Changes Are Coming to Toronto
Every year since 2020, there has been talk of the Toronto Maple Leafs making changes. This should have started after their loss to the Montreal Canadiens in 2021.
Well, here we are again. But this time, the Maple Leafs want to make more challenging decisions than in previous years.
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We all know Shanahan has one year left on his contract. Last year, we also saw the history between Shanahan, the former Leafs GM, and current Penguins GM Kyle Dubas. Dubas is believed to have been willing to deal with the odds last year, but the organization wasn't ready. Now they are.
Shanahan took responsibility for the team's failure, calling it “unacceptable.”
“Our results in the finals were not good enough. That's on me,” Shanahan told the media on Friday.
The big takeaway is that all options are on the table. “Core Four” was no longer supported.
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“We're going to look at everything this summer and we're going to consider everything with the goal of making the Maple Leafs better and winning,” Shanahan said in a press release. He refused to talk about the future of certain players.
However, those who watched and attended knew who Shanahan was talking about.
As NHLRumors.com writes, Mitch Marner and John Tavares are entering the final years of their contracts. Both players are eligible to sign extensions with the organization on July 1st.
Toronto extended Auston Matthews and William Nylander this offseason, so there may be no desire to do the same with Marner and Tavares. By the sounds of it, the Maple Leafs will be looking at all options regarding both.
NHL Rumors: Will Toronto Maple Leafs Ask Mitch Marner About Waiver of His No-Movement Clause? Would He give it up?
“It's become clear that we have to evaluate all of those things and evaluate that we have to do the hardest things to make the team better,” Shanahan said.
General Manager Brad Treliving followed Shanahan by telling attendees it was time to make tough decisions.
“We have to find a way to do hard things for a long time, and it's not about skill,” Treliving told reporters.
Whether the Maple Leafs trade or let one of their own go to make room remains to be seen, but the team is finally willing to part ways with one of the team's key members.
Chris Johnston: “Without stating it clearly, the #leaves The leadership/management could not make it any clearer to read between the lines they will explore by moving one or more members of their core this summer.”
Will it be easy? No. All players have non-movement clauses in their contracts, which they have earned. However, it is not possible, but it will be a bigger challenge this year than last year.
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Pierre LeBrun: “As I've said many times before, one of the damaging effects of the Dubas/Shanahan split last summer was the loss of the last window to look at key guys before their full NMC was put in place. I can't ask for anything new. GM coming last summer and feel free to do that immediately. So now the job is very delicate and challenging if this is where the Leafs go. It doesn't mean it can't be done. But it's very difficult.”
It will be interesting to see what Treliving does. Elliotte Friedman noted on the Jeff Marek Show that Treliving has identified areas of need for the Maple Leafs, including goaltending and special teams.
Not to mention that Treliving is looking to act quickly by hiring a new coach for the club.
Chris Johnston: Brad Treliving he says i #leaves they want to be careful in the search for a new coach, but he added that “we also understand that there are other vacancies.” “We are not waiting.”
It's going to be an interesting time for the Toronto Maple Leafs as we head into the offseason.
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