Hot Takes are the best. You just put them out there and let them fend for themselves. So let’s do it, Toronto Maple Leafs style!
Sure, we love in depth analysis. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun.
1. The Toronto Maple Leafs should make Kyle Dubas the GM
He’s waited long enough. Lou is 106 years old and if the Leafs wait too long, Dubas will get snatched up by another organization.
We know the job is his in waiting, so let’s get it done and move back towards an analytical approach to team building.
2. Mike Babcock Should be Forced to See Reason
Babcock is a great coach. No question. Part of what makes him so great is his openness to new ideas and to listening to the people around him. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who is successful who doesn’t share those traits.
So the Toronto Maple Leafs need someone to tell old Babsie the truth: Hunwick and Polak stink and Marchenko and Marincin should take their minutes.
3. Eric Fehr Should Never Dress
In a game. The guy should not be going around in the nude. But, he should never dress for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He should be immediately assigned to the Toronto Marlies.
He has six goals and 11 points in 52 games for the Penguins. Nikita Soshnikov is 23 and he can easily meet those totals. Sure, he’s not been great, but unless the Leafs think he has no future value, better to play him than some old geezer who won’t be here next year.
Since writing that sentence, I have learned Fehr has a two-million cap hit for next season. Seems like a lot of trouble to get an extra fourth rounder, so I guess they like him. I’d still rather they used a young player with skill in that role.
Hot Takes Four and Five!!
4. Brandan Leipsic Should be in the NHL
Leipsic has recovered from an injury that cost him about 20 games. Before that, he was over a point-per-game. The Toronto Maple Leafs could really use a power-forward with a scoring touch and whether it’s going on the wing with Matthews or shoring up the fourth line instead of old guy, he should be playing sooner than later.
5. The Toronto Maple Leafs should give Gardiner more minutes
There isn’t a better player in the NHL getting less ice-time in comparison to his teammates.
Using WAR metrics created by @DTMaboutheart, Jake Gardiner is the 10th best defenseman in the NHL this season.
Since most people probably don’t realize the Leafs have one of the NHL’s elite players on their blueline, it’s likely Babcock also doesn’t know this. Someone should tell him, and then he should adjust his strategy so that Gardiner gets the 25 mins per night he needs to play to get the Toronto Maple Leafs into the Playoffs.
I hope those were hot enough for you.