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Iggwilv

Which witch is which
Member Since
Nov. 2, 2022
Favourite Team
Toronto Maple Leafs
2nd Favourite Team
Winnipeg Jets
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Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsMay 25, 2023 at 2:34 p.m.
Thread: Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 2024 Offseason Discussion - Now What?
In retrospect, it appears that the Maple Leafs failure to advance in the 2nd round has more to do with running into a hot goalie who is doing something rarely seen in the NHL (see Bernie Parent 1974-75... Patrick Roy 1986 and J.S. Giguere 2003). As much as I think there still needs to be a change (trading Marner), this team still did what was expected (in my opinion). They outplayed Florida for the majority of game 1 but made costly mistakes and couldn't score... completely dominated them in game 2 and couldn't score... **** the bed in game three and deserved to lose... played a near perfect game 4 and won... then lost in overtime in game 5 because they couldn't score aginst a goalie who shut down Boston and gave them a chance to win... shut down Toronto's offence and gave them a chance to win... shut down Carolina completely and gave his team a chance to win... and they will do the same in the final unless Vegas somehow solves this problem.
At the end of this Stanley Cup play-offs Sergei Bobrovsky will win the Conn Smythe for MVP (win or lose).
So where does the blame lay?
Was Toronto's big four not good enough... or where they just stopped by one of the greatest goaltending performances in NHL history?
Having gone back and re-watched these games I think it's the latter. Put any other goaltender in the net for Florida in that series and Toronto wins.
Florida did what was required to win after their goaltender shut-down Toronto's offense. It still falls on Toronto, but it's not the doom & gloom everyone thinks.
Yet I still trade Marner (add Nic Robinson to sweeten the deal).... and free up much need cap space.
A few trads I think are worth looking into...
To WInnipeg for Connor Hellybuck and a depth forward - or...
Anahiem for Mason Mactavish and 2023 1st rd pick (2nd overall) - or...
L.A. for Adrian Kempe, Trevor Moore & Matt Roy.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsMay 13, 2023 at 1:34 a.m.
Thread: Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 2024 Offseason Discussion - Now What?
This starts with offering Mathews an extension.
15 Million / season for 8 yrs.
If he doesn't sign it... trade him.
If he does sign it... you then have to decide "Do we trade Nylander and keep Marner.... or sign Nylander and Trade Marner". For me that's the dilemma.
Personally (and this is based on last three years of play-offs) I keep Nylander. The Leafs had 5 guys who stepped up and brought it for these two play-off rounds - Morgan RIelly, Noel Acciari, Luke Schenn, WIlliam Nylander and David Kampf. You can nit-pick all you want and say "Kampf was useless in such-and-such a game, or Nylander disappeared for a couple of games", but over-all I think they rose to the occasion more often than not.
The guys who under-performed were Holl (just awful), Giordano (too old and slow), Mccabe (too often outclassed), Jarnkrok (That was 11 games of absolutely nothing), Marner (too soft for play-off hockey), Mathews (a complete mystery to me) and Kerfoot (just not a factor).
The reasons for keeping Mathews are simple - he's a superstar who can score 50-60 goals. You can't just toss that aside. But Marner, as skilled as he is... continuosly shows that he is not built for play-off hockey. Other than game two vs Tampa... he was a complete mess. I have said this for 4 years now "All a team has to do is shut-down Marner and you eliminate 50% of Mathews offense." With nobody to make room for Mathews, he becomes useless. He cannot drive play on his own.
If Mathews signs and you extend Nylander (10 million for 8 yrs - which is fair value)... YOU HAVE TO TRADE MARNER!!!
The key to fixing this team is 11.6 million in cap space to use on the type of depth players you need to compete in the play-offs and a NEW COACH!!!
Sheldon Keefe... sorry, I like you and think you're a good coach... but we need another level of coaching.
BARRY TROTZ!!!!
... and that's a no brainer.

Just to add.... with Marner gone and 11.6 Million in cap space - I would resign David Kampf (priority)... re-sign Noel Acciari (this is a Toronto player!!!!)... re-sign Ryan O'Rielly (if he's willing to sign in the 4-5 Mill range) and bring back LUKE SCHENN!!!
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsNov. 22, 2022 at 2:19 p.m.
Thread: Toronto Maple Leafs 2022 season Discussion
Making a knee-jerk trade because Reilly is injured is the sign of a bad GM.
Let this play-out and see how these guys do for the next half dozen games. if it's not sustainable you have to bring in some help.
... and not Chychrun. The asking price of two-firsts for a player who' been injured is ridiculous. The idea of giving up assets for him makes me gag.
With or without injury I wouldn't mind a defenseman with some moxy, someone tough and who isn't afraid to fight - Matt Roy comes to mind or Mark Borowiecki from Nashville, although he's currently injured as well. Joshua brown is also tough, doesn't move the needle much in way of defense, but he's cheap and adds some grit.
Regardless, the Leafs need to improve the Left-wing before slapping a band-aid on the defense.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsNov. 11, 2022 at 6:15 p.m.
Thread: Borje Salming.
Love for this man.
Borje Salming will appear in Toronto and Ottawa for each game and at the Hockey Hall of Fame as an Ambassador of the sport as three of his fellow countrymen are inducted.
He is currently enduring the effects of ALS. He is doing so with grace, dignity and strength.
Seeing him before tonights game will be very emotional for me.

I am 51 yrs old. As a 5 yr old my blood turned blue and white. I had no choice, it just happened.
One of those reasons was the Leafs team from the mid to late 70's A period of "almost there". One or two players away from being a legitimate challenge to the juggernaut that was the Montreal Canadians. I'd say legitimate contender for the cup, but really... all you were doing from 76-80 was trying to survive The Habs.
Borje Salming was the standout of that team. Darryl Sittler may have been my favorite player (of all time actually) because he was the Captain and he really was the heart of the franchise, but there was something about Salming that just drew you in. He was awesome!!!
Toronto fell in love with a Swedish player who exemplified the blue-collar, working class base of Toronto's fans.
He was ours.
He took a beating when he came in the league... never backed down, never broke... may have got bloody and bruised, but he pushed back... fought back. He defined a knew type of toughness in the NHL. One where you have a target on your back because these players think your soft for not being Canadian, they are going to test you and you are going to stand your ground or crumble.
He stood his ground.
Everyone realized that this man was tough as nails.
The level of respect this man earned is a testament to his character. The talent he had as a player just increased that respect to the highest level.
Four times he was nominated for the Norris Trophy as best defenseman. Only Denis Potvin and Larry Robinson stopped him from winning the prize. It has been said many times by many people... "If Borje had played on Montrea or Boston... he would have won the Norris all 4 times". The fact that he played on an average to above average team (a good team really) shows how great a defenseman he was. I remember the selfless sacrifice he made on a nightly basis. Hurling his body into the net, in front of pucks, players bigger than him in any way to stop an advantage. How I wish we had a guy like that on the back end now. His playmaking was as fine as any D-man in the league. He could skate... he could play like any Canadian boy... and he became a 6 time All-Star.
I could gush all over him for pages... but I think Leaf fans understand the point I'm getting at.
Borje "The King" Salming is one of the best Maple Leafs to ever wear the Jersey... and if anyone calls him the greatest Leaf, I'm actually pretty good with that too.

Just wanted to acknowledge the respect for #21.
Would love to hear your "Borje" thoughts and stories.
Forum: Boston BruinsNov. 6, 2022 at 2:10 p.m.
Thread: Why did the Bruins just sign a guy who bullied a disabled black classmate in HS
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>bhavikp27</b></div><div>Because there are more than hundreds of other good people in the organization and one bad guy doesn't mean the whole organization is awful. It's a stupid decision but just because you're a fan of the team, it doesn't mean you support every move.

In the meantime, think of an answer to this question for when your favorite team sign a player like that. It will come.</div></div>

I'll take that challenge.
If the Leafs signed him, I would write a letter to management expressing my disgust with the decision and I would refuse to watch the Leafs.
I've put up with a lot of pain, anguish and disappointment with the Leafs over the years, they are the only team I have ever cheered for, Us Leafs fans take a lot of heat for our loyalty, but if the Leafs signed him to an NHL contract I would absolutely, 100% end my support to the team. It would be done, OVER, kaputz.
I would only return to support the Leafs when the situation was rectified and the management that made the decision in the first place was replaced.
This specific individual went beyond just being and ignorant 14 yr old kid who said some racist crap (most likely at that age he didn't even fully understand racism). This was systemic racism, mental and physical abuse of a disabled kid. HE ASSAULTED AND HUMILIATED A DISABLED CHILD... and this abuse went on for years. When I read about what he did I was physically repelled and felt nauseated. Honestly, I don;t know how this guy has been able to get by without a serious sh*tkicking.... if someone did that to anyone I knew I would probably end up in jail. This isn't just racism, this is a sick, twisted human being. He has shown no remorse, made no effort publicly to address the things he's done beyond a minor statement of regret... and the bruins just rewarded him with $950,000 annually for 3 yrs. Normally, I would give someone a 2nd chance if it was an isolated incident or a human error in judgement that we are all capable of making. Not this time, not with this guy.
I watch these incidents very closely, I will admit I have a tiny fear inside that the Leafs could make the same mistake and hire or sign someone with a record of deplorable behaviour. That fear is because I know there are certain things that will test my loyalty... and some that would end it.
If the Leafs ever hired Joel Quenneville... I would be done.
If they ever signed one of the players involved in the sexual assaults that have come to light.... I would be done.
If anyone in the Leafs organization conducted themselves in this manner and the Leafs failed to cut ties with them... I would be done.
My loyalty for a sports franchise never comes at the cost of abandoning my own moral principals or respect for other people.
Thankfully I trust the Leafs current management as they have conducted themselves with integrity in recent years. I have walked away from the Leafs in the past (Harold Ballard for example) and there was an incident recently where a goaltender in our minor league affiliate sexually assaulted a girl... he was immediately cut from the organization and all ties were severed. The Leafs did this quietly and respectfully to protect the identity of the woman. The reason you don't hear about them is because Toronto management has always dealt with them swiftly and appropriately.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsNov. 3, 2022 at 3:02 a.m.
Forum: Toronto Maple LeafsNov. 3, 2022 at 2:58 a.m.
Thread: Toronto Maple Leafs 2022 season Discussion
Closest thing to a complete game we've seen all year.
Tavares is playing like a beast.
I think tonights game confirms much of what I said earlier in the thread... the season has been a tale of two teams, the top 6 and the bottom 6. Tonight the bottom 6 raised their game and it clearly showed how this elevates the team. Engvall alas was still useless and Holl had one of the most miserable shifts I think I've ever seen... a fall, two give-aways and out of position twice all in 60 secs. He got booed... and honestly I felt kind of sorry for him. He's really struggling and the Leafs need to find a way to reset this guy and get him back in NHL form.
Yes, the beat up on the average Flyers who came off a back-to-back, but this was an important win to get some confidence back. The most important part of the game was seeing the way the team rallied around Mathews and stood together when things got rough. Yet, I have to think that would not have happened if Simmonds was in the line-up. I realize Wayne is limited in his role on the team, but having "that guy" - the enforcer... is important. I would keep Simmonds over Engvall every day of the week, if for no other reason he's a tough option when things get edgy.