A candid Leafs President Brendan Shanahan confirms worries about the team
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, putting their rough start behind them and focusing on getting better over time is of the utmost importance. Now, owners of a 6-2-2 record over their last 10 games, the team has done a pretty good job of responding after a slow start and the hope is that they'll continue to trend in the right direction.
The NHL has held its Board of Governors meetings this week in Seattle, with meetings taking place on Monday and the second round set to occur today. Among the attendees is Leafs President, Brendan Shanahan, who caught up with TSN's Gino Reda on Monday to discuss the state of the team, among other things.
Shanahan danced around questions about the ongoing William Nylander negotiations, but seemed more amenable to responding to other inquiries, most notably how he feels about his team's performance over the last 10 games and what his biggest concerns are.
"I think over the last 10 games our team has played much better and has that rhythm and cohesive 20-man unit game. The results have been good, we want it to be better. Our record is strong but we're looking to get that entire game back."
In terms of what concerned him, with a big smile on his face and a lighthearted tone, Shanahan admitted that everything concerns him, though the Nylander situation, with how well he's played, is not a huge concern for him.
"I get concerned with everything. I'm like a typical Leafs fan - everything concerns me. Typical hockey fan, hockey executive, everything concerns us.
If you get concerned because you have players who are playing really good hockey, you've got to check yourself. I'm not going to talk about the details about that. But more for us as a group of individuals we just continue to improve."
It's no secret that the Leafs are looking to bolster their group, especially on the blueline. Shanahan also commended the likes of William Lagesson and Simon Benoit for their ability to hang at the NHL level and help the team, but acknowledged that he is aware of Brad Treliving's increased efforts to shore up the back end.
The Leafs don't play again until Thursday in Ottawa, so they'll have a few days here to attempt to plug away at a deal for a defenseman and to also bring the guys together at practice to continue to try to improve with the group as its currently constructed as well.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 5 | 558 ANSWERS A candid Leafs President Brendan Shanahan confirms worries about the team Do the Leafs still have a chance to win the Atlantic Division? | ||
| Yes | 254 | 45.5 % |
| No | 304 | 54.5 % |
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