Editor In Leaf
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Roundtable: Should Toronto Maple Leafs Management Trade Or Fire Someone?

By Wilbert Timmermans

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 4: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas during interview with Bruce Arthur (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 4: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas during interview with Bruce Arthur (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 10: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock looks on from the bench at an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 10, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to win their games.

The  Toronto Maple Leafs start to the season has not been grand. Expectations, so far, have not been met, by a long mile. They have a roster that’s practically forged for nothing less than greatness, yet they have been struggling from the get-go.

The Toronto Maple Leafs ranking 31st in goals against in the league is a harsh reality I didn’t hold possible beforehand with Rielly, Barrie and Muzzin on the blue-line.  At this point, the shenanigans of Jake Gardiner don’t seem to be that bad anymore and I almost start to miss him on the blue-line.

With the soon expected return of Travis Dermott to the line-up, they regain a solid defenseman, though it’s not fair to expect that his return will turn everything around.

Along with Dermott, forward Zach Hyman and captain John Tavares are expected back rather soon as well. Hyman, one the Toronto Maple Leafs better defensive forwards and penalty killer, should certainly improve some defensive aspects to Toronto’s defensive game, but what if that’s not enough?

Should Dubas Intervene?

While players leave it all on the ice, after the final buzzer sounds, it different for coaches and management. It’s after the buzzer, their battle really starts.

For coach Mike Babcock, it’s a battle that requires more than a three-piece suit. And by god, I hope he has a better battle plan to turn things around. To remain that calm, is nothing less than admirable for a man in his position, laughter, however, will quickly fade, if it was even really there, shouldn’t things turn around quickly.

Hockey is a business as cold as the ice it’s played on. That’s just the way it is. A disappointing 13-game stretch could be enough for management to step in, especially when the looming disappointment of not reaching a 13-game stretch in the post-season for 3 consecutive years still lingers.

It’s why for this weeks roundtable, the Editor in Leafs writing staff came together to answer the question; “Should Leafs Management Trade Or Fire Someone?”

Let’s find out.

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