The Toronto Maple Leafs lost game seven to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Again. This is the 4th time since 2013 and the third during the "Auston Matthews era".
There is no one reason why this keeps happening to them but they need to make multiple moves to try and figure it out.
The first domino has already fallen. They decided to fire Sheldon Keefe after five seasons of being the head coach. He did a good job but was only able to escape the first round one time.
It seems like they aren't done there based on the media availability that the front office had on Friday morning. Keith Pelley. Brendan Shanahan, and Brad Treliving all spoke. Most notably, Brendan Shanahan isn't fired but he takes the blame for this season's shortcomings.
Big changes will be coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer
Keith Pelley, Brendan Shanahan & Brad Treliving meet the media, momentarily:https://t.co/1qbqTQWW01
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 10, 2024
They talked about everything that people want to know when it comes to this off-season. That includes injuries to players that happened during round one.
Bobby McMann MCL injury, would have been available sometime in Round 2.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 10, 2024
Connor Dewar is having shoulder surgery
Joseph Woll back injury at end of Game 6, kayoed him for Game 7
These injuries/illnesses were horrible for the Leafs in the first round but that is no excuse. Every team in the league deals with this problem. Some have the issues happen more than others which makes you question a lot when guys don't play through it.
Leafs President Brendan Shanahan says they will look at everything and “consider everything, this summer.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 10, 2024
Leafs GM Brad Treliving: “When you go through a season like we have, everything must be on the table - everything must be considered.”
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 10, 2024
Shanahan says their new head coach will play a role in roster decision making moving forward.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 10, 2024
Granted, Shanahan said he won’t specifically identify an individual or a group of players, but this was a masterful tap dance performance when asked if he still believes in the core of the Leafs.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 10, 2024
Some of these quotes are very telling. These guys danced around a few tough questions when it came to the roster but they also implied that changes are coming at the same time.
They didn't name any names but it is clear they don't believe that running it back again will work. That would be smart on their end as they can't do this again.
Whether it's figuring out something with Mitch Marner or John Tavares, they will be in this exact same spot again next year if they keep it the same.
The fact that they mentioned that the new coach will participate in roster decisions is very telling as well. They want their guy to give input on certain issues with this roster.
Whoever they hire is likely going to come in with no personal connection to any of these players and should be unbiased in his analysis of the roster.
One thing that's for sure is the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have a very interesting off-season. There is no doubt that change is going to be made which will affect the whole league.