The Toronto Maple Leafs were embarrassed in Game 7 and are once again eliminated from Stanley Cup comeptition. Now, the offseason begins with tons of questions surrounding the roster.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and president Brendan Shanahan have to retool this roster back to a viable contender. What changes can we expect?
Maple Leafs need changes
Toronto was eliminated on Sunday night by the Florida Panthers 6-1 in Game 7. The Leafs were embarrassed and at times did not look motivated to play on. Florida was far and away the better team on Sunday and this loss leaves the Maple Leafs fans wondering what is next.
Before the 2024-25 season, fans were calling for better goaltending and a better defense. The blue line was bolstered with the acquisition of defenseman Christopher Tanev, and the goaltending was much improved by the signing of Anthony Stolarz. That coupled with four elite scorers should have put this team over the top. It only got them to the second round.
This season was supposed to be different. They had a good roster that had depth with the acquisition of forward Scott Laughton but in the most important game, they could not put it together. They are an elite regular-season team that is filled with star power.
However, that talent disappears in the playoffs. Toronto is now 0-7 in the last seven Game 7s, scoring only seven goals in those games. Auston Matthews struggled, goaltender Joseph Woll was decent, and the defense was average.
What is next for Maple Leafs, Shanahan?
Now we have to wonder that is going to happen with the roster and management? Do elite forwards John Tavares an Mitch Marner return? Does Shanahan return? Will all three part ways with Toronto? If they do all leave, there will be major holes to fill in a short amount of time but this is a reality that could happen.
This organization needs a shakeup. Shanahan and Treliving have done nothing to elevate this team further in the playoffs but they have made some nice moves. The core roster needs to be resurrected because the "core four" have been together for years and do not have any playoff success. Something needs to give. Bringing back the same team will net the same results.
The roster may not see many changes but the changes they do see could be massive and could dramatically alter the look of the team for next season. Toronto can not bring back the same roster and expect a different result.
There are moves to be made via free agency and there could be trades made to make a splash and give this team a new look and identity. It may be time to break this team up as they have been together far too long with the same result.