Manhandled in Montreal, Leafs Hit Rock Bottom ft. Mike Johnson

Manhandled in Montreal, Leafs Hit Rock Bottom ft. Mike Johnson

You’re watching Leaf’s Morning Tape with host Nick Alber and former NHL Jay Rose. The show starts now. All right, here we go. Is this rock bottom? That’s the big question on the Monday edition of Leaf’s Morning Take presented by Bet 365. Nick Albera, Jay Rosel, how we doing, buddy? Does anyone want to do this show today? I’m not real excited about it. This is brutal. This sucks. Like, it’s like embarrassing, man. My group just has written the Leafs off and just laugh every night. Under 500, lost seven of eight. Eight of nine. I’ve lost track. Dead last in the East. Like, what is this? And why is there no push back? No. Zero character Saturday night against the Habs. Zero. Just get aside from like one or two guys just get embarrassed. No grit, no heart, no character. Like I’m not thrilled. I’m not thrilled about where this team’s at. Not even not even trying to run on the positive train. It’s just it’s brutal. So I decided to go to Montreal this weekend. um decided to fork out some cash, watch a game in the stands, Leafs Habs Saturday night, Bell Center, and the team I cover and love uh didn’t show up, didn’t want to show up. Um I’m I guess using the excuses that everybody’s heard, they got ran out of the building. Uh it was a tough game to watch. We’re going to obviously break it down. Mike Johnson’s coming up, too. I do have good news to report. If you recall in the summer, we had this conversation. Remember, I pulled you on my buddy um rooming with me and and sleeping in the nude. He uh he watches the show and this time around he slept in his boxers. So, good news all around here. Hey, there’s some positives on the weekend. Nice little Saturday. Don’t have to look at your buddy’s horn all morning. That’s good. Exactly. Exactly. And we’re we’re looking for any positive we can grab. Our super chat charity partner is Sick Kids. Want to make sure that your question or comment gets on the show. Hit us up with a super chat. Proceeds from my super chat will go to Sick Kids ranked the number one research intensive children’s hospital in Canada and third in the world. And yeah, I mean so many alarming things, man. But like I just don’t know how you don’t get up for a game like that. Hell, I got up for that game and I was just a spectator. It’s Saturday night, Bell Center, Leafs Halves. Thought the first eight, nine minutes the Leafs were good and then they got scored on. They lost all their confidence. Tvarus hits the post and that was the night. They’re so mentally weak, man. Like I I coach all different levels of youth hockey and like you see it at that level. Like you get you’re rolling for 10 minutes and they score and then just a visible slump on the bench and slump and and lack of effort and like you’re teaching these kids to have character and to go through adversity and to to nudge the guy beside and say, “We’re going here.” That we’re going to have a big bump up. You’re trying to instill that in children. And these guys have played their whole lives. They’re very good to make it to the NHL. They have all kinds of tools and assets and everyone’s got their strengths. And no one decides to bring any of it. No one decides to have any push back like like quitting like like quitting and leaving the ice and I’m not I take three weeks to come back from this and that and I’m not playing tonight and I can’t go and I can’t do it and I’m not doing that job and I won’t stick up for this guy. It’s just just nos. No, no, not me. All over the place. Like it’s such a lack of character. That’s what shocks me. I can handle losses. I can handle all kinds of things. But when you’re watching and going, “Okay, like [ __ ] good first 10. You got scored on. Let’s let’s go. Let’s let’s throw the kitchen sink at him.” Zero. They go the other way. Like people are going to feel sorry for you. I’m always like, “What is your plan? What was it? What’s your plan now? You don’t even like Where’s the pride, man?” Like it just I the cherry on top is the end of the game. Dakota Joshua big physical going to bring this new attitude to the team that we need. Goes in for some reason finishes his hit with one second left on Arborjack guy and then turns his back and just like just gets [ __ ] ragdalled and and then falls down which is the token get me out of here. It’s just like and then you you go to sleep feeling good or what? Like do you did he not know why they got him? Does he not listen to the GM press conference and what they’re looking for, what they’re lacking, what they need? Goes and hits him for some reason. Then, oh, I’ll turn my back to this guy. Oh. Oh, I’ll hide myself. No, slip out. Fall down. Okay, fall down. Like, god, I can’t watch this [ __ ] anymore. You can lose every game if you do it with some balls and some grit and some heart. Give me some of that. I thought people are like, “Oh, this is the team you guys wanted.” You think anybody wanted this [ __ ] We wanted to play heavy. We wanted to go up against the Florida Panthers and all the C guys that they have on that team that play raw and hard no matter what the situation. We wanted guys that would go up against that. I watch other games and highlights and guys jump in all the time and come flying in and refuse to stand for something and say enough of this [ __ ] and they come flying in there. Guys that aren’t even known for that, standing up for each other, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, f you running at the bench, whatever. take a penalty. I don’t give a [ __ ] No, nothing. Zero from anybody, man. Ghosts all over the ice. You watch and I’m just like, I can’t even finish the game. I flipped the channel of the Oilers game during that because I’m like, I can’t even watch this anymore. I know nothing’s going to happen. It’s going to be no push back, no grit, no one’s going to do anything that’s inspiring to anyone. Nobody’s inspired on that team. Like, and then they’re pointing fingers at all kinds of the wrong [ __ ] Like, h I I don’t know. I guess I’ll just get it out now cuz like what what are we supposed to talk about? How are we supposed to stay positive? Like there’s there’s things you can do that show [ __ ] man. These guys are in one and they want to get out of it. They don’t even show that the bare minimum. They don’t give the bare minimum, which I just can’t handle, man. I thought it was a legendary rant from Zach on After Dark over the weekend about when the going gets tough, these guys run away and hide. And it’s it’s so true. Like, and again, I always point to you, um, especially in in this department, but pound of flesh, like go out kicking and screaming. Dude, they got bullied by the Montreal Canadians, who are not even regarded as a a mean team or a physical team. Granted, they went into that game, they got called out by their media and their fan base last week after that loss to to Washington. you knew they were going to be horny, but just from the get-go, like it drives me insane that Troy Steters played three games or whatever it’s been as a leaf and he’s one of the more passionate guys and he hates to lose and he’s smashing his stick and he’s pissed off and then some I think it was Florian and Jack eyee early on finishes his check and I mean not to pick on the guy but I don’t know what he does you know his purpose but Dakota Joshua is right there and he just looks at him like I know it’s Troy Stetcher I know he’s a veteran he’s not a star player But where’s the accountability? Where where are guys sticking up for each other? Like right now, it just seems like a bunch of guys trying to get their cookies. Like there’s no cohesiveness. They’re not playing direct. They’re not playing the style they want to play. They just look lost. Like there’s zero identity. And again, people are getting this whole thing misconstrued. This is what Leafs Nation wanted. No, I just want passion. I want guys who give a [ __ ] who care, who want to be out there, who want to play for each other. I mean, there’s so many different examples. Again, not to compare it to the Blue Jays, but they love playing together. It just seems like the Leafs just go out there hoham. Again, I just don’t know how you don’t get out there and and get up for a game like that against Montreal where they just they just push them around. Man, it was an easy night for the Havs. Yeah, it’s they’re they’re just lost. They have no direction. They have no leadership. And like Matthews is hurt, but when he’s not, like if all he can do is like jump like get a feed and and bury it with a good shot. Like that’s that’s kind of it. He doesn’t go flying in on the for check. He doesn’t back check like a maniac and then bury a guy and then and then he’s the number one guy with his nose up in a scrum pushing and shoving and dragging people. Then everyone comes flying in. There’s our captain. It’s none of that. It’s just duh the stunned look on his face and cool. If you can pot a couple of goals, like that’s it. But like look at the teams that win the Stanley Cup. They’re so well-rounded with so many different facets and so much leadership and they have that rugged competitive spirit, like a competitive nature where like they refuse to lose. And I know what it’s like to be on that team and sitting on the bench in the Bell Center and [ __ ] we’re down and it’s like, guys, like we cannot accept this fate. We got to go out and do something, anything that that will inspire this hockey team. And nobody, it’s like they don’t even think of it. It’s just you’re like, “Oh no, maybe I’ll go try to like kind of skate and maybe something will open up and I can sus it over to a guy and maybe that’ll help.” And it’s just like there’s just no character, man. And the it’s like the competitive like you say, other teams have that and not even known to be heavy teams. This is the club that like and I’m not even bugging like tree living like he put what he could that was available to him on paper and then those guys have no jammer heart like Nick was hurt. I get it, but like with what? And like just it’s just like guys just go on the shelf like so easy. And I’m not saying they’re not hurt, but like [ __ ] At what point is it okay to call out their character and like them as a competitor and what they want? Because it’s the worst thing in the world losing in Toronto and coming up short and being in a slump and going on a slide. And like I always thought like guys are willing to do anything to get out of that and claw out of it and do something uncomfortable and put themselves in a bad spot cuz screw it. I what what what do I have left to lose? There’s just no layer of that on the team. None. And I can pick out so many guys like I I know not everyone’s going to do that. Like I don’t expect William Knander to necessarily do that, but like there’s so many guys that could do that to help out themselves and their reputation and their career and they just refuse, I guess, or else they just don’t even they don’t even know that it exists. And again, I can watch teams lose and go through bad periods and run through injuries, but the can I see some scratching and some clawing? like they’re so soft and fragile that I can’t even be proud to follow the team and care about the team. I feel like an idiot half the time. And like this this might not even be rock bottom. Like they might just keep sliding worse. Like they haven’t played they haven’t played any of the big dogs yet. They haven’t played Carolina. They haven’t played like New York Islanders or Jersey. They haven’t played any of the dogs in the West. Like he thinks it’s gonna get better. It’s like if I was I just keep thinking if I’m Craig Bubé, what do I do? Like the only thing left is just to call out their character and lose your mind. Like what else you What else do you do? But I He’s not there. I mean, that’s like the last ditch effort. And if it doesn’t work, you get fired. And I don’t know. He doesn’t want to go there. So keep babying these guys. like you can’t change their whole upbringing and and core of their character like overnight. It’s just shocking to me that no one’s willing to do anything. Like to get embarrassed and bullied and run off the it’s like that’s one thing you could at least control even though you know you’re going to lose. It’s four rip or whatever the hell it is. Like I I just have trouble. Like I try to stay positive some days and today it’s just like I have nothing good to say about what I just saw. Like [ __ ] zero. No, it’s fair and it’s blunt and I do think they’re on a pathway to getting their coach fired if that’s what they want. Um I couldn’t agree more. It’s so easy to place blame on the GM and the coach and Derrick Loland and Mark Zavar. It’s like I mean how how many times we’re going to do this thing where I don’t know how you coach life and passion like they’ve had different types of coaches too and it’s always the same rodeo man. It just they seem so disinterested in playing the sport they get paid to play. It’s uh it’s actually wild stuff. But anyways, we got Mike Johnson’s coming on here in about uh 15 minutes. We’re going to break things down with him at the Leafs Nation41 on YouTube. Hit that like button, hit that subscribe button. Lease Morning Take wherever you find your podcast. Make sure to visit leafnation.com as well. Also, don’t forget to leave us a fivestar review while you look up Lease Morning Take via podcast. Crave the Stats is a presentation of Uber Eatats. Every time the lease play at home, you can get these exclusive deals only on Uber Eatats. Firehouse Subs, Bogo Brisket Hatrick, KBO Sushi, Bogo California Roll, Shelby Schwarma, Bogo Traditional Wrap, that’s right, buy one get one before, during, and after the game. Uber Eats is assisting every fan’s hockey experience all season long. But it wasn’t pretty. And to your point, um, the effort level called out again by Craig Barubi, but we’re at a point where I don’t think anybody has answers. I don’t think Bubby has answers, but I did want to ask you, I know John Tvarz and what else is he going to say comes out and doesn’t want to use injuries as an excuse. Watching that game, I don’t know if you felt differently. I couldn’t use injuries as an excuse. They look lifeless, man. Lifeless. Whereas, like you watched them play hard against Columbus, played decently well against St. Louis. I’m not using that excuse. Like, I don’t know if it was different for you, but watching that game, was that just a story of just more talent on Montreal’s roster? I don’t buy that. No, I don’t either. There’s like nobody It’s pretty hard to predict the Stanley Cup winner a lot of the time. Sometimes every year there’s teams that come up and it’s like, “Holy that I didn’t see that coming.” You know, teams can outplay the way they look on paper. And to me, a general manager is only responsible for putting names on paper that that have a checklist of attributes that you know and think contribute to being a well-rounded hockey team. And you put those players on there. You need you need skill, you need speed, you need talent, you need effort, you need grit, you need tenacity, you need toughness, you need character, you need leadership. And you get these guys on paper and then yeah, the coach’s job is to get them to find the chemistry, find the line combinations, be well-rounded, be able to roll a bunch of um different players out there one after another. make it hard for the other team to match up against and then try to inspire them to dig deep and and bring intensity and effort and energy and passion and competitiveness. And again, you mentioned we’ve had multiple different coaches, we’ve had different styles, and it’s just like when the going gets tough, like it’s no more prominent than it is in the playoffs. Like last year was probably their best year in in recent memory. They won the Atlantic and they took the best team in the world to game seven. But when it was when it was kind of really tough, aside from game six, game five, game seven, just heartless and just like lifeless bodies out there just doing a shift and then getting off and doing a shift and then getting off. And it’s just like you’re going to get steamrolled and they do. And I don’t know how you teach that [ __ ] Like how to inspire. Like what else do you need? You’re getting paid a ton of money. You’re the spotlight is on you. You’re getting red carpeted left, right, and center. You’re like like Marner said, you get treated like gods in that town. Like if you’re on the Maple Leafs, people I remember we were running to the the airport after a win to go get on the jet and it was all like backed up and Shenner piled on the brakes and I like piled into the back of them with my truck and dented up my hood and I I brought it into this shop and he said, “Yeah, I’ll take care of it.” And I went to pick it up and he’s like, “There’s no charge, man.” Like one of the Leafs, dude, I’m like I didn’t even know that he knew I was on the Leafs. He like fixes my truck. I’m like, “I have to give you something.” And he’s like, “He wouldn’t take any money.” So, I brought sticks and tickets and [ __ ] afterwards. Like, why are you doing why are you fixing my truck? I can they just they treat you like a god because you’re on that team and that like that’s your that’s what you do with it. Like what an opportunity wasted by every [ __ ] guy on this team where you know you’re sliding and this is brutal and like something has to change. You have to do something different than you’ve been doing and they just don’t. It’s like doesn’t even come into their mind. Let’s go do the same [ __ ] over again. Like I don’t care what like how do you not care more? How are you not a man? How do you not have pride? How have you gotten to that level lacking that much character? And again, if you would just I can handle a big loss against a team you should probably beat if you just have the gumption to show me that you’re you don’t like it as much as everyone that’s watching. But it’s like they it’s like they it’s like they care the least. It’s like the fans are more pissed off than they are afterwards and they don’t even have the the pride to like stick up for themselves or be like, “Fuck you.” Nothing. And like is this rock bottom in the poll here? Like no, it’s not. It’s going to get worse with this attitude that they have. And yes, coaches will get fired and GMs and I don’t even that’s not even going to fix the problem, man. It’s I just can’t say enough how disappointed I am with the character coming out of this team right now. Got a riveting poll as Ro Ros Rosie referenced here in the chat at the Leafs Nation 401. Hit that like button, hit that subscribe button. Is this rock bottom? And it’s pretty much split down the middle right now after about 127 votes. Uh yes, 49% 52% say no. Uh when it comes to the map and their struggles as you talked about, they’ve dropped seven of eight. won six and0 on the road. I thought it was a mercy pull for Joseph Wall. I thought he was remarkable in that game quite frankly. Like it was it was right down Broadway. Like dude, the the turnovers and giveaways are what gets me. And it’s even more puzzling. I know Craig Ruby alluded to it too as well. Like you’re a veteran team and it’s the vets making mistakes. Like it’s it’s just so bizarre. Like I I don’t even know from a coaching standpoint what you do if guys can’t make simple plays and they’re throwing the puck around. Yeah. And you watch the D zone and you double check like, are we are we killing? Are we short-handed? There is so much room out there and they they can penetrate so deep into the house and the dangerous areas and it’s just like how many guys are not paying their position right now? How many guys are not paying attention to the details? How many guys are not willing to like do the like the simple starts and stops to like stay in the lanes and have your standard coverage that you learn in like youth hockey and these teams are just dismantling them. It’s and it you know you lose Mitch Mner and you add some like who did they lose from last year besides Mer like Pontis Holberg like are you kidding me? Yeah. Okay. like there’s that big of a drop off and yes, injuries are not helping them. And that’s like the only sliver of light here. If they can literally get completely healthy, both goalies, all of your D and top to bottom, bottom six, top six line combinations like they should be. Can they start like how how deep is the hole going to be that they’re in? because they can’t even string like eight of nine dropped or whatever like that. Okay. Like how and we’ve been saying like they’re lucky. They’re lucky. They’re lucky. They’re only four points out of first. I don’t even know what it is now. But this hole is getting deeper to the point where you could get everyone back and catch fire and teams are still winning on top of you. you don’t you’re not going to make up a whole lot of ground and then you’ll just run out of time and it’s this disgusting season where serious changes have to get made and all of a sudden it’s like changes for what? How do you get better? You can’t really rebuild with no picks or like do you really blow it up? Then you’re then you’re looking at six years of pain. Like is that where they’ve gotten to? And I don’t know like where the blame needs to be. Like so many people are easy to blame the management and the coaching staff, but like maybe if you’re getting passion out of your players and they’re laying it on the line every night and you still can’t win. Okay, then let’s look at the system. Then let’s let’s look at at the construction. Okay, let’s do it then. But until then, I don’t even think about those guys. Those guys with the skates on their feet and the sticks in their hands. you better be the first one to just lay it on the line and try to come up with something to get out of this hole. And it’s like no one’s even willing to. And that’s what what just completely gets me, man. Is Willy’s act getting stale for you? And in that I mean like the the postgame commentary like I’m so cool and chill and I don’t know if you caught the quote over the weekend. So you just get bullied by Montreal on the road Bell Center Saturday night. He says I think this builds, you know, character. So obviously it’s tough right now, but in the end I think it’ll be good for our group. I just I don’t know how I feel about the act anymore. Like I think it’s cool that he doesn’t give a [ __ ] and he doesn’t care and he’s so chill and nothing bothers him. I saw him smash a stick at the arena the other day when I was at the game. So he he clearly cares, but I just I need somebody to rise up and say something out of the ordinary and just jolt this group. And I see that laid-back approach. I’m just I’m not crazy about it right now. No. like you you you get laughed at saying that like I saw that and the first everyone’s first comment is how have you not already done that? How have you already not been jolted by the results? How have you not already dug down and displayed your character? Like what are you waiting for? You think the character is building, getting stronger and stronger. It’s going the other direction in my mind because you don’t have enough on it. Like like I I I have high like for Dakota Joshua I talked about like Max Doy like just go out there and be a little bowling ball like a just a water bug flying around hammering everything digging that puck out with just such intensity and grit and just driving it to the net and then driving your body in. If anyone gets in the way, [ __ ] bowl them over. And if anyone doesn’t like it, get your hands up in their face and have all the boys come flying in and just have a [ __ ] melee for all I care. Like, just care. But they don’t. They’re down getting their [ __ ] pushed in. And then the other team face washes them, throws them down, grabs them around the neck, and and tosses them down. And they just they just look scared. And it’s not what anyone wanted. We we tried to sign Mitch Marner. didn’t want it. Tried to get something back for him. Probably too little, too late is the only thing you could say. Fine. But everyone said, “Fine, let’s not give the guy $12 million. We’ve seen the movie before. It doesn’t really work. Let’s try to get a little bit more playoff components to this organization.” And they got considerably weaker and less grit and intensity and less push back in character and competitive spirit. And it’s just a nightmare, man. Like it it again, maybe the sliver of light is if they could get fully healthy, they could start to become this stronger team that can build off of something, but while you’re in the trenches here, while you’re in hell night after night, it would be nice to see the stuff that we’re talking about, but instead they just let the other team pour that on them and they just lay down. And I I’m sorry. I can’t handle that. To to me, like it’s it’s unbelievable that like again I talked about Tanv earlier on, but who’s the guy who scraps? It’s Dakota Mermis. Like he’s not going to be on the team once these guys get back. Like that that is the part that gets me is a guy who’s not even on your [ __ ] team is fighting Florian Jack eye in his first NHL game, Bell Center Saturday night. Like that is wild stuff to me, man. And throwing bombs, man, with a tough guy. like that’s not holding on for defense. God is that good to see. That’s the that’s the one thing. And like um you know who who’s not Mermis um Jacob Quillin gets scratched and like you are missing passion and intensity and effort and you scratch the one guy that gave it to you last game. Frustrating as could be. That’s the one. It’s like the first time and it’s never it’s always the guy that’s like the outsider scratching and clawing to stay in the lineup or make his mark on the team or in the league or something like like hats off for scrapping that guy on that stage. There was like the one redeeming quality where you see any bit of passion or character out of anybody and and the guys they brought in to to bring that and to put the cherry on top of what they need are get embarrassed physically and getting get embarrassed in the intensity and physicality department. It’s shocking, man, that they don’t have more push back because I know how shitty it is being in that room losing and having the whole world pile on you. And I just can’t believe the the minuscule push back they have to the situation that they’re in. And again, you can’t place this on the goending, which is so crazy because you talk about the last 10 years, how many times we’ve had that conversation like [ __ ] make a save, Joe Wall, like I felt for the guy, dude. It was a shooting barrage. Again, I I thought the first seven or eight minutes the Leafs were right there. Tavvarza did a little tea drag on the goal line, hit the post. Like they had some chances to grab the lead in that game and then just they they just quit. And then you go down two cob, you come out in the second period just nothing. They were flat. I don’t know how there isn’t like that break between the first and the second, the reset, and you come out horny in the second. It was like the opposite. Then I thought it was a mercy pull like get the guy out of there cuz it’s just a tough night on the road in Montreal. I totally get it. But just no push back. Then on top of that, the power play sucks. Like they got a cheesy one late in the game, garbage minute, like whatever. 9 for 58. Like we’re talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs. We’re talking about a team and I know Matthews is out, but even with him, it stinks up the joint. And it just like it’s compounding, man. It’s thing after thing that’s really really, you know, making this team bleed. And it’s like I understand the standings like they’re still around the mix, but there’s not much outside of the potential. these guys coming back and they go on a run that gives me hope they can find themselves out of this. It just feels like that type of year where it’s just not going to go right for them. Well, they sure don’t seem to be getting out of their comfort zone to do anything to to change what’s going on. And you watch them play and it just seems like half measures. You know, you get the big saves from Joseph Wool. Like you get the goalending and like usually those big you have a breakdown or whatever and you get bailed out by your goalender. Usually that in in, you know, invokes some some let’s some giddy up like, hey, let’s clean this [ __ ] up and let’s go and okay, third line, get out there and have the big bump up shift by getting it deep and crashing and banging and just drawing it to the net and getting something going. No, no, no, no, no, no. Not interested in that. It’s just half measures all over the ice. And again, with the position they’re in, it’s absolutely shocking they’re not showing more compete level to try to dig themselves out of it. It’s like it’s like the again half measures, man. I it it blows my mind. Really does at the Leafs Nation 401. Hit that like button, hit that subscribe button as we bring in former HAB, former Toronto Maple Leaf, great analyst as well. It is Mike Johnson and MJ. How many times have you played in a Leafs Habs game and gotten up for it? I I just I saw one team show up and the other not on Saturday night. Yeah, it’s unusual. Obviously, it’s a unique game. It’s a fun game to play and I’ve been on both sides of it. The buildings are always electric. almost more so when Toronto was in Montreal because a lot of Toronto fans come down to Montreal. Um the thing is in a microcosm of if you just look at the Montreal game, yeah, it wasn’t good at all. Second period gets away from them. You talk about the physical play, Rosie, you’re looking for more from them and like you could say if that was a one-off, if it was a, you know, a odd game or they didn’t play well, whatever reason, didn’t have their legs, happens. It happens all the time to good teams, everyone but Colorado, apparently. But it’s more so that this sort of game where you’re left scratching your head exactly whether it’s power play not coming through, whether it’s goalending not being good, whether it’s physically not being engaged, it’s always something or more than one thing this year for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it almost feels like, not that they’re fortunate, but given their record is what it is, whatever, one game below 500, that’s almost pretty good. Like they’re they’re not playing any better than that. You look at the process stuff, you look at the stats like I do, they are playing like a 25th or 26th best team in this league that they are what their record says they are and they’ve done that and I don’t think that’s like smoke and mirrors. They just haven’t been very good this year so far. And MJ, like we were talking about Nelanders, you know, comments after the game. It’s like, hey, this uh this will this will build some character. I think at the end of the day, this will be good for us. It’s like, have you you’ve had ample opport you’ve dropped seven out of the last eight games. You’ve had ample opportunity to dig deep and find your character and respond. Like that was a game that should have been a response. There’s there’s there’s multiple nights that that should have been the case. Like, okay, like you say, things happen. You get into a rut, you don’t play your best, time to find your character and dig out of it. Like, that’s it’s almost like that ship has sailed. What’s going on with this group’s lack of response? Well, I mean, that’s what I’m reading about. Well, that’s got to be the rock bottom game. Like, that’s got to be it. I thought the rock bottom game was Carolina when the attempts were 95 to 35. That was 10 days ago. Like, I thought that was going to be the one where after that they push forward. Now, there’s no denying currently the roster is so hurt by injuries and so impacted by it um that it’s going to be difficult. But what and Rosie, you would know this. When you don’t have all your players there, and they’re missing a bunch, then what you would love is to have a system that everyone can play well enough that keeps you in games, that it gives you a chance to win games. And I think that’s the other part of this equation where not only do they not have the players right now, but they can’t fall back to an airtight system to keep them around a game to even out shots, to even out chances, to make the games winnable when you’re not at your very best. And um like I have I have a hard time saying that guys are not trying. I think they want to try. I think everyone’s in the NHL. You’re wired to want to do well. I think more than anything though, they are not executing or maybe don’t have a game plan that really brings out the best in this particular group. I I I wonder if Craig Ruby keeps saying they’re not playing the way I want. You wonder, it’s not because they don’t want to. Of course, like they want to do what the coaches says. I mean, that would be weird if a player didn’t. You wonder if they can’t play the way that Craig Bubet wants. They can’t be sort of a dump and chase team because they’re not quite fast enough. Like they don’t like the dump part’s okay. The chase part’s not so good when you can’t turn pucks over to grind and possess it in the offensive zone. You got to get out of your own zone. The Toronto Maple Leafs this year have had a hard time getting out of their own zone cleanly. They get hemmed in there too long. And we see that game after game. Some version of that thing plays out. And I don’t know if it’s just a question of try harder. I don’t I don’t think it’s just that. I mean that you want maximum effort, intensity, emotion, commitment, but even with that, which I assume they’re trying to give as best they can every night, it’s still not going or hasn’t been enough just yet. And that is the concerning that to me more than anything is the concerning part is that even like they don’t how many games have they looked good in this year? There’s been like three or four. We’ve played 21 22. So that’s the concern. You can try hard all you want, but if you can’t execute and implement the game plan the way you want, you’re supposed to, you’re not going to be successful. Here’s a fun question for you. Of the new guys they got in the offseason, who’s been the most disappointing for you, Johnny. Oh, see, I thought you were going to go the other way and say, who’s been the best? I thought it was Nick Wah, who was like sort of coming into his own. I thought before he got hurt, and I I get it’s a low bar. Um, it’s that I thought he was he was getting to the point where they were seeing some of the stuff they wanted to see from him defensively, penalty killing, putting up a couple points here and there, but yeah, I mean, they had that money, they spent it and Joshua and Machelli and Ju and um, you know, I guess it depends on what you expected. I didn’t expect Dakota Joshua to pile up a ton of points. I thought he might be more physically imposing in a game. He is a monstrous guy. He is like a big heavy strong guy. Um I don’t know if the paces in game is right there, but I guess I’d say Machelli because you know he has what do you have nine points in 22 games. So it’s not like he’s not scored around a 40point pace, which I guess would be okay. It’s just he’s probably not impactful enough. And I think they were hoping that not nothing like Mitch Mner, but just one of those guys that, you know, you can pluck him on your top six, he can go on your second power play unit and he’ll sort of consistently make things happen. He’s not perfect. He’s not going to hit people, whatever. But he hasn’t had that happen. He’s had sort of stretches where he’s been okay and you see it and then sort of four or five game stretches where you don’t. And I guess because I the most was expected out of him, I guess I’d say him. Yeah, obviously they’re banged up. They have important impactful players on the shelf right now. Not not to give them excuses, uh, but like how much stock do you put into the fact that they are really banged up? And do you think that this season season is salvageable if they can get healthy? So the second question I think is easier. Totally salvageable. And not because I’m a believer that they are going to be the 110 point team again. I just don’t think it might take 92 points to make the playoffs this year. Like I think the East has allowed them to stay around it long. They should be eight points out. They’re like four from being in like almost inside the playoff line. So I I think that way it is salvageable. They clearly are better than they’re playing. And I do think if Stallers and I don’t know when he’s coming back, but when he comes back and you get Stallar’s wool one two-1 then it gets a lot better in net as well. So, no, I don’t think it’s gotten away in that sense. But the greater thing about is well, what the idea that once they get everyone back, all your problems are solved. That is fool’s gold. That’s not true. Because when they were missing everyone or they had everyone but Wool I guess and Scotty Lton who has looked quite good in his in his time back they still didn’t look good when all those bodies when Tanv was playing and Matthews and N and Carlo and Wah they still were not looking like a top flight team. So it’s more than just getting guys healthy. That’ll help as they try to work out of this run but it’s more than that. They have to change the way they execute or I think maybe change the way they play cuz the way I mean Rosie it’s not that hard sis no systems are that confusing right like nothing is that confusing in hockey it’s just you know one 122 212 read whatever it is there’s a few different little things but at some point it’s more just executing and they want to but they haven’t been able to so we’re not going to change the players because they can’t that’s the way the NHL goes. I think they got to change the system more. I think they have to look into doing things differently in systems to try to get more out of this group because they were healthy before or healthyish and they still didn’t look great. So, are you thinking change the system, go back to the drawing board, and I mean with this team, less of a dump and chase, less of a north south game, like start holding on to the puck, making plays, entering with possession, and completely like going to the video board and redoing the way you approach a hockey game here. Yeah, something like that. Dare I say Sheldon Keefe style hockey? I don’t want to go down that road, but I mean, you know, there’s horses for courses, and some guys are are better at playing certain systems than other. Um, yeah, I I think the idea of just chipping in it all the time, which I don’t think they’re supposed to do, but they really do want to play this possession game, and it just just not working. But more than that, Rosie, like figuring out what to do with the puck is almost the second step. What I need to work on if I’m the Toronto Maple Leafs is how do we get the puck out of our own end better? That to me, the routes they’re running, the support they’re offering, the way that they move the puck out of their own end given the defenseman they have, whether they’re healthy or not, because Brandon Carlo is not a tremendous puck mover. Anyways, that’s what that that’s where I would be focus focusing. Help us get the puck out and then we’ll figure out how to, you know, generating is not an issue. They’re scoring a lot of goals, but just getting the puck out of their own end, it is a struggle at times. It is up the wall. It is up up the boards. It’s in your skates. It’s on your and it just stifles any sort of pace to their game. The Leafs are not a fast team when it comes to individual skaters. Doesn’t mean they can’t play fast. You can play fast by moving the puck quickly, efficiently, effectively. And if they want to get faster, they’re not going to get learn how to skate faster in the next six weeks. They got to learn how to play faster. And to me, that’s puck movement out of their own end. That’s where I’m working on right now systems-wise. That’s what I’m in the coach’s office trying to figure out. Then then I can relay to the team and get better at that. Rosie, if I get better at that, then I think a lot of things clean themselves up. Always looking for a scapegoat in this sport. And I said earlier, I feel like they’re trending towards getting their coach fired. Whether people agree or disagree, it just happens. And that’s the easiest person to get rid of. But do you feel like we’re entering a sort of time where something has to give? You know, whether it’s a major trade or a coach has to go pro. I mean, what’s I not just yet. I know what you’re saying, Nikki, but like couple things. One, the injuries gives them an out. It gives them more time. If everyone was healthy and this was happening and they were below 500 in last place in the East, then you know, you don’t have that to lean on. Right now, it’s it’s a valid reason, one of the reasons they’re struggling. So, I think the injuries gives them a bit of an out. And they just When was Brad Trey Living? Was it last Tuesday? Just last Tuesday where he went up and said, you know, we believe in him. We believe in the process. We’re not making a change. Like, you can’t turn around a week later and say, it all changed that fast. So, I think there’s still more time. The standings allow it. The injuries allow it. I think the fact that Keith P is running Maple Leafly Sports now does change the dynamic because it’s, you know, there’s no Brandon Shanahan up there sort of influencing. So, maybe that either makes it more likely or less likely, but it’s different. I don’t think it’s there just yet. I don’t think business-wise the Leafs are or MLS is in love with playing executives not to work sessay or whatever. So, no. The answer is no. They’re not there yet. But if you talk to me in three weeks and they go and they’re not over 500, then yeah, because I don’t know if the Leafs are in the spot where they can say we’re writing this year off given the ages and the way this team’s put together and the what was what they’re supposed to do this year. I think just punting on the year and saying it’s not our year, I don’t know if that’s a viable alternative for the organization. So if they get to the point where there are no other options, then we have that conversation. Johnny, be honest. This has been tough, man. Appreciate your time today. We’ll see if they can turn this thing around. They’re in Columbus. They always lose there. So, looking forward to Wednesday, but appreciate your time, buddy. Thanks, man. All right, boys. Love listening to you guys. Talk to you soon. Thank you. Take care, everybody. That’s uh Mike Johnson does great work, of course. And uh very analytical and and I just I I appreciate the analysis, too, man. It’s just bold. It’s blunt, and it’s true. I mean, but again, I I hate I’m a big chief guy. You know this. I think you are as well. I don’t like changing coaches, but we’re at a point where I don’t think he has answers. And to me, it’s wild that like, you know, Buruby comes in and of course we’re all over it. We we love the fit. I think he’s still a good fit. Endorsing accountability there. There hasn’t been any accountability. And I just I get to a point where these guys are just not going to listen to their coach, man. They’ve had everything. Babcock, Keith, um you know, Baruby. I just I’m at a point where I think the next logical move and who knows if it comes to fruition, you got to make something big happen. Whether it’s O’Reilly, you know, whether it’s a Matthews, whether it’s a knander, you got to blow this [ __ ] up. Like we’re getting to that point cuz to Johnny’s point, even if the Maple Leafs wanted to go scorched earth and call it a season, they can’t do that because we’ve talked about it. They traded the first round pick and Boston’s got their first rounder outside the top five. And I don’t think this team is is bad enough to finish bottom five, if that makes sense. They’re they’re a middling team. They’re going to be maybe 13th or 14th the way they’re playing right now. I think it it’s it’s tough. I mean their one the one bullet left in the chamber is using the injuries as an excuse and saying we need to look at this group as a whole the way we’ve wanted to build it and we still believe that the way we want to play the way we want this team coached when it’s assembled and when it’s healthy we believe in it and you know MJ did mention they They were healthy at the beginning of the year, you know, minus Wool and Stoleie wasn’t playing that great and the D were god awful. I do think the one saving thing is you need one more crack at getting this team together healthy and seeing what you could do. When they were healthy, it was the very beginning of the season with a bunch of new players. That that’s kind of their last saving grace. And then it’s it’s serious moves time. And and I don’t know if you ask people to wave their no trades or you know fire people or or what the story is or maybe you’d overhaul the system. Um I just have trouble believing that playing Bub’s simple system and it’s just a meat and potatoes kind of system like go to work like you don’t have like it’s not like the meat and potatoes system is designed for like Paval Buret blazing speed. Yeah. You know, you can come in together with numbers and just get a little chip behind. The Dman has to turn around and start going to it. You can get there even if you’re not a fast player and create those 50-50 puck battles and create turnovers and and hem a team in. They’re just kind of choosing not to and and maybe they’re too depleted to execute anything in this day’s NHL. I I don’t know. I’ve said my I can’t buy that. And sorry to interrupt. can’t buy that just because how many times even doing this show in three and a half years have the lease been so depleted and found a way like the system’s not there to your point right like remember that I always bring it up a couple years ago where they were missing like four of their six defenseman they still won right and I I I just I can’t choose to blame injuries on this run because as Johnny brought up you’ve brought up they were shipped when these guys were healthy the f remember the first month of the season I was like consistent and saying you know this is what they do and And then November hits, they have a pretty decent start. They win three in a row, feeling good. And ever since then, it’s the same old story. And I understand guys are banged up. I just I like that JT came out and wouldn’t use it as an excuse. I don’t think is as it’s as big an excuse as people want to give it. Like Montreal, you look at them, they they got three or four guys out of their lineup. I know they’re they’re fringe second, third line guys, but still they they haven’t used it. I mean, there’s so many examples around the league of teams and injuries, and I I just can’t get get to that level. I don’t know about you. I mean, it’s just the only thing left. It’s the only piece of hope that that you have is that that’s the problem. And, you know, teams are funny and and weird [ __ ] happens and you could get healthy and and then find a spark and gel a little bit and and get some momentum going and some chemistry and away you go and you start rattling off points at a pretty good clip for three weeks to a month and all of a sudden that [ __ ] that we’re talking about is in the rearview mirror. I mean, that could happen. I just to me, the stuff they can control, they’re not utilizing. They’re not buying into it. Like, when your back’s against the wall and you’re facing adversity, you know, good teams find ways to do things. And it comes through pure grit and determination. And they don’t seem to have any of that, which is the main concern for me. No one’s leading the way, doing things the right way. And, you know, Matthews doesn’t particularly do it for me. Um JT’s doing his best with what he has. Uh Willie, he just he puts up points. That’s kind of all Willie does and that’s that’s what you ask of him and he’s you could say he’s doing his job and to ask him to be Nathan McKinnon type of guy overnight. Not really fair. That’s not him. That’s not in him. Then you can start talking about well is this constructed properly and start start talking about the core and talking about the leadership and you know again I think that’s a conversation for another day. And because they have that one bullet left, we can get healthy and get this thing on track. So, I guess that’s the one solace or saving grace you can take right now is that they have that opportunity to get healthy and and see if they can actually commit to something that leads to success. But if they get healthy and you get to the end of December and and you’re still this team and you’re still doing this, I mean, the sky’s is the limit for the options here on on what could happen. But I mean, like, is Tree Living going to blow it up and and like get some picks and pro? He’s not going to be a like that’s the thing for a GM. Like, am I going to set the table for the next GM? Not really. Not a lot of guys are willing to do that and to take that risk because you’re going to go through a lot of dark periods blowing [ __ ] up and I mean, losing and and and oh, it’s just dark dark alleys you’re looking down, man. There’s it’s not a lot of positivity. And again, I agree with MJ. I’ve said it. I think this team is better than they’re showing. But no team in the NHL is good without bringing without bringing the allout best effort and and grit and determination. And like you use these stupid goddamn buzzwords I don’t even like to say, but I don’t know any other English words that amount to it. But when you don’t leave it all on the line when it’s a Saturday night against Montreal and they’re kind of bullying you and you don’t have any push back, like that lack of character is extremely concerning to me. Especially when you know that’s the only way you’re going to be in that game because you’re depleted by injuries. It’s going to take an allout effort with those kind of things and you don’t even bother to dig in and find them or present them in any way besides like a besides like uh not Quillin but the guy that goes toe-to-toe with Jack eyee Dakota Mermis like that’s [ __ ] you need like good for him for standing up but but again he’s that fringe guy trying to make his mark and stay on this team and stay in this league. Yeah, I would think he’s going to have that there. every guy on the roster should have reason to bring that kind of [ __ ] Not saying you got to go bare knuckle toe to toe with a jack eye, but that type of attitude of I’m willing to do [ __ ] here to make this happen because if you literally if you get 20 guys doing that, you win. You beat the Montreal Canadians. I’m sorry. It’s just that’s the simple fact of it. Not enough guys were willing to do what it takes with that lineup to win the game. Plain and simple. And I’ll just put it out there because I I think it’ll be a story at some point this season, maybe even the next few days, few weeks. This is not an example of the Toronto media being too difficult on this team, okay? They’re not playing hockey. They’re not The work ethic isn’t there. I I, you know, could count on multiple hands now how many times they’ve been questioned in terms of work ethic by their head coach. Like, there’s a serious issue here. And I I think we’ve been honest, we’ve been frank, we’ve been fair in our breakdown of this team right now. There’s no sugar coating things like anybody who watched that game over the weekend saw a team that gave up. Okay, plain and simple. And I know people always love to have that conversation. The media is too hard in this team. I don’t buy that for a second. I don’t know if you do. I know that the media can make it difficult to win in Toronto, but I don’t think that is the problem here this year at all. Um, no. You like we’ve given the flowers to Nick Robertson. We’ve been hard on Nick Robertson Robertson for being a ghost and being inconsistent. And you watch three games in a row and you look and you go, did you expect to have success and to be where you want to be playing like that? And we’ve been on him saying if he has any value, let’s get rid of him and use use the little bit that he has shown in those periods of time to try to get something back that might look different that might have more tenacity. Doesn’t happen. He realizes the boat that he’s in and he has been an absolute workhorse. Like just watch him chase the puck, watch him forch check, watch his neutral zone for checks, watch him back check the last three strides, reaching good sticks, trying to get a stick on puck, trying to disrupt any play he can, stopping, starting, all the hard stuff he’s doing. And and he’s the one guy who’s having, you could say, is having a good season this year and is contributing and pulling his weight. Again, if everyone does that, like a Dakota Joshua, like what are your expectations for this season to just go out there and kind of play kind of half soft and get some points off the backs of other guys and resign or like you you know what this team’s lacking. You know what they need. You know they have holes and you’re brought in to plug them and you don’t even seem to be aware of what you need to do to help this team out. like total lack of awareness or lack of lack of interest or lack of ability or or lack of balls to show up and do what’s needed and what you are expected to do and to fill the role of the guys they don’t have in the past that you’re supposed to come in and be doesn’t seem to understand the assignment at all from what I have seen the entire season and it’s why they haven’t been able to put the team together that they think it’s supposed to be. Just a non-willingness to commit to certain things that they’re lacking in and they just get shelled every game. It’s frustrating, man, to say the least. I’m running out of [ __ ] to say because it’s just you just so frustrating to watch it, man. Yeah. The big word I keep coming back to at the Leafs Nation 401, hit that like button, hit that subscribe button, please, um is purpose. Like I across the board, what’s your purpose? What do you bring to the table? Joshua, do Michelle, like that guy’s going through the motions out there. I don’t know what his job is or what he’s supposed to do. Coaching staff, Mark Sevard, like what does he do on a daily basis? The power play sucks. Not to single him out because everybody is accountable for this. Leon across the board, video coaches. It just I just wonder and struggle like what is your purpose on the ice specifically to the players playing the game? Like what is what do you need to do for this team to have success? And when I leave games, I ask that question and wonder like what were they doing to contribute to a potential victory? And a lot of question marks with that. Yeah. You you think of the end of a game and you watch them get off the ice and you’re like, I wonder if they thought that that performance was going to get it done, you know, no matter how the game went, whether you give up a lead and blow the lead or whether you, you know, start off well and then have some adversity by getting scored on first, whatever, and then just shut the mill. You just wonder like Are you expecting more? Like as a group, you you look at them and go, “Do you expect better with what you bring here and what you’ve gone through?” Like really? Oh, this this stuff we’re going through is building character. When is the character going to show? Like again, you could go back to some of the dropped games. the they have faced Carolas, sorry. And and you know the Detroits and the Bostons and the Chicago and the the Columbus, the games that have been gross. When is that experience going to build the character? cuz I laugh when I say that that’s what it’s doing because I have yet to see really an ounce of it besides the fringe guys doing everything they can to stay in the league and on the team. But like collectively as a group they are so disconnected that you just chuckle after like literally it was I always watch till the end that that game in Montreal I I flipped a channel. I’m like, I’m going to watch [ __ ] Edmonton do something exciting because I can’t believe that that’s what they bring to the table expecting success unless they’ve just written off the fact that we can’t win tonight. I and I refuse to believe that. It’s that would just be a whole new can of worms, man. Hate to see quit in the team, though, right? Like watching the game over the weekend, I’ll be honest. I left the Montreal Canadians scored the 5-2 goal and I’m like, I didn’t even see the Joshua thing at the end. But like you’re the perfect guy to talk and and ask like what what would you do if you’re whoever you know Joshua like pound of flesh and maybe we’re old school but like we’ve seen so many examples in the last 20 years where you lose but you go out kicking and screaming. They just they took their beating and they got off the ice. Like that’s what appalled me, man. Yeah. And and when that happens, like when a team’s getting blown out and they have that pound of flesh and it doesn’t even have to be like a brawl or anything, but a a chip on your shoulder, f you. like last few shifts just balls out. Still hitting and driving and if they don’t like it, [ __ ] you. Make a a scrum or a melee of some kind. Fine. Then the horn goes, “God damn it.” You get in the lineup and it’s like, “Boys, we know we’re better than that. We know we have more than that.” And you bring that little attitude from that last six minutes of the third period when you’re getting shelled. You keep that with you and you bring that to practice and you bring that into the next game as opposed to just limp [ __ ] it off the ice, getting bullied, getting pushed around, getting embarrassed. Then you go take your [ __ ] off quietly and it’s like you guys are cooked like like you bring that attitude right into the next game and guess what they do every single night. there’s no feverish like response to anything and that’s what’s killing them and that’s why people laugh at Knander going this is good for our group we’re building character there’s been no sign of building character there is ample opportunities count it with your fingers on times where they should have shown that built character that woke up the beast that you know ignited passion it hasn’t not one single time I would say this year where you’re like oh baby this team is not going to lay down. Oh, baby. This team refuses to go into that dark night. They’re not having it. They refuse. You don’t see any of that. And that’s why I’m so pissed off at the Leafs Nation 401. Hit that like button. Hit that subscribe button. By the way, we are monitoring practice today. End of note. Uh the big minute guys did not take to the ice. So, it’s sort of like an optional. The good news, Matthews on the ice again. N’s on the ice again. Carlo on the ice. saw Tanv skating a bit too. So guys are on their way back. But as we’ve been saying, even with these guys in the lineup, they’ve been [ __ ] And again, I guess the silver lining I I’m at a point where I’m just so disgusted in the product that I’m seeing on a nightly basis. I don’t even want to play the if game anymore. They got to go out there and prove it. Show me something. Like especially and it starts Wednesday against Columbus. It’s Thanksgiving this week, too, in the States. So no games Thursday. I could only wonder what the hell is going to transpire on the road. Maybe they play guilty. Maybe that’s the big thing. They play at 5:00 Eastern time on Friday and then Saturday they’re in Pittsburgh, but they they got to find a way. Like they’re on the road now for the next five in a row after this Montreal game. They were fortunate enough to be back home, get some practice time, hit the road, and we just got to see a much different tune, much different story over the next little while here. Yeah. I don’t know. Sometimes a reset, man. You get Matthew Ny, he’s skating now. Matthews is skating. Nick W is skating. like those guys can be effective players on this roster. We know that. Like again, I’m not holding my breath for it because if I was to do that, I would have ran out of it and and died before I can take a breath before they show us what we think we need to see. But maybe those guys come in and are reinvigorated, are healthy. It’s a different look, different mojo, different jam, different attitude, whatever you want to call it. and and they can play differently, but a healthy Matthew Ny, give me some of that. Nick W at his best, this team could absolutely use it. Austin Matthews with his best stuff, which we’re waiting for. Please bring it. Bring it on. And again, like, you know, with the Lton that are in that bottom six that can start to piece people to where they belong, like a Machelli on the fourth line. Are you [ __ ] kidding me? You think that’s a you think that’s a a playoff team? Like is that what that’s what you think you’re going to win with? That’s that’s where you’re at. Like no, but maybe you get healthy and you get people slotted where they need to be. Tanv could come back. Mabe can come back. Carlo we know is much better than he’s played this year. You get Stoley back in the mix and they start, you know, jostling over who you should play because they’re both playing really well. Like give me some of that. Show me some light and maybe we can start to dig out of this thing. But it’s like the last chance last like last chance. Get healthy and start going and go on a run like a serious run and maybe you can dig out of this. But you know my faith in that happening dwindles with every performance that I watch. Yeah. Show me something. Just want to see some hunger out of this team. They’re going through the motions which again is is alarming. It’s appalling. It’s crazy. It’s wild. Um, it’s also fascinating to me that the top players the last couple games and for the majority of the year have been a a 35y old and a 20year-old. Like it just there there’s so much soularching to be had across this roster. And I I did want to bring up I thought Calvin had a good night. JT’s been consistent. Uh I know Oel’s had his issues defensively, but he’s been contributing offensively. Like he’s been doing his thing. I thought he was in scrums like he was engaged. But again, there’s just a bigger bigger issue at play here. Like a Mermis is the guy fighting. Like a lot of these new guys they brought in. I just don’t know what their purpose is. You know, Doy struggled. It’s unfortunate to see. But when you’re watching a game and you don’t notice players, especially forwards, it’s it’s that’s why you’re probably losing and you don’t know what that purpose is for that player on the ice. But anyways, we can go on for days. We’re going to continue to set up this game coming up on Wednesday. there. Wednesday in Columbus, Friday visiting Washington, Saturday into Pittsburgh, and the road trip uh starts in earnest here for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Time now for the last call brought to you by bet365. Whatever your bet is, it’s never ordinary at Bet 365. Download the app and get in on the game. Use code nation. That’s nation natio n must be 19 or older. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, visit conix ontario.ca. Looking at the card tonight, I was laughing preparing for this show today because Sheldon Keefe pretty much called out his team. We never saw that in Toronto. Yeah, we did all the time, but uh they got punted over the weekend. I know Jack Hughes is out of that lineup, but along those lines, I will play the Devils to respond on home ice against Detroit tonight. Yeah, there you go. Uh I got the Flyers plus 150 against the Lightning. Um you know, I think they’re doing better than they uh yeah, anticipated. Maybe they’re putting the pieces together. Uh come in out of conference or out of division there and see if they get one against the Lightning. Other than that, I don’t really give a [ __ ] I am so jaded today that uh I’m in uh kind of a negative place. So maybe I’ll uh watch some of that hockey tonight, do a little bit of a mental reset, coach some kids at the grassroots level, and come back tomorrow with a different attitude. I guess we’ll see. Love that. And again, you don’t hear excuses out of lightning morning take today if there is such a thing where’s hurt, points hurt, Coutro’s hurt, Celli’s been banged up this year and they just find a way on a nightly basis. They find a way to get the job done. So, it’s on the players. Again, it’s so easy to point fingers. I do feel like we’re on a pathway. I disagree with it. I think Chief’s a great coach. I think he should be the coach of this team, but somebody’s got to take it. And it’s normally the coach in this league. And if they don’t get their act together, it’s going to be Bubby, unfortunately. And you know, Johnny laughed about it, but that is the dreaded vote of confidence. Remember when I said it? Now the clock starts to tick on Biruby when the GM comes out and solidifies. Yeah, he’s my guy. There’s usually like a two, three week window. We’ll see what happens here. But knowing, you know, I’ve covered this league for a long time. That’s exactly what happens. It’s either you figure it out or the coach is gone. I’m sorry. Well, there’s a reason he’s answering that question, right? things are question marks are being risen. So, he he stuck his stake in the ground. That’s my guy. And uh I I just don’t I just don’t see with the effort level that you put out there bringing in a new coach and all of a sudden, oh, these guys have balls and grit and character and desire to win and refuse to lose all of the sudden because a different different guy is behind the bench. I don’t uh I don’t see that happening. Um they’ve had a plethora of coaches with this group. But uh again, get healthy and see if you can see what you’re made of. Get healthy and see what you we we’ve seen what you’re made of when you’re depleted and it isn’t [ __ ] much. Let’s get healthy and see if there’s there’s anything to extract from this group that they’ve assembled. Troubling times in Leafs Nation. Along those lines, I can’t believe we’re talking about a tank job. Dude, we’re catching up with Katon Verhoff later on today who is uh likely to go one or two in the draft beside or alongside Gavin McKenna. We’re we’re Katon Verhoff’s coming on lease warning take. We’re recording the interview later on. This uh this should be good. See what the kid has to say. Yeah, I don’t tank. Can you believe we’re having this combo but a top prospect in Toronto? The thing that pisses me off the most are the Marner sympathizers are like, “See, this is what happens when you build a big tough, mean, slow team.” It’s like, “This is not what anybody had in mind whatsoever. No, they just DNA culture. I don’t know. There’s so many different aspects you can look at, but we’ll leave it at that. Thank you to everyone in the chat. Great chat today. Very lively, less trolls, which you love to see, too. At the Leafs Nation 401, hit that like button. Hit that subscribe button. Leafs Morning Take wherever you find your podcast. Make sure to leave us a fivestar review. Also, don’t forget the boys over at the leafnation.com doing a tremendous job. Um, you know, covering this train wreck of a team right now. But again, we hope for greener pastures. Coming up on Wednesday, they visit Columbus. Thank you to Mike Johnson. Thank you to producer Vic for Jay Rosel. I’m Nick Albergo. We’ll talk tomorrow. Take care, everybody. Make sure to check out more of our content right here on the Leafs Nation YouTube page. We got long form interviews, we got clips, you got epic rants by Jay Roso. We simply have it all. And don’t forget, you can find out much more at the leafnation.com. Thanks so much for watching.

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill break down Toronto’s ugly 5-2 loss in Montreal — a night where the Leafs were pushed around and, thanks to Buffalo’s win on Sunday, fell to last place in the Eastern Conference. The guys look ahead to a critical matchup with Columbus & discuss the potential return of both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Plus, Mike Johnson stops by to offer his perspective on where the Leafs go from here.

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