The Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent season brought a mix of success and disappointment. Currently, the team finds itself in a state of what some call dysfunction. There’s a lot of uncertainty about the team’s future. However, that promises to be over quickly.
It has to be. Changes have to be enacted well before July 1. That’s the date that three key players – Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner – all have no-move clauses that kick in.
In this blog post, I will take a look at the team’s performance through three windows. The First window is the “Ups.” What are two areas did the team show that were positive? The second window is “Downs.” What two areas of the team’s play were in need of improvement? The third area is what I call “Outs.” That is, what significant team personnel have or will the team lose?
The Ups?
Up One: The Maple Leafs Made Significant Improvements
Although the team was unable to advance to Round 3 of the postseason, it did experience success by clinching a series win against the formidable Tampa Bay Lightning. For the first time in 19 seasons the Maple Leafs advanced to the second round. This achievement demonstrated the team’s potential and showcased its ability to rise to the occasion. It was a notable step forward after years of playoff struggles.
Up Two: Perhaps Good Changes Are Coming
To become a Stanley Cup contender, the Maple Leafs must bridge the gap between regular-season success and playoff achievements. With a change in the team’s leadership, a new vision, philosophy, and culture will be needed to inject fresh energy and a winning mindset into the team. Are they coming? While change can be unsettling, it also presents an opportunity for growth and renewed hope among fans.
The Downs?
Down One: Round 2 Was a Huge Letdown
Despite the Round 1 victory, the team’s disappointment in the second round was palpable. It even seemed more amplified by the initial success of Round 1. After the Round 2 loss, the mood of the fanbase drastically shifted, raising questions about the team’s mental fortitude and resilience. The Round 2 loss might have been instrumental in costing Kyle Dubas his job as the general manager. The Maple Leafs must emerge from this turmoil and address their shortcomings to elevate their performance in crucial playoff moments.