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LeafsForLife

Lifelong Leafs Fan
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Toronto Maple Leafs
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Forum: NHL17 hours ago
Thread: Expansion Ideas and Division Reshaping
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>LeafsForLife</b></div><div>Fair point, I guess I didn’t word that was well as I could have. I chose those 3 cities because they would be my priorities if I was looking at expansion.
Hamilton:
- Has an NHL caliber arena (FirstOntario Centre, formerly Copps Coliseum)
- Has the fans to support an NHL team (as demonstrated by the Leafs outdoor game in Hamilton a few years ago)
- Would provide an alternative to the Leafs in Southern Ontario. As we all know, tickets to Leafs games are ludicrously expensive, the season tickets waiting list is unfathomably long, and corporate suits occupy most of Scotiabank Arena. In fact, there was a more lively pro-Leafs atmosphere in Buffalo than there was in Toronto.
Quebec City:
- Has an NHL-caliber arena (I believe it’s called the Videotron Centre and AHL Laval is playing in it right now)
- Has the fans to support an NHL team (was considered for expansion same year as Vegas)
- Instant marketing opportunities: Not only would they have the built in rivalry with Montreal, but the nostalgia of reviving the Nordiques would only help as well
Saskatchewan:
- Instant trio of geographic rivals: Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg
- As alluded to above, Canadian hockey fans are very passionate about hockey, and instead of having to travel long distances to Edmonton, Calgary, or Winnipeg, Saskatchewan hockey fans could unite behind the team
- In addition, that would leave Canadian teams with 5 in the East and 5 in the West, which is well balanced and would, as aadoyle said, “fill the map”
Overall:
- NHL would be approximately 1/4 Canadian teams (9 teams would work in 33-39 total, and 10 would work 37-43 total)
- This would be helpful for if the NHL ever wants to make another all-Canadian division for the marketing opportunities, or is forced to be another cross-border lockdown
- I hope this wasn’t too long to read and I’d be interested in any feedback you have in response</div></div>

I appreciate you expanding on your ideas. Not everyone on here is Canadien so the things you take for granted in Toronto aren't obvious to all of us (ticket prices to games for example).

Hamilton is intriguing because of being in the Greater Toronto Area, and certainly would have a full arena; but it would technically "dilute" the media market and not necessarily increase ratings and media rights to the league. Would Maple Leafs see diminished demand in season tickets, corporate sponsorships, media rights, etc?

Would the Buffalo Sabres?

Each NHL team has to produce a minimum Hockey Related Revenue of $130 million (US), otherwise they are not meeting the HRR target for the cap floor and losing money.
However, the average revenue per team in 2023 was $201,000,000.

For 17,383 seats per game in Hamilton x 41 home games that is $282 per seat per game; or $386 Canadien or $11,563 (US); $15,841 (Canadien) per seat per season.

Certainly Corporate sponsorships and luxury boxes help push the average to make the cheap seats more affordable while still bringing in the revenue.

Buffalo is, and has been for quite a long time, near the bottom of the NHL revenue scale. A "competitor" moving into the area that drives much of their revenue would be met with fierce resistance from them in the NHL governor's meetings; so the "political" support amongst the NHL owners would already be poor.

IMO, the only way Hamilton gets a team is if it is the Buffalo Sabres relocating.

Those economics are also the exact reason why Quebec and even moreso Saskatchewan would not be considered for expansion. The financial struggles in Winnipeg have already put the NHL on notice that small market teams are really vulnerable no matter how passionate their fanbase/community is for hockey. If the "burden" of supporting the team economically comes from the general population within that city then it could be subject to downturns that can never be recovered. If there is a really big corporate base and enough population to overcome ebbs and flows in the "diehard" fanbase then it is more sustainable. If Quebec doubled in population and economy then maybe they would become an option.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsMay 5 at 4:06 p.m.
Thread: Leafs 2023 2024 Season Discussion Part 7 - Shambles
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>LeafsForLife</b></div><div>Seeing a lot of stuff on this forum on whether or not the Core 4 would succeed in the playoffs under different coaching (HC and all ACs). What would everyone think of this idea:
Obviously, fire entire coaching staff. Since Tavares’ and Marner’s contracts end next year, they have 1 year to prove it was the coaching that was the problem. If the Leafs follow this plan and go on a run, that’s great. If not, their contracts are off the books.
If you don’t like this idea, fair enough, but explain why you think it wouldn’t work.</div></div>

Here's my argument for those who blame Keefe for the scoring issues and no I am not letting him off either its just not a clear cut case as many people think

In TOR in 13 of 14 couldnt get more than 3 goals

This was an issue that started game 5 of the TBL series last year so okay its Keefe

Hold on

Game 1-4 of that series TOR scored 3 goals game 1, 7 game 2, 4 game 3, and 5 game 4. Was Keefe not HC then?

Special teams were also good that series to. So what happened between game 4 and now

But after game 4 they just seemed to lose their playoff scoring Mojo to where the one time they scored 3 was with Boston's 1B in net.

Maybe a new coach or system will fix the issue but yea its a problem that needs to get fixed otherwise we go no where. Dont matter about regular season, or whose in net/dcore if we have trouble scoring especially on the PP were going no where.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsMay 5 at 6:30 a.m.
Thread: Leafs 2023 2024 Season Discussion Part 7 - Shambles
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>LeafsForLife</b></div><div>Exactly my thoughts. I wanted the Leafs to win badly, but I can’t say I was surprised with how the game, series, and season ended</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Trickster</b></div><div>I'm numb to this result.
This is now what happens year in year out.
Not surprised.

I almost had hope when it got to game 7 but brought back down to the ground .

Lack of scoring is the continuing playoff story, yet again.</div></div>

Hey you guys remember those 80 seconds right after Willie scored when we all thought they'd do it.

God that was nice. And **** them for immediately blowing it. 80 ****ing seconds. That's all these losers could do
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsApr. 30 at 6:40 p.m.
Thread: Leafs 2023 2024 Season Discussion Part 7 - Shambles
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>aadoyle</b></div><div>Again you keep missing it and like a broken record keep going with the same stuff while missing or skimming the real issues.

It dont matter whose in net if this team dont score. We keep telling yah that

Samsonov stole game 6 vs. TBL last year making 2 good saves in OT before JT gave them the winner. He's not been great this series but of all the goals allowed 2 or 14% he owes back to TOR thats nothing lul.

Sadly in the end long as the PP and PK are anemic and the big boyz dont show up were going no where. They just be trying to grasp for straws rather than just make simple adjustments to the PP and PK setup Jack Han be right</div></div>

Well Woll is starting and now let's just focus on positivity. Hopefully they get going on the special teams. Maybe missing Matthews is a blessing because they won't focus on him on the PP
Forum: NHLApr. 28 at 9:21 a.m.
Thread: 2023-2024 NHL Discussion Thread #5: The Final Stretch
It’s dumb to me how blind and immature opinions from the media are.

Game 1 Toronto played slightly better but close enuff to equivalent to Boston. While down 2 goals the leafs were well above 50% chance to win game for almost entire third period because they had persistent possession/chances.
Game 2-3 Toronto vastly outplayed Boston. Vastly.
Game 4 - fairly even tilt, still leafs outplaying Boston similar to g1.

Meanwhile:
Boston scoring on what feels like every power play.
Boston scoring with seconds to go in period on broken plays.
Leafs top heavy team missing significant chunk of its top heavy skaters.

Now my social media and media feed is filled with such extremism and negativity towards the leafs.

I’m not making excuses: ultimately I don’t care which team wins, I’m rooting for stl. It’s just so many wrong opinions it hurts my brain.

Everybody knows marner is soft, but showing him lose 2 50/50s then deciding he’s trash right before he dangles to score a solo effort goal is funny. Board battles are not the thing he’s good at. We’ve known that for years. It’s not going to change. If you view him from that perspective he sucks. If you view from other perspectives, like carrying the puck, he’s one of the best in the league. It’s how it works for every player, just different perspectives.

There is this need for Toronto media to be negative. Other teams are down in their series and it isn’t 25 YouTubers, broadcasters live on air pointing out an individual players known weakness anywhere near the amplitude and frequency.

They’ve conditioned the building to boo, to be cautious. It impacts the game. It’s hurting the team, but it gets clicks I guess?

—-Leafs are one of the few playoff teams that have a home ice disadvantage and it’s the medias fault.



Leafs in 7 if you can get your expensive skaters on the ice together and they are close to 100%.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsApr. 27 at 11:18 p.m.
Thread: Leafs 2023 2024 Season Discussion Part 7 - Shambles
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>NorthernLeafsFan05</b></div><div>Willy calling out mitch only for marner to score the only goal of the evening is hilarious</div></div>

Also, leave it to Keefe to not adjust until we've already dug ourselves a ginormous hole. The Leafs aren't coming back from a 3 - 1 deficit against the Bruins.

We say this every offseason, but it's more true now than it ever has been; change <strong><em>needs</em></strong> to come. I cannot stand the thought of having to watch another season of Sheldon Keefe hockey, or the Guy Boucher Powerplay, or the Mike Van Ryn Man-on-Man defensive structure. I don't want to see a single familiar face behind the bench next season. I also don't want to see Samsonov between the pipes, he's too inconsistent and the lows are far too low with him.

It's also startling that the Leafs would ever consider trading Marner. This UFA crop is super weak and that money we'd be saving wouldn't be put to great use. Plus, it's Mitch Marner we are talking about. He's our 2nd best player and a crucial part of this team. You want to know why he doesn't show up in the playoffs? Because Keefes system is dog s***. That's the exact same reason why the other big guys also disappear in the playoffs.

All of this being said, we won't see changes this offseason. Keefe will be the headcoach next season, and the roster will probably be IDENTICAL, just without Bertuzzi and a new RHD.

This team could be so good but we are wasting our contention window by employing a bunch of bumbling idiots to run the show behind the bench. Our blueline contributes next to nothing offensively and also doesn't DEFEND. Sick of this same old song and dance.