Former Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive shares his thoughts on the Maple Leafs' off-season additions
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Ex-Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive revealed his thoughts on Brad Treliving's off-season moves during a podcast appearance earlier this week on "Leafs Morning Take".
The Toronto Maple Leafs had an uncharacteristically large amount of salary cap space this summer, as they cruised into draft week with just under $20M to spend. Eventually, deals for Max Domi, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz and more has left them with just a hair over $1.25M to spend, barring any trades to open up additional cap space.
The Leafs addressed roster needs both on the blueline and in goal this summer, and while they did lose Tyler Bertuzzi after being outbid by the Chicago Blackhawks, Vaive still feels optimistic about the season ahead, believing that the Leafs did improve.
"Yeah, I'm definitely optimistic. They've solidified their defense a little bit more, still a question mark in goal, maybe, with Woll. Can he stay healthy? [Stolarz], who they brought in from Florida, had good numbers, so, yeah, I'm optimistic."
Vaive also expressed some concerns that the team opted not to shake up the core this summer, though he is still not counting this core out either.
"But, again, you've gotta look at the last 20 years and the fact that this team's won 1 playoff round in, what, 20 years now?
It's like the saying goes, 'the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results,' and it hasn't happened yet. But, I am optimistic. I am every year. Regular season, I'm not worried about. This team will make the playoffs and probably get 100 points or more, but it all comes down to playoffs. I mean, that's what everyone is looking at."
It's like the saying goes, 'the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results,' and it hasn't happened yet. But, I am optimistic. I am every year. Regular season, I'm not worried about. This team will make the playoffs and probably get 100 points or more, but it all comes down to playoffs. I mean, that's what everyone is looking at."
Vaive also went on to discuss the Craig Berube hire, affirming his belief that there's going to be a very different vibe with this team going forward and that the Leafs are going to be a whole lot tougher to play against under the 2019 Stanley Cup winning coach.
Vaive wore the "C" in Toronto proudly for parts of 5 seasons between 1981-82 and 1985-86 and knows what it's like to play under the bright lights in Toronto. The hope here for him is that these Leafs rise to the occasion and use the changes in the offseason as motivation to establish a new identity and culture in Toronto -- one more conducive with winning. We're with you there, Rick.
Source: Hockey-Reference
Maple Leafs captaincy info
Maple Leafs captaincy info
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
| POLL | ||
AOUT 24 | 639 ANSWERS Former Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive shares his thoughts on the Maple Leafs' off-season additions Do you feel optimistic, like Rick Vaive does, regarding this year's Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes, I like the moves they made | 265 | 41.5 % |
| No, they didn't do enough this summer | 169 | 26.4 % |
| I'm in the "wait and see" category | 205 | 32.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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