Bruce Rick
@totalgarbodor.bsky.social
Empathize. Hope. Fight.
I KNEW YOU WERE TRUBBISH WHEN YOU WALKED IN:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDDZ1jp_IQo&t=1s
Toronto Maple Leafs fan. 1989.
Ottawa sports, not the Sens.
iOS developer
https://brucerick.github.io/me/
I KNEW YOU WERE TRUBBISH WHEN YOU WALKED IN:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDDZ1jp_IQo&t=1s
Toronto Maple Leafs fan. 1989.
Ottawa sports, not the Sens.
iOS developer
https://brucerick.github.io/me/
I’d rather just play it out, get middling picks for healthy scratches like Jarnkrok, let Cowan / Robertson develop and hope you still make postseason. At that point, short of a miracle cup win, make hard choices and change coach / GM coming off high note. Try and sign Ehlers type deals in FA.
November 29, 2025 at 1:20 AM
I’d rather just play it out, get middling picks for healthy scratches like Jarnkrok, let Cowan / Robertson develop and hope you still make postseason. At that point, short of a miracle cup win, make hard choices and change coach / GM coming off high note. Try and sign Ehlers type deals in FA.
Like rn - I don’t know the roster is under performing because it hasn’t been healthy. Even tonight they are missing Nylander - we’ve had zero consistency on lines. End of the day, Berube isn’t alienating stars and is jettisoning Domi types in favour of Cowan and Robertson - that’s a net win.
November 29, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Like rn - I don’t know the roster is under performing because it hasn’t been healthy. Even tonight they are missing Nylander - we’ve had zero consistency on lines. End of the day, Berube isn’t alienating stars and is jettisoning Domi types in favour of Cowan and Robertson - that’s a net win.
Prob is that they weren’t significantly worse last year vs Keefes last year. Results in post season were actually pretty good. So I don’t know it’s Berube - but coaching changes are so low risk that you could do it now just as team is getting healthy. But for who? Literally no one exciting out there
November 29, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Prob is that they weren’t significantly worse last year vs Keefes last year. Results in post season were actually pretty good. So I don’t know it’s Berube - but coaching changes are so low risk that you could do it now just as team is getting healthy. But for who? Literally no one exciting out there
I mean yea but that doesn’t mean Rielly isn’t part of the solution. Ideally he’s your 2 or 3 and that’s fine. Leafs should be doing everything to hit Dougie Hamilton FA deals, Fox college signings or buy low Spence deals instead of assets on junk - nothing is preventing them from doing that.
November 29, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I mean yea but that doesn’t mean Rielly isn’t part of the solution. Ideally he’s your 2 or 3 and that’s fine. Leafs should be doing everything to hit Dougie Hamilton FA deals, Fox college signings or buy low Spence deals instead of assets on junk - nothing is preventing them from doing that.
At the same time, lean into guys like Cowan / Robertson to solve depth. Try to hit on home run FA deals like Ehlers either on forward or D - stop settling for back up plans. During the JFJ / Burke era we were in same spot but no stars. There is a not to difficult way out of this.
November 29, 2025 at 1:03 AM
At the same time, lean into guys like Cowan / Robertson to solve depth. Try to hit on home run FA deals like Ehlers either on forward or D - stop settling for back up plans. During the JFJ / Burke era we were in same spot but no stars. There is a not to difficult way out of this.
Every analytical model had the Leafs top 10 before season so I still think they make playoffs easily. I’d rather just end trending upwards ( can’t get worse ), Berube isn’t alienating stars, ditching dead weight like Kampf and Domi for Cowan / Robertson. No good replacements / wait for offseason.
November 29, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Every analytical model had the Leafs top 10 before season so I still think they make playoffs easily. I’d rather just end trending upwards ( can’t get worse ), Berube isn’t alienating stars, ditching dead weight like Kampf and Domi for Cowan / Robertson. No good replacements / wait for offseason.
Here’s the thing tho - we love to say we’ve done everything when we really haven’t. Dubas shit himself in the face of outside pressure the same way Burke / JFJ did. Only difference is we didn’t sell our stars for peanuts. Other than that we’ve spent assets on short term trash and not been patient.
November 29, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Here’s the thing tho - we love to say we’ve done everything when we really haven’t. Dubas shit himself in the face of outside pressure the same way Burke / JFJ did. Only difference is we didn’t sell our stars for peanuts. Other than that we’ve spent assets on short term trash and not been patient.
The way this season has gone was entirely predictable regardless of who’s coaching. There’s just no amount of coaching that’s gunna change results of half a roster of injuries + goaltending thats allowed the most above expected so far. But coaches are easily replaceable and might be means to end.
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 AM
The way this season has gone was entirely predictable regardless of who’s coaching. There’s just no amount of coaching that’s gunna change results of half a roster of injuries + goaltending thats allowed the most above expected so far. But coaches are easily replaceable and might be means to end.
I mean yea but building a bottom 6 plus like one piece on defence isn’t that difficult. Getting guys like Matthews / Nylander / Tavares / Rielly, developing them and having experience is the hard part.
And Leafs being forced to develop Robertson / Cowan might actual be a solution.
And Leafs being forced to develop Robertson / Cowan might actual be a solution.
November 29, 2025 at 12:46 AM
I mean yea but building a bottom 6 plus like one piece on defence isn’t that difficult. Getting guys like Matthews / Nylander / Tavares / Rielly, developing them and having experience is the hard part.
And Leafs being forced to develop Robertson / Cowan might actual be a solution.
And Leafs being forced to develop Robertson / Cowan might actual be a solution.
Realistically the Leafs should’ve had 3 times the coaches they’ve had since 2016 and I’m all for making one now. It’s been goaltending (much better last 2 weeks) and injuries thus far, not coaching imo - maybe now’s the perfect time, getting everyone back might be time for philosophical overhaul tho
November 29, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Realistically the Leafs should’ve had 3 times the coaches they’ve had since 2016 and I’m all for making one now. It’s been goaltending (much better last 2 weeks) and injuries thus far, not coaching imo - maybe now’s the perfect time, getting everyone back might be time for philosophical overhaul tho
Like our goaltending and bottom 6 / Defence has consistently been beaten by other teams in post season.
November 29, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Like our goaltending and bottom 6 / Defence has consistently been beaten by other teams in post season.
I mean… it is the supporting cast lol. Top line looks pretty close to other cup champs sans some elite goaltending. Keep swinging, even if they strike out the Detroits old model of success building into new generations of success is something I’d rather work towards.
November 29, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I mean… it is the supporting cast lol. Top line looks pretty close to other cup champs sans some elite goaltending. Keep swinging, even if they strike out the Detroits old model of success building into new generations of success is something I’d rather work towards.
Rielly has been absolutely elite so far this year and that’s with half an NHL roster for two months. He’s part of a winning formula and there really isn’t an argument against it. Full stop.
Had a kid - down year last year and look you need more than just him but he can be part of solution.
Had a kid - down year last year and look you need more than just him but he can be part of solution.
November 29, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Rielly has been absolutely elite so far this year and that’s with half an NHL roster for two months. He’s part of a winning formula and there really isn’t an argument against it. Full stop.
Had a kid - down year last year and look you need more than just him but he can be part of solution.
Had a kid - down year last year and look you need more than just him but he can be part of solution.
This year he’s been incredible so far which is just wild considering they are playing with half a roster. Hes a 7 mil guy that signed a UFA type deal that’s he’s earning this year - he can easily be a guy that gets you to a cup even if he’s not the main piece.
November 29, 2025 at 12:32 AM
This year he’s been incredible so far which is just wild considering they are playing with half a roster. Hes a 7 mil guy that signed a UFA type deal that’s he’s earning this year - he can easily be a guy that gets you to a cup even if he’s not the main piece.
And like no 4 guys is not winning formula but it’s the hardest part and they have experience. So yea try and win on buy low guys or hit home runs on guys like Ehlers in FA and stop settling for backup plans.
November 29, 2025 at 12:31 AM
And like no 4 guys is not winning formula but it’s the hardest part and they have experience. So yea try and win on buy low guys or hit home runs on guys like Ehlers in FA and stop settling for backup plans.
Rielly had issues last year and worrying results at times but he’s worth the money based on analytics / produces in the playoffs / got elite numbers in XGF% this season, that’s wild lol. So he’s weakest of 4 but unless someone offers the moon for him - losing him is a net loss short and long term.
November 29, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Rielly had issues last year and worrying results at times but he’s worth the money based on analytics / produces in the playoffs / got elite numbers in XGF% this season, that’s wild lol. So he’s weakest of 4 but unless someone offers the moon for him - losing him is a net loss short and long term.
I think my opinion is this - keep trying with Matthews / Nylander / Tavares / Rielly / (I would’ve said Marner also) until they make the choice to leave or retire. I am okay if we don’t get it done even tho I think you can. This wasn’t true of Kessel / Burke / JFJ eras.
November 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I think my opinion is this - keep trying with Matthews / Nylander / Tavares / Rielly / (I would’ve said Marner also) until they make the choice to leave or retire. I am okay if we don’t get it done even tho I think you can. This wasn’t true of Kessel / Burke / JFJ eras.
There is no right group. Have to stop ‘intangibles’ eye sight and make them. Facts are - Matthews / Nylander / Tavares / Rielly at this very down moment are out chancing elite opponents at a very good rate. Sure that doesn’t mean a lot if pucks don’t go in and your losing but winning formula there.
November 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
There is no right group. Have to stop ‘intangibles’ eye sight and make them. Facts are - Matthews / Nylander / Tavares / Rielly at this very down moment are out chancing elite opponents at a very good rate. Sure that doesn’t mean a lot if pucks don’t go in and your losing but winning formula there.
But they literally have not - they have had the FEWEST coaches since 2016. THEYVE HAD 3! It’s truly crazy how brainwashed we are by media into this. The bruins fired Bruce Cassidy like 2 years in lol. Oilers had a new coach 1.5 seasons on average until they got to a Stanley cup lol.
November 29, 2025 at 12:22 AM
But they literally have not - they have had the FEWEST coaches since 2016. THEYVE HAD 3! It’s truly crazy how brainwashed we are by media into this. The bruins fired Bruce Cassidy like 2 years in lol. Oilers had a new coach 1.5 seasons on average until they got to a Stanley cup lol.
So need to find some different approaches here and improvements. I can get on board with coaching change. Past that - learning to develop guys like Cowan / Robertson may end up being good that comes out of this. Stop trading and playing junk or backup plan players. Swing for fences or develop.
November 29, 2025 at 12:20 AM
So need to find some different approaches here and improvements. I can get on board with coaching change. Past that - learning to develop guys like Cowan / Robertson may end up being good that comes out of this. Stop trading and playing junk or backup plan players. Swing for fences or develop.
No. If you blow it up we’ll look like Buffalo until we get to this exact same point in 15 years and wet our pants again.
ceiling? This team based on all projections is a top 10 team when healthy and goaltending isn’t allowing the most above expected in league.
So that may not be good enough still.
ceiling? This team based on all projections is a top 10 team when healthy and goaltending isn’t allowing the most above expected in league.
So that may not be good enough still.
November 29, 2025 at 12:18 AM
No. If you blow it up we’ll look like Buffalo until we get to this exact same point in 15 years and wet our pants again.
ceiling? This team based on all projections is a top 10 team when healthy and goaltending isn’t allowing the most above expected in league.
So that may not be good enough still.
ceiling? This team based on all projections is a top 10 team when healthy and goaltending isn’t allowing the most above expected in league.
So that may not be good enough still.
The only reason I liked Berube at the time was because he wasn’t Quenneville or some other abusive Babcock type and it finally meant moving on from Keefe. Past that I don’t care. Personally I think the Leafs should’ve had 3 times the coaches they’ve had since 2016.
November 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The only reason I liked Berube at the time was because he wasn’t Quenneville or some other abusive Babcock type and it finally meant moving on from Keefe. Past that I don’t care. Personally I think the Leafs should’ve had 3 times the coaches they’ve had since 2016.
XGF / Possession trended down over Keefes final 3 years - Berube metrics look similar to Keefes last year.
Keefe bad with youth / hated creative hockey / refused to move from Kampf like players. Berube isn’t that - but Im fine moving on
Not sure any coach could fix injury luck + worst goaltending
Keefe bad with youth / hated creative hockey / refused to move from Kampf like players. Berube isn’t that - but Im fine moving on
Not sure any coach could fix injury luck + worst goaltending
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 AM
XGF / Possession trended down over Keefes final 3 years - Berube metrics look similar to Keefes last year.
Keefe bad with youth / hated creative hockey / refused to move from Kampf like players. Berube isn’t that - but Im fine moving on
Not sure any coach could fix injury luck + worst goaltending
Keefe bad with youth / hated creative hockey / refused to move from Kampf like players. Berube isn’t that - but Im fine moving on
Not sure any coach could fix injury luck + worst goaltending