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

Steve Dangle, Adam Wylde and Jesse Blake are joined by Chris Johnston to discuss the turnover in the 2024 Toronto Maple Leafs forward group. What's changed? What will they do with Nick Robertson? Are they better or worse this season?
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[@bobdakers3794]

Same as last year, out in round one!

[@tr41l3rp4rkb0ys]

As a leaf fan 25 years .... Ye ... They are out probably in round one the same core 5 still fricken here !!!

[@xxreaperxx2053]

love the hope guys LOL might be time to switch to utah

[@chad_b]

I'm also a leafs fan and I agree! Bunch of losers lol

[@jefffowler7269]

lol they aren’t making the playoffs this year

[@profdave2861]

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

[@patsgarage8593]

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

[@michaelmignone5869]

Robertson sounds like torontos version of holtz

[@jordanstapleton3180]

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

[@reignofrock]

Worse knowing they asked Marner to waive. Laughable group head by Treliving.. Gonna be a sad year indeed.

[@dumbdickler670]

​@@reignofrock Did they?

[@KyleMacSkill]

​@reignofrock to be fair trielving was handed a tough hand. Dubas screwed this team over when he was taken to town by the young core when they were rfas. Tree wasn't going to come in and trade a guy when Shanny called all of them and said they weren't getting traded, now Marner holds all the cards.

[@KenCalgary-ne3jp]

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

[@quercusquercus532]

I think they'd be happy to, if anyone made a serious offer. I don't think the rest of the league sees him the way the Toronto media covers him.

[@skyleranderson7901]

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

[@eggsbruhnadict4298]

Carolina took a major step back this off season

[@noskyt]

Tampa and Carolina aren't better.

[@baohoaily]

Well they can't just pack it up and leave. But I do hate as a Leafs fan to always suffer some sort of deficit. The constant two being, the weaker goalies. Playoff performers, they always have at least one, we always have none.

[@SweetCaroline-pp7lf]

This is the year

[@geoffreyhigginson5290]

It can't, needs at least next year for Tavares contract to dry up. That's if Treviling stops handing out our cap space on retiring d men

[@kaiokenx100]

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

[@patrickhamos2987]

He might as well be

[@zascorpusa]

If they offloaded Marner they would have been to do much more in FA

[@biffstrong1079]

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

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

No mega stars but a daaamn deep team.

[@johanstinson]

Pieterangelo, Bow and Parayko....the Leafs don't have a dman anywhere near those 3

[@biffstrong1079]

@@johanstinson Or even someone as good as young Vince Dunn playing protected minutes.

[@johanstinson]

@biffstrong1079 exactly. The Laughs have the top end talent but the Blues d core was elite and the rest of the roster was miles ahead of anything Toronto has.

[@jimlangdon1947]

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

[@aaamm4010]

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

[@MrMortadella1]

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

[@cutchopweld5717]

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

[@SethFinberg]

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

[@S.General]

What? Haga so just because the core four gets over paid means other players who actually worked have to take a team friendly deal or walk? Hows that fair??

[@whitesail1234]

@@S.General I don't think thats what the comment meant I think they meant their stars too

[@MikeWh0]

Cowen is the difference maker they aren’t talking about

[@yukoncorneliusthelegendhim9751]

nah, mcmann is.

[@joshbouwma5874]

Noah gregor is an ottawa senator

[@matthoffman6962]

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

[@TranTek]

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

[@jefffowler7269]

Also how many games they win

[@danielnowlan4517]

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

[@budgetbirder]

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

[@J781-y1z]

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

[@johnsummerhill8323]

Minten and Cowan will not be NHL players this year. They still need a couple of years of development and growth.

[@KendallChristiansonYT]

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

[@miyu545]

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

[@bradleyvision7315]

and you think domis are made of silk? another brain dead maple laughs fan who knows nothing about hockey 😂

[@ratedRblazin420]

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

[@JaneNayes]

Wrong. He's in Winnipeg.

[@martinklatt6937]

New coach. New life.

[@YTLogi]

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

[@geoffreyhigginson5290]

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

[@redsuctionboot2597]

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

[@Joeblow12349]

Bertuzzi is no great loss

[@sdt1sdt]

I am a big Nick Robertson fan, and I think he should sign somewhere else. If he stays with Toronto, they will dick him around like they have for the past 3 or 4 years. My prediction is that the Maple Leafs will move him and he will become a 30 to 40 goal scorer and help another team win the cup.

[@xrsroofingsolutionscanada2151]

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

[@chrisbee9643]

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

[@tr41l3rp4rkb0ys]

If woll magically playes 50 games 😂 maybe they are bit better overall , but my prediction woll gets hurt, they over work stolarz and then the core 5 once again in playoffs cant score and dont care because in toronto its all about the $$$$$ good terrible the leafs fans will still pack the arena every game...

[@dimitri71121]

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

[@NOSSCARSeriesRacing]

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

[@Jimdaewong16]

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

[@Philly5Blunt]

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

[@davidsnow9504]

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

[@SF1886]

Being realistic is not being a hater

[@nolankuffner3573]

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

[@CoachingCanuck]

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

[@BrayGoesTV]

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

[@Rick-j2t]

Please god no, marner has talent sure but theres no place for him here in montreal

[@xenom23]

dont bring your pile of problem to montreal please.

[@michaelb5119]

"Just trust me bro"

[@barbellsjoysticks9802]

Nah you’re off here. They will make the playoffs

[@RealBillBerg_8]

Yep someone should hire you as GM... Come back in April and bring us up to speed on your brilliance

[@biffstrong1079]

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

[@kan6039]

You made a good point about TJ Brodie. He was a 1/2 d at one point, he's certainly not right now.

[@jonah.donohue]

TJ Brodie THE WORST DMEN I EVER SEEN

[@profdave2861]

While I agree Domi isn’t a natural scorer, you can’t directly compare him to Bunting, given where they played in the lineup much of the year. I think they’re comparable overall.

[@biffstrong1079]

@@profdave2861 Very Close. Domi is fast and good with the puck and good playmaker, terrible shot. Bunting is fast , but with a better shot and a little bit younger. He is making $750,000 more than Domi.

[@biffstrong1079]

@@kan6039 Nope. Tanev has never been that.

[@jacobc548]

Jesse has such nice lighting compared to the others lol

[@wizb4707]

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

[@anikinkhan]

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

[@budgetbirder]

I don't think it's that they can't find a deal for a top line RD man, but it's who?? And if they find " that guy", how do they afford him without moving on from a guy like Marner to fit him into the cap? I think Leafs make calls on guys but that particular player wants to come to the Leafs.. This is why I think, as good as he is, Leafs have to move Marner. Yes, like many say, you will never "win" a trade because you won't get a Marner-equal guy back BUT you will clear up much needed cap space to go out and get a $4-6 million / season top right shot D man.. Not gonna be easy, though... it's not like top tier, right shot D men are readily available.. there are over 30 teams that would pull the trigger on a top pair, right shot D men..

[@geographyinaction7814]

There aren't any.

[@anikinkhan]

@@geographyinaction7814 Fair point. There really isn't any.

[@anikinkhan]

@@budgetbirder It seems to be all going in the direction of a washed season. Can't do anything with Marner but let him walk. Tavares will walk. Maybe get a top free agent signing after they're off the books...if anyone is available.

[@CoachingCanuck]

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

[@SidiousPalp]

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

[@Mattblaze1477]

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

[@stuffnsuch631]

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

[@TheAlexmacintyre7]

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

[@RobbieG17]

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

[@rayevans7484]

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

[@CrusaderNCC]

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

[@jeffsframe9927]

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

[@robb412]

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

[@chrisg459]

Steve looks like he wants to kick Adam in the chest at 21:26 he looks like he feels bad about it but he still wants to do it.

[@geographyinaction7814]

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

[@donaldmcronald3543]

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

[@nicneary7454]

Signed in Ottawa Gregor

[@JohnnyBuschi]

Every single mic is installed upside down.

[@SENSualHealing_]

Gregor is with Ottawa

[@late3619]

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

[@trollthedicey]

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

[@sdt1sdt]

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

[@martinklatt6937]

Now hold there cowboys.

[@mikehannon4097]

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

[@anikinkhan]

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

[@armandolarade7861]

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

[@joer8854]

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

[@kan6039]

The problem is they can never score, have you watched the playoffs the last few years. Their biggest problem by far has been depth scoring.

[@johanstinson]

Except for the fact that you aren't losing jn the layoffs because of D. You're losing becasue your top guys can't score and you have no depth scoring

[@patrickhamos2987]

You have no offensive ability in the playoffs

[@joer8854]

@@johanstinson game 1 / 5-1 game 3 /4-2 game 4 /3-1 and their D was trash all year.

[@joer8854]

@@kan6039 depth scoring you can fix fairly cheap. They've done it frequently. They have never had defense since before Matthews which is why the forwards can't do their job. They can't take risks when their D is trash.

[@tylerjohnson8973]

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

[@SF1886]

Mitten and Cowan won’t be playing with the Leafs this year

[@NobodyImportant74]

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

[@dougcallaghan6075]

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

[@zascorpusa]

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

[@trollthedicey]

zadorov is as close to irrelevant as you can get

[@stratcat3216]

Groundhog Day.

[@stuffnsuch631]

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

[@eddiethepizzahero]

Turdronto Maple Queefs.

[@martinlatour9311]

lmao leafs bout to run it back with same core

[@Asymmetrical-Saggin]

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

[@martinklatt6937]

Laine wanted out of Winnipeg. Just saying.

[@aapoheikkila5542]

Laine wanted out Columbus.

[@shawnperry3815]

Worse

[@generalimlerith8356]

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

[@quonslecn7755]

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

[@aapoheikkila5542]

Gregoat

[@KhempaulRamdin]

Worse 😂

[@patrickhamos2987]

Same exact team LMAOROFL

[@acanadianineurope814]

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

[@matthoffman6962]

Bro do you even watch hockey? They got 2 top 4-5 dmen in OEL and Tanev

[@acanadianineurope814]

@@matthoffman6962 both guaranteed injuries and out for 3 months each.

[@Gypsyalchemy333]

the most beta hockey talk channel EVER

[@Gypsyalchemy333]

@AnnoyinglyCharming is that your moms heart I see in my fridge?

[@scottporter5118]

Leafs. 😂

[@bofadeese2715]

Def worse

[@bjorkstrand7773]

who cares

[@gcollier46]

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

[@gcollier46]

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

[@MyDarkestFriend]

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

[@bronzesnake7004]

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