The Official 2024-25 Season Talk Thread

[DrJones]

Core 4 should be dead and they should look elsewhere for top talent.

Where, exactly? The top UFA point-getter (by a lot) is Marner. The top UFA goal scorer (by a lot) is Tavares. Everyone's flushed with cap space: both will get (over)paid. The Leafs' prospect pool is ranked 28th. They have no 1st round picks in 2025 (dealt for Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty), 2026 (dealt for Brandon Carlo), or 2027 (dealt for Scott Laughton).

[slickdtc]

So much deeper the Leafs can go to increase the heartbreak. This core won’t get there. They need to get better, so they can disappoint greater.

[bhurst99]

Where, exactly? The top UFA point-getter (by a lot) is Marner. The top UFA goal scorer (by a lot) is Tavares. Everyone's flushed with cap space: both will get (over)paid. The Leafs' prospect pool is ranked 28th. They have no 1st round picks in 2025 (dealt for Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty), 2026 (dealt for Brandon Carlo), or 2027 (dealt for Scott Laughton).

Marner will get top dollar and term elsewhere. I think he wants out of Toronto. The media spotlight isn't for everyone and I expect he'll go somewhere else and probably continue to thrive in the regular season. He will definitely put a non-playoff team into the playoffs.

Zero interest in Tavares returning at his age. He's going to the Hall of Fame but he's completely useless in the playoffs. I'm sure some other team will still overpay. As soon as he removed himself as captain (I doubt that's how it happened but whatever) you knew he isn't coming back.

I imagine they'll sign some UFAs but replacing Marner's regular season production will be incredibly hard and I expect they'll miss the playoffs next year. The margin between playoffs and missing the playoffs is not much.

[Majingir]

You won't find one specific guy to replace Marner, but the Leafs don't need stars, they need a proper supporting cast.

UFAs like Marchand, Kane, Boeser and others, it wouldn't hurt to get guys who've been there done that, or even guys under 30 who could get that boost playing with Matthews or Nylander.

[Majingir]

Panthers treating the Canes like they're the Leafs

[slickdtc]

They might be a juggernaut. I hate them

[slickdtc]

I’ve been screaming Oilers, and we may have a rematch yet, but I’m on board with the Stars. I have as soft a spot as one can for a division rival (Carolina), but I like Dallas out West.

Florida back to back for sure

[DrJones]

I’ve been screaming Oilers, and we may have a rematch yet, but I’m on board with the Stars. I have as soft a spot as one can for a division rival (Carolina), but I like Dallas out West.

Florida back to back for sure

Me, 20 years ago: Why doesn't someone throw all the money at the Red Wings' European scouts?
Me, today: Why doesn't someone throw all the money at Gregory Campbell? Having a big, skilled team that "plays with an edge" (ie, injures opponents) with Big Daddy Colin looking out for you is a literal cheat code

I admire the Hurricanes but don't particularly like them. They're a classic "jack of all trades, master of none" team - it's extremely difficult to go all the way without a gamebreaker of some kind (not that I blame them, they've tried).

I really have no idea who comes out of Oilers/Stars, it appears that *both* teams are better now than in last year's WCF. Assuming the winner emerges relatively healthy, I think I give the Oilers a bit better shot at winning the Cup than Dallas. The Stars are a more complete team on paper, but Edmonton is a lot more resilient than they've been given credit for, and should be extremely motivated and mentally prepared for what it takes. If their secondary scoring continues to produce, yikes. (I'd still bet on the Panthers, though.)

[DrJones]

The Leafs' foibles are fun to dunk on, but man, they're a lot more fun to watch than this dreck. The NBA has the more compelling conference finals matchups this year.

[Psyblast]

Hurricanes just getting their heads repeatedly pistolwhipped. Sheesh.

[DrJones]

LOL at the Sam Bennett rumours. I can think of exactly two teams that would be dumb enough to offer Bennett 7/70.

*insert Spider-Man GIF, except it's me and Maj pointing at each other*

[Speedy]

Hurricanes just getting their heads repeatedly pistolwhipped. Sheesh.

The choke is real.

Absolute misery.

[Psyblast]

LOL at the Sam Bennett rumours. I can think of exactly two teams that would be dumb enough to offer Bennett 7/70.

*insert Spider-Man GIF, except it's me and Maj pointing at each other*

Hey now, don't count out Los Angeles and their shiny new GM Kenny Holland.

[slickdtc]

LOL at the Sam Bennett rumours. I can think of exactly two teams that would be dumb enough to offer Bennett 7/70.

*insert Spider-Man GIF, except it's me and Maj pointing at each other*

Sam Bennett was made to be an overpaid Broad Street Bully and we all know it.

[slickdtc]

Love a good afternoon playoff game. This is a big one.