|
Next Great Leafs Writer Audition #5_ JAY. “A Team Divided.” |
|
|
|
|
|
A Team Divided
For yet another season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have failed to achieve their ultimate objective, leaving the curse of the "Core Four" firmly intact. A recurring inability to rise to the occasion in critical moments, alongside a noticeable unwillingness to adapt, has once again led to an early summer. Even the accomplishment of winning the Atlantic Division now feels profoundly empty.
A true turning point awaits the Maple Leafs. For the first time in the Auston Matthews era, they navigate a summer with the significant uncertainty of two high-profile free agents. With Mitch Marner and John Tavares now empowered to shape their own paths, the Maple Leafs are left with a series of choices that could define the franchise for years to come.
After the team's locker room clean-out, it was clear that a heaviness remained. Nine consecutive failures has taken its toll on a group who was clearly fragile. After a tough Game 7 loss, head coach Craig Berube made it clear, he felt the major issue plaguing the team was an internal issue.
“I don’t think the moment’s too big for them. We went to Ottawa [Senators] and won Game 6, and won a series. We went to Florida, won Game 6 to make it a Game 7. … For me, it’s all between the ears. It’s a mindset.” - Craig Berube
So where do the Maple Leafs go from here? Starting next season that's the $95,500,000 question.
Low Priority - Goaltending
While the Maple Leafs have their goaltending tandem locked in for next season at a favorable $6.17 million cap hit, a key decision looms. Playoff starter Anthony Stolarz is eligible for a contract extension on July 1st. Having seemingly seized the role of the de facto starter, a modest raise and extension for the veteran could be a logical move for the Leafs.
Prediction: Expect the Maple Leafs to hold off on extending Stolarz as the season begins. Their strategy will likely involve waiting to see if Joseph Woll continues to progress and recovers from his second-half struggles before committing to a new deal.
Medium Priority - Defense
Upon his arrival in Toronto, General Manager Brad Treliving immediately prioritized bolstering the Maple Leafs' defense. He initiated this overhaul by drafting Ben Danford in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. This was followed by acquiring the rights to Chris Tanev, whom he subsequently extended. In free agency, the Leafs also added Oliver Ekman-Larsson, though their one significant free agency misstep was Jani Hakanpää, who failed to play any meaningful games for the team.
At the trade deadline, Treliving mortgaged the team's future to acquire highly coveted Brandon Carlo from the rival Bruins. Carlo represented the latest attempt to find a stable partner for Morgan Rielly on the top defensive pairing. While the duo showed some cohesion, Rielly's defensive lapses and Carlo's occasional struggles with puck movement left the Leafs in a familiar vulnerable position.
With Treliving's clear influence now evident throughout the defensive corps, a critical question remains: does Morgan Rielly fit into Brad Treliving's vision for this team? After 12 years of attempting to find Rielly the perfect partner, is it finally time to consider moving on from the long-tenured defenseman? Could Rielly himself be open to a change of scenery?
At previous end-of-season media availabilities, Rielly consistently expressed his unwavering desire to remain a Maple Leaf. This year, however, his response to reporters was a stark contrast. When asked if he'd welcome a change, Rielly simply stated, "That's not what I'm thinking about right now." This marks a significant departure from his past passionate declarations and the deep commitment he has shown to the franchise over the years.
Rielly ultimately controls his own destiny, possessing a full no-movement clause in his contract and a young son at home, giving him all the leverage. Given Treliving's lack of prior connection to the defender, it's not unimaginable that the Maple Leafs could approach Rielly with the prospect of leaving the only team he's ever known.
Prediction: The Maple Leafs approach Rielly for a list of teams he'd be interested in going to and the veteran obliges, providing a list of 3-4 teams he'd like to play for. The Leafs will be unable to find a trade partner and Rielly returns for his 13th season.
Top Priority - Forwards
It's fair to say the Core Four's days are numbered. Nine attempts at reaching the Conference Finals will undoubtedly be enough for Leafs ownership. With the season ending to a chorus of boos and jerseys littering the ice, tangible change will finally come to Toronto.
The challenge lies ahead: this year's free agency class is one of the weakest in recent memory, leaving the Leafs with limited options. Furthermore, with so few picks and prospects, navigating this precarious situation via trades will be difficult. Toronto desperately needs depth scoring, and they'll have to find a way to bolster their offense without sacrificing the defensive structure Craig Berube has worked so hard to establish.
A key change this offseason will likely be Craig Berube's increased involvement in player recruitment. The Stanley Cup-winning coach now has a year under his belt and a familiar understanding of every player. Expect Berube to offer significant input into every decision Brad Treliving makes. Rather than trying to force "round pegs into square holes," Berube's assessments can help shape a more cohesive and effective roster.
It's highly probable the Maple Leafs will appear to be a worse team on paper, but ultimately perform better because of it. For too long, this team has almost exclusively relied on goals to generate momentum, and when the offense dries up, they've had no other way to spark motivation. This offseason presents a crucial opportunity for Toronto to acquire heart and soul players who can help open up the ice for stars like Auston Matthews and redefine the team's identity.
Prediction: The Toronto Maple Leafs will kick off their summer by signing Matthew Knies to a long-term extension. This will be swiftly followed by a major move at the NHL Draft: the Maple Leafs will trade Mitch Marner's rights to recoup valuable draft capital. The biggest shock, however, will come just days before July 1st, when, much like last year's Steven Stamkos situation, news leaks that John Tavares will test free agency rather than re-sign.
With a significant amount of cap space now available, the Leafs will enter free agency with purpose. They'll make strong pitches to key targets like Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Brock Boeser, and Nikolaj Ehlers, ultimately landing two of the four. To bolster their bottom six, the Leafs will also bring in Brandon Tanev and Tanner Jeannot on short-term deals, adding crucial grit and punch. Finally, the Maple Leafs will make a move to acquire breakout candidate Jack McBain from the Utah Mammoths.
The Maple Leafs will enter next season as a completely reshaped group. This significant overhaul will finally bring the success they've desperately chased, fueled by a palpable renewed energy surrounding the team. Expect a fundamental change of culture, with issues no longer aired openly on the bench, but instead addressed where they belong: in the locker room.
Join the Discussion:
»