Toronto Maple Leafs: The 10 Stages to a Rebuild in the NHL

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are on their way to becoming a great team.

I say on their way because it’s clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild isn’t over and they’re not there yet.

Yes, they’re miles ahead of where they were a couple years ago, but they’re only part of the way up the mountain.

Since Brendan Shanahan took over, a lot has changed and for the better, I might add.

Tear Down

The first thing that has to be done it to completely tear everything down.

Literally, from staff to players, rip it all down.

In the Leafs case, they did this and then some.

Look no further than the logo redesign/new jerseys and honoring past players by retiring their numbers.

If it’s old and doesn’t work, replace it and that’s exactly what happened.

Acquire Draft Picks

Figure out a way to get your name in the draft as much as possible.

Whether that’s trading down to acquire more picks like we saw in 2015 – thanks to Kyle Dubas – or trading players at the trade deadline.

Just get it done.

The Leafs did that and look where they are now.

Acquire, acquire, acquire.

Develop a System

Why go out and get the best hockey coach in the world?

To develop a system in the organization and that’s exactly what Babcock did.

He took a group with weak special teams and turned them into one of the best in the league.

The power play all the way to the penalty kill last season were fantastic.

More than that, teach these guys discipline and what working hard is all about.

Develop a system of champions and that’s exactly what’s happening.

Compete Hard

Come to every game with the idea, the notion that it can be won.

Down 4-1?

Doesn’t matter, you compete until you have nothing left in you.

Look to Zach Hyman and Connor Brown as young examples of that.

Absolute workhorses.

Mold a Core

This part’s important.

Out with the old, in with the new.

The old core oddly consisted of guys like Phaneuf, Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and based on his contract alone, David Clarkson.

Scratch that.

Go with a veteran core of guys like Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, Jake Gardiner, Nazem Kadri, Morgan Rielly, Leo Komarov and Frederik Andersen.

Why not add a young core that will inherit this team with guys like Matthews, Nylander, and Marner?

Boom.

Make Smart Decisions

Throughout all of this, smart decisions should be made.

However, at this point in the rebuild, it’s extremely important.

You have the pieces in play, but you’re still missing something.

Make smart decisions that have a chance to make an immediate impact as well as one that will last.

Currently, this is in the process.

Add Complimentary Pieces

Here’s where people vary so greatly.

You’ve got a set of core pieces in play, a number one goalie, great center depth, etc.

All of the above, right?

But, you still need guys like Brian Boyle and Komarov to fill holes.

Beyond that, you might need to bring in other guys from free agency, the waiver wire, and trades.

This goes hand in hand with making smart decisions.

Win

Now it’s time to bring it all together.

Go out and win.

Going two games without a win at this point is unacceptable because you expect to win every night and so do the fans.

The Leafs are nearing this stage, but aren’t quite there yet.

Soon, though.

Continue to Win

Now that you have some traction, don’t slow down.

Load up the goals and clog up the neutral zone.

You don’t see teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins taking their foot off the gas, do you?

No.

It’s pedal to the metal, 24/7.

Go hard every night and do your best to come out with the two points.

Maintain the Winning

Great, now that the team’s winning and continuing to do so, maintain that momentum.

This has to carry over from season to season.

The Leafs are still far off from this but look no further than the team that’s competing for back to back Stanley Cups in the Penguins for example.

It can be done and it will be in time.

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