Opinion: Leafs need more consistency in the lineup, not the big changes many appear to want
Another year, another summer of agonizing over what the Leafs need to do to get to where Florida and Vegas are right now. After taking down Tampa, it seemed the Leafs had finally figured out how to play winning playoff hockey. Their second round series against the Panthers was a stark reminder that, although they may have improved this year, they've got a long way to go.
So what do you do? Blow it up? I don't think so. The group they've assembled is incredibly talented. To rebuild would take years. I, for one, don't feel like going back to the 2013-16 era to maybe be able to draft players almost as good as the current group. No thank you. There is a special group of players here, the best team I've seen since the 2002 team that took Carolina to 6 games in the conference finals. So what's the solution? Fans may not like the sound of it, but whatever it is, it's in the room. At least that's my opinion.
The roster needs less turnover, not more. One thing Dubas failed to do was give the team, outside of the core 4, some consistency. The revolving door of role players and fill-ins needs to stop. Consistency breeds identity. This is a group that needs to come together and grow. The days of bringing in grizzled vets to be locker room leaders is over. Bring in good hockey players with snarl and let them do their thing. Leadership needs to come from the team's top players. Tavares is good, but time is not his friend. Matthews, Marner, and Nylander need to evolve.
With the team's best players stepping up, and a more consistent, cohesive group around them, you'll see the team become a family. One with chemistry, cohesion, and one who watches each other's backs. This year's Stanley Cup Finals may not be a great example, but historically, teams that stay together, win together.
Except Kerfoot and Holl. It's time for them to go.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 11 | 142 ANSWERS Opinion: Leafs need more consistency in the lineup, not the big changes many appear to want Who should the Leafs bring back next season? | ||
| Schenn | 19 | 13.4 % |
| Acciari | 10 | 7 % |
| O'Reilly | 5 | 3.5 % |
| All of the above | 108 | 76.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
