OT: Leafs/NHL Thread

[MiamiSPX]

The gameplan was to score first

I am pretty sure every team's gameplan is to score first.

Well yeah, but the added context here was that it would basically be game over for the Leafs after that. And it was.

[ATLTimekeeper]

This makes me wonder (as I'm not really a hockey fan), if character is more important than skill? Obviously you need to have players who have talent, but there seems to be something intangible that the best teams have.

I happen to think pressure and nerves did play a factor for some of these guys in this market. The way they froze, like a deer in the headlights, at home in front of their fans tells me there's some sort of psychological barrier.

But doesn't that speak to their character? I guess I just mean, some guys have that killer instinct, and some guys don't.

I think if you were able to run this team back in perpetuity they would eventually break through. Character matters to a degree, but it's not everything. Brad Marchand is deemed like this super winner and to some degree that's true, but he won one Stanley Cup in his first full season despite being on several heavy favourites since then.

The outcry with the Leafs is the overall longevity of the situation, and in this case Marner's UFA status hanging over everything.

[MiamiSPX]

Read on Twitter

[Merit]

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No president, just GM.

How does that line up with masai? Could he run all of the mlse properties? Are the basketball ops different than the others?

Let’s hope Rogers doesn’t meddle.

[mdenny]

I swear if these leaf woes end up negatively impacting the raptors organization we should riot in the streets lol.

[Tripod]

I swear if these leaf woes end up negatively impacting the raptors organization we should riot in the streets lol.

I fear it's coming.

Masai fired...no replacement...Bobby takes on more work.

And the Raps will be worse for it

[Raps in 4]

I swear if these leaf woes end up negatively impacting the raptors organization we should riot in the streets lol.

I fear it's coming.

Masai fired...no replacement...Bobby takes on more work.

And the Raps will be worse for it

There is no chance Bobby isn't fired along with Masai. If Masai is gone, we're getting someone new. My money is on BC, or a personal friend of Ed's (someone highly unqualified).

[Tripod]

Feels like the groundwork for Masai is being layed.

Grange article on former Raps.
Today SN article on Powell not wanting to leave Toronto

Seems like the media blitz against Masai has begun

[mdenny]

I swear if these leaf woes end up negatively impacting the raptors organization we should riot in the streets lol.

I fear it's coming.

Masai fired...no replacement...Bobby takes on more work.

And the Raps will be worse for it

There is no chance Bobby isn't fired along with Masai. If Masai is gone, we're getting someone new. My money is on BC, or a personal friend of Ed's (someone highly unqualified).

I HEREBY CALL A MORATORIUM ON ALL REALGM MESSAGE BOARD BEEFS. MLSE WILL RIGHTFULLY TREMBLE WHEN OUR FORCES ARE UNITED. THEY CAN TAKE OUR LEAFS......BUT THEY WILL NEVER TAKE OUR RAPTORRRRRRRRRSSSSSSS

[mdenny]

After 5 periods, Florida is outsourcing Caroline 10 to 1 lol.

I don't think ppl realize how good Florida is. And they're not an old team either. No team has reached the finals 4 times in a row since the 1980s. Florida will probably do it next season and unless they run into cap problems....they could easily do it 2 or 3 more times after that.

[ciueli]

I swear if these leaf woes end up negatively impacting the raptors organization we should riot in the streets lol.

I fear it's coming.

Masai fired...no replacement...Bobby takes on more work.

And the Raps will be worse for it

There is no chance Bobby isn't fired along with Masai. If Masai is gone, we're getting someone new. My money is on BC, or a personal friend of Ed's (someone highly unqualified).

When Ed tried to get rid of Masai his plan was to just have Bobby run the Raptors so there is definitely a chance Bobby sticks around.

[MiamiSPX]

I fear it's coming.

Masai fired...no replacement...Bobby takes on more work.

And the Raps will be worse for it

There is no chance Bobby isn't fired along with Masai. If Masai is gone, we're getting someone new. My money is on BC, or a personal friend of Ed's (someone highly unqualified).

When Ed tried to get rid of Masai his plan was to just have Bobby run the Raptors so there is definitely a chance Bobby sticks around.

The rumour Friedman mentioned last year was that a faction of the MLSE board floated the idea of not having Team Presidents. The GMs would just report directly to Pelley. He didn't mention which faction of the board it was, but obviously it was Rogers. Friedman said he heard it from someone that was reliable, and he is extremely reliable himself, so I believe it.

I wouldn't even say it's about saving money. As has been mentioned before, Rogers WILL spend money, he just does it idiotically in most cases. By all accounts Masai and Shanahan are/were the highest paid Presidents in their respective leagues. Bobby is rumoured to be very highly paid. The Leafs GM is the highest paid and their AGM Pridham is rumoured to make more than most other teams' GMs.

I guess we will find out today when Pelley speaks at 1pm.

[MoneyBall]

After 5 periods, Florida is outsourcing Caroline 10 to 1 lol.

I don't think ppl realize how good Florida is. And they're not an old team either. No team has reached the finals 4 times in a row since the 1980s. Florida will probably do it next season and unless they run into cap problems....they could easily do it 2 or 3 more times after that.

Kind of crazy the Leafs were one OT goal away from going up 3-0 against those guys.

[mdenny]

After 5 periods, Florida is outsourcing Caroline 10 to 1 lol.

I don't think ppl realize how good Florida is. And they're not an old team either. No team has reached the finals 4 times in a row since the 1980s. Florida will probably do it next season and unless they run into cap problems....they could easily do it 2 or 3 more times after that.

Kind of crazy the Leafs were one OT goal away from going up 3-0 against those guys.

The first period of game 3 was the only period I can remember that the leafs outplayed and outchanced Florida. I thought it was crazy how the leafs came that close to going up 3 - 0 while getting thoroughly outplayed. Bobrovsky being horrible for the first 2 games was the main reason.

[Raptorfan2012]

There is no chance Bobby isn't fired along with Masai. If Masai is gone, we're getting someone new. My money is on BC, or a personal friend of Ed's (someone highly unqualified).

When Ed tried to get rid of Masai his plan was to just have Bobby run the Raptors so there is definitely a chance Bobby sticks around.

The rumour Friedman mentioned last year was that a faction of the MLSE board floated the idea of not having Team Presidents. The GMs would just report directly to Pelley. He didn't mention which faction of the board it was, but obviously it was Rogers. Friedman said he heard it from someone that was reliable, and he is extremely reliable himself, so I believe it.

I wouldn't even say it's about saving money. As has been mentioned before, Rogers WILL spend money, he just does it idiotically in most cases. By all accounts Masai and Shanahan are/were the highest paid Presidents in their respective leagues. Bobby is rumoured to be very highly paid. The Leafs GM is the highest paid and their AGM Pridham is rumoured to make more than most other teams' GMs.

I guess we will find out today when Pelley speaks at 1pm.

It only works if Pelley himself is absolutely confident he knows his hockey and basketball. if you believe Masai, it sounds like things have smoothed over between him and Ed, but really corporate politics will always exist. If Masai is forced out, I would prefer that Bobby go with him and we start fresh.

[Tha Cynic]

Read on Twitter

This guy Elliot Friedman thinks so highly of himself he just makes like two word posts and lets us decipher what he means, like he’s too good to post properly. Also regularly eats during interviews as you can hear him chewing food. He has gotten a bit arrogant since his CBC days.

I’m hoping whatever they do, the Raptors are given more importance. I saw that comment from Chuck Swirsky about how he still doesn’t see any Raptors pics on the walls on his way to media sessions. I’m flabbergasted by that.

[tms]

Personally, I don’t need any more scapegoats. It’s hard to win in Toronto and I accept that. I think this was the only card MLSE had left to play. They fired Keefe last year, Dubas the year before, Tavares has already said he wants to re-sign, they’re not about to let their second-best player walk for nothing (esp not in a weak FA year and limited draft capital till 2028)- they can’t blow it up yet and they shouldn’t. But they do need to answer for another early exit and Shanny was the easiest way to do it.

[Raps in 4]

There is no chance Bobby isn't fired along with Masai. If Masai is gone, we're getting someone new. My money is on BC, or a personal friend of Ed's (someone highly unqualified).

When Ed tried to get rid of Masai his plan was to just have Bobby run the Raptors so there is definitely a chance Bobby sticks around.

The rumour Friedman mentioned last year was that a faction of the MLSE board floated the idea of not having Team Presidents. The GMs would just report directly to Pelley. He didn't mention which faction of the board it was, but obviously it was Rogers. Friedman said he heard it from someone that was reliable, and he is extremely reliable himself, so I believe it.

I wouldn't even say it's about saving money. As has been mentioned before, Rogers WILL spend money, he just does it idiotically in most cases. By all accounts Masai and Shanahan are/were the highest paid Presidents in their respective leagues. Bobby is rumoured to be very highly paid. The Leafs GM is the highest paid and their AGM Pridham is rumoured to make more than most other teams' GMs.

I guess we will find out today when Pelley speaks at 1pm.

Ed is so **** stupid. He thinks he's some kind of business genius when he's just a **** nepo baby. The similarities between him and James Dolan are uncanny.

[MiamiSPX]

When Ed tried to get rid of Masai his plan was to just have Bobby run the Raptors so there is definitely a chance Bobby sticks around.

The rumour Friedman mentioned last year was that a faction of the MLSE board floated the idea of not having Team Presidents. The GMs would just report directly to Pelley. He didn't mention which faction of the board it was, but obviously it was Rogers. Friedman said he heard it from someone that was reliable, and he is extremely reliable himself, so I believe it.

I wouldn't even say it's about saving money. As has been mentioned before, Rogers WILL spend money, he just does it idiotically in most cases. By all accounts Masai and Shanahan are/were the highest paid Presidents in their respective leagues. Bobby is rumoured to be very highly paid. The Leafs GM is the highest paid and their AGM Pridham is rumoured to make more than most other teams' GMs.

I guess we will find out today when Pelley speaks at 1pm.

Ed is so **** stupid. He thinks he's some kind of business genius when he's just a **** nepo baby. The similarities between him and James Dolan are uncanny.

So far the rumour is true. Pelley speaking now and said he is not looking to replace Shanahan, and he will simply work closer with Brad.

Kind of funny that this is the structure Dubas wanted.

EDIT - He just said it again, but firmer this time. "My plan is not to replace Brendan".

[Tha Cynic]

When asked what Shanahan did wrong, he had no answer lol. He's basically keeping the same people and they're going to lose Marner who has been their top scorer for nothing. Treliving ruined the Flames the same way when he let Gudreau walk for nothing and then traded Tkchuck for Huberdeau who he signed to a terrible contract. Now it's possible it was Shanahan who blocked the core 4 from being traded as there were rumours that Dubas wanted to trade Marner before he left toronto.

On the Raptors side, I wonder if they'll just let Masai's contract expire, and have the GM report directly to him. I don't like the idea of this guy being the person who they they take sports decisions to. Doesn't seem like he has a clue about sports in general.