Comments from Leafs' team meeting leaked by Insider
Last Thursday against the Boston Bruins, Brad Marchand sent Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren awkwardly into the boards on what should have been a tripping penalty. There was no call on the play and there was zero response from the Leafs. Liljegren is now out indefinitely with an ankle sprain and following the game, the response, or lack there of, from the Leafs was a talking point for days.
Ahead of Saturday's game against Buffalo, it was revealed that the Leafs had a team meeting with the coaching staff and GM Brad Treliving who addressed the team and called them out for not responding to what Marchand did. Not much was revealed when players were asked, but they all stated that it wouldn't happen again. On today's "32 Thoughts" podcast, Elliotte Friedman revealed what Brad Treliving said to the team.
"They had a team meeting and the players spoke, Keefe spoke, Brad Treliving the GM I understand spoke and what they talked about was, its instinctive for championship teams," Friedman revealed.
Friedman also agreed with what Treliving reportedly said about the Leafs being soft.
"I heard one of the things that was said in there, nobody will confirm it, but I heard one of the things that was said was 'other teams know that they can push us around.' That is one thing I agree with, in the NHL, those teams they do not win."
I think everyone agrees with Friedman and Treliving on that point. Every Stanley Cup Champion in recent memory has always had a balance of skilled players and players that can play tough and push back when needed. Those teams have also had their skilled players get engaged in situations rather than just taking shots and hoping for a powerplay like the Leafs so often do. It's something that Treliving wanted to address on the blueline and with Liljegren out long-term, it could happen sooner than later.
POLL |
NOVEMBRE 6 | 494 ANSWERS Comments from Leafs' team meeting leaked by Insider Do the Leafs need to add more than just a tough defenseman? |
Just a defenseman | 65 | 13.2 % |
Forward and Defenseman | 93 | 18.8 % |
Multiple Defensemen | 273 | 55.3 % |
Goalie | 63 | 12.8 % |
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Previously on MapleLeafsDaily