That is why they should have gone for Timo Meier – elite players make your team way better.īy adding Jakob Chychrun, the Leafs could take a significant step, and have the one thing they’ve never had in the Matthews era – a no doubt #1 elite defenseman. Puck drop from FLA Live Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.

It is marginally better – and that does matter – but it’s not the big step people are making it out to be because Ryan O’Reilly ain’t the same guy he used to be. The Toronto Maple Leafs (42-19-9) play the 3rd contest of a 5-game road trip against the Florida Panthers (36-28-7) Thursday.

Unless he suddenly becomes the point-per-game, elite defender he was three years ago, this week’s version of the team isn’t significantly better than last weeks. With the addition of Ryan O’Reilly, the Leafs don’t really get better. Chychrun is, and as such, he will make the Toronto Maple Leafs much better than they are today. As nice as they are as cheap additions, neither O’Reilly or Acciarri is an elite player. They wouldn’t have to worry so much about Samsonov under these circumstances.īarrett Hayton is 22, formerly a 5th overall pick, and he could add some talent lower in the lineup, or maybe even be a sneaky addition to a scoring line.īut it’s adding Chychrun that makes the difference. Trading Murray gives the Leafs a more reliable goalie, and they can maybe use the potential of Hayton on their 3rd or 4th line. They then take those picks, along with Matt Murray, Matthew Knies and two first round picks + whatever other stuff the Coyotes want, and they get Jakob Chychrun, Barrett Hayton and Karl Vejmelka. The Leafs can create cap space by trading Kerfoot and Holl for draft picks to contending teams. If you add an elite, no-doubt, #1 defenseman to this group, then you will really be cooking with fire. What the Leafs got so far is good, not great. What the Toronto Maple Leafs Going All-In Actually Looks Like The Leafs should go all-in, they just haven’t yet. It is not technically possible to go all-in if you still have your best assets. The Leafs didn’t spend either of their three best assets: Matthew Knies, and the unprotected first round picks in 20. This trade was good, but the people saying the Leafs went “all-in” clearly do not understand that phrase. In order to give themselves the best chance, they need to make a bigger trade. They could have won it before adding O’Reilly, and they were good enough to have won it any time over the last five or so years. Sure, they could win the cup with their current roster. It was a good trade, but not nearly enough to put the Toronto Maple Leafs over the top. Brothers Eric and Marc Staal of the Panthers. The Toronto Maple Leafs recently acquired Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari to bolster their lineup for the playoffs. Auston Matthews had two goals for Toronto, and Matt Murray made 33 saves as the visiting Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night. The Leafs visit the Panthers tomorrow, with puck drop set for 7 pm ET.By James Tanner 1 month ago Follow Tweet Mitch Marner pulled the Leafs back to a 3-2 score a little over three minutes into the third period, but Toronto surrendered four more goals in the loss. “Obviously, in the third period, we didn’t like how we handled that, but our team has been through a lot and have won some big games against some good teams of late.” “We won’t overthink this one,” Keefe added. Keefe announced that he expects Joseph Woll to be the Leafs’ other goaltender, along with Matt Murray, for the Leafs’ next three games through Sunday on the road against Florida, Carolina, and Nashville.Īnd while some teams might make a point of emphasizing a tough loss as a sign that things aren’t going too well, Keefe didn’t seem willing to dwell on the defeat. Samsonov previously missed Saturday’s game in Ottawa while spending time with Maria as they await the birth of their child. This is a very important and special time for him and his family. “All he has to focus on is getting home and being with his wife. “He has a lot going on right now, obviously,” Keefe told the media. The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a change to their lineup after last night’s 7-2 blowout loss to the New York Islanders.īut it doesn’t appear that the changes have much to do with the team’s performance.Īfter last night’s defeat, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe announced that the team would be sending goaltender Ilya Samsonov back to Toronto following Wednesday’s practice to be home with his wife Maria, who is expecting the couple’s first child.

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