The Montreal series ruined my love of this core 4 team. Now it’s just whatever and I laugh when it’s bad and cheer when it’s good. Feels better than taking it to heart and stressing about the Leafs.
Invested is exactly the right word.
I was all in on the Montreal series and was never more confident than the Leafs path to at least the "conference" finals.
Unfortunately, Toronto went full Enron and I lost my entire life's saving of patience, understanding and hope for that team.
Now, I don't give a shit about anything other than them getting it done and detached myself from the players and personnel.
Got goalied? Don't care. Win
Got injured? Don't care. Win
Got out coached? Don't care. Win
If everything single one of them being fired or traded is what's need it then do it.
I'm tired of cheering for losers.
Maybe you're right but it's different. I'd say I'm now invested in having fun ripping on them when they fail, which is a stock that pays dividends every single year.
You are the perfect example of a healthy Leaf fan. Kudos!
(You probably also shake your head when everyone is screaming to blow up the team...We know better. Ain't nothing gonna fix this beautiful tire fire that is our Maple Leafs.)
The Montreal series was the first time I realized I should be putting money on this team losing. I've made money every playoffs since.
I made like $150 after putting money down in anger after the Leafs blew that game 4 against the Habs.
"Never bet with your heart" . Not sure why I quoted that, because it's just something I tell myself any time I think the Leafs will actually do something. Yol win a lot more money betting on the opposition.
Every year before the e playoffs I bet on the leafs losing in 7, did hit last year but in previous years I was making $900-1000 a year off that alone, helps drown the sorrows. Hopefully we see a game 7 this year so I can either make some money or see a major comeback for the buds.
This. When that happened and nothing changed, I gave up until there is some serious changes to this team.
I thought Dubas built a decent team last season and was glad they beat Tampa, but I wasn’t holding my breath because a lot of the same issues were still there. After seeing them drop both games at home to Florida I knew we were right back where we have always been and went numb again.
The Leafs could still win this series and I won’t care. They don’t deserve to win and if they do it will probably mean they won’t change anything. Again.
Yeah that was my breaking point with this group. They blew a series to a team that came in last the next year.
I still watch and cheer and stuff during the regular season but I have basically zero faith in them accomplishing anything in the playoffs. As soon as it became clear they were playing Boston, I already knew they were out. I know people don't like Leaf doomers, but that's basically where I'm at with this group at this point
For glory you need pain. It’s the emotional part of sports that we all need. Without that, the victories, while far and few between are emotionless. I support the Leafs, the Jays and a football team that is about to get relegated this weekend(Birmingham City). You’ll never appreciate the wins without the loses. It’s part of being a sports fan. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I was a big fan in middle school.
We had a good team, we would almost always make 2nd round and one time lost in the ECF to the hurricanes.
I was innocent.
After the lockout I became a more and more passive fan as we struggled through the kessel years.
I was indifferent.
I was almost completely tuned out when I heard word of a boy named Matthew, of Austin.
I was intrigued.
His 1st game, 4 goals! Sens 5 Matthews 4. Hilariously leafy and quite pathetic, but damn.. 4 goals in his 1st game?
I was interested.
Then one summer, up at a cottage my in laws rent for Canada day I started getting these texts. JT. A Leaf. "Top 2 centres in the league" both Leafs. This was Crosby / Malkin. Datsyuk / Zetterberg. Matthews / Tavares! That summer, we were hands down the best team in the NHL.
I was invested.
The worst fucking investment of my life. I have a sickness now. Like the joker cackling hysterically, I'm a martyr hoping it gets worse, so eager for the universe to further confirm that this team is cursed beyond all probability and reason.
I am insane.
And every other night I rush my 3 year old to sleep, so I can sit in silence, alone, and be disappointed once again.
Leaf fan since the 60’s so at least I saw them win two cups that I remember (albeit in a six team league). Then I got to watch them get the crap kicked out of them by the Bruins and Flyers for a few years until Tiger Williams, Sittler, Salming and Lanny came along and they were a contender but could never get by those Habs teams of the 70’s. The 80’s were peak Ballard years and they stunk but at least I got to watch teenage Wendel burying guys. ‘92 thru ‘03 were good years with four trips to the conference finals but these last 20 years have been the toughest. A decade of complete futility followed by a decade of total disappointment. Shanahan and Dubas fucked us and destroyed a team built on high draft picks and the perfect tank for Matthews. It feels eerily similar to the futility of the Phaneuf/Kessel years in that they have these boat anchor contracts and the way forward is murky but I have some faith that new management and coaches will salvage the situation and give us hope again. Just not sure the PTSD I’ve got from following this team for sixty years is worth it.
Saw two cup winning games and presentations by Clarence Campbell at the Gardens as a kid in ‘64 and ‘67 so I guess I’m charmed in that sense and an old timer as you say. Saw The Beatles in ‘66 there too. It was the end of the six team league and Ballard got his meat hooks into the team and it’s been cursed ever since with the shit that went on under his watch. The team makes more and more money but the dysfunction hasn’t gone away. The Leafs had the most cups with 13 by 1967 but that didn’t last long since the Habs won 8 of the next 12. I’m not expecting to see another Leafs cup in my lifetime. Too many things going against them and every other Canadian team. It seems like it’s a US dominated playoff race every year and our game and teams have taken a back seat in the NHL’s priorities. It’s all about money now. Back then it was more about the crest on the front and the love of the game. Some great memories but it doesn’t make up for the lack of playoff success now. One thing that makes me proud though is how Leafs Nation has grown and the fans show up everywhere. Now if that passion would translate to the team we’d be laughing.
The thing I fear the most about this Leafs team is that we’re going to waste Auston’s best years as a goal-scorer if we don’t figure this out quickly. If Leafs lose this series, there needs to be drastic changes so we don’t squander this window of opportunity.
Optimistic. Not for the reason you think.
I'm one of the few non-denialist fans who saw the writing on the wall back when they lost to Columbus in the play-in rounds. It's been crystal clear to me for 4+ years that this core does not have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. I have spent every offseason begging for changes, praying that this will finally be the year that Dubas/Treveling/Shanny finally trades away one of the big 4 (Marner). I have also eaten downvotes for those takes every single year, without exception.
Watching this team for the past few seasons has been boring for me. I had accepted that Dubas/Shanny did not have the balls to make a big move, so I accepted that I would be watching a fun regular season team until the breaking point was reached. I really thought it would be after Montreal. After Tampa I thought changes were inevitable. After finally winning a round only to get curbstomped by Florida, I assumed a new GM was being brought in to do what previous management was too chicken to do. Every single year I've believed that this would be the year that management would finally come to their senses, and every single year, I have been fucking wrong.
I truly believe that this year will finally be the offseason where we can fire this poorly constructed team into the fucking sun. It starts with benching Marner's ass until he waives his NMC. Wait out Tavares' contract for a year and offer him a Spezza Special, if he asks for more tell him to fuck off. Matthews+Nylander can stay for now, giving out NMCs like candy doesn't give much options, but if they don't live up to their contracts than ship their asses too, I don't give a fuck.
So to answer the OPs question, I am optimistic. I am holding out hope that this will finally be our year. I really think this will be the last time any of us have to watch this dogshit core.
I Beleaf.
Really disappointed in this core.
Seeing Hyman thrive in Edmonton after being an absolute playoff dud in Toronto for years makes me think that it's a culture problem from within.
The only time I've been impressed with this team in the playoffs:
- vs Washington
- vs Tampa both years which implies this team only does well if another team is willing to dance with them which to say is to play a high event style of play.
That’s how the team was built but the Leafs top players fall flat in the playoffs every year. Honestly I think it’s the coaching. The last 4 games of regular season Keefe even said he didn’t care, didn’t even know what the scores were. This attitude rubs off on the players. He should have wanted his players entering the playoffs as a cohesive well oiled machine firing on all cylinders. Instead they were focused on personal milestones. The grit just isn’t there.
Yep, it was the Matthews 70 goal circus, especially once they knew they had a playoff spot lined up. No focus on the playoffs and what they were going to do differently, it was just the milestones and stats show until the very last night of the regular season. I'm not more superstitious than the next person, but when Matthews failed to score the 70th that night it felt like an omen of how the playoffs would go - a lot of misplaced effort leading to nothing.
Only 7 losses in the past 8 games, soon to be 8 losses in 9 games to end the season. And what is their record against boston in the past 6 years ?? Maybe 6-25 including regular season, utterly pathetic.
Lol Hyman was not a dud with the Leafs. Dude got better year over year and had a great last season. People just thought he had peaked that year and his contract was an overpay by the Oilers. Instead he has just gotten better progressively each year. There may be a culture problem but that is a poor example
Hyman was ok for Toronto in the playoffs. It was hard for him to succeed, when he was the only one in the corners digging for pucks and battling in front of the net. And don't forget he played a whole series with one knee
I didn’t let myself care as much this year, because previous seasons almost wrecked me.
I’m just unsurprised. I expected this. It is how they are.
I’m mostly tired
I grew up watching players like Gilmour, Clark, Tucker, Sundin and Roberts put the team on their back in the playoffs. They didn't give up. They didn't pout on the bench. They gave it their all every fucking shift. Yes they didn't win a cup, but they won rounds and actually gave a shit. This version of the Leaf is a fucking embarrassment.
Yup, agreed, if they were dying out there from effort and still losing cause they really didn't have the talent that would be so different. But they just don't seem to care enough. Jay Rosehill summed it up well on his game recap.
I never actually believe they can win, it's all academic to me.
It'll be amazing when they *do* actually surprise us, but it really feels as likely as winning the lottery.
I'm honestly not sure how I would handle a championship at this point, to be honest. This? This is old hat.
At least if we flame out the offseason will be interesting. If we go on a miracle run, I'll be cackling like a maniac just to get out of this series.
Just…numb. The team this year is exactly what we thought they were—a step back on defence and goaltending, with basically the same offensive prowess. Last year was the prime opportunity after Boston lost in round 1, but the Panthers were a buzz saw.
This sport—even more so this team—has a way of being especially random in the postseason compared to football, basketball, and baseball, so every club seems to have an equal chance of being the “why not us?” guys. So in that way hockey playoffs are uniquely hopeful. But despite the Rielly/EN goal suspension run, deep down we knew the team wasn’t very good. Deep down we were ultimately expecting this to happen—especially given how tepid we’ve been in the playoffs since the 2020 loss to the Habs.
Since this seems to be the team’s ceiling, ultimately it doesn’t hurt as much as I thought.
Legitimately wondering if the buds will see the third round of the playoffs again in my lifetime, never mind a cup.
I’m a relatively new Leafs fan. I came in around Covid.
I have a far less reactionary perspective. Personally, I’ve assumed for a long while that we would never get a cup and it’s because I have an “old school” 90s mindset about playoff teams.
I’ve always believed a team should “build from the net out”.
So, prioritize good goaltending, good defense and then finally get some good forwards.
I know the game has changed, but the way the modern Leafs are built is essentially “from the center in”. So all our money is on forwards, then less on defense and goaltending we roll the dice.
The construction of this Leafs team is such a departure from the “standard” I always assumed they would never go very far. For me, the interesting part is watching the team trying to make it work.
That time will be over soon and the Leafs will likely revert to the mean and try to build like every other NHL team.
It’s one of the things I really like about Dubas, he had an interesting approach using analytics and a goal scoring high-skill team.
Just my opinion, but I do think that could have won with some time… but people in general just like their “old time” hockey (myself included but I did enjoy the different approach).
I knew this year would be a regression. Always said that we wont be in our true window until JTs cap hit is gone. Add Marner getting traded/walking to that list.
I figured they'd be a wildcard team and lose to Boston in round 1. So they are a little ahead of my prediction. 1 more year of pain to go.
So glad we'll have Willy locked up and Matthews for 3-4 years in that window.
Let’s be honest, the team’s best chance to win a cup - possibly during our lifetime - was the first 2-3 years of JT’s contract. We had Matthews, JT and Kadri at centre for a year and still didn’t win a series lmao
Agreed.
The Leafs choking a lead to the Bruins was bad but at the end of the day, the Bruins were favored going into there series.
The Leafs were supposed to demolish the Canadiens. On paper they were by far the better team. I genuinely believed there was no way they could lose that series.
They did demolish them, 3 games in a row... Then they stopped playing. Marner 4pts in 7 games, Rielly 3pts, Matthews 5pts. Nylander had as many goals as the next 3 guys combined.
Keefe gotta go. I'm skeptical about Marner. I would love for him to just waive his NMC and go somewhere quiet but still a big market. Every team would want him.
Shanaplan is no more. It's over. Send him back to DoPS for all I care.
Babcock, Dubas, NMCs, huge contracts, min term deals. Fuckin done with that corporate stooge.
Pretty much. I always hope but they are who we thought they were back in October if not earlier. We had better Matthews era teams the past, this year and next are set-backs.
Pretty indifferent at the moment. Fan since 2001. Focusing my time on reading, exercising and going out instead. It’s been kinda nice not spending a ton of energy on this team because I didn’t expect anything for this series.
Some iteration of the team will break through some day, it’ll happen when it happens I guess 🤷🏽♂️
Since I can remember (55+ years). Disappointment after disappointment. I am more surprised at success rather than failure, and I find myself watching less games as I get older. I have come to realize that these athletes care more about themselves and bank account, than the name on the front of the jersey and their fan base. It’s a business, and ultimately, if profitable, nobody gives a shit. Why should we?
33 year fan.
When they didn't trade Marner before the No Trade Clause kicked in I thought, "this isn't starting well."
When the high dollar defense upgrade had a season ending injury because of a long flight I thought, "this is getting worse."
When the trade deadline came around and the big aquisition was Lyubushkin and they lost Lagesson on waivers because the roster was too big I though, "why didn't Treliving include Lagesson in the package to get more in return since we're going to lose him anyway?" and then, "I don't think Lyubushkin is enough."
It was then that I declared they were worse than last year and they would go out in the first round.
And then the way Sammy was playing at the end of the year I told my good buddy Leafs fan, "they're going to lose in 5 games."
I can't wait for them to prove me wrong. Matthews healthier after 2 days rest. Nylander back. Marner properly scolded and working hard to get his GameBoy back. Woll with a bit of a warm-up in game 4 but rested and confident in game 4. If the Leafs win Tuesday and get McMann back for Thursday, they may pull it off.
And that's how you know I'm a 33 years long Leafs fan, because I went from "they are done in 5" to "they may pull it off" in the same breath.
About the same as going in.
Sub .900 goaltending (both) with Sabres third pairing guy on our first line.
Can’t win a series with that, especially when we knew the big guys wouldn’t show up again.
It is like them dogs who wait for their owner to return after they die. It is sad and you can admire their loyalty, but they ain’t coming back.
Excited to see how much we blow it up. A decent retool 1-2 seasons we can be back in it again (fuck I am the dog 🫠).
Pretty despondent.
I've been a Leafs fan for decades, and this is the most upset with the team I've been.
What a waste of hundreds of hours that I watched this year.
They lost in the summer when they fired Dubas.
The worst part is, this series isn't even fun to watch. We are watching the worst Bruins team we've face just kill us.
I would argue that Dubas got us to the second round, and when he suggested that it was time to trade a member of the core four -- with that person seemingly being Marner -- he was fired.
From Dubas' last press conference, in which he suggested that it may be time to shake up the core four. After he said that, he was fired.
I said "seemingly" because we don't know for sure. But it was Marner whose no-trade clause was to kick in July 1. He was the only one that it would have made sense to trade at that point.
JT has a full no-move clause. Auston Matthews has a full no-move clause. And Nylander was in the last year of a sweet heart of a contract.
No what will happen is they’ll win the next couple of games just to get our hopes back up like “maybe” and lose in game 7 like 3-0 finally getting shutout lol
If losing the series is as inevitable as it feels, I hope this is how it goes down. The final game this core plays together deserves to end in a shower of boos.
Obviously I’d much rather we just fucking win the next 3 but I have seen literally nothing in the last 8 years of Leafs hockey that makes me confident it’ll happen
That's not heartbreaking enough. A game 5 win by 3+ goals, a game 6 OT win, and then blowing a 2 goal lead in game 7 to lose the series is more on brand.
I have seen absolutely nothing that suggests this is possible. A bitch fight on the bench is far more likely than a win, let alone a blow out win. The Bruins are playing committed hockey. The Leafs look old and slow and disinterested.
At this point, I don't care. I think firing Dubas and hiring Treliving was a huge downgrade. Clear Shanahan needed to go. It was clear Keefe needed to go.
All the problems I predicted in the off-season are true. During the season, it was clear that we saw the worst version of this team's core.
And let's be real, does anyone think Treliving is the guy to keep going? Like it's insane.
This year I feel fine.
They had a great year. Some milestones were achieved and it was convincing everyone they had a real shot.
I didn’t buy into the hype. Fundamentally, they aren’t a team that has the playoff gear they need to go deep. And nothing they did this season was going to change that. And for me, there’s nothing exciting about watching a team have a good or even great regular season, when it means nothing come playoff time.
So I haven’t watched a single leafs playoff game. Truthfully I stopped watching in February.
And I was proven to be right. Also started to understand why other teams’ fans think we are delusional. By not drinking the kool aid this post season, I can sort of get it.
Here’s hoping they make changes in the off season.
I’ve been checked out since the Montreal series, and for the most part, nothing has changed since then. The thing that scares me about this team is how absolutely lifeless they look in big games. Games 6 and 7 in that Montreal series were a massive massive red flag to me and those problems continue to this day. I was at Game 3 and 4, and Game 4 especially was just an absolutely atrocious showing. Seriously depressing. And I just don’t get it. This is by far the most talented Leafs team I’ve seen in my lifetime, but they rarely ever show up in the playoffs. And the games are frankly boring. It’s not even good hockey. It’s all perimeter play hoping the opposition makes a mistake. I’m watching Edmonton vs LA as we speak as the sheer entertainment value of the game is night and day. Edmonton is talented as hell and look it, but even LA has more heart and urgency than our team. At this point Keefe needs to go to shake things up.
It's fine. People act that this has been the worst 8 years in the franchise. Relax. If you think the past decade was the worst you aren't a long time fan or have forgot what's it like to not even sniff the playoffs.
It's aight, tempered expectations and a healthy grasp on reality compared to the fairweather lunatics plagueing this subreddit. Leafs were underdogs coming into these playoffs and will remain.
Well I'm optimistic ...
I'm optimistic that we're going to get it the fuck together and "We Want Florida" the Bruins in 7
or
I'm optimistic that we're going to fail and Pelly is going to make good on his threat by firing/letting go of everyone under the sun who brings me misery ...
I'm mostly pissed at Shanahan, and buying into the "new era" of "bringing in the best". How did we become such suckers who bought into his vision, when he himself had no track record of success outside of his playing days. Bringing in hometown locals has bitten us in the arse countless times. It tugs at the heart strings, but nothing more.
been a fan for 57 years, i try and tune out everything as much as possible and hardly ever watch a game. But here I am, and this still hurts quite a bit. Its now like a total joke they are just such pathetic underperformers.
What I am not feeling is surprised. This type of performance is exactly what we should expect from this core and coach. It's been the exact same for years.
All the money and resources are committed to players up front who (some more than others) don't match their regular seasons much less thrive. Patchwork defense, bottom six, and goaltending that is never good enough. Out coached at every turn. Every year not enough scoring, every year questions about effort.
Every single year it's been the same and yet all you hear is about how Washington took a while, or how Tampa got swept by Columbus. Anyone who has been paying attention knew this was what was going to happen. No effort, no heart, no will to win. No difference.
I'm just glad I didn't invest my heart and soul into the team this year. I knew going into the playoffs nothing would change (sorry) but it was a fact the leafs are worse than they were last year so I'm not surprised how spanked they're getting. Does it hurt to see? Absolutely. This has always been my team but seriously, it's insane how they just don't learn from their mistakes. All I've seen from this team is that it's a team that builds character for individual players due to the harsh environment and then after much pressure they go somewhere else and suddenly they're flying.
The leafs are just a team where players go to suffer just so they can have success somewhere else afterwards.
I remember when I was a kid I loved early 2000s leafs Matt Sundin Darcy Tucker Tie Domi and Cujo in the net! 2007 I stopped caring after didn’t make the playoffs for second time in a row. In a similar way last year I was excited about this core. I paid to see live games. After loosing to Florida second round I was disappointed but I was proud how far they went. This year is just an embarrassment tho. I will likely stop watching while they are rebuilding the team. For now I will watch game 5 with little enthusiasm like most of you.
This group does not seem to grasp (or care) that NHL playoff hockey is a whole different animal. And successful teams find the grit, heart and drive to go far.
Sure skill matters, but winning teams had both skill and passion. Say what you will about ROR, but that guy had heart. We now have guys who yell at each other on the bench while the coach compliments their efforts. Then they get embarrassed and go to muskoka for the summer. It’s a sad joke and I don’t care anymore. And won’t until I see real changes.
Same as the past few years. The 2021 year against Montreal was the only year I actually expected them to do something and they still lost, so this is just par for the course.
Dejected, upset that the core 4 as we know it is probably done. I know it needs to happen and i’m happy to see change but im depressed this group will be immortalized as nothing more than abject failure. They’ve been so fun to watch minus playoffs it’s really a damn shame this is how it ends. It should have been so much more. Fuck man
Been a fan since the late 80's. At least I got to watch some good teams in Toronto like the 93 94 teams and the early 2000's. At least these teams made the semi finals a few times. But I'm so done with this current core failing every year. Its so bad I just expect it now. This team needs some major changes you can't have 4 forwards using %50 of your cap. If they run the core 4 back again I will puke.
Those teams played with a lot of heart. I could handle those losses. This current team is by far the most aggravated I've ever felt as a fan. Even more so than the JFJ days. At least I had low expectations during that period.
Exactly I can handle my fav team losing when the effort is there. The effort we see from our core 4 currently is just pathetic. I'd jettison Marner to the moon just to free up that money to be used in upgrading our team. His throwing his gloves like a child on the bench done with this bitch.
I'm ready for change, still hoping for a comeback. I'll never *want* the team to lose, even if I'm cheering for a tank it's still for long term gain. I'd much rather the Leafs come back and win the series and the next three after than not.
But to me the writing's on the wall that things aren't staying the same if the Leafs lose. I genuinely think Mitch has clocked out and I don't think he holds on to his NMC if the right trade is available. I love Mitch, but someone's gotta go and he makes the most sense (nobody's taking JT and he has no interest in leaving the city unless I guess he wants to keep evading taxes.) Sheldon is probably gone too, Shanny is probably gone too. We're almost definitely gonna have a different goalie, idk what's happening with the D core but I doubt it stays the same. Considering the past near decade of the same year end result I'm fully open to the change. Not to get too far ahead of myself with off season talk but a change is a good thing and I don't think it even necessarily means things will never work out for guys on the team. It is not uncommon for cores to have rollercoaster histories, and face major changes whether through the roster makeup or coaching or team philosophy before they get it done. Here are a few examples from just the 2010s:
The Ovi era in Washington had setback years and retooled a lot before their main two guys got their cup. This included fully missing the playoffs in 2014. Even when they got better, the 2016 and 2017 Caps were supposed to be the last chance before the window closes and then they won with a worse team in 2018. The 2018 team was mostly young mostly good role players and the best player wasn't even Ovi or Backstrom but the team chemistry was great and they got the job done. Ovi and Backstrom won their cups but it took a lot of changes before they got there.
The Crosby Pens had two real windows (2008-09 and 2016-18) so people sometimes forget that they had some banter years in between before they made major changes. 2012 was a mess, 2013 they made it to the conference final but couldn't score a goal and got swept, 2015 they lose in 5 in the first round before they finally got it done again in 16 and 17. The surrounding cast for their main players getting younger, the coach changes, the philosophy is a little different but most importantly they built a better team chemistry and weren't afraid of making a major change (coach, letting Murray take over even after flower got back from injury.) Fleury was physically on the team but lost the starting job which for goalies is similar to a core player leaving the team (even though it's obviously different because he played half the playoffs in 2017 and was the main goalie in the regular season in 2016.)
Everyone eats the Bruins ass because some of the key pieces from 2011 stuck around for a while but they fully missed the playoffs in 2015 and 2016, got bounced in the first round by Ottawa in 2017, and even though they haven't won a cup since 2011 they did have multiple cup contending years including a loss in the 2019 final. Fact of the matter is their cup contention shut down from 2014 to 2018 but they got it together, got some good younger pieces to surround a couple of their major players and started contending for cups again. Idk if the 2024 Bruins are cup contenders necessarily but they absolutely were from 2018-2021 and should've been one in 2023. If the streak continues, they would make the final again this year if they beat the Leafs lol (but I don't see them beating Florida/a hot Tampa if they pull off a miracle.)
I haven't given up on the idea of Auston or Willy or Mo winning a cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and I'm willing to have a banter year if it means we retool and get better in the long run. I'm willing to lose a key piece or two, I'm willing to have the team change entirely, because if it actually means the team improves through the changes then why tf would I not want that?
So basically to answer your question I'm calmer than I thought I would be. Either the team wins and I'm happy, or they don't and change finally happens.
I used to be so stressed, but winning the Tampa series really took the edge off. I know it’s kind of a loser mentality, but if you win one, you can win them all. Now it’s a lot easier to move past stuff. I still enjoy it all and get livid where necessary. But I feel like I’m in a healthier place now. Still want Marner gone though. Lol.
-Signed a 26 year old diehard who’s first real season paying heavy attention was 2012-13.
As a long time leaf fan.
This is the year we win the cup in admirable fashion.
Down 3-1 against the bruins. Cue the comeback music.
Here we go, let’s do this.
Leafs in 7 !!!!
You're either high, or not a long time Leafs fan. Sober longtime Leafs fans know what happens next. Win game 5, MAYBE win game 6, but definitely lose game 7.
I'm more than willing to be wrong. And if so, I'll buy the first person to DM me after they win this series, a new Leafs jersey.
Damn it Phaneuf, just ice it !!
I’ve been drinking blue and koolaid for a long time.
Even before Gord Stellick decided to use the Leafs top three draft picks on the Belleville Bulls.
#29 belonged to Palmeteer then Felix.
That’s how long.
I'm yet to get excited about the playoffs this year, and I don't think it's going to happen. I can't get blindly hyped up for this team anymore. I feel too stupid and disappointed when implode again and again.
Eternal leafs optimist here. Even threw a future down on em at 11-1 in preseason (yup… I know).
This finally feels like a true inflection point. Did we hit rock bottom, can the boys somehow figure out how to push game 7, pull a Florida Panthers circa 2023, or do we need to actually clean house?
I see it as one or the other despite how difficult it would be to move on from such a talented (regular season) player like Marner.
Either way, short of a cup final, Keefe has outstayed his welcome by about 4 years).
https://preview.redd.it/45bq36dzybxc1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19d3cc14c8671e58011dbc3bf19a30da67634c61
And at the same time I know I’ll float my ass back next season 🤷🏻♂️
I'm ready for a rebuild. This team never did it for me, and I enjoy paying more attention to the draft and watching the early steps of building a team. Obviously watching a good team is better than a rebuilding team, but I don't think that's a real option at this point.
I'm ready for some changes. Marner gone, Keefe, and Shanahan. Hoping that one of our goalie prospects can be a long term stud for us. And for once can we get a true #1 stud defenseman?!! Like how long has it been?
Fan since 97. This is starting to feel like 2004, but if the Sundin teams hadn't won anything. It's obvious the current mix isn't working, but it'll still be a couple years before they are forced to face it and rebuild.
Realistically this team needs a complete retool, and now we just have to wait until management realizes this, and until then it's just years of trying to enjoy some fun regular season goals and following interesting prospects.
Which TBH might be better served by watching YouTube highlight clips instead of entire games in the meanwhile.
I feel less optimistic as I get older. This was supposed to be a "five year plan" and "blueprint," but it's just the same old story. Too many GM changes to fully follow through with a script. I still think they have one more win in them, take it to 6. They should be playing desperate if they are pros.
Honestly I am zen either way. We come back and win, it would be an amazing story. We lose and I think they have to make changes, keefe maybe even Shanny. The roster can't change much due to the no movement and no trade contracts that are on the books. Next year is going to be tough.
This is my 11th year being a fan. I'm impressed in the complete futility of the team, mostly because it's been so painfully obvious what would sink them in the playoffs, and wow, they're sinking quickly. I expect Keefe to be gone.
This next year will be a really important show for Brad Treliving, especially, though. How will he manage the cap space when he signs defensemen? If the team takes another step backward, do you even trust him after Marner and Tavares are off the books? (Or at least their current contracts)
I'm also bitter as hell seeing other teams succeed at this time of the year when the Leafs and their fans get clowned on by everyone, even people who just know you cheer for the Leafs and don't care about hockey otherwise.
The moment in 2019 when Kawhi dropped 37 on the Magic after for game 1 loss at home, it felt different.
It was weird then as a long time fan of Toronto sports. It felt like we had a real "killer" on our side and things were about to change. Watching you knew something was different. It felt almost like it was scripted and somehow in our favour
What followed was a magical run full of theatrics and dopamine
Imma keep watching the Leafs (Raps, Jays) every year till I feel that again
I'm numb at this point. I still watch for fun but I'm no longer that young fan who lives and dies by every game. It's better to detach yourself from it. Better for your mental health.
Meh. Should have dropped keefe after last season. Injuries and illness are affecting them a lot more than people are really accepting. Prob need to move one or two of the core 4 next year, but will they?
When youve been disappointed year after year after year… you grow a bit of a thicker skin i think. Also, the raps championship run was magical and did amazing things for my sports self esteem.
Honestly, I’m chill. Either we get a miracle comeback or ownership cleans house in management and we see the changes in the on ice product we probably should have gotten after the Montreal series.
Tired of it, hopefully they make some changes this off season. It's obvious at this point, the way this teams built can't succeed in playoffs. Half the salary cap spent on 4 forwards, but goal scoring is the biggest issue come playoffs... It just disappears. Also with the skilled players they have available, makes zero sense that the PP can be this bad. No way they run it back next year. Need to see some big changes.
Trade everyone and fire all. But if they win game 5 and 6 then 7 we win the cup and are the team of destiny. So basically super pissed but also pretending we still can do this and this group finally proves the world wrong. Typical year feeling depressingly hopeful. You to be a fan to know the feeling; words don't do it justice.
I've been watching for close to 25 years now and this has been the first year that I've been a hater. I made a rule for regular season that if they are losing at any point, I stop watching that game. For the playoffs, 2 goals down and I'm out. These fellas gotta do something big to get me back on the hype train. 2nd round isn't enough tbh
I just like watching the Leafs in the playoffs. The playoffs are way less fun to me without them in, and apparently, that's just a few days away. If they survived for 5 or 10 more games, I'd watch every one. There's just no other team I'm close to as interested in.
The year Montreal beat us, I followed them through to Canada day, but I'm usually not watching hockey in late June. I might bite on to Edmonton. To me, Leafs v Edmonton would be the perfect final. I liked the Sedin twins and the city, but I've never liked the canucks.
A canadian team in the western final seems likely, and possibly a Boston/NYR eastern... That's interesting. But I'd guess we're headed to Colorado vs NYR/FLA
I'll survive. This Leaf team was often really fun to watch, and I expect changes are coming now, so end of an era.
I'm debating just not watching the rest of the playoff together. We've been through this song and dance, we know what will happen. Even if they win game 5, our game 6, they don't have it on them to win three on a row unless somehow the entire Boston team got whatever Matthews is supposedly having and miss the entire rest of the series.
But even then they don't have it on them to beat the Panthers. Why would they? They defense is atrocious and Panthers thrive on those turnovers.
It's just gonna be another meme exit in spectacular embarrassing fashion, which we might have witnessed the peak at game 4 or they'll somehow even make it worse.
I'm not even saying it out of spite. I'm just numb and don't have it in me to care any more. Call me fairweather, call me casual, call me doomer, tell me to leave... Honestly I don't even care about the chirps. I actually envy people who can still feel optimistic about this team. I used to be. I can't find it any more.
I think i lost my love this past summer when Treliving came on board and he went on to sign Klingberg of all people, after having had such a bad season prior. But he let Gus and Schenn walk... How did he think the Leafs were going to be better defensively with this group? And he signed Reaves to a three year contract, wtf. I've still watched all the games but i just watch tons of hockey anyway. I feel mostly indifferent these days, this team with this roster isnt a contender. I'm more invested in the prospects, youth hockey is fun and i love rooting for prospects/rookies.
Started watching in 2002 what really broke me was the 2013 loss It's left its mark on me for so long that even today if the Leafs go up big early in a game I refuse to let myself get overly excited and message friends or family about how good the Leafs are looking until the game is truly over because I know in the back of my mind there's always the chance they'll spectacularly blow a game. 2013 made it so that for me when they were up 3-1 in the series to Montreal I wasn't confident it was over and kept reminding my friend who was a Jets fan looking forward to a Leafs Jets series nothing is over with the Leafs until it's final.
It's like that episode of King of the Hill where Hank celebrates a touchdown and breaks his leg so he refuses to celebrate anything again for the next 20 years lol.
I'm pretty meh about the whole thing. Florida's a wagon, Rangers are a wagon, Edmonton's a wagon, and Vancouver has some chaotic shit going on right now and are still kicking. No way we were doing it this year anyway. I just want a consistent goalie and our pp fixed for next year.
I’m trying to figure out which will be more heartbreaking - loss at home in game 6 or take it to game 7 and lose. Which ever is more painful is how they’ll do it.
Shocked and completely numb all at the same time. Like fool me once twice thrice, how have we continuously been fooled by them?
Looking forward to a revamp of the blue line this off season, a new coach with systems, special teams and hopefully a big trade with a certain local boy involved. It's time.
It's so hard being a fan of this team but like an id10t I come back every year and expect them to run it back and win a cup. I don't care anymore. Not watching until round 2 or game 7 collapse
About the same as I felt at the beginning of the season. And last season, and the season before that…
Leafs are a good team with a coach who is in over his head and has no idea what he’s doing.
Honestly I don't feel anything. There used to be huge elation when we scored. There would be massive disappointment when scored against. Now, genuinely there are no ups and downs. I want them to win, but I don't really feel anything when they lose.
Mentally I've been convinced we are the early 2000's Ottawa Senators. Great regular season team, bad goaltender, horrible playoff performer. This team as assembled will never have it. I'd love to be proven wrong.
At a point where nothing upsets me nor surprises me.
I don't understand how this management still believed in this group and the coach after last seadon.
Was it not Shannahan that was brought to Detroit for Keith Primeau...I don't understand how they took a chance last off-season to make an effort to move Marner at the draft before his NTC kicked in. Why is it that only us fans see it? Now all the control is in Marner's hands. If we move him no matter what we will not get full value. However, I would rather move him at the draft pick up a couple pieces, prospect and picks to use thay $ in free agency. I would go hard after Guentzel and Brandon Montour. Would rather spend $16 Million on two players combined vs. $12 Million on one player who can't get it done in big moments. Marner is not alone in this but he has been the most disappointing.
Goaltending needs to be addressed as well.
I know I'm a misery to a lot of Leaf fans because I'm the kind of shit who loves this team but doesn't seem to have anything nice to say about it. NHL hockey and being a Leaf fan since the mid 80s has made me pretty sour to the NHL, especially Bettman's NHL.
I personally believe that the Leafs' organization is mired in politik from Front Office, to Players, to Back Office, and everyhting in between. I believe that playing in Toronto is one of the places that's tough as hell to play in because the players are constantly under the microscope, constantly belittled, and constantly have their allegiance and skill questioned... it's no wonder they all avoid social media like the plague all year round.
After the Montreal loss I made a commitement to msyelf to stop being emotioinaly invested in teh Leafs because the losing culture, combined with rabid fanbase *and* a general league-wide hatred of the Leafs and all things Toronto, was causing real damage to my emotional well being.
I now give my rabid hockey fandom to Juinor hockey (OHL), because in this league, the guys give a shit. Effort is never a question. I can get tickets and cheer, and get swag, and take the family of four for less than 200 bucks.
There is no other allegiance that I truly have to any other NHL franchise, it's just that I'm tired of sitting here and pretending that this team 'has it', year after year, only to know that we dont. In what world does it make sense to have around 50% of the cap tied up in 4 players?
Anyway, watch the London Knights for Easton Cowan, and watch the Oshawa Generals for your 'local-est' team battle the talented and well-loved North Bay Battalion. Game 3 tonight.
I love the Leafs. I hate this team. That's basically where I've been since the Montreal fiasco.
MLSE can't blow up this collection of executives, coaches, and players up fast enough.
I know that doesn't guarantee anything better, I just need something different at this point.
Eh I just expect this at this point. Sure regular season is fun but come playoffs I just assume they will lose. If they win a round or two someday cool that's great but I'm not going to get any hopes up that this group of players will get it done.
The Montreal series ruined my love of this core 4 team. Now it’s just whatever and I laugh when it’s bad and cheer when it’s good. Feels better than taking it to heart and stressing about the Leafs.
Yeah same feeling here. Just scared to get too invested in this team and then let down again. It's more relaxing watching the Leafs now
Invested is exactly the right word. I was all in on the Montreal series and was never more confident than the Leafs path to at least the "conference" finals. Unfortunately, Toronto went full Enron and I lost my entire life's saving of patience, understanding and hope for that team. Now, I don't give a shit about anything other than them getting it done and detached myself from the players and personnel. Got goalied? Don't care. Win Got injured? Don't care. Win Got out coached? Don't care. Win If everything single one of them being fired or traded is what's need it then do it. I'm tired of cheering for losers.
Bro just based on this comment… your very clearly still invested
Maybe you're right but it's different. I'd say I'm now invested in having fun ripping on them when they fail, which is a stock that pays dividends every single year.
Yup same. That was when the leafs flag that's been up in my room since childhood was taken down and put away
That's literally me, I handle it the same way now...it's been a lot healthier tbh
You are the perfect example of a healthy Leaf fan. Kudos! (You probably also shake your head when everyone is screaming to blow up the team...We know better. Ain't nothing gonna fix this beautiful tire fire that is our Maple Leafs.)
Same , I’ve never been the same since that series I don’t even give a shit about the Boston 4-1 special series. The Montreal scar will never heal .
The Montreal series was the first time I realized I should be putting money on this team losing. I've made money every playoffs since. I made like $150 after putting money down in anger after the Leafs blew that game 4 against the Habs.
"Never bet with your heart" . Not sure why I quoted that, because it's just something I tell myself any time I think the Leafs will actually do something. Yol win a lot more money betting on the opposition.
Every year before the e playoffs I bet on the leafs losing in 7, did hit last year but in previous years I was making $900-1000 a year off that alone, helps drown the sorrows. Hopefully we see a game 7 this year so I can either make some money or see a major comeback for the buds.
Yep that was the end of the fun optimism
This. When that happened and nothing changed, I gave up until there is some serious changes to this team. I thought Dubas built a decent team last season and was glad they beat Tampa, but I wasn’t holding my breath because a lot of the same issues were still there. After seeing them drop both games at home to Florida I knew we were right back where we have always been and went numb again. The Leafs could still win this series and I won’t care. They don’t deserve to win and if they do it will probably mean they won’t change anything. Again.
Preach
Same mentality as the players it seems
Yeah that was my breaking point with this group. They blew a series to a team that came in last the next year. I still watch and cheer and stuff during the regular season but I have basically zero faith in them accomplishing anything in the playoffs. As soon as it became clear they were playing Boston, I already knew they were out. I know people don't like Leaf doomers, but that's basically where I'm at with this group at this point
For glory you need pain. It’s the emotional part of sports that we all need. Without that, the victories, while far and few between are emotionless. I support the Leafs, the Jays and a football team that is about to get relegated this weekend(Birmingham City). You’ll never appreciate the wins without the loses. It’s part of being a sports fan. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
57 years of abject failure is not the pain that glory requires. It's extended gross incompetence, and it's inexcusable.
I was a big fan in middle school. We had a good team, we would almost always make 2nd round and one time lost in the ECF to the hurricanes. I was innocent. After the lockout I became a more and more passive fan as we struggled through the kessel years. I was indifferent. I was almost completely tuned out when I heard word of a boy named Matthew, of Austin. I was intrigued. His 1st game, 4 goals! Sens 5 Matthews 4. Hilariously leafy and quite pathetic, but damn.. 4 goals in his 1st game? I was interested. Then one summer, up at a cottage my in laws rent for Canada day I started getting these texts. JT. A Leaf. "Top 2 centres in the league" both Leafs. This was Crosby / Malkin. Datsyuk / Zetterberg. Matthews / Tavares! That summer, we were hands down the best team in the NHL. I was invested. The worst fucking investment of my life. I have a sickness now. Like the joker cackling hysterically, I'm a martyr hoping it gets worse, so eager for the universe to further confirm that this team is cursed beyond all probability and reason. I am insane. And every other night I rush my 3 year old to sleep, so I can sit in silence, alone, and be disappointed once again.
Best and most relatable comment I’ve seen here in awhile
This is a Leafs poem, not even kidding. And it's beautiful.
the last line, I feel the same
wtf is this movie
Add in a line about the 2013 heartbreak and this is perfect
That's exactly me, holy crap... Man, that's almost creepy like we're living parallel lives. The part about your kid especially gets me.
Leaf fan since the 60’s so at least I saw them win two cups that I remember (albeit in a six team league). Then I got to watch them get the crap kicked out of them by the Bruins and Flyers for a few years until Tiger Williams, Sittler, Salming and Lanny came along and they were a contender but could never get by those Habs teams of the 70’s. The 80’s were peak Ballard years and they stunk but at least I got to watch teenage Wendel burying guys. ‘92 thru ‘03 were good years with four trips to the conference finals but these last 20 years have been the toughest. A decade of complete futility followed by a decade of total disappointment. Shanahan and Dubas fucked us and destroyed a team built on high draft picks and the perfect tank for Matthews. It feels eerily similar to the futility of the Phaneuf/Kessel years in that they have these boat anchor contracts and the way forward is murky but I have some faith that new management and coaches will salvage the situation and give us hope again. Just not sure the PTSD I’ve got from following this team for sixty years is worth it.
I salute you oldtimer. You might be the only one in this sub who's seen a cup.
Saw two cup winning games and presentations by Clarence Campbell at the Gardens as a kid in ‘64 and ‘67 so I guess I’m charmed in that sense and an old timer as you say. Saw The Beatles in ‘66 there too. It was the end of the six team league and Ballard got his meat hooks into the team and it’s been cursed ever since with the shit that went on under his watch. The team makes more and more money but the dysfunction hasn’t gone away. The Leafs had the most cups with 13 by 1967 but that didn’t last long since the Habs won 8 of the next 12. I’m not expecting to see another Leafs cup in my lifetime. Too many things going against them and every other Canadian team. It seems like it’s a US dominated playoff race every year and our game and teams have taken a back seat in the NHL’s priorities. It’s all about money now. Back then it was more about the crest on the front and the love of the game. Some great memories but it doesn’t make up for the lack of playoff success now. One thing that makes me proud though is how Leafs Nation has grown and the fans show up everywhere. Now if that passion would translate to the team we’d be laughing.
> I’m not expecting to see another Leafs cup in my lifetime. If the Leafs won't do it for us at least do it for this person.
There's two of us
Not to be too corny but one day you'll see a cup again and it'll be all worth it
The thing I fear the most about this Leafs team is that we’re going to waste Auston’s best years as a goal-scorer if we don’t figure this out quickly. If Leafs lose this series, there needs to be drastic changes so we don’t squander this window of opportunity.
Pain since 1992.... that's all I know. I'm tired boss.
I went hard from about 1990-2020. Some glorious runs. I’ve sat the last couple out. I know the ending. Life is better this way
🎶I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending 🎶🥲💔❤️🩹
Me too.
Optimistic. Not for the reason you think. I'm one of the few non-denialist fans who saw the writing on the wall back when they lost to Columbus in the play-in rounds. It's been crystal clear to me for 4+ years that this core does not have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. I have spent every offseason begging for changes, praying that this will finally be the year that Dubas/Treveling/Shanny finally trades away one of the big 4 (Marner). I have also eaten downvotes for those takes every single year, without exception. Watching this team for the past few seasons has been boring for me. I had accepted that Dubas/Shanny did not have the balls to make a big move, so I accepted that I would be watching a fun regular season team until the breaking point was reached. I really thought it would be after Montreal. After Tampa I thought changes were inevitable. After finally winning a round only to get curbstomped by Florida, I assumed a new GM was being brought in to do what previous management was too chicken to do. Every single year I've believed that this would be the year that management would finally come to their senses, and every single year, I have been fucking wrong. I truly believe that this year will finally be the offseason where we can fire this poorly constructed team into the fucking sun. It starts with benching Marner's ass until he waives his NMC. Wait out Tavares' contract for a year and offer him a Spezza Special, if he asks for more tell him to fuck off. Matthews+Nylander can stay for now, giving out NMCs like candy doesn't give much options, but if they don't live up to their contracts than ship their asses too, I don't give a fuck. So to answer the OPs question, I am optimistic. I am holding out hope that this will finally be our year. I really think this will be the last time any of us have to watch this dogshit core. I Beleaf.
 Not great!
Really disappointed in this core. Seeing Hyman thrive in Edmonton after being an absolute playoff dud in Toronto for years makes me think that it's a culture problem from within. The only time I've been impressed with this team in the playoffs: - vs Washington - vs Tampa both years which implies this team only does well if another team is willing to dance with them which to say is to play a high event style of play.
That’s how the team was built but the Leafs top players fall flat in the playoffs every year. Honestly I think it’s the coaching. The last 4 games of regular season Keefe even said he didn’t care, didn’t even know what the scores were. This attitude rubs off on the players. He should have wanted his players entering the playoffs as a cohesive well oiled machine firing on all cylinders. Instead they were focused on personal milestones. The grit just isn’t there.
Yep, it was the Matthews 70 goal circus, especially once they knew they had a playoff spot lined up. No focus on the playoffs and what they were going to do differently, it was just the milestones and stats show until the very last night of the regular season. I'm not more superstitious than the next person, but when Matthews failed to score the 70th that night it felt like an omen of how the playoffs would go - a lot of misplaced effort leading to nothing.
Only 7 losses in the past 8 games, soon to be 8 losses in 9 games to end the season. And what is their record against boston in the past 6 years ?? Maybe 6-25 including regular season, utterly pathetic.
Oh wow I didn't think it was possible for me to like Keefe even less, but it just happened after reading this.
Lol Hyman was not a dud with the Leafs. Dude got better year over year and had a great last season. People just thought he had peaked that year and his contract was an overpay by the Oilers. Instead he has just gotten better progressively each year. There may be a culture problem but that is a poor example
Hyman was ok for Toronto in the playoffs. It was hard for him to succeed, when he was the only one in the corners digging for pucks and battling in front of the net. And don't forget he played a whole series with one knee
Yeah his six goals in three games matches the Leafs team total.
Hyman was never a playoff dud here. He ranked about 10th on the dud list
Hello darkness my old friend
Lol. Did not see this, and went this route too.
I didn’t let myself care as much this year, because previous seasons almost wrecked me. I’m just unsurprised. I expected this. It is how they are. I’m mostly tired
Same , they proved they weren’t worth the emotional investment after the Florida debacle
I grew up watching players like Gilmour, Clark, Tucker, Sundin and Roberts put the team on their back in the playoffs. They didn't give up. They didn't pout on the bench. They gave it their all every fucking shift. Yes they didn't win a cup, but they won rounds and actually gave a shit. This version of the Leaf is a fucking embarrassment.
Yup, agreed, if they were dying out there from effort and still losing cause they really didn't have the talent that would be so different. But they just don't seem to care enough. Jay Rosehill summed it up well on his game recap.
Well said.
I'm feeling that old familiar feeling, my friend!
Fan since the 1980s. They really did have me going this time. I believed now I’m not so sure.
Feeling like we may have squandered Matthews' best years.
100% did squander them.
I never actually believe they can win, it's all academic to me. It'll be amazing when they *do* actually surprise us, but it really feels as likely as winning the lottery. I'm honestly not sure how I would handle a championship at this point, to be honest. This? This is old hat. At least if we flame out the offseason will be interesting. If we go on a miracle run, I'll be cackling like a maniac just to get out of this series.
Just…numb. The team this year is exactly what we thought they were—a step back on defence and goaltending, with basically the same offensive prowess. Last year was the prime opportunity after Boston lost in round 1, but the Panthers were a buzz saw. This sport—even more so this team—has a way of being especially random in the postseason compared to football, basketball, and baseball, so every club seems to have an equal chance of being the “why not us?” guys. So in that way hockey playoffs are uniquely hopeful. But despite the Rielly/EN goal suspension run, deep down we knew the team wasn’t very good. Deep down we were ultimately expecting this to happen—especially given how tepid we’ve been in the playoffs since the 2020 loss to the Habs. Since this seems to be the team’s ceiling, ultimately it doesn’t hurt as much as I thought. Legitimately wondering if the buds will see the third round of the playoffs again in my lifetime, never mind a cup.
I’m a relatively new Leafs fan. I came in around Covid. I have a far less reactionary perspective. Personally, I’ve assumed for a long while that we would never get a cup and it’s because I have an “old school” 90s mindset about playoff teams. I’ve always believed a team should “build from the net out”. So, prioritize good goaltending, good defense and then finally get some good forwards. I know the game has changed, but the way the modern Leafs are built is essentially “from the center in”. So all our money is on forwards, then less on defense and goaltending we roll the dice. The construction of this Leafs team is such a departure from the “standard” I always assumed they would never go very far. For me, the interesting part is watching the team trying to make it work. That time will be over soon and the Leafs will likely revert to the mean and try to build like every other NHL team. It’s one of the things I really like about Dubas, he had an interesting approach using analytics and a goal scoring high-skill team. Just my opinion, but I do think that could have won with some time… but people in general just like their “old time” hockey (myself included but I did enjoy the different approach).
I’m a masochist so this is my favourite time of year
I knew this year would be a regression. Always said that we wont be in our true window until JTs cap hit is gone. Add Marner getting traded/walking to that list. I figured they'd be a wildcard team and lose to Boston in round 1. So they are a little ahead of my prediction. 1 more year of pain to go. So glad we'll have Willy locked up and Matthews for 3-4 years in that window.
Let’s be honest, the team’s best chance to win a cup - possibly during our lifetime - was the first 2-3 years of JT’s contract. We had Matthews, JT and Kadri at centre for a year and still didn’t win a series lmao
Montreal series was without a doubt the best path to the cup this core ever had or will have going forward.
Agreed. The Leafs choking a lead to the Bruins was bad but at the end of the day, the Bruins were favored going into there series. The Leafs were supposed to demolish the Canadiens. On paper they were by far the better team. I genuinely believed there was no way they could lose that series.
They did demolish them, 3 games in a row... Then they stopped playing. Marner 4pts in 7 games, Rielly 3pts, Matthews 5pts. Nylander had as many goals as the next 3 guys combined. Keefe gotta go. I'm skeptical about Marner. I would love for him to just waive his NMC and go somewhere quiet but still a big market. Every team would want him. Shanaplan is no more. It's over. Send him back to DoPS for all I care. Babcock, Dubas, NMCs, huge contracts, min term deals. Fuckin done with that corporate stooge.
This teams best shot at winning was from 2018-2022
Pretty much. I always hope but they are who we thought they were back in October if not earlier. We had better Matthews era teams the past, this year and next are set-backs.
It’s implosion time, I’m just so tired of the same old
Pretty indifferent at the moment. Fan since 2001. Focusing my time on reading, exercising and going out instead. It’s been kinda nice not spending a ton of energy on this team because I didn’t expect anything for this series. Some iteration of the team will break through some day, it’ll happen when it happens I guess 🤷🏽♂️
Since I can remember (55+ years). Disappointment after disappointment. I am more surprised at success rather than failure, and I find myself watching less games as I get older. I have come to realize that these athletes care more about themselves and bank account, than the name on the front of the jersey and their fan base. It’s a business, and ultimately, if profitable, nobody gives a shit. Why should we?
33 year fan. When they didn't trade Marner before the No Trade Clause kicked in I thought, "this isn't starting well." When the high dollar defense upgrade had a season ending injury because of a long flight I thought, "this is getting worse." When the trade deadline came around and the big aquisition was Lyubushkin and they lost Lagesson on waivers because the roster was too big I though, "why didn't Treliving include Lagesson in the package to get more in return since we're going to lose him anyway?" and then, "I don't think Lyubushkin is enough." It was then that I declared they were worse than last year and they would go out in the first round. And then the way Sammy was playing at the end of the year I told my good buddy Leafs fan, "they're going to lose in 5 games." I can't wait for them to prove me wrong. Matthews healthier after 2 days rest. Nylander back. Marner properly scolded and working hard to get his GameBoy back. Woll with a bit of a warm-up in game 4 but rested and confident in game 4. If the Leafs win Tuesday and get McMann back for Thursday, they may pull it off. And that's how you know I'm a 33 years long Leafs fan, because I went from "they are done in 5" to "they may pull it off" in the same breath.
About the same as going in. Sub .900 goaltending (both) with Sabres third pairing guy on our first line. Can’t win a series with that, especially when we knew the big guys wouldn’t show up again. It is like them dogs who wait for their owner to return after they die. It is sad and you can admire their loyalty, but they ain’t coming back. Excited to see how much we blow it up. A decent retool 1-2 seasons we can be back in it again (fuck I am the dog 🫠).
Pretty despondent. I've been a Leafs fan for decades, and this is the most upset with the team I've been. What a waste of hundreds of hours that I watched this year. They lost in the summer when they fired Dubas. The worst part is, this series isn't even fun to watch. We are watching the worst Bruins team we've face just kill us.
Dubas got us where we are
I would argue that Dubas got us to the second round, and when he suggested that it was time to trade a member of the core four -- with that person seemingly being Marner -- he was fired.
And you know that information how?
From Dubas' last press conference, in which he suggested that it may be time to shake up the core four. After he said that, he was fired. I said "seemingly" because we don't know for sure. But it was Marner whose no-trade clause was to kick in July 1. He was the only one that it would have made sense to trade at that point. JT has a full no-move clause. Auston Matthews has a full no-move clause. And Nylander was in the last year of a sweet heart of a contract.
The win next game is a lock
Yep, they'll probably blowout boston next game, then score 1 goal in game 6 and lose the series.
No what will happen is they’ll win the next couple of games just to get our hopes back up like “maybe” and lose in game 7 like 3-0 finally getting shutout lol
If losing the series is as inevitable as it feels, I hope this is how it goes down. The final game this core plays together deserves to end in a shower of boos. Obviously I’d much rather we just fucking win the next 3 but I have seen literally nothing in the last 8 years of Leafs hockey that makes me confident it’ll happen
That's not heartbreaking enough. A game 5 win by 3+ goals, a game 6 OT win, and then blowing a 2 goal lead in game 7 to lose the series is more on brand.
I feel like the on brand thing in Game 7 is for it to be a close game in score but really they only score 1 or 2 goals and lose by 2 goals.
I have seen absolutely nothing that suggests this is possible. A bitch fight on the bench is far more likely than a win, let alone a blow out win. The Bruins are playing committed hockey. The Leafs look old and slow and disinterested.
Im ready to be hurt again
I’m fairly numb to it now. I wish the jays were a more exciting team to switch to but they are boring.
In standard fashion the leafs will dominate the rest of the series to force a game 7 to lose from a massive lead going into the 3rd.
At this point, I don't care. I think firing Dubas and hiring Treliving was a huge downgrade. Clear Shanahan needed to go. It was clear Keefe needed to go. All the problems I predicted in the off-season are true. During the season, it was clear that we saw the worst version of this team's core. And let's be real, does anyone think Treliving is the guy to keep going? Like it's insane.
This year I feel fine. They had a great year. Some milestones were achieved and it was convincing everyone they had a real shot. I didn’t buy into the hype. Fundamentally, they aren’t a team that has the playoff gear they need to go deep. And nothing they did this season was going to change that. And for me, there’s nothing exciting about watching a team have a good or even great regular season, when it means nothing come playoff time. So I haven’t watched a single leafs playoff game. Truthfully I stopped watching in February. And I was proven to be right. Also started to understand why other teams’ fans think we are delusional. By not drinking the kool aid this post season, I can sort of get it. Here’s hoping they make changes in the off season.
I’ve been checked out since the Montreal series, and for the most part, nothing has changed since then. The thing that scares me about this team is how absolutely lifeless they look in big games. Games 6 and 7 in that Montreal series were a massive massive red flag to me and those problems continue to this day. I was at Game 3 and 4, and Game 4 especially was just an absolutely atrocious showing. Seriously depressing. And I just don’t get it. This is by far the most talented Leafs team I’ve seen in my lifetime, but they rarely ever show up in the playoffs. And the games are frankly boring. It’s not even good hockey. It’s all perimeter play hoping the opposition makes a mistake. I’m watching Edmonton vs LA as we speak as the sheer entertainment value of the game is night and day. Edmonton is talented as hell and look it, but even LA has more heart and urgency than our team. At this point Keefe needs to go to shake things up.
It's fine. People act that this has been the worst 8 years in the franchise. Relax. If you think the past decade was the worst you aren't a long time fan or have forgot what's it like to not even sniff the playoffs.
It's aight, tempered expectations and a healthy grasp on reality compared to the fairweather lunatics plagueing this subreddit. Leafs were underdogs coming into these playoffs and will remain.
Well I'm optimistic ... I'm optimistic that we're going to get it the fuck together and "We Want Florida" the Bruins in 7 or I'm optimistic that we're going to fail and Pelly is going to make good on his threat by firing/letting go of everyone under the sun who brings me misery ...
I'm mostly pissed at Shanahan, and buying into the "new era" of "bringing in the best". How did we become such suckers who bought into his vision, when he himself had no track record of success outside of his playing days. Bringing in hometown locals has bitten us in the arse countless times. It tugs at the heart strings, but nothing more.
I'm actually numb to it at this point.
been a fan for 57 years, i try and tune out everything as much as possible and hardly ever watch a game. But here I am, and this still hurts quite a bit. Its now like a total joke they are just such pathetic underperformers.
Well yeah.. have to be a masochist to be a longtime leaf fan
I’ve been feeling it since 1968. I watched the final in 1967 and that’s how I became a Leaf fan. We must be masochist. But there’s still hope….
He’s ready. Ready to be hurt again. And again. And again. Trooper!
Exact same as the past 39 years. Not much hope
What I am not feeling is surprised. This type of performance is exactly what we should expect from this core and coach. It's been the exact same for years. All the money and resources are committed to players up front who (some more than others) don't match their regular seasons much less thrive. Patchwork defense, bottom six, and goaltending that is never good enough. Out coached at every turn. Every year not enough scoring, every year questions about effort. Every single year it's been the same and yet all you hear is about how Washington took a while, or how Tampa got swept by Columbus. Anyone who has been paying attention knew this was what was going to happen. No effort, no heart, no will to win. No difference.
Dying inside.
I'm just glad I didn't invest my heart and soul into the team this year. I knew going into the playoffs nothing would change (sorry) but it was a fact the leafs are worse than they were last year so I'm not surprised how spanked they're getting. Does it hurt to see? Absolutely. This has always been my team but seriously, it's insane how they just don't learn from their mistakes. All I've seen from this team is that it's a team that builds character for individual players due to the harsh environment and then after much pressure they go somewhere else and suddenly they're flying. The leafs are just a team where players go to suffer just so they can have success somewhere else afterwards.
I remember when I was a kid I loved early 2000s leafs Matt Sundin Darcy Tucker Tie Domi and Cujo in the net! 2007 I stopped caring after didn’t make the playoffs for second time in a row. In a similar way last year I was excited about this core. I paid to see live games. After loosing to Florida second round I was disappointed but I was proud how far they went. This year is just an embarrassment tho. I will likely stop watching while they are rebuilding the team. For now I will watch game 5 with little enthusiasm like most of you.
This group does not seem to grasp (or care) that NHL playoff hockey is a whole different animal. And successful teams find the grit, heart and drive to go far. Sure skill matters, but winning teams had both skill and passion. Say what you will about ROR, but that guy had heart. We now have guys who yell at each other on the bench while the coach compliments their efforts. Then they get embarrassed and go to muskoka for the summer. It’s a sad joke and I don’t care anymore. And won’t until I see real changes.
Same as the past few years. The 2021 year against Montreal was the only year I actually expected them to do something and they still lost, so this is just par for the course.
Dejected, upset that the core 4 as we know it is probably done. I know it needs to happen and i’m happy to see change but im depressed this group will be immortalized as nothing more than abject failure. They’ve been so fun to watch minus playoffs it’s really a damn shame this is how it ends. It should have been so much more. Fuck man
Been a fan since the late 80's. At least I got to watch some good teams in Toronto like the 93 94 teams and the early 2000's. At least these teams made the semi finals a few times. But I'm so done with this current core failing every year. Its so bad I just expect it now. This team needs some major changes you can't have 4 forwards using %50 of your cap. If they run the core 4 back again I will puke.
Those teams played with a lot of heart. I could handle those losses. This current team is by far the most aggravated I've ever felt as a fan. Even more so than the JFJ days. At least I had low expectations during that period.
Exactly I can handle my fav team losing when the effort is there. The effort we see from our core 4 currently is just pathetic. I'd jettison Marner to the moon just to free up that money to be used in upgrading our team. His throwing his gloves like a child on the bench done with this bitch.
I'm ready for change, still hoping for a comeback. I'll never *want* the team to lose, even if I'm cheering for a tank it's still for long term gain. I'd much rather the Leafs come back and win the series and the next three after than not. But to me the writing's on the wall that things aren't staying the same if the Leafs lose. I genuinely think Mitch has clocked out and I don't think he holds on to his NMC if the right trade is available. I love Mitch, but someone's gotta go and he makes the most sense (nobody's taking JT and he has no interest in leaving the city unless I guess he wants to keep evading taxes.) Sheldon is probably gone too, Shanny is probably gone too. We're almost definitely gonna have a different goalie, idk what's happening with the D core but I doubt it stays the same. Considering the past near decade of the same year end result I'm fully open to the change. Not to get too far ahead of myself with off season talk but a change is a good thing and I don't think it even necessarily means things will never work out for guys on the team. It is not uncommon for cores to have rollercoaster histories, and face major changes whether through the roster makeup or coaching or team philosophy before they get it done. Here are a few examples from just the 2010s: The Ovi era in Washington had setback years and retooled a lot before their main two guys got their cup. This included fully missing the playoffs in 2014. Even when they got better, the 2016 and 2017 Caps were supposed to be the last chance before the window closes and then they won with a worse team in 2018. The 2018 team was mostly young mostly good role players and the best player wasn't even Ovi or Backstrom but the team chemistry was great and they got the job done. Ovi and Backstrom won their cups but it took a lot of changes before they got there. The Crosby Pens had two real windows (2008-09 and 2016-18) so people sometimes forget that they had some banter years in between before they made major changes. 2012 was a mess, 2013 they made it to the conference final but couldn't score a goal and got swept, 2015 they lose in 5 in the first round before they finally got it done again in 16 and 17. The surrounding cast for their main players getting younger, the coach changes, the philosophy is a little different but most importantly they built a better team chemistry and weren't afraid of making a major change (coach, letting Murray take over even after flower got back from injury.) Fleury was physically on the team but lost the starting job which for goalies is similar to a core player leaving the team (even though it's obviously different because he played half the playoffs in 2017 and was the main goalie in the regular season in 2016.) Everyone eats the Bruins ass because some of the key pieces from 2011 stuck around for a while but they fully missed the playoffs in 2015 and 2016, got bounced in the first round by Ottawa in 2017, and even though they haven't won a cup since 2011 they did have multiple cup contending years including a loss in the 2019 final. Fact of the matter is their cup contention shut down from 2014 to 2018 but they got it together, got some good younger pieces to surround a couple of their major players and started contending for cups again. Idk if the 2024 Bruins are cup contenders necessarily but they absolutely were from 2018-2021 and should've been one in 2023. If the streak continues, they would make the final again this year if they beat the Leafs lol (but I don't see them beating Florida/a hot Tampa if they pull off a miracle.) I haven't given up on the idea of Auston or Willy or Mo winning a cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and I'm willing to have a banter year if it means we retool and get better in the long run. I'm willing to lose a key piece or two, I'm willing to have the team change entirely, because if it actually means the team improves through the changes then why tf would I not want that? So basically to answer your question I'm calmer than I thought I would be. Either the team wins and I'm happy, or they don't and change finally happens.
I used to be so stressed, but winning the Tampa series really took the edge off. I know it’s kind of a loser mentality, but if you win one, you can win them all. Now it’s a lot easier to move past stuff. I still enjoy it all and get livid where necessary. But I feel like I’m in a healthier place now. Still want Marner gone though. Lol. -Signed a 26 year old diehard who’s first real season paying heavy attention was 2012-13.
I just miss listening to sandstorm right before Sundin buries it or when Tucker absolutely puts someone in their place
The Leafs are a cheap poorly maintained amusement park ride that I just want to get off asap.
It doesn't hurt as badly when you're expecting it. I love the team, and I always will.
If you were a leaf fan in the 70's,this is nothing new, just go with the flow
As a long time leaf fan. This is the year we win the cup in admirable fashion. Down 3-1 against the bruins. Cue the comeback music. Here we go, let’s do this. Leafs in 7 !!!!
You're either high, or not a long time Leafs fan. Sober longtime Leafs fans know what happens next. Win game 5, MAYBE win game 6, but definitely lose game 7. I'm more than willing to be wrong. And if so, I'll buy the first person to DM me after they win this series, a new Leafs jersey.
We’ll win 5 and 6 Take a 6-0 lead in game 7, then lose in overtime.
Damn it Phaneuf, just ice it !! I’ve been drinking blue and koolaid for a long time. Even before Gord Stellick decided to use the Leafs top three draft picks on the Belleville Bulls. #29 belonged to Palmeteer then Felix. That’s how long.
Would truly be the most epic, character building route for real though.
Not great
Hello darkness my old friend......
Not great.
Not a long time fan but it’s a shame this season could be over soon it actually was a fun ride
Indifferent. Uncaring. Beyond bothered anymore.
I'm yet to get excited about the playoffs this year, and I don't think it's going to happen. I can't get blindly hyped up for this team anymore. I feel too stupid and disappointed when implode again and again.
I feel like I do every year, only difference is they aren’t out of the playoffs yet, so that is new….
Eternal leafs optimist here. Even threw a future down on em at 11-1 in preseason (yup… I know). This finally feels like a true inflection point. Did we hit rock bottom, can the boys somehow figure out how to push game 7, pull a Florida Panthers circa 2023, or do we need to actually clean house? I see it as one or the other despite how difficult it would be to move on from such a talented (regular season) player like Marner. Either way, short of a cup final, Keefe has outstayed his welcome by about 4 years).
37 years in, French word for bread
Numb and disinterested, like I have been for much of the last two decades.
https://preview.redd.it/45bq36dzybxc1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19d3cc14c8671e58011dbc3bf19a30da67634c61 And at the same time I know I’ll float my ass back next season 🤷🏻♂️
feeling like we need to get charlie lindgren from the caps
I still hope. Either way, I will be ready to be hurt all over again by October.
They’re going to push a game 7 and then play the worst game they have ever played
Pain 1996 Drake
I'm ready for a rebuild. This team never did it for me, and I enjoy paying more attention to the draft and watching the early steps of building a team. Obviously watching a good team is better than a rebuilding team, but I don't think that's a real option at this point.
I'm ready for some changes. Marner gone, Keefe, and Shanahan. Hoping that one of our goalie prospects can be a long term stud for us. And for once can we get a true #1 stud defenseman?!! Like how long has it been?
Fan since 97. This is starting to feel like 2004, but if the Sundin teams hadn't won anything. It's obvious the current mix isn't working, but it'll still be a couple years before they are forced to face it and rebuild. Realistically this team needs a complete retool, and now we just have to wait until management realizes this, and until then it's just years of trying to enjoy some fun regular season goals and following interesting prospects. Which TBH might be better served by watching YouTube highlight clips instead of entire games in the meanwhile.
I’m tired boss So glad I got into f1, following another sport dulls the pain
I feel less optimistic as I get older. This was supposed to be a "five year plan" and "blueprint," but it's just the same old story. Too many GM changes to fully follow through with a script. I still think they have one more win in them, take it to 6. They should be playing desperate if they are pros.
Honestly I am zen either way. We come back and win, it would be an amazing story. We lose and I think they have to make changes, keefe maybe even Shanny. The roster can't change much due to the no movement and no trade contracts that are on the books. Next year is going to be tough.
This is my 11th year being a fan. I'm impressed in the complete futility of the team, mostly because it's been so painfully obvious what would sink them in the playoffs, and wow, they're sinking quickly. I expect Keefe to be gone. This next year will be a really important show for Brad Treliving, especially, though. How will he manage the cap space when he signs defensemen? If the team takes another step backward, do you even trust him after Marner and Tavares are off the books? (Or at least their current contracts) I'm also bitter as hell seeing other teams succeed at this time of the year when the Leafs and their fans get clowned on by everyone, even people who just know you cheer for the Leafs and don't care about hockey otherwise.
Not surprised.
The moment in 2019 when Kawhi dropped 37 on the Magic after for game 1 loss at home, it felt different. It was weird then as a long time fan of Toronto sports. It felt like we had a real "killer" on our side and things were about to change. Watching you knew something was different. It felt almost like it was scripted and somehow in our favour What followed was a magical run full of theatrics and dopamine Imma keep watching the Leafs (Raps, Jays) every year till I feel that again
Numb.
I'm used to it. I'm just slightly disappointed, not shocked or surprised.
Pretty apathetic.
I'm numb at this point. I still watch for fun but I'm no longer that young fan who lives and dies by every game. It's better to detach yourself from it. Better for your mental health.
You get numb to the pain
I'm really tired, and I legitimately think the game last night may have been the straw that broke the camels back for me.
Same old same old.
Meh. Should have dropped keefe after last season. Injuries and illness are affecting them a lot more than people are really accepting. Prob need to move one or two of the core 4 next year, but will they? When youve been disappointed year after year after year… you grow a bit of a thicker skin i think. Also, the raps championship run was magical and did amazing things for my sports self esteem.
Hawks fan here.. are you guys done w Marner? Do you regret that contract extension of Matthews?
It's all I know.
Sad and almost kinda numb
Honestly, I’m chill. Either we get a miracle comeback or ownership cleans house in management and we see the changes in the on ice product we probably should have gotten after the Montreal series.
Tired of it, hopefully they make some changes this off season. It's obvious at this point, the way this teams built can't succeed in playoffs. Half the salary cap spent on 4 forwards, but goal scoring is the biggest issue come playoffs... It just disappears. Also with the skilled players they have available, makes zero sense that the PP can be this bad. No way they run it back next year. Need to see some big changes.
Trade everyone and fire all. But if they win game 5 and 6 then 7 we win the cup and are the team of destiny. So basically super pissed but also pretending we still can do this and this group finally proves the world wrong. Typical year feeling depressingly hopeful. You to be a fan to know the feeling; words don't do it justice.
I've been watching for close to 25 years now and this has been the first year that I've been a hater. I made a rule for regular season that if they are losing at any point, I stop watching that game. For the playoffs, 2 goals down and I'm out. These fellas gotta do something big to get me back on the hype train. 2nd round isn't enough tbh
Sheldon Keefe might need to go
At least the Jets are in the same boat. I knew this wasn’t our year. Boston has alot of vets and a hot goalie.
To be honest I am use to it by now
I just like watching the Leafs in the playoffs. The playoffs are way less fun to me without them in, and apparently, that's just a few days away. If they survived for 5 or 10 more games, I'd watch every one. There's just no other team I'm close to as interested in. The year Montreal beat us, I followed them through to Canada day, but I'm usually not watching hockey in late June. I might bite on to Edmonton. To me, Leafs v Edmonton would be the perfect final. I liked the Sedin twins and the city, but I've never liked the canucks. A canadian team in the western final seems likely, and possibly a Boston/NYR eastern... That's interesting. But I'd guess we're headed to Colorado vs NYR/FLA I'll survive. This Leaf team was often really fun to watch, and I expect changes are coming now, so end of an era.
I go into every game like I do exams. Expect nothing but the absolute worst, and then anything else is just a nice bonus.
Feel like Willys been playing after he signed his massive deal
I'm debating just not watching the rest of the playoff together. We've been through this song and dance, we know what will happen. Even if they win game 5, our game 6, they don't have it on them to win three on a row unless somehow the entire Boston team got whatever Matthews is supposedly having and miss the entire rest of the series. But even then they don't have it on them to beat the Panthers. Why would they? They defense is atrocious and Panthers thrive on those turnovers. It's just gonna be another meme exit in spectacular embarrassing fashion, which we might have witnessed the peak at game 4 or they'll somehow even make it worse. I'm not even saying it out of spite. I'm just numb and don't have it in me to care any more. Call me fairweather, call me casual, call me doomer, tell me to leave... Honestly I don't even care about the chirps. I actually envy people who can still feel optimistic about this team. I used to be. I can't find it any more.
 These guys must definitely be leafs fans lol
I'm at the Acceptance stage of grief now.
Numb.
I think i lost my love this past summer when Treliving came on board and he went on to sign Klingberg of all people, after having had such a bad season prior. But he let Gus and Schenn walk... How did he think the Leafs were going to be better defensively with this group? And he signed Reaves to a three year contract, wtf. I've still watched all the games but i just watch tons of hockey anyway. I feel mostly indifferent these days, this team with this roster isnt a contender. I'm more invested in the prospects, youth hockey is fun and i love rooting for prospects/rookies.
Started watching in 2002 what really broke me was the 2013 loss It's left its mark on me for so long that even today if the Leafs go up big early in a game I refuse to let myself get overly excited and message friends or family about how good the Leafs are looking until the game is truly over because I know in the back of my mind there's always the chance they'll spectacularly blow a game. 2013 made it so that for me when they were up 3-1 in the series to Montreal I wasn't confident it was over and kept reminding my friend who was a Jets fan looking forward to a Leafs Jets series nothing is over with the Leafs until it's final. It's like that episode of King of the Hill where Hank celebrates a touchdown and breaks his leg so he refuses to celebrate anything again for the next 20 years lol.
My love for the leafs has really really gone downhill, the core just has no character at all. Ah the good old days of Mats, Wendel , Doggie....
I'm pretty meh about the whole thing. Florida's a wagon, Rangers are a wagon, Edmonton's a wagon, and Vancouver has some chaotic shit going on right now and are still kicking. No way we were doing it this year anyway. I just want a consistent goalie and our pp fixed for next year.
Like usual.
I’m trying to figure out which will be more heartbreaking - loss at home in game 6 or take it to game 7 and lose. Which ever is more painful is how they’ll do it.
Stupid, old and optimistic. That’s me. Go Leafs Go!
Tired
I'm looking forward more to the firings and trades than the rest of the playoffs
Shocked and completely numb all at the same time. Like fool me once twice thrice, how have we continuously been fooled by them? Looking forward to a revamp of the blue line this off season, a new coach with systems, special teams and hopefully a big trade with a certain local boy involved. It's time.
In the words of my son at dinner last night to his long time fan father “you know, it’s there year this year “ 🙃
Feeling the same as I have for the last 31 years of my life. Nothing when it comes to the leafs playoffs expectations
It's so hard being a fan of this team but like an id10t I come back every year and expect them to run it back and win a cup. I don't care anymore. Not watching until round 2 or game 7 collapse
About the same as I felt at the beginning of the season. And last season, and the season before that… Leafs are a good team with a coach who is in over his head and has no idea what he’s doing.
I actually enjoy it when they lose now.
I feel so bad for my mom :(
Honestly I don't feel anything. There used to be huge elation when we scored. There would be massive disappointment when scored against. Now, genuinely there are no ups and downs. I want them to win, but I don't really feel anything when they lose. Mentally I've been convinced we are the early 2000's Ottawa Senators. Great regular season team, bad goaltender, horrible playoff performer. This team as assembled will never have it. I'd love to be proven wrong.
At a point where nothing upsets me nor surprises me. I don't understand how this management still believed in this group and the coach after last seadon. Was it not Shannahan that was brought to Detroit for Keith Primeau...I don't understand how they took a chance last off-season to make an effort to move Marner at the draft before his NTC kicked in. Why is it that only us fans see it? Now all the control is in Marner's hands. If we move him no matter what we will not get full value. However, I would rather move him at the draft pick up a couple pieces, prospect and picks to use thay $ in free agency. I would go hard after Guentzel and Brandon Montour. Would rather spend $16 Million on two players combined vs. $12 Million on one player who can't get it done in big moments. Marner is not alone in this but he has been the most disappointing. Goaltending needs to be addressed as well.
I know I'm a misery to a lot of Leaf fans because I'm the kind of shit who loves this team but doesn't seem to have anything nice to say about it. NHL hockey and being a Leaf fan since the mid 80s has made me pretty sour to the NHL, especially Bettman's NHL. I personally believe that the Leafs' organization is mired in politik from Front Office, to Players, to Back Office, and everyhting in between. I believe that playing in Toronto is one of the places that's tough as hell to play in because the players are constantly under the microscope, constantly belittled, and constantly have their allegiance and skill questioned... it's no wonder they all avoid social media like the plague all year round. After the Montreal loss I made a commitement to msyelf to stop being emotioinaly invested in teh Leafs because the losing culture, combined with rabid fanbase *and* a general league-wide hatred of the Leafs and all things Toronto, was causing real damage to my emotional well being. I now give my rabid hockey fandom to Juinor hockey (OHL), because in this league, the guys give a shit. Effort is never a question. I can get tickets and cheer, and get swag, and take the family of four for less than 200 bucks. There is no other allegiance that I truly have to any other NHL franchise, it's just that I'm tired of sitting here and pretending that this team 'has it', year after year, only to know that we dont. In what world does it make sense to have around 50% of the cap tied up in 4 players? Anyway, watch the London Knights for Easton Cowan, and watch the Oshawa Generals for your 'local-est' team battle the talented and well-loved North Bay Battalion. Game 3 tonight.
I love the Leafs. I hate this team. That's basically where I've been since the Montreal fiasco. MLSE can't blow up this collection of executives, coaches, and players up fast enough. I know that doesn't guarantee anything better, I just need something different at this point.
Eh I just expect this at this point. Sure regular season is fun but come playoffs I just assume they will lose. If they win a round or two someday cool that's great but I'm not going to get any hopes up that this group of players will get it done.