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3 Big Changes Toronto Maple Leafs Need to Make This Offseason

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - MAY 20: Assistant coach Manny Malhotra of the Toronto Maple Leafs goes over a power play set-up prior to a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 20, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 to take a 1-0 series lead. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 20: Assistant coach Manny Malhotra of the Toronto Maple Leafs goes over a power play set-up prior to a faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 20, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 to take a 1-0 series lead. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MAY 22: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Let the irrational thinking begin now that the Toronto Maple Leafs are officially in the offseason.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the most active teams at the NHL Trade Deadline, and as a result, many people thought it would create a different outcome. Instead, the team fell in seven games in the First Round, like they typically do.

In previous years, we could blame the opponent, the NHL rules or a hot goalie. Toronto had no business facing Boston in the First Round in their previous back-to-back Game 7 losses, but that’s how the chips fell, and the team lost a tough fought series.

Last year, the team faced a pandemic and after a five-month layoff, took the Columbus Blue Jackets to five games, before ultimately losing.

This year was supposed to be a little different. After finishing the regular season as one of the best teams in the NHL, the Leafs looked great heading into the playoffs. They had the best goal-scorer in the league, a much improved defense and a goalie we had faith in.

Four games into the series, we felt a sense of relief. The Leafs were up 3-1 and were in total control of the series. With three chances to win the series, there was no way this team was going to blow it.

And then the demons crept back in, and the unfortunate happened. The team came out flat three games in a row and couldn’t fully recover. Instead of securing their first playoff win since 2004, they lost in seven games to their long-time rival, Montreal Canadiens.

The wound is still fresh, so maybe I’m thinking irrationally, but something big needs to happen this offseason. Whether that’s a trade, firing or signing, something needs to change in this organization, because they cannot allow that same garbage to transpire one more time.

Here are three big changes the Toronto Maple Leafs need to make this offseason.

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