Ex-Maple Leafs Forward Labels This Year's Team as a Legitimate Stanley Cup Contender
Photo credit: Ed Mullholland - USA Today Sports
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brian Boyle labels this year's team as a bona fide Stanley Cup contender.
It seems like as every season passes by, someone new claims that the Maple Leafs will finally "get over the hump" in that specific season. While it hasn't happened quite yet, maybe 2024-25 is going to be a different story altogether.
Former Leafs alum Brian Boyle stopped by the JD Bunkis Podcast this week and discussed a variety of topics, including why he thinks the Maple Leafs will finally get over the hump this season, and while we've heard it all before, he made some good points.
"It's different this year. This is a different team now and whether that's because of who they brought in, how they've been using guys, the coach and what his message is, I just think they have it figured out now, they're going to exercise those demons and maybe because they have some pedigree with guys in that room with rings -
whether it's Berube or guys they brought in this off-season that have won - I just think that's going to trickle down plus the motivation of falling short... this thing that sort of follows them around, for 6 or 7 years now, they're going to shed that."
whether it's Berube or guys they brought in this off-season that have won - I just think that's going to trickle down plus the motivation of falling short... this thing that sort of follows them around, for 6 or 7 years now, they're going to shed that."
Adding Craig Berube behind the bench was a home-run move. Signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to bolster the defense has worked wonders, and bringing in Anthony Stolarz in between the pipes might be the best summer signing to date.
All of that, plus the pieces they already had in place, have combined for a great start to the season, and that hasn't even accounted for the myriad of injuries that have spread across the lineup.
Without Auston Matthews, Max Domi, Matthew Knies, David Kampf, and Max Pacioretty for pockets of the season, Toronto is atop of the Atlantic Division and near the top of the conference with the best of the rest.
Coaching change and roster personnel aside, Boyle also mentions how their biggest rival in the East in the Boston Bruins have faltered to start the season and that all that remains in their way are the reigning champions in Florida and perhaps the Carolina Hurricanes.
"Boston clearly has taken a step backwards, I think Florida, the way the league works, you get penalized for having success, that's how the hard salary cap works. You spend a decade trying to build something and as soon as you reach the top you have to tear it all down because of financial reasons...
Florida will be their biggest challenge, Carolina looks good, but this Toronto team, where are the holes on this team right now? You lost one game without a top-5 player in the world in the lineup, they're deep, they have a number of different options, they're a matchup nightmare, they can win on the road anywhere."
Florida will be their biggest challenge, Carolina looks good, but this Toronto team, where are the holes on this team right now? You lost one game without a top-5 player in the world in the lineup, they're deep, they have a number of different options, they're a matchup nightmare, they can win on the road anywhere."
While we have all heard the same song and dance over the last 4-5 years, we can certainly pump the brakes a little bit, while also appreciating how different they look this year compared to last.
Berube has them playing a different style and they're doing it in different ways night-in and night-out. Once they become healthier we should have a better idea of just how dangerous this team can be when firing on all cylinders.
Perhaps a trip to the at least the Conference Finals is in the cards for the Leafs this season.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 28 | 2368 ANSWERS Ex-Maple Leafs Forward Labels This Year's Team as a Legitimate Stanley Cup Contender Do you agree with Brian Boyle about this year's version of the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes, the Maple Leafs look way better this year | 1423 | 60.1 % |
| No, they'll find a new way to disappoint | 436 | 18.4 % |
| Ask me again in April | 509 | 21.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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