Ex-Leaf discusses whether the Leafs are better or worse now than they were in the playoffs
The Leafs had a lackluster start to free agency on Saturday, but Brad Treliving and company more than made up for it on Sunday when they managed to add both Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi on 1-year contracts. Treliving was also able to add Ryan Reaves and John Klingberg the day prior as he began re-shaping the Leafs' roster.
Yesterday, following a long weekend hiatus, many of the Toronto media returned to work and discussed the Leafs' newest additions. On the JD Bunkis podcast, Bunkis was joined by former Leaf Kris Vertseeg and asked him if the Leafs were better yesterday than they were at the end of the playoffs when they lost to Florida in 5 games. Versteeg believes that they are, even if they have subtracted more than they've added.
"Without a doubt. And it's no question to me and it all comes from what they're going to add into the room. The culture - guys like Reaves, they may speak up at times when the team doesn't act right or they need a physical piece to the game. Domi is an energy guy, Bertuzzi is a major upgrade on Bunting. Bertuzzi adds more of a physical element and you're adding bad boys. You're not adding bad people, you're adding bad boys. Add guys that wanna win, add bad guys, add guys that are going to rock the boat.
Look over the history. How many teams have won with 20 good guys? None. It doesn't work like that. You're going to need the odd bad guy out there to do bad things. Those three guys add an element that this team has needed and we have asked for for years." - Versteeg on the Leafs' newest additions
Look over the history. How many teams have won with 20 good guys? None. It doesn't work like that. You're going to need the odd bad guy out there to do bad things. Those three guys add an element that this team has needed and we have asked for for years." - Versteeg on the Leafs' newest additions
Versteeg is not wrong. Leaf fans have been asking for these types of players since Kyle Dubas took over, so maybe it's a good thing that Brendan Shanahan decided to go in a different direction. The Leafs are not done re-shaping the roster yet either, as Treliving will likely add another defenseman or two that play a more physical game. Perhaps Nikita Zadorov in Calgary. Those types of blueliners are a Treliving trademark and the Leafs don't exactly have any of those currently with Muzzin's career likely over and Luke Schenn departing for Nashville in free agency.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 5 | 1051 ANSWERS Ex-Leaf discusses whether the Leafs are better or worse now than they were in the playoffs Will this Leafs team go further in the playoffs than last year's team? | ||
| Yes, absolutely | 591 | 56.2 % |
| No, not a chance | 131 | 12.5 % |
| It's way too early to judge yet | 329 | 31.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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