Can the Maple Leafs deliver? Capitalizing on the Kapanen deal

The trade of Kasperi Kapanen to the Penguins leaves the Maple Leafs with some options. The departures of Kyle Clifford and Tyson Barrie gives you an additional $3.5 million. At $3.2 million, Kapanen gives the Maple Leafs a total of $6.7 million to play with. Previously, I listed possible additions on the defence side.

Now we have to look at how to fit everything together. The Maple Leafs can use that money to grab a defenceman or make another trade. Keep in mind we will have to replace Clifford with another fourth-liner.  

What will we get for Nylander if we go through the trade route? Nylander is coming off of a 30-goal season. Those don't grow on trees. Nylander is being used in all aspects of the game: He has a deadly shot on the powerplay. His speed makes him dangerous in the 5-on-5, allowing him to get around opposing defenders. There should be plenty of teams knocking at the door, especially with Nylander's on contract for another four years.  

Nylander should get us a top-of-the-line second-pairing defenceman. Or maybe even a lower-echelon top-pairing defenseman. There are rumours that the Oilers might part with Oscar Klefbom. Perhaps a deal could be worked out centering around him. If the Leafs use this option, the remaining money could buy a cheaper version of Nylander through free agency. Either way, the Maples Leafs have more options with the shrewd deal made by Dubas. A general manager should get his props for the good as well as getting smacked for the bad. 

Randy

What to do with Kyle Dubas

If there is one thing that is unanimous with the fans, it is to fire Dubas. Let me try to talk to the fans away from the edge. I can understand the frustration, but the worst thing the Leafs can do is make a knee jerk decision and fire everyone.

I have often heard insiders say a new General Manager is given time to rebuild his team. When the GM is brought in, the people around him are not usually his own. He has inherited a coach and other coaches already in place. In other words, he gets a mulligan until he brings in his first coach. Babcock was not Dubas' hire; he was part of the different regime. Dubas never liked Babcock. There were rumors that he had discussions with Shanny about firing Mike. Dubas wanted Sheldon Keefe from the start. They have not given this dynamic duo chance to spin thier webs out yet.

The second reason for keeping Dubas is that he has never had total control of the team. I know he is the General Manager, but he clearly has to okay everything through Shanahan. The Leafs will deny that until they are blue in the face, but we all know Shanny is in charge. He has to cut the puppet strings and let Dubas make the moves he wants to do. 

The third reason I say to keep Dubas is that putting a new GM in right now would set the Maple Leafs back a couple more years. I am not ready to do a complete rebuild. I am not sure the Leafs could do much of a rebuild because of the core's heavy cap load.

Last word

It will be interesting to see what happens in the offseason. Only time will tell which road this team will take?  

Randy

Live by the sword, die by the sword

 

Talk about a tale of two cities. Game three, the Maple Leafs found themselves up by three midway through the third. All the Maple Leafs have to do is tighten up a little in the defensive zone. The forwards come back to help the defence, and the defence doesn't panic, taking the man instead of the puck. So what happens the forwards spend too much time trying to score, throw the puck away, and everyone runs around like a chicken with its head cut off?  Sloppy play. The forward's hands turn into stone, the defence's legs turn to rubber, and bing bang a Maple Leaf special, and the Jackets win 4-3 in overtime. 

Remarkably this is not new; the cycle of life of a Maple Leaf fan is born.  The simple fact is that the leaders of this team, Reilly, Tavaras, Matthews, and Marner, have to settle this team down when they have leads. It is ok slow down the pace. An old friend of mine said it this way: you have to play to win, not to lose. Too many times, the Maple Leafs have played not to lose instead of to win. 

Change the scene. You would think the Jackets would learn from the Maple Leafs' mistakes. One of the greatest assets you can have is learning from other people's mistakes. The Jackets have a 3-0 with four minutes left in the third when suddenly the Jackets turn into the Keystone Cops*. The Maple Leafs score three goals in the four minutes to tie the game. Then, of course, Matthews tops it off in overtime. Yes, the Leafs have an explosive offensive team, making no lead is safe. The ability to come back from deficits is a valuable asset. The helter-skelter play won the Leafs this game. The Leafs have enough firepower to win any game. 

Watching the Maple Leafs play this kind of hockey in the last two games can be dangerous to our health, so my advice is to eat healthy. You don't need the dangers of your physical health matching your mental health.

*Keystone Cops:

A little worrisome

There is some concern about what is going on in Toronto. Don't get me wrong; I love the fact that the Leafs are winning. But they're giving up way too many offensive chances in their end. There are too many defensive breakdowns; they cannot continue to win games 6-5 or 5-4. This gun hole game, defence leaving goalies out to dry may be fun for the fans, but it gives coaches headaches.

I love the way Matthews plays; he is a leader and needs to be. But even Matthews and Tavaras and Marner have to help out the defence by coming back to the defensive zone. The defence has to be more selective in pinching. Too many times, they are getting caught on two-on-one. Defence is a team game, and this team does not seem like they want to play it. I understand the Leafs are playing to their strengths, but the way they play won't cut it in the playoffs. Better to adjust now before it is too late.

It is nice to see Hutchinson winning some starts. This is essential for the Maple Leafs to be successful. Andersen has to have some days off now and then, or else he will burn out by the playoffs. I will go as far as to say that if Michael Hutchinson does not win some of his starts, the Leafs might not be in the playoffs. Right now, Michael might be playing for his career. Hopefully, he will be motivated by the Leaf's playoff chances.

The Leafs are busy trying to find another defenceman. The problem is the cap. The Leafs will have to be inventive to fit a player in under the salary cap. They might force the team into doing a trade instead of an add. The Leafs might have to do cash in-cash out. The deadline is coming and might put the Leafs into a bind in bringing in a hired gun.

Randy

Mr. Keefe, please come on down

What does Sheldon Keefe bring to the Leafs? He is a great young coach who brings in new blood. He is a winner with a proven system. He brings in a more defensive system and will teach the Leafs to be more defence-minded.

The biggest benefit of his system is that it will cut down on the shots on Anderson. Maybe he won't be a worn-out puppy dog by the end of the season. 

The Leafs' game will be less helter-skelter.  There will be less running around in their zone. The defence will get more support from the forwards, who will learn to be more defensively responsible.

The biggest change is that the core will support him. They will buy into his system. He will loosen the reins on the players. Matthews and Marner will have some say in the game.

Keefe talks to the players. There will be more give-and-take with the players.  A load will be taken off of Matthews' shoulders.  He won't constantly be looking over his shoulder to avoid contact. The players will listen and learn from Keefe, who doesn't rule with an iron fist. 

Generally, they will be happier playing hockey again. Less pressured. More freedom equals better results—hopefully.