Breaking News: The Toronto Maple Leafs Only Need to Complete These 4 Tasks This Summer
The greatest off-season in Toronto Maple Leafs history is about to begin.
Although it might sound exaggerated, I don’t think that’s the case. The best player in Toronto Maple Leafs history is on the team right now, and he’s only getting started in his prime.
This season, Matthews will turn 27. Although players like Matthews typically play well into their thirties, the Leafs now have a three-year window during which Matthews is anticipated to be at the top of his game.
This off-season feels more significant because Tavares and Rielly are getting older and Mitch Marner’s future with the team is somewhat uncertain.
Having said that, the Leafs still have four major tasks to complete. If the number four seems odd to you, it’s because they’ve already taken the fifth step, which is to hire a coach.
Not only did Brad Treliving make mistakes last year, but he also completely destroyed himself and the Leafs’ season.
He came into the season and seemed to spend the year lounging after a horrible summer in which he neglected to address the team’s goalie or defense issues.
Although he signed Matthews and Nylander, he didn’t do as much as I did to improve the team—possibly less, given his poor performance at the deadline.
Treliving couldn’t afford to overlook the goaltending the way he did last season. Stop-gap measures won’t cut it. The Leafs require a true elite goaltender.
This is a high-stakes, high-reward game. Due to his size, Zadorov has the potential to sign a ridiculous contract. It might rank among the NHL’s worst. He might possibly follow Zdeno Chara in the future. Here, it’s worth giving it a try.
This is obviously a big one, but the Leafs have to find a solution somehow. Exchange or extend Marner. Just don’t let him play on an expiring contract when the season starts.
It shouldn’t be too difficult, although it could require a few draft picks. These contracts were incredibly stupid and open to criticism as soon as they were signed. They were exactly what I had anticipated, and they must now be discarded.
The Leafs will have a good summer if they can accomplish all four of these goals.
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