That's because Shanahan/Dubas are either stupid or stubborn like the idiot coach that didn't lift a finger to turn around an anemic power-play that lasted for weeks.

I support it as Washington and other teams trusted their process and won or are having playoff success. Not everyone wins their cups quickly like Toews and Crosby did. Patience is key

As far as the Power Play goes, that's on Keefe mostly although I do want to put some blame on Dubas for not demanding changing up the Power Play.

Can't blame Dubas and Shanny for not wanting to change the core simply because there's no guarantee of success that way either.

There's no guarantee for anything. That's the oddest excuse for/against any roster construction.

All I know is this is not a sign of progress. There's nothing about this that screams, "hey, we're onto something here!"

2021 Lost First Round
2020 Lost Play-in
2019 Lost First Round
2018 Lost First Round
2017 Lost First Round

Well neither did putting out the same players on the Power Play yet that happened.

Why weren't the guys that were playing well get put with Matthews? I mean if you want to talk about change, this was something relatively simple and wouldn't cost anything yet it didn't happen.

WHY!?

I'm not sure if we're in total agreement here or not? lol

I agree 100%.

The failure to make adjustments on the PP and at 5X5 in the playoffs is mystifying. There's an old adage about doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result ...

That's because Shanahan/Dubas are either stupid or stubborn like the idiot coach that didn't lift a finger to turn around an anemic power-play that lasted for weeks.

As far as the Power Play goes, that's on Keefe mostly although I do want to put some blame on Dubas for not demanding changing up the Power Play.

Can't blame Dubas and Shanny for not wanting to change the core simply because there's no guarantee of success that way either.

There's no guarantee for anything. That's the oddest excuse for/against any roster construction.

All I know is this is not a sign of progress. There's nothing about this that screams, "hey, we're onto something here!"

2021 Lost First Round
2020 Lost Play-in
2019 Lost First Round
2018 Lost First Round
2017 Lost First Round

Can't blame the GM for that, you gotta let people do their job. That would only add more pressure too Keefe because he'd be second guessing every decision before making one. IMO, in situations like that you have to trust your gut. That being said, the power play needed to be changed up long before the playoffs started.

Well neither did putting out the same players on the Power Play yet that happened.

Why weren't the guys that were playing well get put with Matthews? I mean if you want to talk about change, this was something relatively simple and wouldn't cost anything yet it didn't happen.

WHY!?

Such a bad comparison washington did not have 5, 1st round/ play in series loses in a row. Tampa, Washington, Boston all those teams trusted their core and made deep playoff runs way faster then maple leafs. and even when they didnt go far their stars still perfomed. Marner has not scored in 18 consecutive playoff games, and matthews is not scoring at nearly the pace he should be, they need to switch their core up you will not find any success by making the little tweaks they do every year. The bottom 9 is different almost ever year yet they dont go any further in playoffs so maybe theres a problem in the top 6. Just because management does want to make changes doesnt mean the players wont wanna leave. Matthews and marner outta be tired of losing and with big stars like eichel, gaudreau, Seth jones, matthew tkachuk, etc being available for trade this would be the year for those guys to be traded because teams actually have assests to use towards aquiring one of those 2.

Right. I'm pissed off because games 5 through 7 had zero adjustments and now we will have to wait 10 months before we find out if Keefe can make in-game adjustments? Unbelievable!

Wait..why was Babcock fired? Oh yeah.. in-game adjustments. ****!

Mr. Shanahan is certainly not an idiot. The man has 3 Stanley cup rings too his name, gold medals from international play, and is in the hall of fame. As far as being stubborn, he's an old school player who adopted analytics because he could see the way the game was changing. He has more hockey knowledge in the tip of his pinky finger than everyone on here combined.

Dubas did a good job addressing this teams needs last off-season and at the deadline. This isn't too say he hasn't made mistakes or shouldn't shoulder part of the blame for what happened, but give credit where credit is due.

I understand the frustration (I'm frustrated too) and personally I think they need too at least listen and seriously consider offers on the core players. The problem is Matthews isn't going anywhere, neither is Tavares, Marner makes too much and Willy showed up this playoffs. Maybe Rielly, but they'll have to turn around and replace his minutes, plus Muzzin's injury history, so who do you move and for what? Remember it has too make sense for the trade partner as well.

As oneX points out there's no guarantee that rout will work out either.

I'm not saying I dissagree with you, as you make a valid argument, but Nylander was considered a playoff dud prior too this year's playoffs.

Honesty bud, when Marner and Hyman couldn't do a thing during game 5, lines should have been changed. Spezza, Nylander and Kerfoot were playing well and Keefe should have had a combination of those guys with Matthews.

This lack of in-game adjustments still bothering me and it's been how many days since game 7? Yeah...

How is it a bad comparison? It’s fairly apt one in my opinion. Washington may have got further than Toronto has so far but they failed to get past the second round for 10 years before they got to the final and on multiple occasions were the seeded higher and few times won presidents trophy as best in league. So unless you’re calling winning a single round a “deep run” Caps never went on a deep run before finally breaking through and winning.

Such a bad comparison washington did not have 5, 1st round/ play in series loses in a row. Tampa, Washington, Boston all those teams trusted their core and made deep playoff runs way faster then maple leafs. and even when they didnt go far their stars still perfomed. Marner has not scored in 18 consecutive playoff games, and matthews is not scoring at nearly the pace he should be, they need to switch their core up you will not find any success by making the little tweaks they do every year. The bottom 9 is different almost ever year yet they dont go any further in playoffs so maybe theres a problem in the top 6. Just because management does want to make changes doesnt mean the players wont wanna leave. Matthews and marner outta be tired of losing and with big stars like eichel, gaudreau, Seth jones, matthew tkachuk, etc being available for trade this would be the year for those guys to be traded because teams actually have assests to use towards aquiring one of those 2.

How is it a bad comparison? It’s fairly apt one in my opinion. Washington may have got further than Toronto has so far but they failed to get past the second round for 10 years before they got to the final and on multiple occasions were the seeded higher and few times won presidents trophy as best in league. So unless you’re calling winning a single round a “deep run” Caps never went on a deep run before finally breaking through and winning.

First of all, Shanahan is a POS human being that doesn't deserve the title "mister". He was hated on every team he played for because he was always thought to care more about his stats than winning. But more than that, he had a habit of sleeping with his teammate's wives/girlfriends. His wife was Mrs. Janney the first time he hooked up with her.

On-ice achievements have nothing to do with coaching/management ... see Wayne Gretzky.


Not sure what any of that has to do with his hockey knowledge. You're right Gretzky failed but so far Shanahan has done a good job of tearing everything down and building this team back up. I'm not saying this management group and coaching staff haven't made mistakes, but nobody is perfect.

Dubas did a good job when considering what he could do. Part of that is his fault for the contracts he handed out previously but he did a good job addressing this teams needs. We have a young team who needed between leadership which he brought in as well as adressing toughness.

''Dubas obviously didn't address needs, or we wouldn't be here. Signing and trading for players that were impactful 5 years ago isn't exactly shoring up the weaknesses.''

As for this Spezza looked pretty good to me.