Do you guys think that despite being a second place team in the Atlantic, does having a -6 goal differential over the course of the season thus far become a concern for the Leafs as the playoffs approach?
- Cape Breton Bruins

Detroit is only five points behind the leafs, plus they have two games in hand (if they win both it's a one point difference). The two teams play each other twice more this season.

Columbus is four points behind the leafs, plus they have two games in hand (if they win both they pass the leafs in the standings). They also seem to have a more favourable schedule of these three teams.

It's going to be a tight race for those two wild card spots.

Detroit is only five points behind the leafs, plus they have two games in hand (if they win both it's a one point difference). The two teams play each other twice more this season.

Columbus is four points behind the leafs, plus they have two games in hand (if they win both they pass the leafs in the standings). They also seem to have a more favourable schedule of these three teams.

It's going to be a tight race for those two wild card spots.
- Doppleganger

Why do you keep doing this to yourself? You've been frothing at the mouth for a collapse for months.

Why do you keep doing this to yourself? You've been frothing at the mouth for a collapse for months.
- prock

Hopefully your Preds win this one in regulation tonight!

Hopefully your Preds win this one in regulation tonight!
- Nucker101

Why do you keep doing this to yourself? You've been frothing at the mouth for a collapse for months.
- prock

Funny thing is, even if the Leafs miss the playoffs- they're still better off than the Sens by virtue of actually having a draft pick.

Funny thing is, even if the Leafs miss the playoffs- they're still better off than the Sens by virtue of actually having a draft pick.
- Feeling Glucky?

Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst?


Detroit is only five points behind the leafs, plus they have THREE games in hand (if they win them all it's a one point lead). The two teams play each other twice more this season.

Columbus is four points behind the leafs, plus they have THREE games in hand (if they win them all it's a 2 point lead). They also seem to have a more favourable schedule of these three teams.

Because of the injury to the leafs number one goaltender, and being forced to use their backup, who's just okay, they've slipped into the race for a wildcard spot, with little chance of climbing back into the top three spots in the division. They need Jonathan Bernier to get better ASAP!


Tampa .601
Montreal .593
toronto .563
Columbus .559
Detroit .551

Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst?


Detroit is only five points behind the leafs, plus they have THREE games in hand (if they win them all it's a one point lead). The two teams play each other twice more this season.

Columbus is four points behind the leafs, plus they have THREE games in hand (if they win them all it's a 2 point lead). They also seem to have a more favourable schedule of these three teams.
- Doppleganger

always a good philosophy.

Also worth noting that 4 teams need to pass the Leafs in points for them to be knocked out of a playoff spot, whereas the Leafs only need to pass 2 teams to have home-ice advantage.

They're 4 points above the caps(one of the 4 teams that would need to pass them), and only 3 points behind the Lightening.

They're closer to home-ice than they are to missing the playoffs, whereas Ottawa is closer to giving Anaheim a top-5 pick, than they are to making the playoffs.

Imagine if they gave a top-5 pick away for a 2nd liner, who might walk next year?
That'd be pretty damned embarrassing.

They're closer to home-ice than they are to missing the playoffs, whereas Ottawa is closer to giving Anaheim a top-5 pick, than they are to making the playoffs.

Imagine if they gave a top-5 pick away for a 2nd liner, who might walk next year?
That'd be pretty damned embarrassing.
- Feeling Glucky?

Ottawa is probably gong to finish no worse than 23rd overall. That gives Anaheim the 8th pick in the Draft. Unless they win the Lottery of course.

With everything I've read and heard, the top three or four picks are rated as good solid picks, and then it drops off. This years draft is characterized as one of the weakest drafts in a while, and there is no comparison with next year's draft which most pundits agree is one of the strongest in a number of years.


BTW, Bobby Ryan plays on Ottawa's top (scoring) line.

Ottawa is probably gong to finish no worse than 23rd overall. That gives Anaheim the 8th pick in the Draft. Unless they win the Lottery of course.

With everything I've read and heard, the top three or four picks are rated as good solid picks, and then it drops off. This years draft is characterized as one of the weakest drafts in a while, and there is no comparison with next year's draft which most pundits agree is one of the strongest in a number of years.


BTW, Bobby Ryan plays on Ottawa's top (scoring) line.
- Doppleganger

Do you think that maybe having a top line comprised of 2nd liners might have something to do with Ottawa's position in the standings?

And a guy like Nick Richie is predicted to go around that pick- a big, fast powerforward, who scouts say could play in the NHL this year- let alone next year.

Sounds like a guy Ottawa could use, to be honest.

Do you think that maybe having a top line comprised of 2nd liners might have something to do with Ottawa's position in the standings?

And a guy like Nick Richie is predicted to go around that pick- a big, fast powerforward, who scouts say could play in the NHL this year- let alone next year.

Sounds like a guy Ottawa could use, to be honest.
- Feeling Glucky?

Bobby Ryan is a legit first liner. Just plays with depth players.

Bobby Ryan is a legit first liner. Just plays with depth players.
- prock

Team is just too damn young in critical areas,EK wasnt playing top 4 mins in his second year.But our beloved owner, seemed to think guys like Cowen,Ceci Wiercoch and Gryba were ready to resume 4 out of 6 spots.And cheaped out on providing the team with an adequate replacement for Gonchar.

Up front more of the same ,ditch alfie .And replace his leadership with nothing.

Bobby Ryan is a legit first liner. Just plays with depth players.
- prock

Buffalo
Calgary
Columbus
Dallas
Nashville
New Jersey
NYI
Ottawa
Washington

9 teams I see him as an undisputed top-liner.

And I could see a few of those teams willing to pay him the money Melnyk won't come his UFA day.

Buffalo
Calgary
Columbus
Dallas
Nashville
New Jersey
NYI
Ottawa
Washington

9 teams I see him as an undisputed top-liner.

And I could see a few of those teams willing to pay him the money Melnyk won't come his UFA day.
- Feeling Glucky?

Probably a few more in there as well ,but like mentioned there will be a market for him .He is worth what we paid for him ,we need another like him tbh

Probably a few more in there as well ,but like mentioned there will be a market for him .He is worth what we paid for him ,we need another like him tbh

- top shelf 15

You need guys who's response to criticism doesn't include finding the nearest rock, and hiding under it.

You need guys who's response to criticism doesn't include finding the nearest rock, and hiding under it.
- Feeling Glucky?

Meh the rumors of his injury ,have probably more to do with this ,than his precieved lack of effort.He isnt the problem on the team ,and is part of the answer

Meh the rumors of his injury ,have probably more to do with this ,than his precieved lack of effort.He isnt the problem on the team ,and is part of the answer

- top shelf 15

I don't know- timing between his drop in play and the criticism is too uncanny.

Has the team mentioned anything about an injury? Has he missed practice timr because of it?

I don't know- timing between his drop in play and the criticism is too uncanny.

Has the team mentioned anything about an injury? Has he missed practice timr because of it?
- Feeling Glucky?

Supposedly it requires offseason surjury.Ryan ,s mins have been reduced both in games ,and at pratice.Our coach and Ryan have mentioned it briefly,as per the norm of most nhl teams when discussing injuries.

Do you think that maybe having a top line comprised of 2nd liners might have something to do with Ottawa's position in the standings?

And a guy like Nick Richie is predicted to go around that pick- a big, fast powerforward, who scouts say could play in the NHL this year- let alone next year.

Sounds like a guy Ottawa could use, to be honest.
- Feeling Glucky?

Ottawa currently has 9 players on their roster, who were selected in the first round.

They have at least four more first rounders in their system.

Not having one this year is not going to be the end of the world.

The leafs did not have a first round pick in 2007 or 2010 drafts, and as far as I know they're still in the NHL.

Would I like the Senators to have not made the trade, in order to hold onto their first rounder this spring? No, I'm fine with the trade, and am not losing any sleep over it.

Buffalo
Calgary
Columbus
Dallas
Nashville
New Jersey
NYI
Ottawa
Washington

9 teams I see him as an undisputed top-liner.

And I could see a few of those teams willing to pay him the money Melnyk won't come his UFA day.
- Feeling Glucky?

Theres more than that. Carolina and Montreal to start. Without a doubt. I can't see how you think he'd get first line minutes over ovechkin though. I see him as going to new jersey most likely though.

Theres more than that. Carolina and Montreal to start. Without a doubt. I can't see how you think he'd get first line minutes over ovechkin though. I see him as going to new jersey most likely though.
- prock

I don't think he'd get minutes over OV, I just don't see another winger on Washington that would beat him out for a top-line spot. I made the assumption Ryan could play either wing.

Between Vanek and Patchioretty, Montreal would have a hard time finding room for Ryan on the top line, IMO.

Carolina has Skinner and Semin. I know their numbers are below Ryan's, but I'm sure if you put Ryan in Carolina, what offense he has left after the brutal injury to his ego would dry up.

I don't think he'd get minutes over OV, I just don't see another winger on Washington that would beat him out for a top-line spot. I made the assumption Ryan could play either wing.

Between Vanek and Patchioretty, Montreal would have a hard time finding room for Ryan on the top line, IMO.

Carolina has Skinner and Semin. I know their numbers are below Ryan's, but I'm sure if you put Ryan in Carolina, what offense he has left after the brutal injury to his ego would dry up.
- Feeling Glucky?

I assumed right wing only. Forgot about vanek too. But I'd slit him ahead of semin.

always a good philosophy.

Also worth noting that 4 teams need to pass the Leafs in points for them to be knocked out of a playoff spot, whereas the Leafs only need to pass 2 teams to have home-ice advantage.


- Feeling Glucky?

Columbus is TWO points back, with 2 games in hand, it would take only one win (of those games) to pass the leafs.

The Red Wings are ONE points back, with 2 games in hand, they would need ONE point (out of those games) to past the leafs.

That's just two teams by my count.

Who was it that said that having games in hand has no big deal??????


With ten games left the leafs playoff odds have plummeted down to 42.2%.

Looking at their schedule, I see only three maybe four games that they should realistically be able to win. That would leave them with less than 90 points.

To make the playoffs they would probably need a minimum of 13 points out of their remaining 10 games.

If my math is correct, that's a .650 P% from a team that's sitting at a .556 P% for the season.

Who was it that said that having games in hand has no big deal??????


With ten games left the leafs playoff odds have plummeted down to 42.2%.

Looking at their schedule, I see only three maybe four games that they should realistically be able to win. That would leave them with less than 90 points.

To make the playoffs they would probably need a minimum of 13 points out of their remaining 10 games.

If my math is correct, that's a .650 P% from a team that's sitting at a .556 P% for the season.
- Doppleganger

And yet, even if the Leafs miss, they're still better off in every way than the Sens

It's a beautiful thing.

And yet, even if the Leafs miss, they're still better off in every way than the Sens

It's a beautiful thing.
- Feeling Glucky?

Some could argue that the Leafs core is made up players who choke at the most important time, as evidenced by the bad start and worse finish against Boston in the playoffs, guys like Kessel and JVR forgetting how to score in the last 2 games in the Olympics, and we're seeing a glimpse of it right now with the team no longer in full control of its own destiny in the playoff hunt.

Basically, the Leafs MAY be in a similar position to what the Sens were in a few years back - lots of exciting teams, no championships. Still better than missing the playoffs ever year, though!

I'm not saying that's where the Leafs ARE, but just something that SOME could argue.