What's Wrong With the Maple Leafs

What's Wrong With the Maple Leafs

    The Toronto Maple Leafs are full of star power. Their roster is full of offensive weapons, and has been for the past 2 years, but they can't seem to make it out of the first round. 

    They are full of big names like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Auston Mathews, and William Nylander, but what does that matter without at least a deep playoff run? Nothing.

    You can watch the Leafs games and be wowed by the odd brilliant play by their top guys, but the wow factor is not likely to last. As a life-long Leafs fan, I can tell you first hand that this is a team full of potential, but they are missing something. 

    What is that something? It's simple. It is something that every great team has, but is forever overlooked. 

    A bruiser. A pest. An enforcer. Something, or someone, that will give these guys a spark when they need it most.

    You look at some of the greatest hockey teams of all time and you might not notice the stats that a guy like Tie Domi, Brad Marchand, Corey Perry, or Tom Wilson put up, but if you watch the game then you can see clearly the impact that they have on the game.

    When Tom Wilson steps on the ice the opposition can't help but be intimidated. He can score goals, forecheck, backcheck, and fight better than anyone in the league. You simply need guys like that on your team and the Leafs don't have it.

    The closest thing to it they have had is Nazem Kadri, but with some crucial suspensions in the playoffs his last two seasons as a Leaf he was let go. Now Toronto is left with some incredible talent, but no one who is willing to do the dirty work.

    So maybe its time to start focusing more on protecting your players rather than over paying a few of them. 

    Get rid of Nylander... he's useless and lacks anything but offensive talent. 

    Keep the big three in Marner, Mathews, and Tavares. 

    Pick up someone, or a few people, that will do the nitty gritty. Someone who can forecheck, backcheck, block shots, and fight when it is necessary. 

    This will be how the Maple Leafs take it to the next level. The city of Toronto needs this. And if they listen to me, you will be looking at the 2021 Stanley Cup champions.