In order for the Toronto Maple Leafs to maximize their roster, they will need to sign a few veterans to league minimum contracts.
Over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been very successful when it comes to signing cheap veterans. Whether it’s been Jason Spezza, Zach Bogosian or Joe Thornton, the team has been able to ‘woo’ a few talented veterans to take a discount to win in Toronto.
I know some of you may not agree with this statement but the Toronto Maple Leafs are a Stanley Cup contender. After those terrible seven games against Montreal, it may not be easy to think that, but this team has a ton of talent.
Auston Matthews won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and was a Hart Trophy candidate this year and is only going to get better. At 23-years-old, he hasn’t even hit the prime of his career, so veterans should be lining up to want to play in Toronto.
Just because the Leafs haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967, doesn’t mean they’re cursed. There are no such things as curses in sports. Instead, it’s just been a series of unfortunate events that have led to this 55-year losing streak.
The Tampa Bay Lightning missed the playoffs two years ago and won the Stanley Cup the following season with essentially the same core roster and are in a great spot to repeat as champions. Although it feels like the end of the world, you have to take one step back to move two steps forwards sometimes, and that’s what I think the Leafs are doing.
It may feel like this team has taken 1000 steps back over the years, but trust the process. Good times are on their way and one of these 10 players could be a future Stanley Cup champion winner with the Toronto Maple Leafs.