What Should The Leafs Do Looking Forward?

Let’s get this straight: I am not a Leafs fan, but I grew up around Leafs fans my entire life due to living in Toronto. So I was bound to view nearly 82 games of Leafs hockey some nights and some of their playoff games. I didn’t pay much attention to hockey all around until the 2016-17 season. So, after witnessing another game seven loss, it got me thinking, ‘What should the Leafs do now?’. There is no clear answer to this. However, there are a few things I think of:

#1 - Get rid of someone in your core.

First off, who is the Leafs’ core? I think it is Tavares, Marner, Matthews, Rielly and Nylander. However, let’s clear up a few things: 1) No way in hell the Leafs are going to trade their two young bright stars, such as Marner and Matthews. I do not think that the Leafs are willing to trade Tavares. So, that leaves Nylander and Rielly. Taking a look at each of their stats, Nylander played nearly a full season, just missing a game and ranking 34 goals and 26 assists for 80 points. Then Rielly played a full season, ranking up ten goals and 58 assists for 68 points. It is hard to say with whom to trade—Trade Nylander for a better forward or trade Rielly for a better D-man. You could trade both to get two new core players or just trade one of them for a core player. I think they should trade either one of them for a better defenseman. Even with household names such as Muzzin and Giordano. The Leafs could consider bringing a better/bigger defenceman into the roster.

#2 - Clear House.

If getting rid of someone in your core does not work, well, then the best I can suggest is clear house. Meaning, get rid of everyone. Coaches, the GM, and Assistants do whatever to clear the house. Clearing house would be best after the 2022-23 season, especially if the Leafs fail to make it past the first round for six (if you do not count the bubble season, then two) years in a row. This would be the most significant and refreshing change to the organization that is hungry to win and bring the 14th championship to Toronto.

I do not necessarily see a third option for them, as a huge move has to come from one of those two options. A small third option would be to switch the captaincy around to Matthews, but that will not change anything, as you would still have the same team and organization.

In my opinion, if I wear the head of the Leafs, my option would be to get rid of someone in your core. We have seen the Leafs clear house before by getting Dubas and recently adding names to the household, like Spezza and Wickenheiser, to their office. Maybe instead of clearing house, it is time to get rid of a big name and bring in a guy who can do a lot of damage for us during the season and in the playoffs. I have seen rumours that they are looking to bring in Patrick Kane, but in my opinion, bringing in Kane is just going to replace Marner. We have seen Mitch Marner play, and a lot of people take him for a playmaker like Kane. However, Marner is a younger guy than Kane, and the Leafs should be looking for a guy who is about in their mid-20s and late 20s. You want this guy around for four to six years, so hopefully, he will help you win the Stanley Cup during those years.

As a non-Leafs fan, I would not mind the Leafs winning a cup soon. Mostly because I am sick of hearing “there is always next year” and their whining about it. I know a lot of hockey fans will disagree with me here, but to me, it is kind of worth it if you live in Toronto and live and breathe the Toronto sports team. Just thinking of how massive the parade will be is quite insane, and considering that they’ll probably give the day off to us Torontonians, is worth it.