The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of one of their worst stretches in a decade. After seemingly turning things around a couple of weeks ago, the club is back in a slump. They lost a tough game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Then, they ran out of gas against the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
But it was the Thursday night game in Washington that drew the most intense reaction from fans and the media. The post-game comments on Thursday by coach Craig Berube ignited a firestorm of speculation regarding the team’s future.
That situation led insider Elliotte Friedman to speculate what could happen to the Maple Leafs this season. During an appearance on the FAN Hockey Show on December 19, Friedman dropped the hammer on the Leafs:
“We’re heading into a territory where, if this doesn’t turn around, they’re (Maple Leafs) going to have to ask some really tough questions about themselves.”
Those questions could come from all angles. While the onus is on Berube right now, the fact is that the entire organization could face a reckoning if the Maple Leafs don’t make the playoffs this season.
Friedman added:
“So, the focus today is on the coach. I think the questions, if they go existential, are going to be much bigger than Craig Berube. If this doesn’t turn around, we’re going into some really crazy territory.”
What the “territory” is remains unclear. But one thing is certain: Leafs Nation and the media will demand answers from the organization.
Maple Leafs Face Existential Questions about their Captain
Friedman fielded a question about the Maple Leafs trading their captain, Auston Matthews. The insider was blunt in stating that such an issue would not be an in-season matter.
That’s a key answer. It highlights that a playoff miss could mean concerns about Matthews coming up in trade speculation next summer. Matthews will be entering the third year of a four-year deal next season. So, would that situation open up the same conversation the Vancouver Canucks had about Quinn Hughes?
If so, would the Maple Leafs be open to moving Matthews while he still has some term left on his current contract?
Those are the questions that Friedman alluded to. At the very least, the most uncomfortable ones.
Could a Change Come Behind the Bench in Toronto?
The other major issue could be a coaching change. That situation may be likelier to happen in-season. However, the Maple Leafs have not hinted that such a change may be on the horizon.
Craig Berube is in the second year of his current contract. Given the roster churn this season, it may be unfair to pin the blame solely on Berube. Then again, the organization may become increasingly desperate to spur a change.
Again, there has been no indication that a change may be coming behind the bench. But one has to think that if a change came, that would be the easiest one. The Maple Leafs have various paths to go if they choose to make an in-season coaching change.
So, Leafs fans should keep their eyes and ears open because there might be moves coming hard and fast in the next few weeks.
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