Toronto Maple Leafs: Temper Expectations, from the Boss
The Toronto Maple Leafs set the bar high last season for themselves.
Before the 2016-17 season began for the Toronto Maple Leafs, nobody was expecting a fast forward button to be pushed at any point in the rebuild.
For Brendan Shanahan, no such button has been pushed.
As the boss of the organization, it’s expected that he’d have some tempered expectations that might (and probably should) differ from that of the team’s fans.
They can also relate to realistic expectations.
Sometimes tempered expectations can be attributed to being a pessimist, but in this case, I don’t believe so.
I think that believing that the Leafs are not quite Stanley Cup contenders is an alright thought pattern and I may have had a different perspective on that before reading Shanny’s thoughts on the subject.
Let’s face it, the Leafs had a fantastic year, but one fantastic year doesn’t equate to heavily competing for the Cup year after year and yes, I’m also talking to Edmonton Oilers fans.
Temper your expectations because Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the world although Connor McDavid is the future.
Nonetheless, let’s get to the whole Shanahan thing right after I explain something.
Golf Lesson
Okay, if you’re wondering why the featured image I’ve selected for this article is of Auston Matthews on the golf course, it’s because in golf, to have high expectations for how your round will play out can sometimes be detrimental to (ironically) your round.
Better to have somewhat tempered expectations than to go out expecting a birdie on each hole and coming out disappointed with bogey after bogey.
Trust me, I’ve been there, it’s from experience.
Hopefully, you’ll agree with this little analogy of mine (if it makes any sense at all) because in my mind it does, but no more rambling, let’s get to Shanny.
Brendan Shanahan’s Thoughts
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The other day, Dave McCarthy who’s an NHL correspondent for NHL.com (the Leafs), put out an article about expectations, based on the Leafs press conference regarding the Next Century Game, which I’ll be referring to a lot below.
For the most part, I’ll include some of the quotes and then talk about them, but if you want to read the article, it’s all yours.
We’ll kick things off with a quote from Toronto mayor John Tory, but before I do, try not to make this about politics.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to win the Stanley Cup within the period of time that I am the major and I hope I’ll get a second term. So that means you (Shanahan) have five years, but I know it’s going to happen.
And here’s Shanahan’s response.
Optimism is certainly a nice thing, but I think for the people who are with the team, the players, the managmenet, we’re very focused on all the little things that we have to do. It’s great that people are excited, but at the same time we know how much work still has to go into this.
Okay, that’s kind of a politicians response, but a good one nonetheless that helps temper expectations.
Continued
Shanahan also noted that just barely making the playoffs is a good thing, but it’s just the start.
I’m a little hesitant because as the end of the day we got into the playoffs in our 81st game. We didn’t get past the first round and yet still there was a lot of happiness and joy and optimism about where we can go.We’ve got such a great coaching staff and I think [coach] Mike [Babcock] keeps them very focused on what their job is that day, each day. These guys, by the time they’re getting into the NHL, they’ve dealt with expectations. You can’t be a champion in any sport unless you know how to deal with expectations and pressure, and I think we’ve got a lot of people who embrace that.
Expectations for how the Leafs will perform in the 2017-18 season are high, extremely high.
I’m not exactly sure that setting absurdly high expectations is a good thing for building a Cup contending yet sustaining team is appropriate.
For some, it’s just hockey, a hobby and setting those kinds of expectations are half the fun of it for them, so there’s nothing wrong with that.
But for you long suffering Leafs fans that want this team to be competing for championships year after year, we need to lower our expectations, for our sanity at least.
I don’t expect the Leafs to win the Cup next year, I’m just hoping for a playoff round win.
Baby steps.
Focus on the good right now, enjoy the present and in time, the future will come.