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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs Are Forging Their Own Path

By Andrew Boehmer |
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander (29) scores a goal against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) in the third period at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander (29) scores a goal against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) in the third period at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve heard rumblings that the Toronto Maple Leafs need to follow in the Chicago Blackhawks footsteps.

It’s somewhat true that the path towards success for the Toronto Maple Leafs is similar to that of the Blackhawks.

Although doing the exact same thing as another is not how this team rolls.

The other day I read somewhere – I apologize because I can’t remember where – that the Leafs need to develop a core to that of the Blackhawks.

Two superstar forwards and one superstar defenseman.

For the Blackhawks, that’s Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Ducan Keith.

And let me say, what a core that is.

All three of them are on the list of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players and they’re still active players.

Amazing.

However, the Leafs don’t need to trade away a William Nylander type to acquire that backend superstardom that’s been suggested.

Why not a core of three star forwards, mixed in with good defense all around and hopefully, one that stands apart.

Cough, Morgan Rielly.

Not to mention the surrounding cast of elite players the Leafs possess.

House of Mirrors

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The Leafs need to forge their own path and they’re doing that so far.

Yes, I understand laying the foundational pieces to a winning team are pretty much the same across the board, but copying a team’s exact moves isn’t required.

Just think of the talent on the Leafs roster right now, which will get better by the way.

  • Auston Matthews (franchise, I don’t care what EA Sports says)
  • Mitchell Marner (star)
  • William Nylander (star)
  • Nazem Kadri (elite)
  • James van Riemsdyk (elite)
  • Rielly (elite)
  • Jake Gardiner (elite)
  • Frederik Andersen (elite)
  • Nikita Zaitsev (potential eliteness)
  • Connor Brown (above average, not quite elite)

You get the point, the team is set up for success.

If you thought 40 goals and 69 points was great, just wait until a few more years tick by, all of which will be exciting.

This team has been gearing towards contention since Brendan Shanahan took over and nothing’s stopping them.

The Chicago Blackhawks were and are a great team in the modern era, the Leafs will be as well.

Mike Babcock’s Thoughts

I’m also aware of what Mike Babcock said of the Blackhawks.

You hope there are similarities. Q told me the same thing this morning, that you remind us of nine years ago. But in the meantime, they’ve won three Cups and kept it going. They found a way to change up players and find new core players.

Now, there’s a difference between mirroring a team and hoping for the same success, which Babcock did emphasize hope in this conversation.

The Leafs will find it and they’ll just do it in their own unique way.

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