Hey let's talk about the Leafs

SpankyMcFarland · April 3, 2016

You don't seem to get the essence of pro sports. The league doesn't care what the Leafs do on the ice, it is how they do at the bank that matters to the NHL. And the Leafs do well at the bank.

I don't mean to sound like a Leaf hater. It's a bit unfair to pick on them. My impressions were formed as an immigrant in Alberta in the golden days of the Oilers and Flames and I've kind of stuck with that ever since.

And I do understand that a basic reason for pro sports everywhere is to make money. I just think there should be a greater connection between profit and performance at the team level as there is in pro soccer in Europe.

Some good things about the franchise system for fans are that it levels the playng field and ensures an even spread of teams across the continent but its anti-meritocratic approach to losing is a flaw. Very rich owners pay no serious penalty for failure. It is just odd to me that most people in North America don't seem too concerned about that aspect.

Edited April 3, 2016 by SpankyMcFarland

Boges · April 11, 2016

Successful failure of a season. . . 20% chance at Austin Matthews.

The_Squid · April 12, 2016

Successful failure of a season. . . 20% chance at Austin Matthews.

I hope Montreal gets him.

overthere · April 12, 2016

I hope Montreal gets him.

I hope Edmonton gets him. That is because if I cannot be entertained on the ice, I'll settle for some drama/theater off the ice. You have to understand that this is all about me.

I don't mean to sound like a Leaf hater. It's a bit unfair to pick on them. My impressions were formed as an immigrant in Alberta in the golden days of the Oilers and Flames and I've kind of stuck with that ever since.

And I do understand that a basic reason for pro sports everywhere is to make money. I just think there should be a greater connection between profit and performance at the team level as there is in pro soccer in Europe.

Some good things about the franchise system for fans are that it levels the playng field and ensures an even spread of teams across the continent but its anti-meritocratic approach to losing is a flaw. Very rich owners pay no serious penalty for failure. It is just odd to me that most people in North America don't seem too concerned about that aspect.

The usual penalty for failure is loss of revenue. That does not apply so much in hockey, with strict minimum and maximum salary caps. Revenue sharing in many major sports in North America also eases the $ pain.

I don't think there is any chance that any pro sports in NA would voluntarily allow their billion dollar franchise to be devalued for something as petty as losing.

SpankyMcFarland · April 12, 2016

In my naive book, fans are the heart of a team. Players, coaches, owners come and go but it is the fans who build the culture and mythology. Winning matters to fans while profit matters only in as much as it facilitates winning. Some NA franchise owners seem to have lost sight of this.

Wilber · April 12, 2016

I hope Edmonton gets him. That is because if I cannot be entertained on the ice, I'll settle for some drama/theater off the ice. You have to understand that this is all about me.

Vancouver has a shot at him to.

The usual penalty for failure is loss of revenue. That does not apply so much in hockey, with strict minimum and maximum salary caps. Revenue sharing in many major sports in North America also eases the $ pain.

I don't think there is any chance that any pro sports in NA would voluntarily allow their billion dollar franchise to be devalued for something as petty as losing.

It does affect some teams. After 12 years of sellouts, Canuck attendance and ticket prices are both down.

Wilber · April 12, 2016

Draft lottery odds for Canadian teams.

Leafs 30%

Oilers 13.5%

Canucks 11.5%

Flames 8.5%

Jets 7.5%

Habs 5%

Senators 2.5%

Edited April 12, 2016 by Wilber

Big Guy · April 12, 2016

I believe it is in human nature to want to be part of a team. We choose a team, cheer them and are happy when they win and give excuses when they lose (or switch to a better team). We see it here on the board where people become cheerleaders for their chosen political party or nation or individual.

I grew up cheering for Duff, Armstrong, Horton, Sloan, Kennedy and Lumley taking them in the forehead. It was one of the few pleasures I was able to share with my dad. It was easy to become attached to a team that was close, the players generally stayed with the team through their careers and had to find other jobs to work in the summer.

A few years ago, watching with my son, I realized we were cheering for guys making a thousand times what I was and owners filling their bank accounts by trading, moving and shifting those millionaires playing for them. I continued following until my children were grown but have absolutely no sense of affiliation although I have to pretend for my grandchildren.

Every once in a while I will watch a Leaf game and it seems that every time I see them it is a team with a whole new set of players. Players have become mercenaries shifting from team to team and faking some kind of allegiance to the other guys or the city in which they are based.

overthere · April 12, 2016

Draft lottery odds for Canadian teams.

Leafs 30%

Oilers 13.5%

Canucks 11.5%

Flames 8.5%

Jets 7.5%

Habs 5%

Senators 2.5%

so that means guaranteed first pick for the Oilers?

overthere · April 12, 2016

I believe it is in human nature to want to be part of a team. We choose a team, cheer them and are happy when they win and give excuses when they lose (or switch to a better team). We see it here on the board where people become cheerleaders for their chosen political party or nation or individual.

Our species are pack animals and very tribal.

Sport affiliations, nationalism, politics, clubs, families and of course religions are all manifestations of our biological imperative to belong. Herd safety.....

SpankyMcFarland · April 12, 2016

As Senfeld put it, you end up just cheering uniforms because the wearers change so often.

Wilber · April 12, 2016

so that means guaranteed first pick for the Oilers?

Nope, they could pick as low as 5th.

http://www.coppernblue.com/nhl-draft-2016/2016/4/10/11402186/2016-nhl-draft-lottery-odds-oilers-leafs-auston-mathews

Boges · April 13, 2016

6 year contracts for Kadri and Rielly.

That's their core. :huh:

The_Squid · April 13, 2016

Kadri?

LOL

Same old in Leafs Land... that's great to see! :wacko:

Boges · April 13, 2016

Kadri?

LOL

Same old in Leafs Land... that's great to see!

And Reilly, they're locked up for awhile at a good rate. Pundits are actually very positive about this move.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/twitter-reaction-leafs-get-rave-reviews-rielly-kadri-deals/

overthere · April 13, 2016

Nope, they could pick as low as 5th.

http://www.coppernblue.com/nhl-draft-2016/2016/4/10/11402186/2016-nhl-draft-lottery-odds-oilers-leafs-auston-mathews

No it is guaranteed for the Oilers.

Because Toronto.

And Reilly, they're locked up for awhile at a good rate. Pundits are actually very positive about this move.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/twitter-reaction-leafs-get-rave-reviews-rielly-kadri-deals/That is a goofd

That is likely a good deal for the Leafs on Rielly. I'm not sure why they'd want to commit to Khadri for 6 years. I guess they need some players with NHL experience, and have to reach a minimum cap .

Shady · April 15, 2016

4.5 a year for each player is an absolute steal.

waldo · April 15, 2016

Draft lottery odds

20% odds for the best loser... pick top 3 & full draft order

.

April 15, 2016

This may have already been discussed, but who has an opinion on the 'Gold Plan' to eliminate tanking in the NHL? http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/shane-doan-tanking-gold-plan-nhl-lottery-draft/

Basically, the team with the most points after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs receives the first pick. Does tanking even need to be addressed? Would this idea just cause team to tank even earlier?

Boges · April 15, 2016

This may have already been discussed, but who has an opinion on the 'Gold Plan' to eliminate tanking in the NHL? http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/shane-doan-tanking-gold-plan-nhl-lottery-draft/

Basically, the team with the most points after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs receives the first pick. Does tanking even need to be addressed? Would this idea just cause team to tank even earlier?

Tanking doesn't need to be addressed. Unless it's the fact that the Oilers have somehow rigged the Lottery.

Boges · May 1, 2016

Leafs actually win something!

Austin Mathews is Leaf.

Shady · May 1, 2016

Leafs actually win something!

Austin Mathews is Leaf.

Love it!

The_Squid · May 1, 2016

Poor Matthews... relegated to many years of mediocrity.

Boges · May 2, 2016

Poor Matthews... relegated to many years of mediocrity.

Well being able to draft young talent like Matthews is a great way to rise above such mediocrity no? This Shanahan/Babcock/Lamoriello group seems to be doing everything right. They need to just do everything opposite to what the Oilers have been doing.

Do they go after Stamkos though?

Edited May 2, 2016 by Boges

May 2, 2016

Well being able to draft young talent like Matthews is a great way to rise above such mediocrity no? This Shanahan/Babcock/Lamoriello group seems to be doing everything right. They need to just do everything opposite to what the Oilers have been doing.

Do they go after Stamkos though?

Not the opposite of the Oilers, but better. The Leafs should draft the most talented players available with their picks, like the Oil but they need a team commitment to work ethic and fitness in place from the start. Babcock, Shanny and Lou can impose that during the tear down phase, but they will need strong Gary Roberts/Messier/Toews/Pronger type leaders to enforce that in the room as they add talent. Edmonton collected talent in a leadership vacuum and may not be able to repair the culture now.

Edited May 2, 2016 by Guest