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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
MONTREAL, QC – MAY 24: Joe Thornton #97 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Rethink “Veteran Presence”

The Toronto Maple Leafs addressed their veteran presence during the offseason and at the NHL Trade Deadline and every move they made backfired. Besides, Jason Spezza, who they should 100 percent resign, the rest of the squad disappointed.

Wayne Simmonds was signed to Toronto be a tough guy in the playoffs and bring that edge that we all love. He unfortunately did none of that against Montreal, while generating absolutely no offense.

Just like the rest of the world, I love Joe Thornton. He’s a fantastic interview and seems like a genuinely great guy. However, his playing days should be over. He looked so slow during the playoffs and although he did score once, he was non-existent in the playoffs.

Nick Foligno was another player who was supposed to be a perfect fit, but that never happened. You can blame injuries for that, but he didn’t do anything to help this team win. His fight in the first game was great, but it wasn’t necessary.

Overall, the “leaders” provided nothing and Toronto needs to rethink that philosophy. If they’re going to bring in veterans on a cheaper deal, they need to be able to play. If they can’t play, you may as well insert Entry Level Contracts (ELC) at the same price, because they’ll at least add some energy.

Adam Brooks should have played in this series over Joe Thornton. If the Leafs resign Thornton and Simmonds, it’ll be incredibly disappointing, so they need to rethink their thought process and have cheap deals on ELC’s instead of aging veterans.

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