Breaking Down The Maple Leafs End Of Season Press Conferences ... Now What? 

the "gods" comment makes sense when you remember that God rested on the 7th day too.

Tavares is talking like they lost in the cup final not rd 1

The elephant in the room....Twenty-One Power Plays results in One goal....from a team that professes its scoring prowess from its superstars. Nobody even mentioned it.

Outside opinion here… the “gods” comment felt like a fan perspective putting the athletes on pedestals right or wrong. As a Yankees fan, I understood what he was trying to say

Normally when a team says they were so close it's when they lose in the finals...for Toronto they say it losing the first rd😂

0:50, the laughter in the background is perfect. Likely not intentional, but hilarious all the same.

I don’t blame any Toronto fan for being upset and tired of the same excuse. I’m a Lightning fan, but we won the 2020 cup without Stamkos, except for that one game where he came in for about a minute thirty and sniped a goal. Then he was benched. I know I’ll hear the excuse of “the COVID cup”, but ask any of the players, and the bubble was the hardest time of their lives. Food was sub par, you couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. Couldn’t see your families for about 2 months. That’s rough! The Lightning made no excuses, and trust me, there was pressure from Tampa sports media after getting swept by Columbus to tear it down, trade Stamkos, fire Cooper, etc. there was no way this was acceptable. We had been a playoff team for so many years. Division champions for so many years. We finally broke through. No excuses. I simply feel for Toronto fans. I was hoping, praying for the Leafs to win and finally put the Bruin demon to bed, and then go beat the Panthers because I’m from Tampa and I can’t stand the Panthers. It just didn’t happen. Enough is enough. No more excuses. Tampa sacrificed everything to win. Their bodies and draft picks. I didn’t see the same from the Leafs.

I can't say this often enough: The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Cup in 2017 without Kris Letang for the entire Playoffs and Crosby missed a couple of Games against Washington because of a Concussion. Guess what, they still won. That's what Great Teams do. The Leafs couldn't.

Zach Hyman having more goals than the Leafs 4 core in round 1, is kinda hilarious.

They talk about how close they were like they were in Game 7 of the Cup final. If they can't tell the difference between being in a Game 7 in the FIRST ROUND and an actual Cup Final, they have no hope.

I'd really like to see Domi get a long-term extension. The "new core" of this team feels like AM34, Willy, Domi, and Knies. I think they've all got "The Passion" and will do the work to make this work.

Can't wait for the Phil Kessel'ing of Mitch Marner. Kids going to go to a decent franchise, become a star, and win a cup within two years. It's not the players, it's the franchise.

John Tavares has the enthusiasm quotient of a funeral home director who hasn’t had a “ client “ in weeks 🤣🤣🤣 Leafs 🤣🤣🤣

JT should not be captain talking like that.

And that is why Morgan should have been captain all along..plain and simple.

It sounds like Matthews was sick, took a hit and accidently shit his pants.

"we're right there". Someone bursts out laughing.

I’m glad you defended Marner’s words. I definitely think he meant it as something he really appreciates as opposed to him being arrogant. ❤

Marner was just saying how they are treated in this market - they are adored, worshipped, “treated like a god” - nothing out of line - anyone who was put out by that is biased … and I want the guy traded btw so I am not a Marner apologist

When Nylander says "Everybody loves him and wants the best for him" there's a bit of a smirk there like he was going to burst out laughing lol 10:38

JT was digging deep for cliches.

The Marner quote reads as "we're treated very well and have high expectations placed upon us". Probably a bad choice of words but nothing inflammatory.

Can someone explain to me why Tavares is the leaf’s captain?

marner is 100% correct in his comment about being treated like gods in toronto. the ridiculous reaction from fans and media just continue to prove him right

Excited to hear your thoughts on the comments made by some of the players today 😬😬 Tavares and Marners' comments specifically... not good

I've said it before and I'll say it before, the issue with the core 4 is with them as people. I'm calling out them personally. Every other star player has taken a pay cut to win. These guys take as much money as they can every contract to the detriment of the team and sadly the team has management who is more than willing to pay these guys. They have no reason to win and at this point I don't think the core has the desire to win a cup.

As a non Leafs fan, I think Marner was probably stating the obvious about playing in Toronto and it ruffled some feathers.

I’d take getting worse in the regular season to have a small amount of cap flexibility or a way more balanced playoff style roster with a new core dynamic any day

Marner clearly meant that they're put on a pedestal in Toronto. The expectations are high and when it's good it is great, but when it's not it isn't. Gods was not the word he wanted.

Toronto actually played a great series and fought back to tie the series and lost in overtime.The problem isn't this team, it's the history of the last 30 years they drag around like a ball and chain.

Reilly’s answer was one of a leader. He reminds me of Chris Kreider in that way. Someone who has leadership qualities but doesn’t have the captaincy.

Remember what MacKinnon said at his press conference after losing to Vegas? I think it put his teammates on notice, but importantly, management. Not that I need to make lots of money, and I love my teammates

Love your points. Nice upload!

i've been watching mitch since he was on the knights. he's been my favourite player ever since, so it's very bittersweet knowing he has to be the one to leave. there's a lot of hate for him right now in the fanbase because he's been invisible in so many playoff runs, and while the criticism is warranted, it sucks losing one of your stars, especially because mitch is so much fun to watch when he's on his game. a part of me wonders how it would turn out when tavares leaves but ultimately i know 40% of your cap on 3 players is a one way ticket to disappointing playoff runs every time, you need depth to win it all. it's like you said, simply, the mix just doesn't work. i feel like when it actually becomes a reality, a lot of that negativity will turn into a bittersweet feeling for most of us. i'm sure wherever he goes i'll become a semi fan for that team as well

Summer podcast idea: “what year is this locker clean out quote from?” Maybe even include other teams

I really do think its impossible to win with Leafs fans sometimes. Is Mitch's answer to the "being right there" question generic and boring? Yes. However, given the ridiculous media attention, boring is the only safe play. Look at what happens when you go even slightly off script, like Mitch did with that "gods" comment. It gets blown up and completely taken out of context and now everyone's got your name on their lips... and its almost NEVER in a positive way.

Bruins fan here and blowing that Gods comment was a perfect analogy. Got no problem with it and the people that do and looking for something!!

The problem with the Leafs is Tavares. You can't put the weight of a team on his shoulders. You don't pay a 2nd line guy $11M; You can get 2 defensemen for the cost of 1 Tavares. Your defence is already improved.

Old Bruins fan . love y man for your sincerity and temperament❤

Regardless of what was said, Nylander's fit with the all black fleece and hat combo goes hard. Young Phil Collins energy

Marner needs to go the same way DeMar DeRozan had to go. DeRozan was a well-liked, well-respected, All-Star level player, and the Raptors and the fans loved having him on the team. But the reality was that having him around wasn't enough to help the Raptors win, so they traded him. And we all know how it worked out. Mitch is great, but it's time if this team wants success.

Mitch isnt saying they are gods, he's saying that people in the city, hell even kids, idolize them being on they team.

Sheldon is a true stand-up guy unlike any of his core players ! Stands up , takes the blame and the bullet for the rest of the team and for that he will be gone because of a bunch of over paid entitled pretend players that wouldn't stand up and be a man for the first time in their lives !

Mariner Sammy Keefe Shaany and a few others must go. Time for a new start. The shannaplan failed years ago. Enough already 💔

Marner would be fantastic PR for Utah...

I have a bad feeling that the core 4 will stick together for 1 more season and the only change will be firing Keefe and Shanahan!

Steve. That was really good..... thanks brother!!!!

Steve, great midday, midnight analogy, a dysfunctional clock is always correct twice a day!

This team was not close. The fact they made it a series down 3-1 is impressive, but it doesn't absolve anyone from the fact that they lost 4 of 7. They backed into the playoffs, they couldn't win at home until it was do or die, and most of their top players were not their top players in the playoffs. How do you expect a team that averaged 3.63 goals per game to win when they only average 1.71 in the playoffs? Answer: You don't.

Bruins just smacked the Panthers in game 1.

I absolutely LOVE your videos, Steve!!! You're extremely insighful and passionate about the game & the TML!!! I'm looking forward to your post meeting front Leafs' management on Friday! (Sidenote: Is it me? Or did they change date/time of meeting because the front office doesn't want to deal with the media reaction to their statements until Monday? You know, give the fanbase the weekend to absorb the meeting results. Meanwhile, the PR department goes into hyper-drive.) The media meeting with Leafs' entire management was rescheduled for Friday. President, GM & coach will be there. God, I WISH I had access to TSN!!! Because I won't see it in the States. Nancy

Tavares always gives responses that he thinks the media wants to hear. Reilly, who'd be my choice as captain for this club speaks the truth. Captain Cupcake says "We're right there!" Rielly, asked the same question says success is attainable but at the same time a ways away. The guy is honest in his assessment of his club.

Oh they're running it back, and you'll be happy watching the flashy plays/goals. New goalie, couple of old guys, a rat or two.... ladies and gentlemen your 2025 maple leafs !!

They were close to winning the first round not close to winning a cup after 8 tries

Tavares: "Well we're right there..I think..y'know" Right where exactly? holy shit.

And meanwhile, the Bruins just destroyed Florida 5 to 1 in game 1

3:42 “if”. My grandfather taught me that if the hound didn’t stop to take a s#!t, it would have caught the fox.

Being passive is one the biggest issue the maple leafs have along with not enough skill.

I really appreciate when you do calm analysis. The meme stuff turns me away all the time. Good job!

GOD BLESS YOU Fans of the LEAFS!… so little will be done and you all will stand behind this Cooperate organization!.

I don't think Marner's quote is that bad, I don't think he means "gods" like people expect too much of them in terms of performance, that would be an insanely out of touch thing to say, I think he means more like the attention and cheering of the fanbase is like no other which is a fine quote. I actually prefer his response to Matthews and Nylander, I don't even know why they had to talk about the scapegoats and narratives just to try and defend Marner, if you wanna defend your teammate then just say "he doesn't deserve to bear the heat alone, it's a team effort and we lost as a team" that feels like it creates way less friction that what they said.

As a nucks fan, i totally understand his statement. Media pumps them up. The coverage on them is like nome other. I was talking to my buddy the day after nucks pulled the lucky win on preds the other day, and you look at tsn, shows the nucks recap, recap of another game and 20 vids of the leafs. I thimk TSN stands for toronto sports network.

Holy shit Tavares show some emotion

Just saw on Overdrive on TSN Leaf presser has been moved to Friday with Pelley, Treliving and Shanahan to be there.

IF ........ they had off showed up in games 3-4 !

tavares reminds me of lurch from the addams family movies

marners not wrong. the fans of t.o make their players and teams gods 🤷‍♂️

The next step was the 3 rd round they have regressed. Never winning a presidents trophy or your division is just a good regular season not great, now add 7/8 first round losses and its just brutal. Someone tell JT it takes 16 wins for a cup maybe he forgot because of his age and only making it to the second round in his whole career twice, time for a new captain that speaks up and holds his team accountable .From management down big changes need to be made, what would Boston or Florida, Vegas etc. do... exactly winners dont stop striving and changing to get better and they are ruthless.

Habs fans are having a blast. Great job,Steve😂

A round three loss would be "right there", not another round one exit.

Great Video. Losing sucks. As a New England sports fan if it wasn't for Larry Bird Boston wouldn't have seen a Championship for a looooong time. In my hometown of Fitchburg MA, the Bruins had their preseason workouts there. Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and many more, my family, friends, everybody in New England came to see our team. Then one day they were gone and funny but the Bruins thru the years had good teams but not great enough to win the Stanley Cup until 2011. Losing again hurts but as a true fan, no matter what you still support and love your team. The Patriots we use to refer to as the Red Sox with helmets. Patience is a wonderful thing. Boston since 01 has won so many titles from all of their franchises the term Title Town, Boston took from Green Bay. Hopefully the Chips will keep on coming. Losing hurts and we know about losing but when a streak does get broken it does so in a wonderful way. Also I live now in Connecticut so I got to put the women and men's college Basketball teams in there as well.

This team gaslighting us is very old. I appreciate Reilly's honesty. I am looking forward to seeing Marner on another team.

You weren't anywhere, Johnny. The entire team wasn't there for games 3 and 4, and Marner the God, is a completely different player in the post-season. Tavares and Marner leaving would open up huge cap-space to build a better playoff team. The problem is, who the hell will sign for a team without a driven discipline coach, oft-injured goalies, and no balls. As for Shanahan? He needs to go.

Great video. There's this weird 440hz ring in the audio. It might be room reflection.

Gotta love you kept it Canadian corny with the strikes midnight line....amazing! You speak like you look...you are real!

Leafs desperately need a solid goalie who doesn't get hurt & can take them deep in the playoffs.

Steve, These guys are hockey players. They are not diplomats, some are better than others talking to the press. They are still young some younger than you. Yes they can be wrong, so can you. Last podcast you guys all had Vegas beating Dallas. Man you were so wrong maybe you should blow up the podcast. The point I am making is their is more than meets the eye here. You guys said there was two coaches but really there was one no one expected them to win back then they were to young but the system has been beaten into them for 7 YEARS. Maybe just maybe this is a system issue. Could it be possible that it isn't all the players that maybe the system needs to change. Marner will be there at least a year change the coaches and see what happens.

The person in the background laughing at the captain. lol

I would keep the same team and once they get you near the playoffs: trade players at the deadline to get key players you need to get through the playoffs.

Big money comes big responsibility

Are the Leafs gonna blow it with Knies like they did with Hyman?

First of all I’d to say I love your show & even though I’m an Isles fan, I always watch your show. Great Job! 👍

2:10 every game in that Florida series was a 1 goal game except for game 1 which was a 2 goal game

We won’t know if John or Mitch are asked to waive. They won’t come out and say it publicly. They’d be able to choose what teams they go, if they did choose to waive. Those teams will fleece the Leafs because they know that they have limited trade options. This team is so screwed. More cap is taken up next year by Matthews and Nylander. Don’t expect next year to be any different.

How is Keefe still employed?

I’m the furthest thing from a Leafs fan but Steve is a great voice for knowledgeable leafs fans who might not be a loud as the rest of the fan base. He tells it how it is and brings some respect back to leafs nation.

I don't know why the Leafs need a new Goalie, they had a strong tandem. The Leafs need to get players to sign team-friendly contracts so they can afford to fill out the rest of the roster. But Canadian taxes are going to make that difficult.

Everyone has to lay TF off Mitch for that ‘like gods’ comment. He was a Leafs fan his whole life, making him love hockey and becoming so good he got drafted by them. a goddam dream come true. He looked at the Leafs as gods and now he’s a Leaf. F*ck all y’all for shitting on him. It’s a team sport and last time I checked there were a lot of underperformances across the board.

Mitch marner, god reference is about how people view them, and the pressure they get put under.

Rielly spoke like a captain should for a team in this position.

Domi and Bertuzzi need to be back. Good playoff jam.

As a Leafs fan, WE WANT FLORIDA 👏👏👏👏👏 TO BEAT BOSTON 👏👏👏👏👏

Mitch is in love w T.O. for the contract and the sponsorship deals only.

Great analysis and funny.

You should make so many more videos like this..I fully understand the Internet and making money and getting attention..but as a true hockey fan..a true Bruins fan..I enjoyed this ..from the heart I guess is just so much more likeable..

YEP !!! They say the same old story once again but this time they throw their coach under the bus to take the blame for them ! That is what entitled friends do for one another !!!! Get rid of the POS losers !!

Mitch marner, god reference is about how people view them, and the pressure they get put under

And the Management meeting now Friday. I believe Shanny was listed as one of the people speaking but that may be early to say.

Love your energy Steve....If you were given power to make any changes, what would you do?

I'm hopeful for a St Louis here in Toronto. When they won the cup, they had realized their core wasnt getting it done despite repeated playoff 1st rounds. Kept getting eliminated. SO THEY CHANGED THE CORE!!!!!! BECAUSE THE CORE COULDN'T GET IT DONE!!!!!! And they won the cup. This core will not be able to get the job done, so change the core, get a new coach, and roll the dice next year.