Don’t Make A Move Toronto

2 years ago  /  Kuklas Korner

from Damien Cox at the Toronto Star,


Kyle Dubas, as most Leafs general managers in similar situations have tried before him, went this route again last year, adding Nick Foligno from Columbus for a first round-pick and a fourth-rounder as the Leafs finished first in the now-defunct North Division. Foligno contributed very little, and the Leafs went out in the first round again.

So perhaps this year it’s time to do something different. To ignore all the voices calling for this player or that player to be acquired via trade.

In other words, this is the year to do nothing.

Most people would agree the Leafs have the basic talent and depth to win at least one round in the post-season. They do have the fifth-best winning percentage in the league, after all. It’s not about the talent on the roster; it’s about how that talent plays.

So let the talent play.

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and the Leafs had the talent but not the balance to beat Carey Price, Corey Perry and the Canadiens in a seven-game playoff series last spring, Damien Cox writes.

Part of the story with the Leafs for many years has been an annual search for that addition who will supply the missing ingredient or ingredients. Last year with Foligno, it was a supposed to be grit, size and toughness. With Nolan back in 2003, it was about adding a sniper, another scorer to complement Mats Sundin and Alexander Mogilny.

But what if this year’s Leafs relied on the players they have, many of whom have been groomed and developed by the organization for years, to get the job done?


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