Yes, because being third in points on a team that didn't win and by third by like 2 points on the 6th guy is pretty much meaningless in future predictions

He has a NMC then...

When a physical 16 min per night two way C is lost for a series, forcing your 1st line RW to play 3C (hurting both the 1st line because there's less talent on that line, and hurting the 3rd line because that winger hasn't played C all year) it has an effect on that team. I don't care who else is on the team.

That's not that hard to see. Unless you're trying to be obtuse.

You will get a lot of flak either way.
I agree with you.
It is extremely difficult to succeed in today’s salary cap NHL with 2 superstars (I.e. large payrolls), let alone the 3 that the Leafs carry (Matthews, Tavares, & Marner).
Chicago & Pittsburgh succeeded quite a few years ago with Toews/Kane, and Crosby/Malkin, but look at them both now.
Both Aging and have a glut of payroll and contracts they have to manage through.
Edmonton is close with McD and Drais, but still having difficulty finding the right mix of veterans and skilled youth around them.
The key is to draft excellent, use the upcoming talent while they are on their ELC, and sign a couple skilled veterans who would take a discount to play for a cup.
In my opinion, the Tavares signing really put the Leafs in a huge cap crunch, and they have missed on quite a few draft picks the last few years.

The Leafs are one heart and soul type guy to pull it all together. Kadri was like that.
The Jackets have 2 of those guys in Foligno & Jenner.
It is more than just talent.
It is the way they play the game.
Intensity. Compete level. Personal sacrifice.
They bring it all to practice, locker room, games, and do whatever is asked to succeed.
Jenner played at center (2C) for several years when asked (when Wennberg wasn’t cutting it there) but his true comfort is LW.
He also topped the team in face off % while doing so.
Foligno led the team several years ago through a couple tough family illnesses.

Also, bad contracts will kill a teams opportunity too.
Look at Tampa.
They won the cup, but are really paying for their bad contracts now.

Hopefully the Covid thing will resolve soon and the (NHL) economy and attendance get back to normal.
That and Seattle expansion will help spread some contracts/payroll out To help teams a bit from cap crunches.

John Tavares scored a goal and had an assist with the team down 3-0 with less than 5 minutes to go for one of the better playoff comebacks in a long time, to force a game 5.

Give me a team with four superstars who won a playoff round. I would take a core of Matthews, Marner, and Nylander and allocate the $11 million cap space around depth pieces and a top two defensemen.

The oilers in the 80's didn't have 4 superstar (they had about 50 lol), but it was the same kind of idea. They were an all offense team. And they won 5 cups.

Tampa Bay Lightning 2018/2019. Did not win one round that year. Had 5 superstars.

What Top 2 dman is going to fall in their lap either of the last two summers (meaning 2018 & 2019).

Blue Jacket fans should be excited on how they built their team. For me, I'm trying to find something to be positive about but there isn't much.

They lost in the first round

End of discussion.

You're either trolling, or you are 7 years old.

OK. Didn't understand your original question.

T.B. - 2019/2020 - won the Cup.

I think getting a player like Muzzin a couple years ago helped. I think Simmons plays with an edge, and Spezza may bring some good depth and experience.
(Very similar signing as the Jacket’s Koivu).
I think Toronto is definitely a playoff team (Boston, Tampa & Toronto). It is just getting past the early round(s).

McDavid is already locked down in Edmonton. Serial killer style mansion (wtf is that chandelier over the bed?!) and locked in at 23 years old with some girl.
Suspicious if you ask me.
Seems happy to be on a loser team in Deadmonton.

i'm judging his trade based on his inability to not get suspended when the team needed him most

You have Zach Bogosian as your profile pic 🤣

"Trying to find something to be positive about"

February 11, 2016

19-25-9 TML vs. 22-29-5 EDM

Spanked 5-2

Player SHFT TOI
Mark Arcobello 22 17:31
Brad Boyes 24 16:17
Rich Clune 13 7:24
Frank Corrado 25 18:04
Byron Froese 25 13:50
Jake Gardiner 25 19:06
Michael Grabner 24 14:19
Colin Greening 23 17:20
Peter Holland 23 16:09
Matt Hunwick 27 21:54
Leo Komarov 29 19:13
Josh Leivo 5 2:27
Martin Marincin 22 12:47
P.A. Parenteau 23 18:47
Roman Polak 27 24:07
Morgan Rielly 32 20:09
Nick Spaling 26 16:25
Daniel Winnik 24 16:30
Jonathan Bernier 0 58:02

That’s actually ****ing insane. I forgot about half these guys.

Yeah, they had the powerhouse lineup that night.

leivo getting 2 minutes is peak babcock

Yeah. I was pretty shocked to see Corrado and Leivo both in the lineup at the same time!

Haha

haven't this fan base discussed this to death already

You guys are obsessed with posting and talking about this everyday