The Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild would come with “pain”, but have the Leafs outgrown those pains yet?
It was just after 11 AM on Thursday, May 21st, 2015 when the Toronto Maple Leafs introduced Mike Babcock as the 30th head coach in franchise history. After introductions and some courtesies, Babcock calmly told the gathered media that the growing process he has in mind will contain pain.
"We want to build a team, off the ice and on the ice that the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be proud of. It’s gonna take time. If you think there is no pain coming, there’s pain coming."
There was some pain, alright. Namely, finishing in last place during a season where the only piece of hope was the glimpse of the élite talent of rookie William Nylander. And despite the shimmering light that William Nylander was, no loyal fan takes joy in seeing his or her team tanking.
All that pain seemed forgotten when the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to draft generational talent, Auston Matthews. What followed was a sensational rookie class that rewrote franchise and league history before qualifying for their first appearance since 2013.
Fast forward to 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs bolster a phenomenal offensive core and are on pace for their third straight playoff appearance, yet, they’re still looking for their first series win since the 2004 playoffs where they won a battle of Ontario against Ottawa.
While it may all seem that the worst of the pain is in the past, the worst is actually yet to come.
Lacking Depth
Behind all the offensive power that the Toronto Maple Leafs boast looms a potential threat that could throw the team years back in their development.
There is a serious lack of depth in the defensive core. Hardly (shocking) news, right?
Likely Gardiner and Hainsey will part ways with the organization, the latter perhaps hanging up his skates for good. The already frail looking blue-line will be even more depleted. What comes after them? Especially with the tight cap situation, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be in after the coming summer.
Yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs have just acquired Jake Muzzin yesterday in a trade with the LA Kings, but is he the future of the defensive core?
The most favourable solution lies in prospect development, and more specifically, in the development of Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren.
But is it realistic to insert both or even either one of them in next season? Even if both Swedes live up to their potential, it’s unlikely they will reach their (full) potential within a year.
Their development will take time.
Growing Pains
Can the Toronto Maple Leafs develop further next season if their defensive core consists out of Rielly, Zaitsev, Dermott, Liljegren, Sandin, and Ozhiganov?
There’s talent in that core, for sure. But can Dermot succeed Gardiner? That’s actually a question I’ll elaborate on later this week.
While much is still uncertain about next season, I feel there is some pain to come next season. Nonetheless, I have faith in the bigger picture Dubas, Shanahan and Babcock have in their mind.
Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts in the comment section!