Breaking Down The 2024 Maple Leafs Forward Group - Better Or Worse? | SDP 

Steve - I love your shows and usually agree, but I don’t understand your love for Bertuzzi. In my mind, he never played to his reported potential in Toronto, nor did he seem to love being a Leaf. He was certainly better in the second half of the season, but didn’t really do much in the playoffs. Domi played his heart out and stood up for his teammates at every opportunity (Bert did not). I realize Domi may not have Bert’s potential for scoring goals, but in every other way, I think he’s a better fit. Happy to see Bert move on and I hope they can either develop Robertson or trade for a decent left winger.

Same as last year, out in round one!

Noah Gregor signed with Ottawa. You'll be seeing plenty of him

Robertson sounds like torontos version of holtz

It's a wash. Not better or worse, which kind of means worse after the managment group saying big changes were on the way. I love Domi too, but when that's the highlight of the offseason you're in trouble.

Robertson, play me or trade me. If the Leafs arent going to play Robertson on a regular basis then trade him.

Bottom 6 it's really bad they will not be able to compete with this group now or ever

Blues won with Binnington, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Jaden Schwartz, Vlad Tarasenko, David Perron, Colton Paryako. Jay Bouwmeester was their third defenseman and Joel Edmundson was number four. Vince Dunn was in their third pair. They had Alex Steen and Schenn and Bozek and Sundqvist and Barbashev and Maroon as depth forwards.

As long as the Leafs Core 4 - playoff disappointments stay together - Leaf Fans & Leaf Followers & even Leaf Trolls just get to see the same Leaf First Round exits. 😀

I love how whenever it goes to the camera that's just on Jesse, it's like he's lit up with the light of Christ offering up morsels of wisdom.

Noah gregor is an ottawa senator

Boston, Florida, Tampa, New York, New Jersey and maybe Carolina are all better than the Leafs. If the cup is the goal, I don’t see how this team can do it

While Domi can be used on the top 2 lines when injuries dictate, he’s not a legitimate player for the top 2 lines long term as he is limited. He can’t score and is a liability defensively. If you have him playing with Marner that’s 2 guys who can’t score on one line and if you put him with Nylander then that’s a disaster defensively. I don’t think Nylander gets enough credit at how bad he is with back checking.

The Leafs can’t pay everyone market rate contracts and continue to be competitive. You need some team friendly deals upfront to have a deep roster.

Cowen is the difference maker they aren’t talking about

Defence is better, goalie situation is about the same, forwards is worse. All in all about the same team so far. They’ll need to add a 3rd line centre or have one really step up.

It will be interesting to see the difference between Keefe and Berube.. Keefe drove me nuts.. spending so much time to " try and find chemistry" between players, the CONSTANT line juggling was insane. I would be so frustrated seeing lines click and gel just to have him split them up just so he can " try to get other guys/ lines going".. sitting some players for screw ups and dumb plays yet letting other players get away with it on a nightly basis with little to accountability. Hopefully Berube will get more out of these guys and if they don't fit, they'll trade them to find the right fits.. I think Robertson shot himself in the foot in one aspect but in the other, I do agree he wasn't utilized properly. Overall, I think he might be there to start the year but will be gone by trade deadline..

Robertson is either hurt or he's whining. He hasn't shown that he can take the punishment of playing 82 games(and playoffs). This guy hasn't EARNED what he's demanding!

The point is not how many games they win the entire goal is the way they play consistantly and confidently

Bert was never someone that we really needed to sign. He's got hands of steel.

3:12 so the thing about not wanting to always talk about his dad is likely on the side if he wants to be remembered or known for him and not his dad. Kind of like not wanting to be a nepotism hire like a student getting an internship because of a family member

Better defensively and in net. Offensively a little worst but if they bring up Cowan and Minten and they play could it could make a difference. Robertson-minten -Cowan needs to be a line

New coach. New life.

Every coach will make adjustments designed to lessen the impact of the top 3 to top 6. Therefore, it stands to reason that the depth of the bottom 6 will definitely matter in the playoffs. We should expect that McDavid and Reinhart score fewer goals in the playoffs.

Love how the "real nhl" comment absolutely bothered these dudes. Sheldon probably said that because the management structure in Toronto has been garbage for years and he felt his firing was a blessing.

probly won't really know till after playoffs next year.... they'll have to figure out new players, new system, new coach and work out the kinks. Maybe lose more regular season games but that's ok as long as they make the playoffs and that's where all the changes are hopefully going to help.

0:17 how is this a sports "podcast" when you fools don't even know where Noah Gregor signed? He's in Ottawa not Winnipeg

Man, I went to look up the Bouchard deal while watching this (after the Oilers contract talk). Cap Friendly 💔 But hey, they gave Sportsnet, SDPN, and the entire crew a shout-out, so that's something, right??

No one talks Easton Cowan, sure should take some time, but I think we should consider him being in the lineup this coming season.

I see Robertson as a 30+ goal scorer on a second line under the right circumstances but a -40 on the season.

Really nice F1 Lewis Hamilton shirt, Jesse! It was great to see him win the British Grand Prix this past weekend. 🏎💨

The leafs need a 3rd line center and a top line RD. Tanev isn't that. He's a 2 line RD. Its hard to believe that The Leafs can't find a deal for a RD using Liligren and Robertson.

Can anyone point at what Reillys skills are? Keep in mind he's getting older and losing his legs...

Gregor signed in Ottawa. How can you not know that?

What can they do in a regular season? Have a winning record against the bottom 5 teams. Show you can be consistent.

Wow, I'm starting to see that Steve is a Leaf hater. All he does is point out negatives. He let's the other guys talk about the good or better stuff. Then joins right into the negative points.

Jesse has such nice lighting compared to the others lol

Bertuzzi is no great loss

If they face the Bruins in the playoffs again (Bruins got better) what the hell makes them think they win this time around? They are running back the same team with the same core the B's have beat over and over again but with some aging (but talented) D-men thrown into the mix.. Bruins Defense is still better than T.O's and they added Zadorov. I havnt even talked about Goaltending yet.

Every game this year in playoffs, I was waiting for the bobby magic! He better be healthy this year. He is a stud

Core 4 and two new top 4 Dmen that are on the wrong side of 30....and two goalies, neither of which has started more than 35 games in a Season. Good luck with that

Why don't teams trade players like Kampf at the deadline, get the max return, you don't have the contract going into next year and you are not losing much that you can't fill with other depth guys. Get ahead of this stuff for once.

Fwd - worse for sure D - slightly better G - Gamble like last season. I like you guys. I know you want to make good content, but to be honest: This seasons campaign already is over and we all know it!!!

Its essentially the same. You hope for internal growth I guess.

Worse. Definitely worse. Domi needs to be on AM34's wing. We need a solid 3C.

Better. Better in goal, better on the blue line, and Taveres will be running out of contract soon. New coach and Treliving is closer to getting out from under the stupid contracts made by Dubas. Better. Cup-bound? Doubtful.

I just can't wait for the season to start. regular season is just so fun to watch. playoffs ends so fast after 1 round and the games aren't as good. for example watch a leafs vs edmonton oiler high flying speed game with a 6-5 final. those are the games we live for. in reality playoffs suck

Gregor is with Ottawa

Marner leaves in a trade...leafs habe Tanev AND Roy right now. Plus cap space to work with.

Last playoffs was out best d performance although sammy was pretty bad. All we've done is beef up our d, our top forwards still aren't the right mix. Our pp is a perfect example, johnny isnt a net front guy, mitch has no shot from the other hash nylander nd matthews are prototype powerplay guys. U need john for faceoffs so it should be John knies mattthews nylander Morgy or OEL. So ur paying Mitch over 10 to potentially not be on your top PP. Not a great use of money.

The team is a little bit worse after spending an extra $5 million. Michael Bunting had 19 goals and 55 points. Max Domi had 9 goals and 47 points. Bunting is a year younger. They Lost TJ Brodie who at one point was a #1/2 defenseman in Calgary and have added Chris Tanev who was the number four defenseman in Calgary and Dallas last year. Chris Tanev had 25 hits in 56 games with Calgary. Jonathan Huberdeau had 60 hits in 81 games for the same team. He's not as good as Jake Muzzin was when the Leafs brought him in. He was third on the Flames in blocked shots. He would have lead Toronto in blocked shots with his 56 game total. OEL is a nice add. The Leafs don't have a number one or number two defensemen. At least with Brodie they had a guy who used to be a first pair defender. The goaltending is troubling. They need a fourth veteran you can count on.

Signed in Ottawa Gregor

Leafs are in the primary business of selling jerseys. Prove me wrong!

The forwards are clearly worse so far. And that's even ignoring the fact that they're at the cap limit AND still need another forward. This team is destined for another first round exit.

Now hold there cowboys.

Clearly they are worse at forward. They should have chosen bertuzzi over domi. Tanev if he stays healthy is an upgrade on D over Brodie.

Jarnkrok 5 goals in over 90 playoff games. ADAM look at the stats before you make a foolish guess

I would argue defence matters more as long as you can score. Everyone is concerned with the forward group but we've had offensive ability. We haven't had defence and if you continue to do what you've always done you will always get what you always got. I would argue they needed another defensive D.

As a huge habs fan, seeing domi leave sucked. The value for what he brings is fantastic

Every single mic is installed upside down.

Why does Jesse get perfect lighting and the rest average lighting at best?

I think Nick Robertson should ask to be traded. The guy seems to score almost every time they play him for more than a couple of minutes, and yet they keep sending him down and bringing him back up and never really playing him. I would be pissed off if I was him as well. I think he's going to be one of those players that we trade and he becomes a superstar, or close to it, just like Zach Hyman...

lmao leafs bout to run it back with same core

Groundhog Day.

The home ice record shows the coaches ability to manage a game with last change. I never liked Keefe.

Robertson knows hes not making the lineup because he sees the talent in fraser mitten and easton cowan...both those guys will b on leafs next yearr

It's the same team, Berube can't make miracles, creampuffs all of them, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Tavares, Rielly, the creampuff core...you can't win with these proven losers. Laooseuers!!! Look at all the cup winners, their core players play mad and annoyed all the time, example, Stamkos is a finesse top scorer, will drop the gloves in a heartbeat when challenged or to defend a teammate, does any of our guys do this in the same situation, not in a million years...

Bertuzzi got owned by Marshand in the playoffs... Bertuzzi also has a terrible habit of trying to kick the puck in the net, this leads me to assume he just doesn't have the skills necessary for the job he intends. good riddance

11:15 i dont think anyone really cares about the regular season. Lets just skip to the playoffs. Only if.

Laine wanted out of Winnipeg. Just saying.

Answer : Same. Not better. Not worse. The same. Same old same old.

Turdronto Maple Queefs.

There's a strong possibility the Leafs miss the playoffs this year and the Habs don't, Seriously by mid January they'll be pretty much eliminated from the playoff race and Mitch is traded by trade deadline and most likely to the Habs.

Leaf fans lmfao. Steve all last season on Tyler Bertuzzi 'Get rid of him he stinks booo' 'Oh berts great i love this guy lets keep him' 'omg bert STINKS so lazy boooo im so done with this guy' 'omg berts great!! lets sign and keep him here'

Same exact team LMAOROFL

They should have traded Reilly, Marner, Kampf, Robertson, Jarntrok and brought Zadorov and another top 6 forward.

The leafs are heading into 2004-2008 era, few good players, bunch of who's and no draft capital.. Weeee

Max Domi is a liability. He takes too many penalties. His attitude and style of play fires up the opponents more than it does his own team. Look at how many teams have had him and passed. His nickname is "suitcase".

I think it's equal to last season or slightly worse. And thus won't waste my time following the Leafs this coming season... cause I know what the result will be.

the D is now so bad, it wont matter what the forwards do... it wont help

It’s the same no noticeable changes it’s meh

Hockey season is over.Why aren't you guys at a cottage??

Worse 😂

Worse

Kyper and Bourn are over. Why aren't you guys?

Leafs. 😂

Def worse

who cares

the most beta hockey talk channel EVER

"Everything on the table" bullshit. its the same circle rut yet again.

"Huge" then most abused word in the hockey media arena. Jack ~'()'~