Though it is doubtful, the Toronto Maple Leafs might fire recently hired general manager Brad Treliving if they miss the playoffs.
I have been a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs supporter, and while I have experienced some hardship, the last ten years have been mainly happy.
There were years of enthusiasm and hope for the team, even if they have had their share of poor performances.
With the selection of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, as well as the acquisition of John Tavares, one of the biggest free agents in NHL history, the team at last achieved success. The core-four has performed as expected, and while they didn’t make it far in the playoffs, they aren’t solely to blame.
I hope this year the Leafs don’t make it to the playoffs.
They have frequently faced opponents with stronger defensive units and faced goalkeeper play that has been great, even though they could have played better in certain Game 6s and 7s. When I think back on this season and the current status of the team, I no longer want them to win. I don’t want them to win home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs or to sneak into the postseason. Rather, I think it’s time for an essential revamp.
Why would a devoted Leafs supporter hold such an opinion? The company needs to retool, then. Falling short of the postseason target they’ve set for seven straight seasons is crucial, but not a total makeover. The squad isn’t a great contender right now. A recurring pattern of qualifying for the playoffs and losing in the first round could result. The Leafs have been losing for the past seven years, understanding why they have failed, but they have continued to use the same lineup and tactics, which has led to their recurrent failures.
Their justification has been that, although frequently hindered by bad luck, this core is talented enough to win, supported by regular-season success. While part of that is accurate, it’s possible that the gang lacks the strength to win. Because cap space has been abused, they will probably lose this year in the First or Second Round.
As a result, I’m hoping they lose and miss the playoffs so that major adjustments can be made. A playoff loss may be the end of Sheldon Keefe’s or Brendan Shanahan’s careers, which would be advantageous. Additionally, it could result in the trade of outstanding players like John Tavares or Mitch Marner.
The players Marner and Tavares are outstanding, Keefe is a great coach, and Shanahan has improved the culture in Toronto. But it may be necessary for them to leave the squad at some point. When teams in professional sports don’t perform well, they usually make adjustments by trading or firing players. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, the Leafs have continued to use the same strategy, producing the same results, year after year.
With a difficult test ahead of them, the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently a below-average hockey team. Hopefully, this decline will spark significant improvement.
