn't bother. Most teams don't have many players higher caliber that sign as UFAs, because they just don't move teams very often. There are some players that certainly did not work out, but that doesn't change that they were very highly sought after (including some of the college/Euro undrafted kids that were seen as "free pickups", and subject to ELCs. Half the league was trying to sign guys like Bozak, Brunnstrom, and Irwin, despite the fact that Brunnstrom and Irwin never amounted to anything. And no team could offer more than any other).

There is no doubt Toronto wasn't one of the most attractive UFA desinations for a time, but nothing like the depths of the Sens. You know, with that "guarantee of never even making the playoffs".
- prock

Bahahahahahaha, you criticize the Leafs because they only sign old has beens, and my list, and then come up with
macarthur - who was becoming an injury problem.
Gonchar - was 36 years old and they signed him to age 40
dadonov - okay, not that big a deal.
Kovalev - 36 year old has been
Hasek - FORTY year old has been struggling with injury
Jarko Ruutu? - Seriously? You're naming Jarko Ruutu?

Yap and scream about signing has beens then list off a bunch of has beens.

of all the guys i listed, only Marleau was over 35. i only listed him because it's obviously not easy to pry a lifetime player off a team (unless it's the Sens, it's easy to get players out of there, like 3 straight captains)
- prock

maybe marleau was the only one over 35, but almost none of them were actually good at hockey...........face it, nobody wants to play in toronto. nobody signs there, and the people drafted leave as soon as they can.

- penguininnevada

Poor fella.. Which team do you cheer for ?
- bixll

you answer my question first

maybe marleau was the only one over 35, but almost none of them were actually good at hockey...........face it, nobody wants to play in toronto. nobody signs there, and the people drafted leave as soon as they can.
- haywoodjablome

yeah like.... Jarko Ruutu. LOL.

yeah like.... Jarko Ruutu. LOL.
- prock

these are the guys you named

Ed Belfour
Mike Peca
Pavel Kubina
Jason Blake
Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin
Colby Armstrong
Clarke Macarthur
Brayden Irwin
Fabien Brunnstrom
Jonas Gustavsson
Tyler Bozak
Ron Hainsey
Patrick Marleau giving up a 1st rd pick just to get rid of hiim
Tavares at that contract