Canucks players given an ultimatum; Win or face sweeping changes, and the Leafs should be given a similar ultimatum
Ahead of their match against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night, the Canucks front office made it clear to the players that if things didn't turn around quickly, changes to the roster were coming after starting the season 0-5-2. The players responded as forwards J.T. Miller and Tanner Pearson dropped the gloves early against the Kraken to show the message had been received.
Since their last loss against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night, the Canucks have put up ten goals in two games and, more importantly, are on a two-game win streak.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not been nearly as bad but are playing very uninspired hockey. Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings was their third loss in a row, adding to an already slow start. The Leafs currently sit with a record of 4-4-1 and it's the second season in a row that they have gotten off to a sluggish start. A loss tomorrow to the 1-6-1, bottom-of-the-league Anaheim Ducks will result in a reverse California sweep, where the Leafs would have dropped all three games and four of five on this Western trip.
If the Leafs lose tomorrow to the Ducks, changes may be on the way before they even take off for Toronto Sunday night. A loss to the Ducks would drop the Buds below .500, a number they are unfamiliar with. The Leafs have severely underachieved early into the season and with the early struggles, perhaps now is the time for the Leafs' front office to step in like the Canucks organization did and give them one last ultimatum.
This is a final proposition, one last chance, one last effort to ignite this team before the Leafs go in a different direction and resort to making changes this early in the season. The Leafs look to be struggling in multiple areas. Their two superstars in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have yet to score in back-to-back games, they have yet to find consistency in their top six, and their struggles on the blueline continue.
The possibility of changes on the way means the Leafs must take a step back and assess the situation. Making any significant change could either set the team back further or create a much-needed change in a team that has looked generally the same within their top six for a few years now.
From an outside perspective, a change could be what this team needs. On the other hand, if the players are content with their roster, they must respond tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks. Only time will tell if the Leafs front office follows in the footsteps of the Canucks, but if the Leafs lose tomorrow, I'd expect a change to be heavily considered.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 30 | 73 ANSWERS Canucks players given an ultimatum; Win or face sweeping changes, and the Leafs should be given a similar ultimatum Should management give the Leafs the ultimatum of "win or face a series of trades"? | ||
| Yes, maybe that will wake them up | 31 | 42.5 % |
| No, this team doesn't need any more pressure | 6 | 8.2 % |
| Just make the changes now | 15 | 20.5 % |
| It's too early for knee-jerk reactions | 21 | 28.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
