Some big changes need to happen to the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the amount of high-end talent and skill this team has, why can’t the Toronto Maple Leafs get the job done?
What big changes do the Toronto Maple Leafs need?
In 2020, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost in a best of 5 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the play-in round.
In 2021, the Toronto Maple Leafs mop the floor with the Canadian division in the regular season and end up playing the Montreal Canadiens, their biggest rival, in the first round. They go up 3-1 in the series against the Habs, only two later blow that lead and lose in Game 7 at home
In 2022, the Toronto Maple Leafs play the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. They go back and forth with each other, only to end up in an epic Game 7 clash. Tampa won 2-1.
In 2023, the rematch between the Leafs and Lightning takes place. After losing Game 1 badly, 7-3, Toronto came out and won games 2, 3, and 4 taking a 3-1 series lead. They lose Game 5 at home and go to Tampa for Game 6. In overtime, John Tavares scores and wins it for the Leafs, giving them their first series win since 2004. They ended up losing in the second round in 5 games.
In 2024, the Toronto Maple Leafs fell once again in Game 7 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to their arch-rivals, the Boston Bruins. The Toronto Maple Leafs had all the momentum going into this game, winning games five and six in close contests. With all the pressure the Bruins were facing heading into Game 7, the Toronto Maple Leafs were feeling it. After 2 periods with no goals, Auston Matthews sets up William Nylander for his third goal of the series, making it 1-0 with 10 minutes to play. The Bruins responded a minute later, tying things up at 1 a piece off of a questionable defensive effort by the Leafs. With game 7 between these two teams heading to overtime, it was a coin flip on who was going to come out on top. A minute and thirty seconds into overtime, Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm shoots the puck into the Leafs zone off the boards, and forward David Pastrnak finds it and buries it, winning the series for the Bruins.
After the Leafs have fallen in the first round once again, what big changes do the Maple Leafs need?
The first thing that needs to change within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization is the coaching. For the past five seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had the voice of Sheldon Keefe attempting to galvanize the group and push them forward. The Leafs’ playoff record under Sheldon Keefe has not been great.
The Toronto Maple Leafs playoff record with Sheldon Keefe is 1-5. With players like Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Tavares, this is unacceptable. I think the Toronto Maple Leafs should relieve Sheldon Keefe of his duties and go sign former St. Louis Blues coach, Craig Berube, as he is a guy who has won a cup as a coach and pushes his players to be better.
The second thing, Brendan Shanahan should step down as President of Hockey Operations. He was hired in 2014 and has only brought this team to 1 first-round win. I think the Leafs management, besides General Manager Brad Treliving, should get a change as the “Shanaplan” has not worked in 10 years, he needs to go.
The last thing is the core four. The Toronto Maple Leafs have their “core four” players, consisting of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. They make close to, if not more than, half of the Maple Leafs roster salary. A combined 6 goals in the Bruins series between the four players is horrendous, I think you should trade one of them. Nylander and Matthews just signed extensions; the odd one out is either Marner or Tavares.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to win a Stanley Cup, these changes need to be made; otherwise, it will be the same song and dance for many years to come.
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