Welcome to Downtown Sports, my name is Stephen, but my friends call me Downtown. In addition to my work here, I also work behind the scenes for TSN's SportsCentre and TSN Hockey. But on this channel, we chat all things Toronto Maple Leafs using advanced hockey stats, contextual information and salary cap analysis to break down all the latest news, and rumours surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I’m all for him coming back but it cannot be at a stamkos-esque deal. There are some intriguing potential forward free agents next summer and Tavares making more than 6 million or so I would say would continue to further handcuff the leafs. That’s assuming we are also keeping marner as well (losing mitch for nothing I think is unacceptable)
No no need to talk about anything Leafs have to stop being sentimental to all their players and think about business. this team has won one single Playoff round the last 20 years I say the Leafs give him an option -either wave your NMC and get traded as Captain which is not very humiliating at all since every leaf Captain has been traded at some point or option number 2- don't wave your NMC and get the captaincy stripped off you which is a major humiliation .His$ 11 million cap hit is preventing this team from building depth which is what you need to win in the playoffs. Enough of this being sentimental give him these two options and tell himto make a decision before training camp if he agrees to waive there's plenty of teams out there that will take the last year of that contract that have the cap room
No no need to talk about anything Leafs have to stop being sentimental to all their players and think about business. this team has won one single Playoff round the last 20 years I say the Leafs give him an option -either wave your NMC and get traded as Captain which is not very humiliating at all since every leaf Captain has been traded at some point or option number 2- don't wave your NMC and get the captaincy stripped off you which is a major humiliation .His$ 11 million cap hit is preventing this team from building depth which is what you need to win in the playoffs. Enough of this being sentimental give him these two options and tell himto make a decision before training camp if he agrees to waive there's plenty of teams out there that will take the last year of that contract that have the cap room
I've watched a lot of Minten and he's far from ready for the NHL. Dallas brought up 5'8" Stankoven after half a season in the AHL I can't see why the Leafs can't bring up Finland's WJC team "C" center Roni Hirvonen after a season in the AHL. I think it's safe to let little Dewar walk, a little small for the defensive role.
I might be the only one that wants to see this, but, I kind of want to see Tavares play on a regular line with Matthews. At least just for a little bit to see how it goes. I do agree we need to get a very solid 3rd line centre no matter what though. Gives us a lot more flexibility to experiment with lineups.
This could be something we see 2 years from now if Tavares decides to stay at a cheaper price. Leafs have A LOT of cap flexibility a year from now, especially if the cap goes up to $93M. They could definitely afford to sign a legit 2C and get away with Tavares on the wing if someone like Minten develops into a capable 3C. Which I don’t think is too unrealistic to expect from him. It was just a 4 game try out, but Minten definitely didn’t sink in the games he played with Toronto last year. I’d say we’re a year away from a pretty decent influx of young, cheaper and capable bottom 6 forwards
First of don't blame JT (or that matter any player for their contract ) and at the time it was reported that the Islanders were offering a very similar contract . Blame management for how they structured the contracts , and just look at Pittsburgh , it continues . As for 2 pts in 7 games , whole team mustered 12 goals in 7 .
Maybe the weight of captaincy is now starting to play on JTs mind, with the rise of calls to give AM34 the C. It may be a good thing if he does lose the C. The stress and weight could lift off his shoulders, and he can just concentrate on hockey.
Stop all the sentemtality about this guy, this is a business, you think any company you work for keeps you around because your a good guy. They get rid of you, same here. Offer him 3 years 3 million a year or see ya. If Marner hangs around let him walk then you have 21 almost 22 million in cap space. Think about what you can do with that. Also JT has to move to the wing, way too slow to play centre anymore.
I have watched almost every game of JT on the leafs and I saw a big change after the couple head shot injuries, since then he seems to have cement hands in front of the net(very slow reactions), sure he has got some good goals over the last seasons but more often than not he's fanning on the shot, missing the shot or putting it right into the logo. He plays eyes closed hockey when going into the boards, he loses almost every 1 on 1 encounter to simple stick lifts and poor reaction times, and he's gotten very slow on the back check. The problem is: I don't see him getting any better, only worse and we lost a lot of games last year down 1 goal with 1 min. left and JT getting several opportunities in front of the net and not getting the job done, time and time again. When it comes down to those key moments and key games having him in the top 6 and a key role player is going to hurt us, even more this season.
Also I will never forget seeing a video of Mats Sundin entering the leafs dressing room to announce the lineups for a game and all the boys were clapping it up and the camera panned to JT and he was snapping his fingers, like c'mon now...
JT was always an overpay. It happens with top UFA guys ALL the time. He took less $ than San Jose (12M x 7) & the Islanders (11M x 8) offered at the time. People said the deal would age poorly. It has not. He has been a PPG guy for years 1-5, just like his career numbers. Last year's 65 pts was a small step down, but hardly falling off a cliff. He was tasked with limiting Pastrnak's line in the playoffs. He did well with Pastrnak held to 3 goals in 7 games. He & Kampf have been graded as the fittest Leafs. He will equal or exceed 65 pts again this season. He doesn't want to go anywhere else & will likely give Tre a significant hometown discount on an extension. A pro's pro. I would re-sign him at a reasonable team-friendly aav (2 x 3-4M max).
Why in the world would we sign Stolarz 2.5 mil. if we were going to commit to Joseph Woll. We could have had Samsonov as a backup for 1.8mil. Only 27 and can play more than 30 games. He took a lot of the blame for bad team defence. We are not going anywhere in the playoffs. 2 very fragile goalies and a Campbell type career backup. With Ottawa and Detroit improved it will be hard without really solid goaltending to make the playoffs.
It's weird. I thought when Lamoriello somewhat gambled on Andersen, the Leafs had themselves a potential #1. Badcock played him like a feature goalie, but it became evident that Freddie wilted in 'win-or-go-home' games. In 4 years he was always 2nd best to his opponent allowing soft, stoppable goals in the most important games. Campbell had the same problem & so did Samsonov, save for the one time vs Tampa in '23. Woll has only 4 playoff starts. He is 3-1, with a gaa of 1.36 & a save % of .953. Every game was a must win scenario. He looked like the real deal. Stolarz has impressive regular season numbers & I think Berube will likely run a tandem, until one of them shows he's the guy. I think these guys are legit.
Well, 2 years ago I had just graduated college and through this channel and other work, I was able to get hired by TSN right away. And since then I’ve don’t behind the scenes work on all the major international hockey tournaments like the WJC and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, IIHF men’s and women’s championships. Plus lots of Maple Leafs games including a few this past playoffs. I worked on Gino Reda’s show That’s Hockey. As well as Sportscentre and SC with Jay Onrait. So I’d say we’re on the right track 👀
@DownTownSports98 I knew you were a busy guy but Jesus, lmao. Well, I hope you know how much we all appreciate you getting back at it out here for us. We're all rooting for you!
I can't remember when I started watching, but it's been a few years for sure. I follow Steve and SDPN and one of your videos popped up as something I may like. The algorithm was correct! I find your videos well thought out, calm, and almost like a voice of reason. You often validate my own thoughts, but you have the stats and details to support it, whereas I'm just going on gut instinct or assumption. When it comes to trades or signings, you often throw out names I never thought about or didn't have on my radar, and I love that. The fun part of being a sports fan is the rumors and fan theories and the "what if". And when one if those theories comes true, it's like winning a small lottery and you get to feel like a genius! Love the channel, keep it up, you're doing great!
I grew up watching the SDP and Dangle’s content so it’s always cool to hear that we kinda share an audience now haha. Crazy to think it’s been years since I started here
JT is a good player. Unfortunately, he's lost a step and is definitely slower. Good face-off guy and decent shot. Not in my PP1 anymore. He is a second line center now. If he wants to come back for 3-4 million I'd consider it. Anything higher he's gone.
Decided to subcribe awhile ago.. huge leafs fan and I feel like you put together the most in depth analysis on the team and give good visuals to help me understand some stats better, love the work
Can I ask you Something ? unfortunately If I was John Tavares agent, I would ingredient with San Jose Shark aother captain to get involve with new team knowledge longterm to create AAV 5 on 5 , I would actually accept it that offer will make Sense.
It has everything to do with speed, but look at a guy like Dave Andreychuk wasn't the quickest but found a way to contribute and dominate in front of the net. This is exactly where JT is at his best, and he needs to be a presence in front of those opposing goalies just like Andreychuk!
john travars is the problem.. He is not a captain, He has lead skates and eats up all the cap space. HE SUCKS the life out of the team. oh ya he also has the personality of a tree stump
The only way you can say JT exceeded or even met he contract value is if the Leafs had made it to the finals ONCE. Otherwise he's not made a big enough impact to warrant $12MM AAV
This is a rebuild year. No cap room. JT is not the problem as far as his play goes. Always gives 100% of what he has. Sadly his 3 teamates could care less about the rest of the team. Money, money, money. Team last. Great golfers. The last 2 contracts the guys would not even take a little less so Marner could stay. We keep losing players because we can not pay more than a couple million. Every time the cap goes up it just goes to them anyways. You can never improve the supporting cast. Wait till next year and go with prospects. The defence and goaltending are huge question marks. If ALL the stars align pick up some help at the deadline. If the leafs are not running four lines all season we are going nowhere anyways.
Generally agree. I don't think JT would go for such a low per annum amount...make it 8 years guaranteed, while hoping for 4 productive ones...maybe he says yes? I was thinking back on Saturday while i was doing my run at the track between both in favour of trying to resign him and how and why the cap space would be better spent elsewhere. Respecting his offensive numbers, his positives as i see them, which are quite good(a couple of which you mentioned)and his deficienies, which is necessary to make an accurate and informed decision.....I thought something like 6 x $4.5M to 3X $6M...in that range...or we just say thanks for your commendable service(!) and seek 1 or 2 players in FA who are younger and put up between them equal or better numbers. Whatever the GM decides is better for the Leafs is what should be done...and he started on the Defence two weeks ago. Good post. It put a favourable but balanced light on the Captain.👍
Dumbas* Dubas' biggest blunder was signing Tavares to that contract during a constructive rebuild (with all those upcoming stars) which shackled the team's cap space; in essence, it cost the Leafs a legit run for the cup. Hate playing "the race card," but blaming and trading Kadri was a hate play, by the most racist team in the NHL - the Toronto Maple Leafs. Just saying