Multiple Leafs confirm that things are about to change in a big way in Toronto
On Thursday night in Boston, the Leafs suffered more than just a shootout loss to the Boston Bruins, as they also lost defenseman Timothy Liljegren to injury after a late first period collision with Brad Marchand sent the young defenseman flying feet-first into the end boards in one of the most dangerous, reckless plays in hockey.
The play itself inspired a lot of anger in among the fans in Leafs Nation, but perhaps even more evident was the displeasure with how the team handled the incident. Not one single player stood up for Liljegren, other than some chatter between Marchand and the Maple Leafs' bench.
The lack of a response wasn't just something that the fans noticed. The media has gotten ahold of it as well and have used it to eviscerate the Leafs and tarnish the image that Brad Treliving wanted to build when he signed Ryan Reaves, Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi this summer. These moves were about an identity change. The spin from the media immediately became about how nothing had changed in Toronto. However, that may be about to change.
Following the incident on Thursday, Ryan Reaves, Sheldon Keefe and Tyler Bertuzzi all confirmed on Saturday following the morning skate that the team had a meeting about this exact issue. From Reaves and Bertuzzi, the message was a simple one:
From Keefe, he was very blunt and made sure that his guys knew how badly they had messed up by not responding accordingly.
Brad Marchand doesn't care about Ryan Reaves or anyone else, that's been established."
Words are one thing and actions another, as we all know. If the Leafs want to experience any sustained success this season or in the playoffs, they'll have to start playing for each other instead of always playing for themselves. That includes getting your hands dirty sometimes, regardless of what nameplate is on the back of your sweater. It's about the crest on the front of the jersey. It's about team play. It's about sticking up for one another on the ice and imposing your will on the opposition and making them understand that there are consequences for their actions.
Brad Marchand got away with one on Thursday. The next player who targets a Leaf may not be so lucky.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 4 | 526 ANSWERS Multiple Leafs confirm that things are about to change in a big way in Toronto Do you think the Leafs are capable of actually standing up for one another? | ||
| Yes | 183 | 34.8 % |
| No | 343 | 65.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
