The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have one of the most interesting off-seasons in franchise history.
The reason it will be so interesting is that no one knows what the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to do.
In years past, the team usually had an easily definable goal, such as "augment the core," "re-sign Auston Matthews," "get tougher," or "get better defensively."
This year? We know that the Leafs fans are frustrated, that management has promised change but wasn't specific about it. The Leafs got tougher. They signed their supertars. They augmented the core with more skill, less skill, more experience, better defense, more toughness etc. Nothing worked.
So while there are a lot of questions, there are no clear answers....which is what I'm here for. I will now attempt to answer the Toronto Maple Leafs off-season's biggest questions.
Answers to All the Toronto Maple Leafs Biggest Off-Season Questions
Who Will Be the Next Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Jon Cooper. In a surprise twist, Craig Berube will join Winnipeg while the Leafs wait to see who else becomes available. Unexpectedly, it's Jon Copper and the Leafs instantly hire him within days of Tampa letting him go.
Who Will be the Leafs Goalie Next Years?
Jusse Saros. The Leafs will make a blockbuster trade for the Nashville Netminder and finally be able to brag about having one of the NHL's best goalies.
Will Mitch Marner be Traded?
No, because trading Mitch Marner is a very dumb idea. There is one way that it's possible to win a Marner Trade, but even then, the risk is high.
Which Players From the Current Roster Will Not Return?
Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, Mark Giordano, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Noah Gregor and Calle Jarnkrok will all be on new teams next season.
Will the Leafs Trade any of their Core Players?
No. They all have no-movement clauses and hopefully this will prevent the team from doing anything dumb.
How will the Leafs Improve Next Year?
They will have a better goalie, and will use some of their prospect capital to trade for a high-end defenseman. This, plus the continued growth of Matthew Knies, the addition of at least one big-name free-agent signing, as well as better spending on the depth players than Treliving showed last season will improve the team.
What Big Name Free-Agent Will the Toronto Maple Leafs Sign?
Brandon Monteaur. The fans will enter the season mad about the team's inability to get any of the Big Five to waive their NTCs, but the additions of Monteaur and Saros will soon make them see reason and, as usual, I will pick them to win the Stanley Cup.
These are the answers to the biggest questions facing the Toronto Maple Leafs at this time.