Don Cherry Explains Why The Leafs Lost To The Lightning

[@deahelkcunklaer2180]

I respect Don Cherry and his broad hockey knowledge but he said the same thing when the Penguins were making runs for the cup in the early 90's. Too many American and foreign guys on the team, can't win. We saw how that prediction turned out. Winning has nothing to do with the country you were born. It is all about the having strongest desire to not lose.

[@SuperStrik9]

I totally agree. I love Don but he's wrong. Plus how about Vasilevskiy's goaltending? He's not Canadian and he was great in games 6 and 7 for the Lightning. Plus Marner and Tavares are local GTA boys and they didn't get the job done.

[@davidrynberk1533]

@@SuperStrik9 Well you took my thoughts and wrote them down.. agreed! if I may say guys... goaltending was terrific for both teams, but when your team makes key saves, like Vasilevsky has in game 6 and save 7 its the difference, so close from winning and losing.Point made, and to get one goal in game seven says either Don is 100% on the mark or we need players from wherever as long as they have the right grit. Close series,but leafs can't seem to finish, again, no kidding.

[@cranialtyrant]

@@SuperStrik9 The countries matter because the youth programs they employ are the defining indicators of performance and style of play as a whole.

[@ryans413]

That’s just classic Dons bias to Canada I don’t 100% agree either I just ignore him when he says that lol cause it’s totally not true.

[@chrisbee9643]

he also said the europeans wont make a huge impact on the NHL. Borje proved him soon to be wrong :D

[@LeanMrfuzzles]

The Leafs best player is literally from Arizona of all places. Toronto ran into one of the best playoff teams in years and lost in seven. I say this as a Lightning fan. The Leafs are on the cusp of making it over the hump they don't need to go around changing a whole lot.

[@dukecherry5169]

the leafs didnt really do anything wrong, lightning are just the best team in the league

[@wadeless5406]

Kuch and Hedman aren't from GTA. I agree w your assessment.

[@lelio422]

It was always going 7. There was little between them all year long as the record suggested, WLWLWL..etc but when the chips are down they lose to teams that show they want it more. You can look at the way they show up flat for critical playoff games the last few seasons. Then this yr they actually play much better in those games, but still lose. It's comical. The defense seems to be as decent in years as ever. They should only be looking as far as getting a goalie. At 30, Jack Campbell is a contract not worth paying as he will want a 5x5. With his injury history they need to move on from him as a starter. Goodluck finding that G leafs.

[@alanw73]

lol

[@Oldmanflyfishing]

I don’t want to hear BS excuses for losing. That’s a loser mentality

[@LoowheezeBreeze]

4 goals, 5 assists in 7 games against the Lightning... it's hard to fault Matthews for the series loss

[@justawinddown]

11M means that your captain should be adding more than stats. Tavares obviously provides no leadership and has zero ability to take this team over the hump. But when there are 2 other 11M players you look at their shortcomings in no being able to help the team win. You also look at Dubas. Why can't this team get better? Why can't this team add more support? Cuz their cap situation an absolute mess. He has 2 more chances of shuffling the supporting cast around and then Matthews walks and all of this is done.

[@kevinjhonson5925]

3 off his goals were him just being in the right place and it rebounded right to his blade any player could have put them in. He really did not do much for the key player.

[@Iambetterthanyouanduknowit]

Buddy fuck off with the statistics... if you actually WATCHED the games matthews played like a rep hockey player who’s parents are forcing him to play... you can’t win playing with guys like that

[@donjuan4067]

One of the few players that showed up this time.. Him Marner played their ass of

[@kevinjhonson5925]

@@donjuan4067 Marner did matthews hardly played his ass off.

[@jeffdoucette4392]

Miss ya Grapes...hope all is well.

[@jeffdoucette4392]

Happy New Year Grapes!

[@theliftexpert]

Don , we love your patriotism 🇨🇦, however…. Tampa Bay only has 10 Canadian players, and their best two are Russian’s. The problem is deeper than this .

[@MaagiFIN2]

The whole point on canadian players is a bit stupid. 3 out of 5 Toronto's highest paid and highest playoff scorers this season are from Canada, while Tampa Bay has only 1 out 5 (Stamkos, the worst of those 5 in points). Also, Stamkos, if looking just at points, is the worst canadian out of those four, while not-quite-so-canadian Matthews got the most points in the series. So yes, not quite the same as McDavid, but like...everyone in the league cannot be like McDavid, arguably very very few can, if any. So setting McDavid as the only goal line is a bit stupid as well.

[@saskk2290]

Don's less a patriot than a nationalist. Anthems and salutes to the military at every game are an exercise in nationalism, not patriotism. Sorry not sorry

[@smudent2010]

-8 of the top 10 highest playoff point getters in NHL history are Canadian -6 of the top 8 scorers in these current playoffs as of today are Canadian -The Conn Smythe trophy has been awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs 56 times since 1965, A Canadian has won it 46 times

[@theliftexpert]

@@smudent2010 Your stats are accurate However, Let’s look at the percentage of Canadians in the NHL over the decades. I have highlighted seven years from 1970 until 2019 that give us a sense of the bigger picture and the trend. Year Percentage Canadians 1970 96.1% 1980 81.9% 1990 73.9% 2000 54.8% 2010 52.8% 2015 49.0% 2019 43.5% Highlighting that the leaf’s problems are deeper than the nationalities of the player’s.

[@seniormale]

almost half tampas players are candaian like most teams , some have more some have less..

[@TheLarknessMonster]

"the guys that get the goals in the playoffs are usually canadian" Lets take a look at 2008 Red Wings point leaders in the playoffs when they won the cup. Zetterberg 27 points - Sweden Datsyuk 23 points - Russian Franzen 18 points - Sweden Kronwall 15 points - Sweden Hudler - 14 points - Czech Rafalski 14 points - USA Samuelsson 13 points - Sweden Lidstrom 13 points - Sweden Holmstrom 12 points - Sweden Filppula 11 points - Finland

[@jds614]

Exactly Better yet the overall leading playoff scorer each season from 2010 on 2021: kucherov (Russia) 2020: kucherov (Russia) 2019 :Marchand and O'Reilly (both cdn) 2018: kunestov (Russia) 2017: Malkin (Russia) 2016 coture (Canada) 2015 Kane & Johnson (both USA) 2014 Kopitar (Slovenia) 2013 krejci (Czech) 2012: Kopitar & brown(Slovenia &u.sa) 2011: Krejci (Czech) 2010: Briere (Canada) A lot of non Canadians These narratives are dumb...and why Cherry's schtick was getting old regardless of the overt racist comment that sunk him

[@gigatron2008]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@daboss6939]

I agree with that you’re saying, but this is only one year. The word “usually” doesn’t mean “always”, it means majority of the time. Even if the goal scorer is non-Canadian 1 out of 10 or even 4 out of 10 times, Don Cherry’s statement still stands, haha. Also, he could be referring to guys that show up in big moments too…”usually” Canadian.

[@TheLarknessMonster]

@@daboss6939 45% of NHL players are canadian. Statistically you'd expect anywhere from 4-5 of the top scorers in the playoffs to be canadian. Which is what we see each year since 2015. Don Cherry says nothing meaningful, ever. He's an idiot lol

[@troyscott6504]

@@jds614 what he said to get kicked off hnic was not wrong nor racist.....if you listen to what he says it was basically you live in this country show respect and wear a poppy, just not so policatilly correct for people not to get butt hurt. This post though has no basis as some of the stats that have been shown.....yes he is a loyal Canadian and I agree Don can be an A hole he broke my heart when I was about 8 years old.....was 30 seconds away from an autograph where you had to climb up a ladder to get in the booth and he refused when I was next in line. So F U don cherry even though I still watched you religiously. Memorial arena and the Chatham Wheels. Bet you remember that night since it was semi pro and everyone was there because of you. You broke my heart as an 8 year old.

[@mickyw1455]

Tampa played a very smart game 7 at both ends of the ice and it showed. Having Vasilevskiy in goal was also key to their win as he was stopping whatever he saw and he received support from the guys in front of him.

[@chrisd3969]

Having the refs on their payroll also helped.

[@gregorysmith9706]

@@chrisd3969 aaahhh....yes. There it is - the old "It's all the refs fault!" argument.....so lazy....

[@24cupsandcounting]

@@chrisd3969 The Leafs have set a record for game 7 losses, give it a rest.

[@chrisd3969]

@@gregorysmith9706 It's moronic to think otherwise. The NHL want to grow the game in the South on top of that casinos are now getting into sports gambling. They don't leave things to chance so to maximize profits they pick who is going to win. The Stanley cup champions was decided long before the playoffs began. That's why they always want Toronto to go to game 7 because they want to maximize their viewership before eliminating them. as matter of fact most series went to game 7 do you really think that is just coincidence?

[@chrisd3969]

@@24cupsandcounting lol like I care I don't even watch this lame sport anymore. I love hockey but the NHL is just to corrupted. All major sports are to corrupt really.

[@Jays1fan1]

Last I heard Tavares and Marner are local boys and they didn't score either in game 7. But you are right, the only way the Leafs lose this many consecutive series clinching games in a row is if the players they have just don't show up in big games. They must really love golfing.

[@acron6866]

@@davidclick5344 don is a propoganda machine. probably paid by the terrorists down south who keep killing 100s of thousands of people every century to push the military industrial complex, the billion dollar industry.

[@smudent2010]

@@davidclick5344 like the stat that 8 of the top 10 highest playoff point getters in NHL history are Canadian? Or the fact that 6 of the top 8 scorers in these current playoffs are Canadian? 'Cherry picking' some european examples of players in your recent memory that have done well to dispute the obvious fact that Canadians are routinely the highest scoring players in the post season proves that you are in fact the one leaving facts out to fit your narrative. Be smarter, David

[@chrisbee9643]

golf is a easier way to make money. you dont get punched, sticked and so on. The problem is, there are no reasons finanical for the players to think otherwise.This generations is risen in the knowledge of the importance of money. So its all they care for. I dont think the problem is how anyone is playing. I think its the money the big 3 get... Look at the guys in Boston, who came far in the playoffs or at Tampa. Not a single one gets max money, despite being the elite on their position. Vasy and Hedman for example. Or check the rats and Pasternaks AVV... We overpayed... simple as that... And it all startet with JT getting 11m instead of 8m like he should. So you 3m alone on this one. Mitch would have signed for 9m for sure as well. And Auston just deserves his 10m Bucks. So we would have 5m more capspace alone on JT and Marner... And you even see Dubas is masking this mistake. Bunting, Campbell, Käse... At least he is learning. But we have to come up with a great solution on JT. 11m is to much for us to hoist a cup. SIMPLE AS THAT! He doesnt playes bad. There is absolute no reason to hate on him. But the numbers speak against 11m. They are more like 7-8m at best.

[@endzwell]

Dude Tampas stars didn’t show up either. Nick Paul got 2 lucky goals. Matthews and Marner looked great, Vaz just shut them down.

[@chaseparks1384]

@@smudent2010 that’s not how statistics works bud. You need to factor in the percentage of Canadians that play in the NHL. If I want be as ignorant as you and Cherry I could say “Canadian teams don’t win cups cause they are based in Canada” but I’d be ignoring a multitude of other variables including the fact that there are more teams based in the US.

[@jds614]

" Canadian players score all the goals in the playoffs" The leading scorer in the playoffs by year 2021: kucherov (Russia) 2020: kucherov (Russia) 2019 :Marchand and O'Reilly (both cdn) 2018: kunestov (Russia) 2017: Malkin (Russia) 2016 coture (Canada) 2015 Kane & Johnson (both USA) 2014 Kopitar (Slovenia) 2013 krejci (Czech) 2012: Kopitar & brown(Slovenia &u.sa) 2011: Krejci (Czech) 2010: Briere (Canada) Nonsense

[@webbdelasteve]

Get outta here with your fancy stats, logic, and reasoning! Let Don do his thing!

[@FrankBullitt390]

Please. If Toronto was an Ontario heavy team with some actual heart they would dominate. Remember, they even water down Team Canada so it isn't just team Ontario. This isn't about one guy scoring goals lol

[@VioletDeliriums]

xenophobia gets you nowhere except into a fascist regime.

[@Euphoric_Toast]

@@webbdelasteve Not fancy stats it’s basic stats Don is a good guy but he has some terrible takes on hockey sometimes. Tampas best Goalie Forward and Defensive man are all Russian

[@bw6078]

So refreshing hearing your opinion regarding the leafs loss. Sure wont hear a honest opinion on Sportsnet.

[@mikerobinson3922]

They shoulda trade for Quik.

[@terrymcallister6361]

What do you mean you people?

[@MartianHits]

@@terrymcallister6361 they know who they are, how else would they have gotten offended? 🤣

[@martytruelove5026]

@@terrymcallister6361 "Milk & Honey" is owning a corner store,gas bar or motel...

[@dominiclaporte8040]

Or CBC.

[@capitainebonhomme1609]

To Joe Warmington, sportswriter, Toronto Sun: I'm in Perth Western Australia. My son, 33 yo, plays for a team called "The Don Cherry's" The uniform is absolutely Don Cherry's outrageous style !!! Is there a way I could send the photo to Don? I can guarantee Don would absolutely LOVE it !!! Thank you

[@conquisitorveritas]

The Detroit Red Wings during their Stanley Cup runs of the late 90’s into the 2000’s, had equal if not more contribution from European players. The old stereotype of European players being soft and not being able to play and score big goals in the NHL playoffs is as outdated as Don Cherry’s suits. The guy is still living in the past. And just someone tell me what team is going to take Nick Paul over Auston Mathews?? Steve Yzerman only won a Cup in his 10th or 11th season. And Tampa is led by two dynamic Russian players- Kucherov and Vasilevsky in net. I’ll have to say nyet on this Cherry take.

[@mattduchene8033]

Very true on all points his narrative is outdated

[@TrueNorthPatriot]

In Lidstrom, Detroit had the best defenceman in the history of hockey not named Bobby Orr and a Canadian captain, Steve Yzerman as well as Canadian guys like Brendan Shanahan. They were the best team during that period and that's why they won. The reason the Leafs lost is because by a whisker, they were beaten by a slightly better team, that is now dominating Florida 3-0, has won back-to-back Stanley Cups, has the best goalie and d-man in the world, and has all the ingredients needed to repeat. The idea that Matthews didn't want to win badly enough, or wanted to win less than Toronto boy Marner, is laughable. The Leafs currently, and over the past few years, had plenty of Toronto or Ontario content: Marner, Giordano, Clifford, Spezza, Simmonds, Brodie, Joe Thornton (St. Thomas), Hyman, Tavares, Muzzin, and Dermot. Their Swedish d-men were on the aces. The Leafs are operating in a hard cap world and so can't use their money the way the New York Yankees or European soccer clubs can. Along with other Canadian fans, they help subsidize small market clubs like Tampa, who then beat them in the playoffs.

[@steelcom5976]

And Tampa's defence (and goalie) is all non-Canadian, and they are close to impenetrable

[@anthonyferrari711]

@@TrueNorthPatriot yeah, Cherry’s argument was like Skip Bayless level commentary

[@wesleyp3579]

I mean, you could argue that Tampa is also led by Stamkos (also wears the C) and Point who are both Canadian. But I get what you’re saying. Tampa’s core is made up of 2 Russian’s, 2 Canadians, and 1 Swede

[@crystalborne8315]

Interesting stat...that Canadian kid Domi had a grand total of 24 hits this season. Just 5 more than the "soft" Nylander, who also had more than 3 times the number of blocked shots as Domi.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

The problem with Willie Goldbricker is that he disappears for long stretches at a time and he is lackadaisical with his effort. You cannot rely on someone like that in a 7 game series.

[@crystalborne8315]

@@trappenweisseguy27 Yeah, I guess you can't rely on someone who's been one of your top scorers in the playoffs the last two years.

[@rhaspados666]

Nylander is alexi Kovalev all over again when he's great he's great when he's not he's invisible

[@smudent2010]

Don is right, you are wrong

[@fiddskenisi]

I like Nylanders skill but I seen a video floating around here of him not going into corners. In fact, he slows down, let's the other guy go in, pick up the puck and it turns into a 3 on 2, going the other way. You can't do that. Especially in a Playoff series

[@Moleman4ever]

Don makes more sense when you know the spirit of what he is saying. He doesnt mean pack the roster with canadian(but especially Ontario) players, but that the recipe for success is the Canadian style: a gritty, two-way, versatile team player. Not the puck skill stick-handling Russians, or the brash showboat americans, or the Finns(Canadians but without the grit). A gritty team leader up front.

[@martytruelove5026]

Steve Yzerman type would be a two way player.

[@Moleman4ever]

​@@martytruelove5026 Remember as great as Gretzky was, he could not win another cup without Messier. The modern Oilers have *still* have not recovered from losing Chris Pronger, and for good reason. A team with uber talented players still need guys like hornqvist, mcdonagh, and killorn. Briere, Franzen, Toews, etc all had value that transcends the regular season stats.

[@sandman6617]

Mathews is pretty show boaty…. for a Canadian

[@commonsensecatholics]

Well this conversation really didn't make much sense..the Lightning won the cup the past two seasons..(Factors? Kucherov, Vasi, Stamkos, Hedman etc.) then the Blues (Factors? O'reilly, Steen, Tarasenko, Binnie, ) then the Capitals (Factors? Ovi, Kusnetsov, Backstrom, Holtby etc.) than the Penguins won 2x (Factors? Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Kunitz, Guentzel etc.) then the Blackhawks won (Factors? Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith) The reality is, not everyone is a winner. But look at the past 10 Cup winners, and at least one high caliber American and is on the team. So there goes that baseless argument. And also it look like Russians (Kusi, Ovi, Malki, Kuchi) really have what it takes to win. It takes a lot continuity and things to go the right way, with grit and determination to really pull it off. Toronto hasn't won a cup in 55 years, because homers like Cherry and others, keep thinking in their broken way, always pushing for Canadians. It's about balance and continuity and admitting that if it's broke. It's time to fix it. Not blaming a guy like Matthews who had a career year.

[@dubiousdistinction6500]

the best third and fourth liners are canadians..lmao

[@alphafitter4699]

The leafs were looking for the perfect shot all game long against the best goalie in the league. Has nothing to do with lacking local guys

[@oboylefamily1869]

Just some lack heart

[@40pianos]

It looked to me like the players who weren't Marner, Matthews, Reilly, Tavares or Nylander were instructed NOT to shoot, but to feed the puck to one of the aforementioned. Tampa only had to shut down five guys to keep Toronto off the board. There are some good, fast, peripheral players on the Leafs who should have been applying considerably more offensive pressure on Tampa. I could be wrong, but too many times when Mykyev, Kerfoot, Bunting or Engvall had the puck they made the extra pass instead of shooting. Dubas and Shanahan have a lot to answer for.

[@steelcom5976]

That's a coaching issue, so actually you are wrong.

[@GodlyXJohn]

@@steelcom5976 facts

[@steelcom5976]

@@GodlyXJohn facts. let me see, things that are true, things that are undisupted, things that everybody agrees with, things that are supported by evidence, things that foolish people disagree with, things that are the opposite of a lie

[@swy334]

Aren't Marner and Tavares from Ontario?

[@zalapski9399]

No they grew up in Madagascar.

[@martytruelove5026]

Wayne Simmons,but he plays too rough for Toronto.Kadri got sent packing for playing rough,Simmons was taken out of lineup.If he had only talked to the opponent and asked him to play nice instead of hitting him.

[@leeham6230]

We need to stop blaming Austin Matthews for all the Leafs' problems before he leaves and wins 2 back-to-back cups in Pittsburgh... (Kessel)

[@durbanbudz]

Battle of Alberta is going to be fantastic, Leaf fans welcome! Cheers Grapes.

[@High_Caliber]

The game last night was unreal. Calgary couldn't buy a goal. It's going to be an INSANE series (and this from a Bruins fan!). The score should have been 50-1 for Calgary.

[@zalapski9399]

Both those teams are garbage.

[@durbanbudz]

@@High_Caliber I think the final tally 64 shots 🤔

[@martytruelove5026]

BOTH THOSE TEAMS ARE PLAYING HOCKEY NEXT WEEK ! The winner represents CANADA

[@jefsiv]

@@martytruelove5026 Was it 2013 or 15 where Zero Canada teams made the playoffs? That was truly awesome.

[@zalapski9399]

Leafs should worry less about being Woke and hiring women coaches to virtue signal and more about hockey operations.

[@boogyjuggy]

agree

[@Gillz22]

Bang on

[@trvman1]

Soon it will be MANDATORY that all teams have a female assistant coach. The teams have RUINED hockey with all these female announcers. I feel bad for the MALES who have been working in the AHL as announcers for many years waiting for their break only to have it given to a 25 year old FEMALE with little to no experience.

[@martyelder9972]

The Leafs suck

[@diggergeensen860]

While I agree that Toronto should be drafting more local players, I thought the Leafs deserved a better fate in this series for once. The pick play is a bread and butter go to for the lightning. They get away with interference in the O-zone steady. Which isn’t bad, if it’s called the same way for both sides. It seemed a little ticky tack that the one time the Leafs did it, they got called, and lost a goal. Let’s face it, Hedman wasn’t getting out to Tavares on that play - regardless of the pick. The call was garbage. All that being said though, the difference in the series to me was goaltending. There were key moments in games 6 & 7 where the Leafs were really taking it to Tampa, and Vassy just wasn’t going to give one up. It’s unfortunate, but thats why he’s a money goalie, and a 3 time champion.

[@boogyjuggy]

agree...great series....so close....

[@martytruelove5026]

@@boogyjuggy Game 7 overtime...it's a coin toss.

[@steelcom5976]

Tampa's entire defence and #1 goalie are non-Canadians. They don't seem to be doing badly

[@floxy20]

The Lightning do the pick play with panache and "get away" with it.

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@steelcom5976 It's all because of the leadership from their captain Stamkos. kidding...

[@GTsuji]

Passports don’t matter. Cherry has a very selective mind. The Leafs haven’t won regardless of where they’re players are from.

[@smudent2010]

You don't know what you're talking about

[@Demon__Killer007]

Nah but It does become through to some extent. Why is it then that canadians have the reputation of being the most skilled and hard working players and Europe is known for its skilled players but soft play style? Gor a few exceptions that stereotype remains true. Look at Nylander this series. Yes he was born in Calgary but he was raised in Sweden and learned hockey Swedish style. Buddy is really talented but isn't, physical, isn't a hard worker and sucks at defense. You saw Nylander in that series where he stopped trying when his team was down like when it was 5-0 in game 4 and he had multiple icings where he put no effort into getting it waived off or even having an icing called in his own end because he was so lazy.

[@GTsuji]

@@smudent2010 They’ve had players of every nationality and combination of nationalities playing for them for the last 50+ years and how have they done?

[@zalapski9399]

How have Benn and Seguin worked out for Dallas? They lost to Calgary who has non Canadians as 4 of their top 5 scorers.

[@jeffreym.8957]

Jamie is 32 years old. Give me Prime Jamie Benn any day over any of your Calgary Flames.

[@TheMightyOdin]

The Toronto native captain of the team Johnny Tavares. I know his heart is in it but I expect more from him.

[@bronzesnake7004]

With all due respect for three people I have tremendous respect and Christian love for - I think it's a little unfair to blame Matthews for the loss, especially related to the officiating! The Leafs were up against a two in a row cup winning Tampa team with the best defence in the league! Matthews was smothered and still scored 4 goals over 7 games. In the end, this Leaf team went head to head with this Tampa and it could have gone either way! If the refs didn't call at least the one "high stick" which hit the shoulder, and the other was a case where the Tampa player lifted Kerfoot's stick into his own face. I wish Cherry was still on HNIC maybe he could have got through and the refs would have just let the guys play a playoff style game!! Who else saw Tampa holding Matthews jersey being pulled a full 5 or 6 seconds in full sight of the ref? As it was, who knew what you could and could not do!? But a ref should not be making calls he cannot fully see. In the end, this team was awesome and equal or not better than Tampa overall! I really hope the coach and GM are still here next season, they did an incredible job building a great team while working under heavy financial restrictions in part due to unforeseeable "COVID" restrictions which screwed with the yearly budget and choked the team. Who would have been on the defence roster had covid not happened...or more to reality, had our politicians not shut us down for over two years based on "political science" rather than real science moulded by decisions based on our charter rights and freedoms which were fully unapologetically breeched daily for the entire two plus years! This team can hold their heads up high as far as I'm concerned!! God Bless all the assorted Cherrys! Jack ~'()'~

[@martytruelove5026]

Kerfoot is all heart and determination,very far off being a dirty player by any means.He even started to put up an argument,explain his case but skated to the box.He sure makes up for losing Kadri does he not.

[@northvanwan7428]

When you're making the highest bucks in the league and basking in all the hype, its not unfair at all. imo. Matthews was invisible in the 3rd.

[@JoeS1956]

Mathews had 2 goals in game one. He was totally invisible all game long except for the two times he got one timers in the net. Watch that game over again, he's nowhere to be seen all game long. Then 3 straight games without a goal. What he did all year long was for him. What he does in the playoffs is for the team. He disappears every playoff series when everything gets tighter, tougher and when he gets more attention. Matts Sundin was the same way. Never a great playoff player.

[@martytruelove5026]

I have to agree,playoffs,Mathews played as a team for the team,nothing individual.He gets wrapped,not covered this time of year.Toronto outshot and outplayed them (goalie decides series).Had Toronto won,they would be playing Kadri in the finals.)

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@JoeS1956 Give me a break. Mats Sundin played with a bunch of scrubs. Steve Thomas was his most talented linemate. Mike Johnson? Derek King? I've seen guys in the beer league that have similar hands to Jonus Hoglund. Leaf fans didn't deserve Mats Sundin. He always tried his best. It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're flying with a bunch of turkeys. Put Sundin with Matthews or Marner and he'd get you to the next round.

[@dominickefrim3088]

You can't blame it on not having enough Canadians. The team that beat them are mixed with Americans, Canadians and Europeans as well. Problem with the leafs is a lack of superior 2 way play in their structure. They concentrate on offensive prowess and superior talent. They came up against a team that has superior talent as well and a well crafted team structure.

[@brendangehl1189]

Yep there is no just American team, Canadian, etc...well Detroit came close at being team Sweden but even then. Toronto's organizational culture is holding it down...they feel entitled to win without being the 80s Oilers, 90s Wings, etc. They haven't done the work...

[@smudent2010]

Why have 46 of the 56 total conn Smythe trophies gone to Canadians then?

[@erinpuckey4943]

9 of the last 20 Conn Smythe winners were not Canadians.

[@breakaway2x]

McDavid for Edmonton did it, Gaudreau for Flames did it, Makar/MacKinnon for Avs did it, Panarin for Rangers did it, for some reason Matthews and Marner while the played alright but they didn't do it for the Leafs.

[@waynejohanson1083]

Great points.

[@saskk2290]

Einstein level take there bud

[@MrPantera123456]

Lol Matthews led the series in scoring.

[@jasonrekker4328]

Look at the mighty Florida Panthers, down 3-0 in the series against a Tampa team that is showing everyone what it takes to win a championship. Toronto ran into and played against a juggernaut of a team. Over the previous 3 years Toronto has twice lost in the first round to a team who made it to the Cup finals. The Leafs obviously need to do better, and that subject has been covered endlessly elsewhere, but they are losing to the best teams in the league in 7 games. This is not a team that has to be dismantled...it needs to learn the sheer desperation and determination required to win a Cup.

[@icemanmarkham3753]

Don’s take on the Leafs’ loss is ridiculous. As always, emotional garbage and over simplification of the issue! The Leafs outscored Tampa! The Leafs’ canadian player content is 41% to Tampa’s 38%. Pretty even! The Leafs made 4 mistakes in 3 games that cost them the series. THAT’S IT! They took the two time Stanley Cup champions to game 7 with minutes left. Make some tweaks AND get back on that horse! As for Don, I used to think you were great but the game has passed you my friend.

[@StygianIron]

Typically I am a fan of Grapes but this is a bad take. We had Tavares, Marner, Giordano, Spezza, all Toronto boys and yet we still didn’t get it done. Matthews was the best forward. Have to keep trying and take another crack at it next year.

[@TheMaestro116]

Bunting is from the GTA too.

[@MrJx4000]

_"...keep trying and take another crack at it next year"_ that's what everyone said last year.

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@MrJx4000 What are you supposed to do? Give up? They played hard - they lost to the two-time Champs. Could they have picked up Nick Paul? Sure. But the Lubushkin and Blackwell pickups were good. Kase and Bunting were good pickups. Giordano was decent. Liked Spezza's effort. Marner didn't play "scared" like last year. Goalie played well.

[@MrJx4000]

@@jeffreym.8957, it's a dilemma for sure. They've been changing, changing, changing every year, going back at 15 or more years now. I think the goalies, starting with Reimer, got the Leafs into the playoffs for sure. They subsequently let a few bad goals in to lose their first rounds. If I'm right, then this is an indication of poor defensive play. This year they were better but something wasn't working right. So more changes to come no doubt. (And Jason Spezza is retiring.)

[@brendanagnew3576]

The leafs do have a lot of Ontario boys but he’s right that dubas is a clown who only drafts 5’10 Europeans the exact opposite of what the leafs need no clue how dubas got the job knows nothing about playoff hockey

[@martytruelove5026]

...and if those Toronto boys like Simmons and Kadri want to play rough,they won't play.Simmons could have asked the other player to play fair instead he hit him...that's not very nice,you don't see Willie hitting opponents.

[@crushingalldeceivers]

Best wishes and best of health to Don Cherry.

[@dervyscram8286]

Don Cherry has never gotten over Sergei Fedorov being the best player in the NHL back then. It blew his world view straight to Hell, and he lost his way. Really sad to see how his blind spot prevents him from actually seeing the actual Game we have today, and not the Original Six fantasy league that plays in his head.

[@peterheilemann5682]

Toronto is a Liberal city. They will always be Liberals and continue to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. It’s how “you people “ are.

[@gilbertjubinville]

Wrong! If Sundin was born and raised in Canada he would have won a cup for the Leafs

[@tonybleau6219]

@@gilbertjubinville How? His nationality would've made him a better player? It would have improved the team?

[@brad5947]

Correct versus politically correct. Thanks Don!

[@zalapski9399]

The Leafs have a woke simp as GM who cares more about needlessly hiring women coaches than building a successful team.

[@HappyHalBallard]

Word. Unerrated comment

[@canadianroot]

Nailed it!

[@steelcom5976]

Check out Tampa's defence and #1 goalie, find out where they're from and then say that

[@saskk2290]

@@steelcom5976 Not to mention Kucherov. Geriatric brainworms. I don't care about political correctness, but Don's logic is emotion based

[@DiscoverMontréal]

So now we're blaming not enough Ontario boys on the team as the reason for Toronto losing 😂 every year, another excuse is added to the list. Typical Toronto!

[@rickrick5041]

So what is the reason for not winning for only about 55 years? Lol

[@James-nv1wf]

They let him go b/c ticket prices are rising in the US, it's all business for Bettman. CAN fan base is already established win or lose.

[@chazbo2672]

I want to say we were simply out-coached and that TB adjusted tactics to limit the Leafs’ playing style, but you have to have the flexibility in players to do that, which TB does and the Leafs didn’t.

[@bronzesnake7004]

You might want to say that but it would be complete untrue! Keef is one of the best coaches in the league, he did not get outcoached by any stretch of the imagination! Just look how he masterfully handled games in Tampa with line up matches being last. This was a razor thin series which should have gone to the Leafs, when you look at the analytics the Leafs were at the top of most throughout the series, and we lit up Vasy like he's never been lit up before! In this case, if you're going to say Keef was a second best coach, then so was Cooper because the series went back and forth until the bitter end, and Tampa admit this was the toughest series they've ever had and the series could have gone the other way quite easily. The refs were really off their game in this series. I'm not one to complain when my team gets penalised, when they get penalties, it's usually the right call. But there were too many glaring inconsistent calls in this series which all went against the Leafs. Watch this video clip - if not for these two phantom calls, the Leafs would have won game 6 and the series. kzbin.infoK6nMXorxhO0 Game 7 was even worse! I have to respectfully disagree and No, Keef was not outcoached that is rediculous brother. Take care Jack ~'()'~

[@chazbo2672]

@@bronzesnake7004 Jack, You make good points. Perhaps I used a poor choice of intro words because I agree we weren’t out-coached, rather we may still not have the player mix to get over the top. That’s arguable for sure. Yes, the series was very close. Yes, the refs made some strange calls. Yes, TB are two time defending champs. My question is do we (a) just need another year of maturity, assuming we don’t lose anyone (or get equal for equal), or do we (b) still need some lineup tweaking?

[@bronzesnake7004]

​@@chazbo2672 Hey Chaz First off, I forgot to add the link for the "two phantom calls" Here it is, have a look kzbin.infoK6nMXorxhO0 If those calls weren't made we would have knocked Tampa out in that game 6. Let that sink in. And game 7 was as bad or worse. Anyway, I honestly think this line up could have gone all the way. However, we are now left wonder what to do. Can this team be improved without screwing up their team chemistry, which is tricky business. Remember when the Rangers went full bore in a no cap world and stacked their team with super stars? They SUCKED! A great team isn't stacked with stars, it's put together with purpose, and intention piece by piece. You have to get the right player for the style and position you want. One player might be a star on one team, then bomb on another! This happens when teams pick players unsuited for their specific game. Dubas saw the team lacked toughness and defence was weak. Even though COVID screwed them with the projected cap raise being stagnant, leaving Dubas with a really tight budget, he is a master at getting quality players who fir the need and specific style of the team! He went out and somehow got Giordano, Lyubushkin and Blackwell, all perfect fits for the team! I think Dubas will have to tweak the team of necessity because they can't afford Kerfoot, so he's gone and they have to replace him which won't be easy but I trust Dubas, if any GM can get it done, he can! Elliot Friedman says Campbell won't be back next season either, which is sad, but understandable. Campbell obviously has a fairly serious reoccurring injury, most likely his groin which is what destroyed Mrazek's career also. I'd like to see Campbell back as a back up or an A/B situation, but even then I have no idea how serious his injury is. But I do know you don't become the best goalie in the league for half a season and the previous season then suddenly forget how to play. So, I'm guessing the injury is substantial. Groins rarely ever resolve for goalies with their heavy pads and the movement they have to make game in and game out. So, I say, find a winger to replace Kerfoot, deal with the goalie situation, and if possible, get rid of Holl and add another solid stay at home defenseman who puts the fear of God in the enemy! "( The Leafs are actually flush with top notch goaltending prospects! There's a solid chance three of them could step into a back up role with the Leafs next season and have solid results! Kallgren - Joseph Woll - Dryden McKay and Petruzzelli McKay has been busy smashing college/University records, and this season had more shut outs than losses!! I think he had 26 shutouts this season and he's got a huge lengthy awards record!! This is a once in a life time prospect goalie!! So, if Dubas can land a solid consistent playoff veteran goaltender, we're set! I'd also get going on signing Matthews to a lengthy extension!! KEEP Nylander in spite of ignoramuses calling for his head!! "( I doubt Dubas will mess with the roster too much, we have both Liligren and Sandin coming in next season also. There's a solid group of forward and defensive prospects on the baby Leafs, so some of those players will be fighting for a spot next season! I think fans need to take a deep breath, recalibrate and relax, because this is a Stanley Cup contender 100%!! Take care Chazbro Jack ~'()'~

[@chazbo2672]

@@bronzesnake7004 Yes, those calls were bullshit, and I appreciate the excellent analysis. Gives me more hope. Thx!

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@chazbo2672 Sometimes your opponents become weaker a year from now. Does anyone fear the Bruins or Pens in a first round series anymore? Or Washington? These teams are on the decline. The Leafs should be able to battle Florida/Tampa/Carolina/New York over the next few years. Carolina has trouble spending $$ and New York sometimes overpays their guys. There will be opportunities as long as they get reasonably priced goaltending from somewhere. That is their biggest worry for 2022/23.

[@pm7315]

Getting rid of Lou and Babcock and then hiring Dubas was the first sign that the leafs were going in the wrong direction.

[@davidkruse4030]

Lou left on his own Didnt he

[@pm7315]

@@davidkruse4030 Lou was basically pushed out by Shanahan to make room for Dubas! I think that Mark Hunter at the time was a better option and should have been promoted to GM instead of Dubas.

[@jeffreym.8957]

How did Lou's Islanders do this season? I haven't seen much of them in this year's playoffs? You?

[@JL-is9rg]

Will never forget Don describing how Doug Gilmour was getting his ankle frozen so he could keep playing in the playoffs. I've turned my back on the Leafs and this current core group. It isn't about the game for them. It's about their bank, brand, Insta and flow. And it isn't a generational age thing because McDavid, Domi, and others in this age group are playing like men possessed or in other words, determined to win. They find a way to score. The regular season heroes for the Leafs do not. Feel badly for guys like Spezza and Tavares though.

[@TheSunTheSea]

Very well said. Growing up watching guys like Gilmour, Clark, Thomas, etc I just can’t root for these kids

[@sarahh5592]

I Doubt they care if you turned ur back on them. I doubt your even a fan. Fans don't give up. Backseat wanna-be's that never held a stick.. Lol.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

‘Zona boy has never been in a fight in his life. His passivity is why he never draws penalties despite being a 60 goal scorer. Either he or Willie Goldbricker have to go. You cannot have two passive guys taking up money at the top. In a 7 game series you got no chance, because you don’t know what kind of an effort you’ll get out of the two of them any given night.

[@sarahh5592]

@@trappenweisseguy27 Another jealous wimpy guy running down a superstar.. Get over it.. He's a handsome millionaire, a Superstar and what are you? A zero.. Lol. Guess you were entertaining your bum buddy when Matthews got a 2 game suspension for retaliating against a player that attacked him awhile back... Real hockey fans pay attention..

[@trappenweisseguy27]

One fight back in a several year career is nothing to hang your hat on. I remember the last time they won the cup, so I think I’m ahead of you on the hockey knowledge. What’s with all of the personal insults ?.

[@MrFernandes85]

Mad respect for Don Cherry but you've gotta stop giving him the mic. Such a controversial character. I get the idea he's putting across but the bottom line is you need guys with heart. Guys with the desire to win in those big moments. Vasilevskiy is a Russian and he sure gets it. What about Hedman & Kucherov? These guys have the heart and desire to win in those big moments, nothing to do with being Canadian or not.

[@dumbdumber1885]

They need to tweak a little but no rebuild. I would trade Nylander. He's a european so you should be able to get a half dozen highly skilled gritty canadian players. You need the foreigners to get you into the playoffs but you need canadians to take over from there. I would make that trade late in the season. Hey Don, the reason the Leafs don't hire Canadians is because the mgmt are all liberals who voted for Trudeau and believe that gritty canadians are a "fringe minority with unacceptable views." Until that changes there will be no cup in TO. JMHO and I'm usually wrong :)

[@northvanwan7428]

Lol. Thing is when you're drafting what are you going to do, pick number 24 ranked euro, or number 34 a Canadian? The fans would go ape if you dropped 10 spots just to get a canuck.

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@northvanwan7428 Actually by 24, there is so much uncertainty this wouldn't even be that noticeable. Look at how goalies dropped off the map in last year's first round - which happened well before 24.

[@jeffreym.8957]

Yet the old school management wanted to turf Canadian Treasure Masai Ujiri, because the talentless Rogers' kid thought he could do his job just as well - or get someone much cheaper. Rich arrogant offspring have no problem collecting their big cheques - yet everyone else is overpaid. Ok Edward.

[@calmorale7724]

I guess Grapes forgot that John Tavares, Mark Giordano, Mitch Marner, Jake Muzzin and Jason Spezza are from Ontario lol

[@donmorris3376]

I disagree with Cherry, though I am a fan of him, it doesn't matter where a player comes from if he has the gnawing hunger to win. 15 players on the Leafs are Canadian born, Tampa has only 13 Canadian born players. I don't think the Leafs' stars are as hungry for that cup win as Crosby or Stamkos, and while the Leafs stars put out 98% in the desperate moments in the playoffs, Crosby and Stamkos will kill themselves to help the team win.

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@softskullbubblebrain Lousy goalies and a core group that are too old. No more Cups for Sid and Co.

[@jeffreym.8957]

I agree with this take. Even after winning two Cups Stamkos was blocking shots during the series and working his butt off. But the Leafs were incredibly close and they deserve another chance to keep building. But a trade wouldn't kill them. The NMC seems to eliminate a JT trade but I wouldn't be surprised to see Nylander get traded, despite him playing decent in the Tampa series.

[@robertbabb]

now i see y CBC gave you the boot

[@heidi7151]

Modano, Hull, Hatcher & Craig Ludwig winning the Cup vs the good Canadian boys in 1999. ...but they're the same breed. They play in the same juniors, the same colleges, same NHL. Yeah, it's Canada's sport, but American players at the elite level are indistinguishable from Canadian players. It's physical North American hockey.

[@Outta-hz1ej]

1999 is an asterisk. No goal.

[@jefsiv]

@@Outta-hz1ej Wrong.

[@heidi7151]

@@Outta-hz1ej Good American boys goal 😂

[@zalapski9399]

@@jefsiv based on the stupid crease rules of that year, that was 100% NO GOAL. I remember watching that game at the concession stand at the rink, being like ‘yep that’s coming back.’ Guess the refs didn’t want to stop celebration.

[@leafs79]

Mitch Marner is from here he didn't get no big goal

[@petera4001]

I cant stand the hate these leafs are getting. they killed the season and gave tampa and insane series. Tampa are two time stanley cup champs and are slaying the florida panthers. they deserve some credit.

[@jsavwrldd7884]

Exactly even tampas coach said that this was one of there hardest series in there last 3 year stanly cup run. And look at Florida, best team in the whole league and are bout to get swept.

[@DJ1NS4N1TY]

yeah we get it you guys are satisfied with looking tough without actually wanting to win. This is why you’re gonna be garbage pickers

[@mooch514]

Its the media who pump everyone up. And they stink every year

[@Negative.headspace]

The reason they get the hate they do is, people in Toronto consider them Canadas team, but that's because people from Toronto think they're the center of the universe, in fact the leafs are a terrible team, they haven't won the cup in over 50 years, it's been almost 20 years since they made it out of the first round, they are absolutely terrible for an original 6 team, big deal Austin got 60 goals, that = what in the playoffs, nothing. Fck the leafs and anyone who likes them lol. Here's to another 50 years of not winning.

[@Oldmanflyfishing]

Loser mentality. Seems this next generation of Leaf fans are okay with losing

[@brenteastwood6407]

Ummm, roster check shows Lightening is 37.5% Canadian, and Leafs 46%, but who won the series? Don's theory seems off.

[@JerryR1819]

Here's my 2 cents. Game six of the playoffs. When every action of the Leafs is critical and players have to make good decisions, Kerfoot made 2 boners. First he blindly passed backwards to a Tampa player, who scored on a breakaway. If that wasn't enough, with less then 4 minutes left to play in the 3rd period, I believe it was Rielly that prevented a goal, but got a penalty for his efforts. With a man in the penalty box, Kerfoot carelessly gets a penalty in the opposition zone for high sticking Hedman in the face. A man that is at least 6 inches taller than him. Now the Leafs have 2 men in the penalty box. It should be no surprise that Tampa scored a goal and tied the game and then won in overtime. That game should have been won by the Leafs and this would have clenched the 1st round of the play-offs!

[@dougdavis8986]

Exactly

[@steveb9713]

Yep, but I blame Keefe for not benching him or putting him on the fourth line to send a message. Keefe didn’t send the message and he continued to be careless and cost the leafs the series

[@lzeb4730]

@@steveb9713 I think he did a fine job coaching. That series could've gone either way.

[@steveb9713]

@@lzeb4730 nah I thought he should’ve lost his shit after they took that goal away from Tavares in game 7. The refs clearly don’t respect him or the leafs. He needed to throw some shit on the ice, instead he had his hands in his pockets

[@lzeb4730]

@@steveb9713 And then what get ejected?

[@mwalden1598]

The leafs are built to win regular season games 8-7. Tampa knows how to win playoff games 3-2 and 2-1.

[@capitainebonhomme1609]

Every team is "built" to beat the leafs in first round playoffs ! Haha 🤣😃🤣

[@steelcom5976]

Kucherov is Canadian? I thought Tampa Bay's best player was born in Russia. And Tampa's entire defence is non-Canadian, including their #1 goalie, and they are terrific.

[@william7699]

exactly, I do like hearing Cherry's opinion but he ain't the hockey expert that people think he is...

[@steelcom5976]

@@william7699 Hard to disagree with that.

[@chrisheffernan6600]

The Tampa goalie was better than the Toronto goalie. Toronto killed themselves with dumbass penalties (especially in game 6). Tampa had a great plan to smother Matthews, the others failed to step up. If Toronto loses game 6 they automatically lose game 7. Its been beat in their heads now for several years. This was their best team I've seen in my lifetime and once again they squandered away the opportunity.

[@juergenreichelt9612]

Don with his deep knowledge about hockey makes those woke commentators on TV nowadays look like apprentices...God bless him 🙏

[@rickytavilla4259]

Well put

[@chaseparks1384]

I know all those woke commentators won’t say the truth: Canadian hockey teams can’t win cups because Canadians will always be second to Americans. I’m being sarcastic but I’m trying to point out that Don sounds like an idiot and racist when he says this kind of crap. If he was American he probably would be saying what I sarcastically said and he would be wrong.

[@DJ1NS4N1TY]

“YEA YEA JUST GET MORE CANADIANS AND MATTHEWS SCORE MORE” wow what incredible analysis puts Friedman to shame

[@bondjames652]

Someone should tell Mathews to stop taunting the crowd...

[@chevelle1]

As Maclean said, The soft, pleasing and passive temperament of the leafs management spills over onto the team as a whole. Also, it’s often the 3rd and 4th lines that make the difference. Dubas can’t afford those 2-3 million dollar players. All the money is at the top.

[@steelcom5976]

Very good comment. Even though Tampa is obviously talented, so are a.lot of other teams. But Tampa has a winning culture, "all for the team", that I believe is missing with the Leafs. When Nylander held out for more money he showed the Leafs what kind of player he was. And when he decided to not skate hard in order to prevent an icing call that resulted in a goal, he also showed the kind of player he was on the ice. In spite of that they pushed Tampa to the brink, so imiagine if they had team effort working for them.

[@dcollier7239]

who give a fk what Mclean has to say!! right wrong or indifferent

[@steelcom5976]

@@dcollier7239 Fence sit much?

[@dcollier7239]

@@steelcom5976 ok bleeding heart go sit with Mclean

[@steelcom5976]

@@dcollier7239 Not a barbed wire fence you idjut

[@markstamatovski6368]

Grapes knows Stevie Y had a big part in The Bolts team

[@zachhofer8772]

"Only true Canadians....who are actually the Great Grandsons of European immigrants can score important goals!" Don Cherry. p.s. I think Don Cherry is A>OK and just from a different time.

[@patjohn775]

I don’t think he’s saying they are genetically different. He’s saying they are culturally different

[@jeffreym.8957]

In any event, he's 88 years old. I hope I am still talking hockey coherently at that age.

[@mrceleb2006]

We miss Coach's Corner so much!

[@gamingway3288]

No we don’t

[@dougsmith7362]

Only mistake Toronto made this year is not losing during regular season to place behind Boston to play Carolina in round 1. I guess the problem is losing down the strength may be a negitive and the press would eat them up for that. A lucky bounce in game 6 or 7 against Tampa and everyone would be talking Stanley Cup. Tampa is a beast, they are already up 2 games on the Panthers and will likely win it all again, so the Leafs are close, dam close. By the way the Leafs have 10 players from Ontario, so ease up Cherry.

[@jeffreym.8957]

Carolina would have been tough, too. Lots of really good teams. Florida played worse this year after killing it in the regular season. Leafs would have beat New York/Pittsburgh/Boston/Washington and perhaps Florida. Tampa and Carolina are probably the two best teams. Not everyone can win the Gold.

[@bl1707]

Don knows there are still the Chevrolet and Ford Mustang or pickup owners who always stick with him as long as Don is "pro-Canadian" all the way.

[@zalapski9399]

Tavares is Canadian, and whatever team he’s on loses.

[@brette6854]

Leafs have 14 Canadians on the roster. 11 of those are from Ontario. 6 of those are from the GTA...Wtf is he talking about?

[@rjf7023]

its not about where they're from, its about the effectiveness of the player

[@philbuell6657]

It's not a conspiracy theory rabbit hole, geez, Tampa just played a more solid game, simple

[@ry4nx]

ottawa traded paul because they were going to lose him for nothing in the offseason. they got a great return in joseph who needed a change of scenery. happy for paul, he's a reliable player to say the least

[@Goooooooooooooooober]

That and Paul wasn't doing that in Ottawa whereas Joseph was a point per game in Ottawa. Albeit that won't be sustainable probably.

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@Goooooooooooooooober What do you mean he wasn't doing that in Ottawa? Nick Paul was playing well enough in Ottawa that they felt they wouldn't be able to afford him. How can they not afford someone when their ex-owner is a billionaire and there is a salary cap? He wasn't going to ask for Erik Karlsson money?

[@Goooooooooooooooober]

@@jeffreym.8957 he wasnt scoring a lot... he was on a huge drought going up to the deadline. In the playpffs hes scoring decent amounts but in Ottawa he was not worth 3 million

[@greghamilton3725]

Matthews is a stud. Depth and goaltending is the issue in T.O.

[@martyelder9972]

Go oilers 🥳🥳

[@daveagar5594]

We need Grapes back.

[@waynejohanson1083]

You knew the Leafs were going to lose the series when they got back to back high sticking penalties in game 6 and with a 2 man advantage they scored, I knew then they would lose.

[@buffalorick5598]

And that was robbery. The 2nd call

[@chrisheffernan6600]

That was for sure the turning point in the series. Stupid penalties cost them game 6. Leafs can't win game 7's. History repeating itself year after year.

[@allenmiller8052]

NO LEADERSHIP , NO HEART , BAD COLLECTION OF PLAYERS = LEAFS !!!!!!

[@sammybulin]

Love you coach!

[@jerrymalinowski9736]

Not a valid explanation. Very racist comments. The key players for Tampa are Kuch and Vasilevski, they are not Canadian. What about Rangers? Who Scored for them in Game 7 ? 2 Americans and 2 Russians.

[@mattpace8258]

grapes has been saying this for many years. he's a huge supporter of Canadian hockey and hockey players. Canadian hockey players really shine in the playoffs. they feel a deeper motivation to win.

[@TD_JR]

...but...but..but he's a bigot!

[@timlee1794]

Who is Mac Domi?

[@2Jim2u]

Thanks for hosting the channel. Its nice to hear your opinion.

[@GoldCountryTrapping]

No one in Toronto is Canadian.

[@josephroman2126]

Toronto is still learning the lesson Tampa learned when they were swept in 2019. Just having shooters doesn't cut it. It takes a whole team with heart. Leafs need to take their baby steps in that direction before they get to wear their man pants.

[@lewissemajay8789]

Two things that I can’t coach in Hockey - first is size, the second is passion and the saying hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard sums up the Leafs. All 22 who dress have to have a second gear - a playoff gear. You see it in Colorado and you see it in Tampa.

[@wesleyp3579]

Except it took Tampa only 1 year to learn their lesson getting swept by Columbus. This is year #6 of Toronto get bounced in the first round. This is a long and painful lesson and it may not even be done yet

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@lewissemajay8789 Huh? Colorado has been an abject failure until this season. They've arguably had the best lineup on paper in the entire league for the past three years and hadn't passed the second round.

[@MbisonBalrog]

Auston has 9pts in this 7 game series. He has done fine. Just not when it counts.

[@Eskolol]

I'm sure all of those points Matthews did helped his team to even make it to seven games. Someone else has to step up too. Without those Matthews points, Tampa would've ended the series in 5.

[@shakrmakr]

Don Cherry also thought the Leafs should have drafted Nick Ritchie over Nylander.

[@saturninkepa4915]

I would love to see Edmonton play against Vasilevskiy and see how many goals a game Connor gets. Florida the best team in regular season, could not win a single game. In the last 3 years no one has tested the Lightning harder than the leaf's.

[@BlizzGMX]

The islanders also took the bolts to 7

[@GrimeDiesel]

@@BlizzGMX and got shut out in that game.

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

You sound like how a Packer fan defends Aaron Rodgers 😂

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

@@GrimeDiesel Same Matthews who scored a grand total of 1 GOAL in 7 games the year before against Montreal in the playoffs

[@BlizzGMX]

@@GrimeDiesel and the leafs never looked dangerous in their game 7 either.

[@stevedonald9667]

Nonsense. Tavares is from here. Marner is from here. Giordano is from here. Spezza is from here. Bunting is from here.

[@Cal99ers]

Tampa's big players made Marner, Matthews and Tavares look small. Reach had a lot to do with the success in that series, Tampa's big players were better than Toronto's, they won in the corners most of the time neutralizing the Leafs cycle game. And The Leafs have been big on American players the last few years

[@bronzesnake7004]

Which series were you watching???

[@Cal99ers]

@@bronzesnake7004 mostly the 4 games they lost

[@bronzesnake7004]

@@Cal99ers You never watched a game! LOL! I remember years ago my band was performing at the world famous Rockliff Hotel" and there was a game on the big screen. That was the 93/94 series when L.A. defeated the Leafs after the Gretzky high stick no call. The placed was jam packed and some obnoxious L.A. fan was dangerously razzing a biker who was a Leaf fan. There had to be 40 bikes in the lot and there were wall to wall leather clad big bearded burly bikers in the club, and they were ALWAYS really cool. In fact one year one of their brothers was getting stupid with his hands grabbing some "free bum" so they slapped his face around then took him outside and chained him to a tree and he stayed there until closing! So this moron was teasing Leaf fans including bikers. One of their women stood up and got right in the goof's face. The place went really quiet and everybody heard her say "do you know what it is about sore winners"? Dumdum with this goofy shit eating grin on his face, still unaware about how close to a complimentary beating of a lifetime he was about to enjoy says "Ahhh no, what is it about lore soosers" He attempted to correct his grammatical error but only made it worse. Then she says "tiny dicks"! The entire place erupted with gut hurting laughter and shit for brains kind of melted and his friends dragged him outside and left him curled up in the back of a Volkswagen Beetle! My drummer went outside to smoke a doobie with a few people from the bar and told us that fool was barfing his guts out IN THE CAR!! That would have been an awesome ride home! ") The Leafs won that series bro. Watch this - kzbin.infoK6nMXorxhO0?&ab_channel=shortsbysudhirparajuli In any event, the series was really close and Tampa players admit it could have gone either way and the Leafs were the hardest series they'd ever played. So, don't be a sore winner bro!! ") Jack ~'()'~

[@CaptainFantastik1]

Might want to have a look at their stat lines before posting stuff like that.

[@urbanpeltier1622]

I was questioning Torontos dump and chase game. They were dumping it into Hedmans corner then he turned the play right around for some rush chances. But the Leafs kept dumping into Hedmans corner. Coaching has to be called out too.

[@dwaynejessome1728]

stop it already - Nick Paul shows up in one game. Where was STAMKOS last in that game ??- the good old top guy from the GTA - 3 shots / 0 goals / 0 assists /0 points... And the talk about Domi... really ?? Against the rangers so far - 0 shots on net /0 goals /0 assists/ 0 points in 2 games. Stop it already, and tell the whole story

[@Redlife666]

All that lustre. All that money. And what do they have to show for it ??? Losing So they guys are getting payed to be losers. Cause that’s all they do 60 goals. 100 goals. 125 goals ok so.... Does that mean playoff wins ??? Only playoff grit gets you wins. And the leafs are like a leaf. Playoffs is when the leaf falls off the tree. And does what leafs do Become forest floor mulch

[@MrJx4000]

Love your prose, so poetic ;-)

[@bobcarlsson4]

Nick Paull plays on the PK for the entire 2 minutes, then back on to take a defensive end faceoff.

[@waynejohanson1083]

Great pickup at the trading deadline. What did Tampa know about this guy other teams did not know.

[@josephle979]

He said the same thing about the 09 Red Wings. Said only teams that are mostly Canadian built will win. They won with a European Captain and mostly international players. Although they lost the year after that was a fantastic team, they would have 9 out of 10 game 7’s.

[@kirkshairpiece6741]

74% of Edmonton Oilers are Canadians. This is far, far higher than any other NHL team.

[@jefsiv]

Draisaitl is better than McDavid.

[@stuartrubenstein6624]

What are you smoking!

[@Higgins8]

Tampa Bay's roster has 13 non-Canadians and 9 Canadians including goalies.

[@bskinny9009]

kucherov and hedman won 2 cups

[@Outta-hz1ej]

Last team to win a non covid cup had TWENTY canadians.

[@googleaccount2637]

Still more Canadians on that team than any other nationality...

[@mr.9754]

I'm a fan of DC, but I don't need to listen to this. Leafs suffer from entitlement and the fact that the top brass do not to change the status quo of this cash cow. (Many of the) Leafs play in the playoffs like it's unpaid overtime.

[@CaptainFantastik1]

We’ll Gee maybe if Matthews was playing the Kings with 4 rookies on D he’d have more goals too. Matthews had to match up with the defending back to back Cup champions who are also currently up 2 games on the team widely prognosticated to go to the Final. Thank god we don’t have these clown takes wasting airspace anymore.

[@Negative.headspace]

So what's the excuse from the past 18 years of not getting past round 1 or not winning a cup in over 50 years, they hardly did anything when there was 6 teams, now that there's 30 plus, don't expect anything more, the fact they threw so much money at a few guys ruined them, and what's the goaltending going to be like next season, here's to another 50 of not winning the cup ❤

[@jeffreym.8957]

@@Negative.headspace I suspect if they want John Gibson they might be giving up Nylander to get him?

[@jimbarron8688]

Two things killed hockey for me. 1. Suspending the playoffs for BLM criminals, 2. The abusive way Cherry was treated for speaking the truth.

[@DJ1NS4N1TY]

what suspension loo

[@jimbarron8688]

@@DJ1NS4N1TY lol, the playoffs were suspended for several days to honor the criminal who had his evil life squeezed out. Try to keep up.

[@DJ1NS4N1TY]

@@jimbarron8688 hmm yes I do like seeing a snarky boomer be racist but iirc it was one day. Maybe your Alzheimer’s misled you

[@oldskool1979]

The Leafs organization wants diversity on and off the ice lol.... mixed bag

[@MrJx4000]

Diversity? What, you mean like a climate change or trans player?

[@oldskool1979]

@@MrJx4000 hahaha

[@dr.curious5136]

Lack of balls is why the leafs did not win , it’s the reason they will never win …. It takes balls to win a cup or even a series but this team just doesn’t have it period.

[@kirkcobain4112]

I totally agree with youre Canadian boy theory cherry! Always very wise information

[@CupContender]

They will prob call him a racist for making those fins look bad

[@richardprescott5939]

Tavares lit it up I guess

[@monkaminnow]

have a look when he tried this with his junior hockey team..they absolutely sucked cherry's a goof

[@jds614]

The leading scorer in the playoffs by year since 2010 A whole lot of non "Canadian boys" 2021: kucherov (Russia) 2020: kucherov (Russia) 2019 :Marchand and O'Reilly (both cdn) 2018: kunestov (Russia) 2017: Malkin (Russia) 2016 coture (Canada) 2015 Kane & Johnson (both USA) 2014 Kopitar (Slovenia) 2013 krejci (Czech) 2012: Kopitar & brown(Slovenia &u.sa) 2011: Krejci (Czech) 2010: Briere (Canada)

[@CupContender]

@@jds614 ur chart or list couldn’t be more wrong

[@odysseusthesojourner4401]

It’s fine if Cherry is not a big fan of non-Canadian players. That’s his right to share his opinion. But I think he is wrong and history has proven that. If he believes Matthews is the problem, just say that. I’d gladly take him off the Leafs here in Detroit.

[@annoyingjake]

Leafs Nation are losing their collective minds. I understand and I can empathize. Look, every team (and every fan base of every team) that loses in the playoffs are asking the same questions and making the same demands. We're too soft, too old, too young, too slow, too this and too that. Didn't get clutch goaltending. Team has no heart. Didn't battle hard enough. The stars needed to step up. The grinders needed to step up. We need someone like (fill in name here). We need a new coach. Fire everyone. Trade everyone. 16 teams make the Stanley Cup playoffs and every single god damned one of them is dreaming of a deep run. And then it's suddenly over and it is traumatic. There are a million ways to dissect and analyze defeat. And there are at least as many prescriptions for fixing whatever fatal flaw(s) caused this supposed calamity. But of all the ways to look at Torontos first round exit, the idea that they don't have enough Canadian boys is uniquely idiotic and retrograde. Don Cherry is, at times, an entertaining character. But his thinking is forever clouded by a kind of boring, ossified chauvinist agenda that was out of touch 20 years ago. It's farcical now.

[@anthonyferrari711]

Someone has to lose, and someone is always to blame for that loss. Which sometimes can be true. Sometimes there is someone to blame for a loss. But no one ever blames the structure of competition as being the reason for a loss haha. Bolts and Leafs was the best series of the first-round by far! It was pretty clear it took everything Tampa had in the gas tank to squeak by the Leafs. I imagine they had more of a feeling of relief when they outlasted Toronto in what was a really hard-fought series. And now they’ve swept Florida which gives them a chance to recharge and push on full-strength towards the SC Finals. And that said, I still think there ARE a lot of questions about what to do with the Leafs roster, coaching, management, etc. But not because they lost. Simply because that is the nature of contracts and wanting to get better. They clearly want a championship team, and I still think their roster is far from that, even if they had beaten Tampa.

[@cwvereyken]

Goal tending was not an issue in this series. Campbell did. Not let in one soft goal.

[@celticstephenhill]

After buying Twitter, Elon Musk is going to buy the CBC and bring back Cherry and HNIC.

[@Bugsandlakes]

Ottawa gave Nick Paul to Tampa to exact revenge for the clutch and grab wins the Laffs got in the early 2000’s.

[@weedseedleealaskan2493]

the bottom 6 are factors in game 7s and pivotal swing games in a series because of matchups with intent to shut down top lines. You guys are debating over data that none of you are properly analyzing or consuming. No mention of the fact that mcdavid played a team that missd the last 3 or 4 playoffs, while matthews played the back to back (and intact roster) stanley cup champs. Wtf are yall on seriously? haha wow, its like egyptology here. ridiculous

[@ljlava]

love Grapes an American hockey fan that appreciates his greatness

[@martytruelove5026]

Exactly ,you know what he is saying.Seems like he is always taken the wrong way,but not by all.

[@saskk2290]

He is Canadian, and about as insightful as your average country grandpa