The Toronto Maple Leafs could have some stranger things happen.
In order for stranger things to occur, the Toronto Maple Leafs will need to do some things that nobody expects.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to take a look at in this article.
Hold up, is Andrew talking about the show, Stranger Things?
Solid question.
No, I’m not, but it works for the title and image, so let me just run with it and I’ll try and make some reference to tie it together.
I need a win here everyone.
Okay, what could the Leafs do that nobody expects?
Well, let’s take a closer look.
The Expected Unexpected
More from Editor In Leaf
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
- Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
- Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament
In years past, the Leafs group wasn’t exactly quiet about the way they did business.
However, with guys like Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock leading the charge, we’re often left guessing as to what will happen next.
That’s a perfectly good thing, let’s remember that.
When I talk about the expected unexpected, I’m sure we can all agree that something is going to give in Toronto soon.
Not necessarily anything bad because with how the franchise has turned around recently, we all expect each and every move to be a step forward, not sideways or back.
The one thing that I think we should settle on is just expecting the unexpected.
How in the world are we to expect something expected, something mundane that might have worked for other teams, but not this one?
I didn’t expect 40 wins, 40 goals from Auston Matthews and all the records that were broken last season.
Expecting the expected just doesn’t work with this team.
So expect the unexpected.
The Unexpected
Because I’m referencing the show, Stranger Things, we’re going to talk a little about it and then bring it back to the Leafs.
In the show, the unexpected frequently occurred, which made the ride that much more enjoyable, at least for myself it did.
Guessing what may or may not happen made me more intrigued.
Same thing applies to the Leafs right now.
See, I told you I would make some reference.
We all have our own opinions on certain things pertaining to the Leafs like the three pending unrestricted free agents and contract negotiations for Connor Brown.
For the most part, we expect that players like Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk will likely be traded and that Brown will be resigned.
All I’m saying is that it might be worth while to expect the unexpected with some of these points of interest.
Stranger Things
What if the Leafs managed to keep one or both of Bozak and van Riemsdyk?
We won’t even delve into the Leo Komarov conversation here in order to keep things simple because so far, it may come off as confusing.
Some people want the Leafs to trade those two and are fearful of what they’d be looking for in regards to their next contract and I understand that.
But could you imagine if the Leafs managed to keep a guy like van Riemsdyk?
It would have to be under an extremely friendly contract, but a player like him doesn’t come around very often.
Let’s try something else.
What if the Leafs could actually get something far greater than Brown and trading him becomes a no brainer?
These are extreme examples, but I think it’s important to accept that the unexpected may happen here.
You can apply this to smaller pieces in the puzzle, like Calle Rosén.
What if he turns out to be much more than we (I) thought?
The unexpected doesn’t have to be about the big ticket items like trades or signings, it can be smaller like internal affairs.
All I’m saying is to have an open mind, folks.