The hierarchy of the Toronto Maple Leafs is encouraged by the club’s progress in the first year of the Mike Babcock/Lou Lamoriello administration, but the Leafs head coach appears to be looking for a quicker timetable to get the club back into playoff contention.
“I want (the playoffs) back next year. I miss it a lot.… Babcock said. “We’re trying to build a franchise that’s going to have the opportunity to do that year after year.…
Lamoriello and Team President Brendan Shanahan hesitated in their season-ending media availabilities to raise expectations for a club that finished at the bottom of the NHL standings, but appear to be open to any avenue to improve the club during the offseason, something that should be music to Babcock’s ears.
“What we’re doing is the right thing and we’re just gonna keep doing it and how quickly things change will (depend) on a lot of variables, what happens during free agency, with the draft and with the development of the Marlies.… Lamoriello said. “Nothing is being rushed and if it’s right, we do it and if it’s not, we wait.…
Toronto will undoubtedly explore the trade market looking for defense and goaltending, but the area of most anticipation will be unrestricted free agency with superstar Steven Stamkos and Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey as likely targets.
“We’ll be active (in free agency) (if) we can make our team better.…
The Leafs enter the offseason with a 20% chance at getting presumptive top pick Auston Matthews and are guaranteed a top-flight forward prospect even if they do not win the lottery. Adding a potential first line center in Matthews could change the plan of the organization, allowing them to trade others on the roster to address other areas of need.
“I have no doubt that at some point whether it's this year or next year or somewhere down the road, when we have assets and we package a couple of them together to acquire a player or we sign a free agent, there be some people that are saying ‘someone got to them or they're changing their mind or they're changing the direction’.… Shanahan said on Prime Time Sports Monday afternoon . “The vision will be the same. We never really outlined specifically nor would we how we intend to get there but we're not saying the people we want to do it slowly, were just saying the people realistically this doesn't often happen fast.…
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Leafs 2015 first rounder Mitch Marner was named OHL Player of the Week on Monday. The 18-year-old forward registered seven points (two goals, five assists) and a +5 rating in two victories over the Kitchener Rangers in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
The Thornhill, ON native leads the OHL in playoff scoring with 19 points (six goals and 13 assists) in eight games.
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Listen to myself and CTV’s Norman James on the latest edition of “The Convo…, as we discuss the Leafs finishing in last place and what that could mean for the future.
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