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Bruce Boudreau makes surprising comments regarding the Maple Leafs' offseason

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Ryan Smitheram
August 8, 2024 (12:45)

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The iconic Toronto Maple Leafs jersey crest

Photo credit: NHL

Former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau made some surprising comments on the NHL Network after being asked about the Toronto Maple Leafs' off-season additions.

At one point, Leafs fans were hoping that Bruce Boudreau was going to become, at the very least, an assistant coach with the organization. That dream never materialized and Boudreau continues to enjoy life on making appearances on various NHL shows including the NHL Network, whom he joined yesterday for a chat.

During said appearance on the NHL Network, Boudreau was asked which team had the most impressive off-season in the Atlantic Division, and his comments were somewhat surprising.

"I'm not just saying this because I'm from Toronto, but I really do think it's the Leafs. I really like what they did with their defense," said Boudreau. "The three acquisitions they made to bolster their defense, especially when you get Tanev -- I had Ekman-Larsson and when he's at his best, he's still a really good defenseman -- these guys are really good players. Toronto already has the offense, and if they can get the defense to go with it, I really believe they can make it past the first round and go a little bit further."

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Boudreau also sent a friendly shot to Sheldon Keefe when he discussed the accountability that he believes Craig Berube will make a gold standard in the room, compared to Keefe.

"As for Berube, I don't think the pressure is going to bother him. When he played, he fought every tough guy in the history of the game�that's pressure... He's a really good defensive coach, and that's why they added the defensemen that they did and I think if the Leafs get a little bit better defensively to add to that offense and I think he's going to be way more accountable that maybe Sheldon was... When he was in St. Louis and whether when I was in Minnesota or Anaheim or Vancouver, he was always a tough guy to go against because the team kept playing the same way and that's going to make the Leafs a little bit tougher and a bit more sand paper and that's how Calgary was a couple years ago with Brad Treliving so I don't see anything changing on offense, but I do see them being tougher to play against next year."

The jury is still out amongst Leafs Nation as to how the Leafs' off-season went, with much of it hinging on the reported signing of Jani Hakanpaa and his injury issues. Without the addition of him, the Leafs are suddenly dumpster diving for a replacement in a free agent market that is vastly thin.

Source for stats: HockeyDBCraig Berube coaching stats

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Maple Leafs Development Camp invitee scores himself a deal with the organization

Reporter sees several red flags with Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving

Leafs blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson in some elite company over the last decade

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8 AOUT \| 774 ANSWERS Bruce Boudreau makes surprising comments regarding the Maple Leafs' offseason Who had the best off-season in the Atlantic Division?
Florida	100	12.9 %
Tampa Bay	76	9.8 %
Toronto	395	51 %
Other	203	26.2 %
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