Are the Leafs for real?

Post #1 » by **Nolan** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:47 pm

Through 10 game their 7-2-1 and second in the east. Phil Kessel is dominating and Dion Phaneuf is looking like the Dion Phaneuf from a couple years ago. Their secondary players are starting to heat up and Reimer was looking pretty good before he got hurt.

So my question is are the Leafs a playoff team?

Post #2 » by **OldNo7** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:33 am

I think theyre in the mix for the 8th seed. But only if Reimer is not out for too long. Gustafsson is not a starter.

WEFFPIM · Post #3 » by **WEFFPIM** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:14 pm

With how soft the middle of the East has tended to be over the years, they could be. But still too early.

sh00n · Post #4 » by **sh00n** » Tue Nov 1, 2011 3:56 am

In short: No.

Post #5 » by **Crowned** » Wed Nov 2, 2011 6:55 pm

sh00n wrote:In short: No.

Look at this bitter Montreal fan.

Post #6 » by **Crowned** » Wed Nov 2, 2011 6:56 pm

The Leafs look good right now. All 4 lines are clicking, and their key players have come up big. It's still early, but if they continue their play...there's no reason why they won't make a playoff spot.

K1NG · Post #7 » by **K1NG** » Fri Nov 4, 2011 7:16 am

I hopped on their bandwagon this season due to the NBA lockout. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about their playoff chances right about now.

Post #8 » by **Nolan** » Fri Nov 4, 2011 4:53 pm

I've been waiting for them to fall apart over the last couple games but they just keep winning. I'm actually starting to believe that they might be a playoff team.

Post #9 » by **Crowned** » Fri Nov 4, 2011 6:31 pm

I'm a Leafs fan, but the better question is....are the Oilers for real? Incredible start. I truly thought they'd be at the bottom of the standings this season. Yes, there's a ton of games left...but they've shown massive signs of improvement.

Post #10 » by **Nolan** » Fri Nov 4, 2011 8:51 pm

Crowned wrote:I'm a Leafs fan, but the better question is....are the Oilers for real? Incredible start. I truly thought they'd be at the bottom of the standings this season. Yes, there's a ton of games left...but they've shown massive signs of improvement.

I'm still not convinced we're for real. Khabibulin isn't going to keep up this (0.98 GAA 0.963 SV%) and our defense is pretty horrible outside of Smid and the often injured Whitney. So eventually we're going to start giving up goals in bunches and when then that happens I expect us to drop out of the playoff race. We've got a ton of talent up front but we have some serious issues on the backend.

SneadFrank · Post #11 » by **SneadFrank** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 6:19 am

*Edit

Public warning, please stay on topic.

Nolan

sh00n · Post #12 » by **sh00n** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:52 am

Crowned wrote:
sh00n wrote:In short: No.

Look at this bitter Montreal fan.

Bitter? Not at all. Leafs won't keep it up, they never do. If the Habs make the playoffs this year, it's a success. If everyone keeps getting injured and they land Nail, they have an elite prospect. Win/win. Like 99% of Habs fans, I wouldn't mind one bad season to pick up a guy like him.

Post #13 » by **Crowned** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:00 pm

sh00n wrote:
Crowned wrote:
sh00n wrote:In short: No.

Look at this bitter Montreal fan.

Bitter? Not at all. Leafs won't keep it up, they never do. If the Habs make the playoffs this year, it's a success. If everyone keeps getting injured and they land Nail, they have an elite prospect. Win/win. Like 99% of Habs fans, I wouldn't mind one bad season to pick up a guy like him.

I think that's the furthest from the truth you're going to get.

Post #14 » by **OldNo7** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:43 am

OldNo7 wrote:I think theyre in the mix for the 8th seed. But only if Reimer is not out for too long. Gustafsson is not a starter.

As I said, they are screwed without Reimer or a suitable replacement.

Post #15 » by **Nolan** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:03 am

OldNo7 wrote:
OldNo7 wrote:I think theyre in the mix for the 8th seed. But only if Reimer is not out for too long. Gustafsson is not a starter.

As I said, they are screwed without Reimer or a suitable replacement.

Injuries are doing their best to screw the Leafs as well. Looks like Lombardi and Komisarek are going to be gone for at least 3 weeks each.

Post #16 » by **OldNo7** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:34 pm

One thing Burke has done a great job with, is assembling AHL talent that can play spot games admirably in the NHL; just a great job of providing depth the last few years. Kadri and Colborne should be able to fill in 2nd/3rd line minutes. I am not sure why Burke and Wilson love Matt Frattin, he hasn't been impressive at all. It almost seems like they are just being dicks to Kadri on purpose.

Post #17 » by **Nolan** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 7:31 pm

I've never really understood why they sent Kadri back down this year. He was great last year in the time he split between the AHL and NHL so you'd think he'd be up with the big team this now.

Post #18 » by **Crowned** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:17 am

Nolan wrote:I've never really understood why they sent Kadri back down this year. He was great last year in the time he split between the AHL and NHL so you'd think he'd be up with the big team this now.

He's done nothing in the NHL to prove he's ready to play up here.

Post #19 » by **Nolan** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:53 am

Crowned wrote:
Nolan wrote:I've never really understood why they sent Kadri back down this year. He was great last year in the time he split between the AHL and NHL so you'd think he'd be up with the big team this now.

He's done nothing in the NHL to prove he's ready to play up here.

I though he did decent last year. Worst players have gotten longer looks than he did.

Post #20 » by **OldNo7** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:34 am

Crowned wrote:
Nolan wrote:I've never really understood why they sent Kadri back down this year. He was great last year in the time he split between the AHL and NHL so you'd think he'd be up with the big team this now.

He's done nothing in the NHL to prove he's ready to play up here.

For a team struggling to score goals (except Saturday) there is a much bigger upside to playing him than Frattin or Dupuis (could move Frattin or Crabb to the fourth line).