The Toronto Maple Leafs made interesting moves surely to provide intensity.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were quiet this offseason making just a few moves. The lack of noise came as a shock considering their season ended in round one yet again, this time at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Leafs did not start the 2021-22 season on the best note, as they went 2-4-1 in their first seven games. Things turned around quickly from there as they started to play as a unit and build some momentum. From October 27 to November 18 the Leafs played 11 games, and they only lost one during that time.
Their team was led by Auston Matthews who scored a career-high 60 goals this past season. The Leafs finished the season second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 54-21-7, but unfortunately for them, their reward for finishing second was a first-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Leafs were bounced from the first round in seven games at the hands of the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions. If there is any team to lose to it has to be the defending champs, but that doesn’t make things easier for a team that has not made it out of the first round in a long time.
The Leafs made some interesting moves this offseason. They were not as loud as some fans would have liked after another first-round exit, but their additions can make them a more competitive team for the 2022-23 season.
Let’s go over some of those moves:
Trading for Matt Murray:
The addition of goalie Matt Murray gives the Leafs more versatility in nature between the pipes, with playoff experience, not to mention a young veteran age that is looking to bounce back in the league.
Extending Mark Giordano:
With the signing extension of Mark Giordano, a Toronto kid who brings depth to the blue-line to an already strong defense system, he will bring the leadership needed to guide the young group with valuable guidance and in one’s opinion a refreshing dose of size and agility to the team itself.
Signing Calle Jarnkrok and Jordie Benn:
Calle Jarnkrok is also a gritty center as a veteran, who notched up 241 points in 574 career games and will have plenty to offer on the third line for the Leafs as the season starts and progresses.
Jordie Benn brings the physical ability along with much needed tenacity for the team to play with for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he will be most likely placed on the fourth line and during the penalty kills during the shifts on-ice.
The main issues addressed by general manager Kyle Dubas this offseason was goaltending and the physicality of the team, along with grit going into the upcoming 2022-2023 season, as it will be interesting to see how the Leafs will evolve with that chemistry to debate in order for the team to succeed.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot to look forward to.
This roster is still one of the best in the Atlantic Division. They will be back in the playoffs next year trying to get out of the first round. While they might not be done making moves due to their salary cap situation, the 2022-23 season looks to be another year where the Leafs will be all in on winning a championship.
Unfortunately for this team once again, the playoffs cannot come soon enough. All anyone cares about regarding the Maple Leafs is what this team will do when the playoffs come around in the spring. Which makes the first 82 games of the season a little less interesting to watch.