During the playoff, most teams ice players, not contracts, so it's a complete waste of time yakking about this contract or that contract when talking about the playoffs.


admit it, the Sens made themselves a better team, heading into the playoffs, by bringing in a few players for depth and an upgrade on their third line, which the coach did not play much, and they were the weakest link ........ but now he does not have a problem putting them out there ........... last night all three "third liners" played about 11 mins or more ............ that's more TOI than Lazar of Neil was ever given.


Now am I saying the Sens are Cup Contenders? No, but they should win at least one round ................... unless they somehow end up facing the Capitals in the first round.
- D0PPELGANGER

As much as Sens fans hate to admit it, team budgets, salary caps, cap hits, and actual salaries, are pretty key factors in icing a contending team.

No one cares that the Sens are a better team heading into THIS playoffs, because they're a non-factor. As are the Leafs.

So, these players, their salaries and their contracts, are, without the least bit of question, a factor in next years rosters (as they were in this year's rosters). For the regular season. and hence, next years playoffs. And the year after. And the year after that. And so on, and so on, and so on.

You're 100% out to lunch if you think that this years playoff roster has not been impacted by the players on this roster's salary. And will continue to be impacted.

So yes, having the above mentioned players on your roster sucks.

Junk may be a little strong. They're certainly not good enough.

guys like Brassard and Turris aren't "junk". They'd be fine as depth centres for a contending team.

When you look at cup winning teams, they almost always have guys that would be top line guys, right through to the third line. And elite guys mingled in the to two lines (more often at centre, but the Hawks had more elite wingers than centres).
- prock

For the Sens win a Cup it will be necessary for Karlsson to carry them to that level. His play has been phenomenal. He has never had a better season than his play from this year. Ottawa matches up well with Washington and plays them really well. They have never matched up well against Pittsburgh. Ottawa has looked real good against Montreal.

Boucher thinks he has a line up that can go very deep into the playoffs. They have dramatically improved their bottom six. Karlsson has not been overplayed and there is a good chance that he can go into the playoffs in great shepe.

As much as Sens fans hate to admit it, team budgets, salary caps, cap hits, and actual salaries, are pretty key factors in icing a contending team.

No one cares that the Sens are a better team heading into THIS playoffs, because they're a non-factor. As are the Leafs.

So, these players, their salaries and their contracts, are, without the least bit of question, a factor in next years rosters (as they were in this year's rosters). For the regular season. and hence, next years playoffs. And the year after. And the year after that. And so on, and so on, and so on.

You're 100% out to lunch if you think that this years playoff roster has not been impacted by the players on this roster's salary. And will continue to be impacted.

So yes, having the above mentioned players on your roster sucks.
- prock

The ultimate irony is reading a Leaf fan trying to explain the rationale for building a contending team. The Blue Jackets are the youngest team in the league. They had a great season two years ago, fell off last year and come back strong this year. Not unusual for a young team like the Leafs to have a good year and fall back the next year as the Jackets have done. Your discussion on age is entirely nonsensical and is not supported by data.

Stanley Cups are won by the best players (superstars), goalies and a few others being able to deliver the wins. The role players are left to battle in the trenches and hold the games together. This is why veteran players get traded at deadline.

The ultimate irony is reading a Leaf fan trying to explain the rationale for building a contending team. The Blue Jackets are the youngest team in the league. They had a great season two years ago, fell off last year and come back strong this year. Not unusual for a young team like the Leafs to have a good year and fall back the next year as the Jackets have done. Your discussion on age is entirely nonsensical and is not supported by data.

Stanley Cups are won by the best players (superstars), goalies and a few others being able to deliver the wins. The role players are left to battle in the trenches and hold the games together. This is why veteran players get traded at deadline.
- spatso

Crosby – 21
Malkin – 22
Kane – 21
Toews - 21
Kopitar – 24
Doughty - 22
bergeron - 25

guess what these guys did age those ages?

The ultimate irony is reading a Leaf fan trying to explain the rationale for building a contending team. The Blue Jackets are the youngest team in the league. They had a great season two years ago, fell off last year and come back strong this year. Not unusual for a young team like the Leafs to have a good year and fall back the next year as the Jackets have done. Your discussion on age is entirely nonsensical and is not supported by data.

Stanley Cups are won by the best players (superstars), goalies and a few others being able to deliver the wins. The role players are left to battle in the trenches and hold the games together. This is why veteran players get traded at deadline.
- spatso

Meh, I'd say the ultimate irony is a Sens fan trying to explain how to win a Stanley Cup.

Meh, I'd say the ultimate irony is a Sens fan trying to explain how to win a Stanley Cup.
- prock

As I keep reminding you hockey is about scoreboard. And, according to the scoreboard the Sens are doing fine.

Boucher has the team he wanted.

Now we will see if cutting back on Karlsson's minutes over the season will make him stronger in the stretch drive and playoffs.

As I keep reminding you hockey is about scoreboard. And, according to the scoreboard the Sens are doing fine.

Boucher has the team he wanted.

Now we will see if cutting back on Karlsson's minutes over the season will make him stronger in the stretch drive and playoffs.
- spatso

Not true.

Boucher wanted to coach the leafs. You guys got our leftovers, once again.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...ix--report-191240413.html

As I keep reminding you hockey is about scoreboard. And, according to the scoreboard the Sens are doing fine.

Boucher has the team he wanted.

Now we will see if cutting back on Karlsson's minutes over the season will make him stronger in the stretch drive and playoffs.
- spatso

the scoreboard is 13 cups to 0.

Not true.

Boucher wanted to coach the leafs. You guys got our leftovers, once again.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...ix--report-191240413.html
- Tumbleweed

I did not know that Boucher was in the mix for the Leaf job. It would have been an interesting combination. He is a great teacher and motivator.

He has worked with Karlsson to change his game to make it more about winning the game rather than winning every possession and every shift. I think he has been coaching to prepare the Sens for a playoff run since day 1. It is going to be interesting.

the scoreboard is 13 cups to 0.
- prock

Yes of course it is and the Winnipeg Jets are not the real Winnipeg Jets and Italy once ruled the world.

Yes of course it is and the Winnipeg Jets are not the real Winnipeg Jets and Italy once ruled the world.
- spatso

what the (frank) are you even talking about?

you made a comment about leafs fans knowing nothing about contending teams then went on to yap about winning cups, as a sens fan.

if you can't see the hypocrisy in that you've reached new levels of retardation.

what the (frank) are you even talking about?

you made a comment about leafs fans knowing nothing about contending teams then went on to yap about winning cups, as a sens fan.

if you can't see the hypocrisy in that you've reached new levels of retardation.
- prock

How many of us have actually ever seen a Leaf player hoist a Stanley Cup?

How many of us have actually ever seen a Leaf player hoist a Stanley Cup?
- spatso

Are you (frank)ing retarded?

you mocked a leaf fan talking about building a competitive team because he was a leaf fan. then proceeded to profess about what it takes to build a cup winner as a sens fan?

stop typing. step away from the keyboard. there is no recovery from this one. you're a (frank)ing retard.

Not true.

Boucher wanted to coach the leafs. You guys got our leftovers, once again.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...ix--report-191240413.html
- Tumbleweed

Boucher wanted to coach in the NHL. Yes he was interviewed by the leafs, and they pretty much agreed he was their man .............. even to the point where they told him to do some house hunting in toronto .......... and then Babcock came onto the market, and they went it that direction.

the scoreboard is 13 cups to 0.
- prock

Score board is fifty years with ZERO Cups, for either current franchise.

doubt you were even alive for the last Cup win in toronto

How many of us have actually ever seen a Leaf player hoist a Stanley Cup?
- spatso

- D0PPELGANGER

same $# of you that got laid last year fagots

Are you (frank)ing retarded?

you mocked a leaf fan talking about building a competitive team because he was a leaf fan. then proceeded to profess about what it takes to build a cup winner as a sens fan?

stop typing. step away from the keyboard. there is no recovery from this one. you're a (frank)ing retard.
- prock

Be careful now. Don't say anything that is going to cause you to fall from the ledge. Measure your words more carefully. No sense offending or encouraging the moderators. Stay cool.

The Leafs are a nice exciting young team. You are going to have great fun next year cheering them on to what could very likely be a playoff spot or better. No sense shattering your rehab efforts this time around. Your doing fine. We are all proud of your progress.

the scoreboard is 13 cups to 0.
- prock

Let's add up the post expansion Cups:

Bruins 3
Leafs 0
Sens 0

Let's add up the post expansion Cups:

Bruins 3
Leafs 0
Sens 0
- Cape Breton Bruins

I'm actually a bit of a bruins fan. have been since the days of cam neely. he was my favourite.

so I'm all good with that.

I'm actually a bit of a bruins fan. have been since the days of cam neely. he was my favourite.

so I'm all good with that.
- prock

Always liked the Bruins over the leafs and Habs ....... but would never have classified myself as a "fan" of the Bruins ........... just did not like getting the leafs and Habs forced on the rest of the country as if they were the only two teams that Canadians should support, as a fan.

Was a fan of the Jets in the the WHA, as Manitoba was where I am originally from ....... and when they joined the NHL, I guess I was a fan until the Senators re-joined the NHL.

I'm actually a bit of a bruins fan. have been since the days of cam neely. he was my favourite.

so I'm all good with that.
- prock

dammit Prock

dammit Prock
- Cape Breton Bruins

obviously leafs are my number 1.

but the kind of hockey neely played is my favourite. bam bam cam was a treat to watch. I always liked the tough but clean hockey the bruins played. not like the Flyers. which is just dirty cowards. like bobby Clarke. he's a piece of poop. I was a teen in the gretzky LA Kings years and I fell on the gretzky side of the gretzky vs lemieux fan fence there seemed to be. so LA also held a bit of a soft spot for me. and my best friend is family friends with a black hawks alumni who is still active in management. he gets offered tickets and owners box access. the last decade has been decent for me, despite the Leafs lack of success.

funny enough, an old friend got a job and moved to LA. ended up neighbours and friends with Robyn regehr. she's got pics of her newborn sitting in the Stanley Cup on their rooftop balcony with a poopty diaper on.

leafs, 4 Wins & 12 losses, in their last 16 games.

On January 25, the leafs had a 91.7% chance of making the playoffs, and today they sit with a 40.9% chance of making the playoffs.

As I don't watch the leafs play, I wonder if Steve Simmons has a point about the leaf poor numbers in overtime and shoot outs.

http://www.torontosun.com...-doom-leafs-playoff-hopes

What does all this mean to the young Maple Leafs, dropping like a bad stock, primarily because they can’t hold leads and can’t win in extra time and shootouts? It means, who really knows?

The Leafs have scored on a dreadful 17.8% of shootout attempts while leaving eight points on the table in penalty-shot defeats. They have one shootout win, eight losses. Most NHL teams hover around the 50% mark for shootout wins. At that mark, the Leafs would be comfortably in the playoffs. Without them, their playoffs, in essence, began yesterday. Every game, every shot matters now.

It’s not just shooting. Frederik Andersen is near the bottom of the league in shootout performance, stopping just 52% of shots in extra time.

Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, William Nylander, James van Riemsdyk, all players with high offensive skill levels, have combined to score zero shootout goals. The kids, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, have the most attempts, the most goals. But Matthews is scoring at just 20% efficiency and Marner with one more goal at 37.5%.

The trade-deadline-available Radim Vrbata has more shootout goals than the entire Leafs team combined this season. And how can any of this make sense when Edmonton’s Mark Letestu, who needs three seasons to score what Matthews will accumulate this year, is near the top of the league?

leafs, 4 Wins & 12 losses, in their last 16 games.

On January 25, the leafs had a 91.7% chance of making the playoffs, and today they sit with a 40.9% chance of making the playoffs.

As I don't watch the leafs play, I wonder if Steve Simmons has a point about the leaf poor numbers in overtime and shoot outs.

http://www.torontosun.com...-doom-leafs-playoff-hopes

What does all this mean to the young Maple Leafs, dropping like a bad stock, primarily because they can’t hold leads and can’t win in extra time and shootouts? It means, who really knows?

The Leafs have scored on a dreadful 17.8% of shootout attempts while leaving eight points on the table in penalty-shot defeats. They have one shootout win, eight losses. Most NHL teams hover around the 50% mark for shootout wins. At that mark, the Leafs would be comfortably in the playoffs. Without them, their playoffs, in essence, began yesterday. Every game, every shot matters now.

It’s not just shooting. Frederik Andersen is near the bottom of the league in shootout performance, stopping just 52% of shots in extra time.

Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, William Nylander, James van Riemsdyk, all players with high offensive skill levels, have combined to score zero shootout goals. The kids, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, have the most attempts, the most goals. But Matthews is scoring at just 20% efficiency and Marner with one more goal at 37.5%.

The trade-deadline-available Radim Vrbata has more shootout goals than the entire Leafs team combined this season. And how can any of this make sense when Edmonton’s Mark Letestu, who needs three seasons to score what Matthews will accumulate this year, is near the top of the league?
- D0PPELGANGER

Overall the Leafs have had a good season. Stumbling at this point is not surprising. It is well understood that everyone steps up their game after the half way point and the Leafs are a very young team. I thought the collapse would happen in December. But give them credit they stayed in the mix for a extra couple of months.