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Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
I'm sure if they retain Marner that they are probably a 100+ point team this season but I don't think that core 4 was ever going to win the cup so maybe this just accelerates the rebuild. I think they have to consider moving Matthews as their long term outlook is pretty bleak.
IMO it all went wrong for the Leafs when they signed Tavares which was more of a luxury signing. They would have been much better off trying to acquire a legit top pairing defenseman as Reilly was never good enough on his own. To win a Stanley Cup your core 4 better include a defenseman and for the Leafs it was all about the forwards and it just never worked out.
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I disagree with a few points and agree with others. IMO, their homogeneity in style was the downfall of the Leafs. To me it's pretty obvious that Marner, Matthews and to some degree Nylander, all play an outside game. There is no attempt to go through other players to make the tough physical play. Even in the playoffs, those guys refuse to grind it out and go into the slot to get punished to attempt to get a goal. They're all outside guys. The worst is not changing their game in the playoffs. I personally think Matthews is a subpar leader, if not bad. He actually gets a free pass in the media despite not stepping up and playing hard when his team needs him to be the captain. Ignore the Olympics for all these guys because it's a different game of best playing with the best. This combination of Matthews/Marner/Nylander have the same outside style (moreso the first two).
I disagree with you on Tavares. He may be the one player that despite his older age, goes into the slot and gets those dirty goals. He really is that team player who shuts up and does whatever is needed where the younger guys don't do it. He skates up the middle and gets hard goals. He may not have the speed, but he's willing to do what other guys don't, and he's never been appreciated.
Reilly was good for a minute but never was that #1 guy they thought he'd be. They gave him too much leeway on his contract when he didn't deserve it. Knowing Treliving's style you know he'd rather build from the defence out if given a chance.