3 Takeaways from the Toronto Maple Leafs Year-End Press Conference
After a four-month layoff, the Toronto Maple Leafs season ended in seven days.
In one week, the Toronto Maple Leafs provided numerous highs and lows for fans.
When you look back at the series and season that was, inconsistency is a word that fits.
After losing Game 1, the Leafs stormed back and played one of their most complete games of the season in Game 2.
John Tavares put the team on his back and showed why he was worthy of the captaincy, while Auston Matthews also shined. It was a full-team effort and a bounce-back game that was needed to keep their season alive.
Midway through Game 3, it felt like the Leafs had taken a stranglehold on the series and would finish it off in Game 4. But then, like many years before, they blew a huge lead and our hearts sank.
It was such a defeating loss and begged us to ask the question as to why we cheer for the Leafs in the first place.
As Game 4 approached, the hope of another bounce-back was in our minds, but at the same time, the season seemed finished. How do you blow a 3-0 lead and lose?
After finding themselves in the same situation with four minutes left in Game 4, the Leafs did the unthinkable. They tied the game to force overtime and in the extra-frame, Matthews sealed the win.
Game 5 was now do-or-die and the momentum felt in Toronto’s favor.
When you make a huge comeback like they did in Game 4, it’s impossible to lose Game 5, but in classic Leafs form, they found a way.
The Blue-and-White were shutout once again and the series ended.
The roller-coaster ride of emotions was finally finished and the Leafs had officially been eliminated.
With the season in the rear-view mirror, the Leafs organization held their year-end press conference on Wednesday and here are three key takeaways from it.
#1. They’re Not Up Against the Salary Cap
There were a number of things said during everyone’s press conferences, but this has to be one of the more interesting comments:
Kyle Dubas: "We're not up against the cap, contrary to everyone's belief."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) August 12, 2020
Although, I can agree with Dubas’ comments because they’re not at the cap-ceiling right now, am I missing something?
The Leafs projected salary cap for 2020-21 season is $76.9 million, which means they have about $4.5 million for eight roster spots. Even if all eight of those players make the league minimum, there’s not enough money to spare.
Pierre Engvall and Jake Muzzin already got a raise (roughly $2 million between them) and if the Leafs wanted to re-sign Ilya Mikheyev, Travis Dermott and Kyle Clifford, all three of them would be expecting raises too.
The team has too many players making big numbers, so in order to solve the issue that Dubas doesn’t think he has, he’s going to have to make a few trades.
#2. Shanahan Has Faith in Dubas
Brendan Shanahan has always believed in Dubas and although the team didn’t make the playoffs this year, nothing has changed.
Brendan Shanahan: "I have complete faith in Kyle as a general manager, in Sheldon as a coach and complete confidence in what we're going to do here in Toronto."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) August 12, 2020
After hiring Dubas as assistant general manager in 2014, the Toronto Maple Leafs have taken serious strides towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender. Starting with the development of the Toronto Marlies, Dubas showed Shanahan that he can create a winning environment and build a championship team.
It took him a few years to do so, but the Marlies were the most successful American Hockey League when he was in charge.Thanks to his success as Marlies G.M., Dubas was promoted to Leafs G.M., in May, 2018, so this is only his second full season as the boss.
As everyone knows, a G.M needs between 3-5 years to establish themselves and see the contracts or draft picks they’ve made turn out. You’re not going to build a team the way you want it in any less then that time-frame and since Dubas will be entering his third season as G.M. next year, Shanahan seems to understand that same philosophy.
The hiring of Sheldon Keefe is huge towards Dubas’ success and the tandem already showed in the AHL that they can win together. Hopefully with a full off-season and training camp, that duo can continue their success next year.
#3. The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Very Confident and Frustrated
This statement couldn’t be more true for the team and for the fanbase
As a die-hard Leafs fan, I have all the confidence in the world in Matthews taking an even bigger step next year and contending for a Hart Trophy. Not only that, but Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares are four players that can help you win, and will not hurt you.
Obviously, their salaries are the biggest issues, but they are a very impressive core group and Matthews has confidence in them:
Auston Matthews on #Leafs confidence: "This core believes we're right there. We don't really care what other people think, or how far away other people think we are...we're going to power through this adversity and we'll break through eventually."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) August 12, 2020
Not only does Matthews believe that the Leafs will win, his teammate Jake Muzzin has the same belief.
Jake Muzzin on confidence in #Leafs core: "I think we have a lot of guys who want to win. And that's the belief I have. The wanting to win is crucial to drive players, and I believe it's in there. I believe this group is capable of winning it all."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) August 12, 2020
Everyone in the dressing room is frustrated, which is a good sign, but it’s not going to change the results. Zach Hyman, who has been with the Leafs for the past three playoff series, even mentioned that this year’s loss hit him the worst:
“I’m frustrated and everybody’s frustrated, our team’s frustrated, we’re not happy with results. We’re building towards being in a position where it’s going to stop sucking.”
Although you like to hear that the team is frustrated, all of that negative energy isn’t going to fix anything. The team didn’t get the job done and when you look back in the history books for this team, all it’s going to say is “Missed Playoffs.”
Next. Top 3 Players Toronto Maple Leafs Should NOT Re-Sign. dark
They may have been unlucky but you can only use that excuse once. The Leafs get a free pass under the circumstances this year, but if we’re in the same situation next season, there should be a fire-sale.