I'm putting the off-season thread to rest because pre-season is underway and we're just a couple short weeks away from the real deal.

A few questions to get the ball rolling...

1) How did your team's management perform in the off-season?
2) What would you have done differently, if anything?
3) What do you expect from your team early in the year as we head towards the bitter winter months?
4) Predictions, wishes, prayers, etc.

I'm not going to answer right away because I'm sure everyone that isn't a Leafs fan is sick to death of hearing about a certain signing this past summer, but I will say this: William Nylander better sign a damn contract soon or I'm going to stress drink. And last night's pre-season game was great, with one glaring exception: Nikita Zaitsev. For a good period and a half I forgot he was even playing. Yeah, yeah...first pre-season game. But that contract scares the shit out of me when you have guys like Nylander still sitting at home.

1) Off Season Management

Disappointed in the Trouba signing. Was hoping that since he became a top pairing dman, played the right side, and saw great team success he would sign long-term. But now, we know he's gone as soon as possible. Too bad, love him as a player.

Hellebuyck's long-term deal is excellent. Always tough with goalies since everyone knows that they're voodoo.

Losing Armia to have Montreal buy out Mason sucks, but a necessary component.

Morrissey's bridge sucks because the next contract will be massive, but now this leaves Jets with extra money under the cap (once we count all the bonuses paid out to Laine + Connor) to get a rental for the playoff run before we're totally screwed with Laine and Connor's next contracts.

Wheeler's contract extension...meh. That's a bit too long for me. Hopefully he continues to treat his body the right way and he doesn't decline too much.

2) Differently

Assuming it got done, signed Trouba to 5-6 years at $7 mill.
Not extending Wheeler until after the season is done. I'm worried about his potential decline.
Signed JoMo long term. He's a gamer.
Traded away Kulikov for literally anything. Sent a draft pick along. Saving that $4.33 mill would be huge the next two years.
Sign Laine 8 years at $9.5 mill before he scores 60 goals this year
Sign Connor to 6 years at $6 mill per before he scores 40.

3) Expectations

Top 2 in Central. Fighting with Nashville for top in the West and division. For the first time ever, I EXPECT the Jets to make the playoffs!

4) Predictions:

Laine - 50 goals
Scheif + Connor - 35 goals each
BigBUFF - Destruction of opposing teams forwards.

Jets vs Leafs - Stanley Cup Final. YES YES YES

I feel bad for Garrett Sparks. He got absolutely lit up last night and won't play the rest of the preseason, essentially signalling that McElhinney is keeping the backup job and Sparks will spend most of (if not all) of this year in the AHL.

I'm curious what the Leafs do going forward. They've got both guys tied up through this season, but after that they're both free agents. Do they let McElhinney go for nothing and hope Sparks works out when he gets his confidence back up? Do they try and trade either one this year to bulk up their defence?

And on top of that they've still got Calvin Pickard sitting around doing nothing. I guess having options at goalie is a good thing, but whatever happens will be a big decision. Andersen always starts the season off slow, and if they want a deep playoff run he can't be expected to play 70+ games this year.

It'll be interesting to see how well the Rangers kids develop this season. I'm trying to temper my excitement about Erik Karlsson joining Brent Burns as part of the defensive unit for the Sharks but I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out. I wonder how Steve Yzerman's departure will affect The Lighting in the present and in the future.

The Chosen One makes his Leafs debut tomorrow.

He literally slept in the Blue and White. Now hopefully, Tavares, along with Matthews and Marner, can lead us to glory.

Oct 2, 2018 23:28:55 GMT CM Punk'd said:

The Chosen One makes his Leafs debut tomorrow.

He literally slept in the Blue and White. Now hopefully, Tavares, along with Matthews and Marner, can lead us to glory.

After reading this post I kinda hope the Leafs miss the playoffs. The Chosen One? settle down. :lol:

Leafs had to beat Montreal in overtime ew.

Currently watching the Sharks and Ducks. The Sharks are so impressive moving the puck around all over the ice.

My boy Sebastian Aho is on fire. I knew he would become great, but not this soon. Awesome to see young players breakthrough this year. 

Joel Quenneville has been fired. Hawks fans are pissed, because he did not give out those moronic contracts to Toews, Keith and Seabrook. Bowman should have been fired. Oilers should get him.

If I have to read one more speculation piece by some dingus on TSN about William Nylander I’m going to lose my fucking mind.

Nov 13, 2018 21:59:38 GMT RT said:

If I have to read one more speculation piece by some dingus on TSN about William Nylander I’m going to lose my fucking mind.

Will you hate him if he does not sign with the leafs? Toronto media seems to think he will be booed like hell regardless if he signs or not. 

We don't need Willie. The Leafs are doing fine without him.

Nov 17, 2018 20:26:16 GMT toxicboy1980 said:

Nov 13, 2018 21:59:38 GMT RT said:

If I have to read one more speculation piece by some dingus on TSN about William Nylander I’m going to lose my fucking mind.

Will you hate him if he does not sign with the leafs? Toronto media seems to think he will be booed like hell regardless if he signs or not. 

Knowing the general Toronto fans, yeah, he’ll get booed. They booed Dion Phaneuf when the Kings were in Toronto earlier this year and he didn’t even do anything other than be not good at hockey on an already shitty team.

Personally speaking, I can’t hate him because I don’t know what is going on. Nobody does. All the media speculation is really getting to me because nobody knows anything and all it’s doing is making Leafs fans upset at a situation they know nothing about.

If he sits the year, oh well. The team is still good. If he gets traded, hopefully they get something good for him. If he signs, great! I hope he plays well.

My opinion might change depending on what we find out after Dec 1st but for now it just is what it is and I’ll just be focusing on the team on the ice.

...

Now all that said, rumour has it Auston Matthews’ return date is early December against Buffalo. Imagine if Willy signed Nov 30th and they had the same first game back? Ughhh one can dream.

There's nothing that the rest of Canada hates more (other than Tim Hortons now) than non-stop Maple Leaf coverage. It was more palatable when they sucked because it was all about how to fix the Leafs. But now that they're good, it's how much better can they be once Matthews comes back and Nylander is signed/traded for someone good. How many Stanley Cups will the Leafs dynasty win?

It's truly, truly awful. The rest of Canada hates you. We just want some stories that don't involve Nylander and the Leafs. It makes media outlets impossible to access, and Leaf fans incorrigible to be around.

Nov 19, 2018 18:53:50 GMT Foos said:

There's nothing that the rest of Canada hates more (other than Tim Hortons now) than non-stop Maple Leaf coverage. It was more palatable when they sucked because it was all about how to fix the Leafs. But now that they're good, it's how much better can they be once Matthews comes back and Nylander is signed/traded for someone good. How many Stanley Cups will the Leafs dynasty win?

It's truly, truly awful. The rest of Canada hates you. We just want some stories that don't involve Nylander and the Leafs. It makes media outlets impossible to access, and Leaf fans incorrigible to be around.

I’ve lived outside the Toronto market for 10 years now and I totally get it, but to be fair: most Leaf fans hate it too. The media is the main reason everyone else in the country hates the Leafs. Us fans aren’t bad for the most part, it’s the jerkoffs on TV who are forced to talk about the team non-stop because corporate said so.

Yeah I've got a few misguided friends who are Leaf fans. They're...ok. Far, far worse the past two years. Imagine how tired the media is? Ok LeBrun, it's been 18 hours since you've written an article about the Leafs. The Athletic demands more!

Hattrick Laine is back! Man is too streaky still, but he will get better.

Laine is on fire! 11 goals in last 4 games.

I think it is a safe bet for Laine to have 50 plus goals this season. 👍

Nov 25, 2018 18:19:20 GMT Zappy said:

I think it is a safe bet for Laine to have 50 plus goals this season. 👍

I was fine with Matthews getting hurt because the Leafs are still fine without him for the most part, but with Laine finally exploding I’m now wondering what could have been as far as a scoring race goes.

Imagine him and Matthews racing to be the first to 50 this year. Fucking bonkers.

Finnish player is number one in points, assists, goals and save percentage. Has not happened before. 

Watching some of the emerging Finnish players and also what they've accomplished at the World Juniors/World Championships/Olympics/etc over the past decade has been amazing.

...

Nylander Zero Hour is rapidly approaching and it was just announced that Nikita Zaitsev is not at practice today.

It's fine I wasn't planning on doing any work today anyway.

Nov 26, 2018 16:24:35 GMT RT said:

Watching some of the emerging Finnish players and also what they've accomplished at the World Juniors/World Championships/Olympics/etc over the past decade has been amazing.

...

Nylander Zero Hour is rapidly approaching and it was just announced that Nikita Zaitsev is not at practice today.

It's fine I wasn't planning on doing any work today anyway.

We feel spoiled here. I am pissed though, that NHL players can`t go to the olympics anymore, because now we have the whole package. Defense has always been our weak point, but now its great and our offense has it all to compete with Canada. 

Word is that Zaitsev is just sick. I call bullshit. Nylander + Zaitsev for Malkin incoming.

Big Papi returns tonight and reports say that William Nylander has stated he has skated with AIK for the last time.

Leafs twitter is a mess right now. I love it.

The Leafs are keeping Willie.

Toronto signed him to a six year extension.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Leafs at full strength.

Yesterday was insane. I told myself I was just going to focus on watching the game later and not worry about whether Willy signed or not, but sure enough when the early afternoon hit in the east I started refreshing every 10-15 mins.

That deal is huge and Dubas is the man. I love this team and they’re going to kill it the rest of the year.

Anyone talking about Matthews and Marner right now need to look at what Dubas just accomplished and chill. Fuck numbers, this team could be a cup contender for the next decade if everything works out the way Dubas intends. Let’s go!

I've watched Matthews' OT goal from last night about 10 times today. How is his wrist shot getting BETTER?

Amazing game. If Buffalo keeps on the track they're on, there's a good chance they meet the Leafs in the first round of the playoffs. That series would be nuts.

Dec 5, 2018 17:48:45 GMT RT said:

I've watched Matthews' OT goal from last night about 10 times today. How is his wrist shot getting BETTER?

Amazing game. If Buffalo keeps on the track they're on, there's a good chance they meet the Leafs in the first round of the playoffs. That series would be nuts.

Winner came in the dying seconds of OT as well.  Extra strength drama there.