Toronto Maple Leafs: Shanahan Has the Recipe for Success

Apr 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Flags get passed through the crowd during the anthem prior to game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Flags get passed through the crowd during the anthem prior to game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs players have more Twitter fun

Articles have recently popped up recounting further Toronto Maple Leafs twitter fun. The Leafs players continue to needle Magic Mitch Marner. Every fan’s favorite nerdy little kid. First of all, it began with this tweet. Marner was photographed at the airport, returning from the IIHF Worlds.

In addition, Twitter went wild with memes of Mitch.

Is talent Enough to win a Stanley Cup?

Auston Matthews is one of the best young superstars in the world while Nylander and Marner are incredible talents. Willy can skate and shoot with anyone while each game we watched him improve. Furthermore, Mitch Marner does magic. Every game, every shift he makes plays that leave teammates, fans and the opposition shaking their heads. Does Mitch have eyes in the back of his head?

“He oozes with confidence and hockey sense and skill,” Cooper said of the 20-year-old, who was named Canada’s player of the game. “You give him the puck in the open ice and you sit there and think he’s got one of three options, then he invents option four, five and six. It’s impressive to watch him play.”John Cooper thestar.com

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a skilled and talented young core. There is no denying that fact. Furthermore, their supplementary pieces are very good players. In addition, based on skill alone, they have one of the most talented forward groups in the entire NHL. Will talent alone be enough to win a championship?

Hockey is a team sport and while Individual superstars make a difference, it takes more than talent to win. While Babcock is busy instilling a “team first” mentality, they will grow and mature. Both as teammates and individuals. “As good men”. In addition, players must like each other and have the other’s backs.

Who can forget the Bon Jovi sing-along? That certainly looks like fun.

Round Two Twitter

Mitch Marner recently threw out the first pitch at a Blue Jays game. The video made the rounds, and the needling and jocularity began once again.

Brian Boyle poked fun at Mitch Marner. He could not resist. Boyle, a late season addition appeared to enjoy his time while being a calming voice on the team. In addition to his instrumental presence during their playoff push, he played hard against the Capitals. With the season over, Brian Boyle continues to enjoy his time with the kids. In response to Mitch and his pitch, Boyle, JVR, Kadri, and Matthews all joined in. That is what friends and teammates do. They have fun together.

Which Marner promptly replied

https://twitter.com/Marner93/status/875091981810192384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pensionplanpuppets.com%2F2017%2F6%2F15%2F15807244%2Ftoronto-maple-leafs-twitter-mitch-marner-james-van-riemsdyk-nazem-kadri-auston-matthews

Earlier, Matt Martin could not resist when Marner was featured in an EASorts NHL18 teaser.

Toronto Maple Leafs Winning = Fun

“Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inhospitably cold, hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive.” — Stephen Leacockwww.notable-quotes.com

While hockey is the essence of being Canadian, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are more than another hockey team; they are the Soul of Hog-town. Yet the hopes and dreams of many rides on their Blue and White shoulders. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a loved and cherished organization.  The traditions of past glory. To all Canadians, the Maple Leaf is the emblem of Canada. Lastly, to the everyday fan, the Maple Leaf is the symbol of hope, that tomorrow will be better. It can’t be worse. Can it?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a diverse group of players from all corners of the hockey world. Canadians, Americans, Russians, and Finns. Swedes, Estonians, a Czechs and a Slovak. Furthermore, eight nationalities, one hockey team. As a result, this diverse group of players has been brought together. Through the draft, trades and free agency, with one goal in mind. To win another championship and to bring the Stanley Cup home.

Brendan Shanahan Knows Hockey

In 1,524 regular season games, Brendan Shanahan scored 656 goals and 698 assists for 1,354 points. He also earned 2,489 minutes in penalties. In playoff competition, he scored 60 goals and 74 assists for 134 points in 184 games, while also serving 280 penalty minutes. Also of note are that Brendan had nineteen consecutive seasons scoreing 20 or more goals. He is also the only NHL player to have scored 600+ goals and 2,000+ penalty minutes.hhof.com

Through his experience and vision, three-time Stanley Cup Champion Brendan Shanahan is molding this team. Shanahan understands what it takes to be a winner. Because he is a winner. A three-time winner. Leadership, hard work, effort, sacrifice and a bit of luck. Those are the ingredients needed to win yet without fun, can 23 players ever become a team? To each other, they are a team.  A good team. Soon, a great team?

This ESPN commercial is exactly what I am referring to.

More from Editor In Leaf

Toronto Maple Leafs a Recipe for Success

Mike Babcock and his players have made a commitment. To the logo, the fans, the city and to each other. Shanahan has taken 23 parts talent and added the best coach in the world. He sprinkled in three parts fun and two parts respect while Matt Martin greases the pan and keeps the flies off. Mix well and bake for 82 games, plus16 playoff wins. This is the recipe for another Stanley Cup Championship.