The Toronto Maple Leafs are undeniably a powerful staff, boasting elite expertise that persistently propels them into the postseason. But, 12 months after 12 months, they fall quick, typically exiting within the first spherical, a lot to the frustration of their loyal followers. Regardless of their regular-season success, one thing appears to carry them again once they come to the place they need to fish or minimize bait through the postseason.
In a current put up, I prompt that the Maple Leafs could be taking part in it too secure, sticking with a system that works on paper however fails to ship within the playoffs. Even as David Pastrnak famous, the Maple Leafs are a greater staff on paper, but they nonetheless battle to win when it counts. This raises the query: are the Leafs too predictable? Are they missing the spark and daringness to push them over the sting? Is it time to discover some radical concepts to see if shaking issues up might unlock their full potential? As a substitute of taking part in it secure, maybe the Maple Leafs must be extra daring and keen to take dangers of their pursuit of success.
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The Maple Leafs are gearing up for an additional common season. With new coach Craig Berube on the helm, followers could be in for surprises. At least, one can hope. Berube, identified for his no-nonsense model and flexibility, might shake issues up in Toronto. Listed here are three radical concepts that would outline the Maple Leafs’ season if Berube decides to assume outdoors the field.
Radical Concept 1: Load Up the First Line – A Tremendous Line of Matthews, Marner, and Nylander
The Maple Leafs have relied on their “Core 4” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander to drive their offense for years. Nonetheless, on the subject of playoff success, the outcomes have been underwhelming. Previous coaches have tried varied mixtures, with Mike Babcock and Sheldon Keefe experimenting with totally different line pairings. Nonetheless, regardless of their expertise, none of those methods have propelled the staff deep into the playoffs.
(Picture by Kevin Sousa/NHLI through Getty Photographs)
Enter the opportunity of a brilliant line: Matthews, Marner, and Nylander. This might be a game-changing technique beneath Berube, who has by no means coached a staff with extra offensive firepower than the Maple Leafs. Matthews is arguably the perfect goal-scorer within the league, Marner excels as a playmaker with stable defensive expertise and instincts, and Nylander brings velocity and offensive creativity.
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Think about these three on the ice collectively, taking part in 20 to 21 minutes per sport. Not solely would they generate relentless strain on opponents, however it will additionally power different groups to place their greatest defenders on the ice consistently. This might open up probabilities for the Maple Leafs’ different traces to take advantage of weaker matchups. By loading up the primary line, Berube might maximize the potential of his high gamers, probably resulting in a dominant common season. The problem could be balancing the remainder of the roster, however the reward could be well worth the danger.
Radical Concept 2: Begin a Child Line Proper Out of the Preseason – Knies, Cowan, and Minten
Yearly, the Maple Leafs face the dilemma of preserving their younger expertise within the NHL or sending them to the American Hockey League (AHL) for additional seasoning. As a substitute of sending promising gamers like Easton Cowan again to junior hockey and Fraser Minten to the AHL this season, why not kind a “Child Line” of Matthew Knies, Minten, and Cowan and allow them to play on the NHL stage?
Knies has already proven flashes of turning into a bodily, power-forward presence with offensive upside, particularly through the previous two postseasons. Cowan, identified for his relentless motor, and Minten, a stable two-way heart with a excessive hockey IQ, might complement one another properly. Collectively, they convey measurement, velocity, power, and a fearlessness that would energize the staff and its followers.
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Forming a Child Line wouldn’t solely be thrilling to look at, however it might additionally present beneficial expertise for these younger gamers. Berube might assign a selected coach to mentor this line, serving to them be taught on the fly whereas giving the remainder of the roster recent legs and enthusiasm. Whereas there could be rookie errors, the potential for progress and chemistry might make this a worthwhile experiment. Plus, it will give the Maple Leafs a youthful spark that would maintain followers engaged all through the common season.
Radical Concept 3: Run a 3-Goalie System Till One thing Shakes Out
Final season, the Maple Leafs experimented with a three-goalie system out of necessity. The staff stayed aggressive with Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll, and Martin Jones sharing the web because of Woll’s accidents and Samsonov’s inconsistency. This season, an identical state of affairs might unfold, with Anthony Stolarz becoming a member of Woll and the potential return of Matt Murray after recovering from hip surgical procedure.
Whereas unconventional, a three-goalie system might present the staff with flexibility and insurance coverage in opposition to accidents—one thing that has plagued them prior to now. Regardless of his current struggles, Murray has a stable resume and might be a dependable choice if he regains his kind. Stolarz, identified for his restricted however spectacular performances, might be a wildcard on this trio.
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The Maple Leafs might maintain every netminder recent and prepared for motion by rotating three goalies. It might additionally permit the staff to judge which goalie is greatest suited to take the lead because the season progresses. If all three carry out properly, Toronto might have one of many deepest goaltending corps within the league. And in a season the place the margin for error is slim, having a number of dependable choices within the web might make a distinction.
The Backside Line: Time for Some Radical Pondering in Toronto
These radical concepts may appear unorthodox in a sport the place custom typically dictates technique. However with the Maple Leafs looking for a breakthrough after years of playoff disappointment, a shake-up beneath coach Berube might be exactly what they should attain new heights. Whether or not stacking the primary line, unleashing the younger weapons, or experimenting with goaltending, the potential for a memorable season is there—if the Leafs are keen to leap.
These three concepts may flounder. However think about what may occur in the event that they did work? How enjoyable would that be?
