The Toronto Maple Leafs are showing signs of mid-season crisis, after what was supposed be a playoff hopeful 2014-2015 season. The team is currently sporting a record of 22-23-3, a result of a disastrous 7-game road trip that left Toronto with their tail between their legs. What was once a hot-shot lineup at the beginning of the season, is now a 10th place Eastern Conference club, struggling to secure a second wild card spot. In the grand scheme of things, the Leafs are, and will, remain an inconsistent hockey team, unless they make some serious changes in terms of management and players.
Let’s start with management. Dave Nonis has been in charge of practically nothing since coming to Toronto, besides signing Dion Phaneuf (also known as ‘The Pylon’) to a long-term contract worth $49 million. In the off-season, Nonis was in charge of improving the Toronto Maple Leafs roster by smacking down some deals, which he obviously didn’t do, besides re-signing Leo Komarov and Korbinian Holzer. Stephane Robidas was added into the mix, and was given the “A” a few weeks later. Jake Gardiner replaced him on defense a couple of weeks ago. Nonis is putting his position as Leafs GM on the line if he doesn’t come up with a way to get his team back on track.
Many years ago, before coming to Toronto, Dion Phaneuf was considered a #1 defensman, by many hockey fans and scouts alike. Unfortunately, Phaneuf’s defensive skills are rapidly declining. Whether this is due to a lack of support, or an ego-destroying bombardment of Toronto media sources, the once remarkable NHL star is now shrivelling into a flailing scapegoat for Leafs fans to point their fingers at. In order to please everyone, the Leafs are contemplating Phaneuf’s ridiculous contract, given to him by none other than Dave Nonis himself.
It’s the same deal year after year with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they have left practically every hockey fan wondering why one of the richest teams in the NHL, a team that is ranked third in Stanley Cups won, can’t seem to find a way to win consistently. They have an enormous amount of potential, there’s no doubt about that, but in order to make the playoffs, the Leafs will have to make some long term changes. It’s just a matter of deciding what those changes might be, and what they will lead to in he future.
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Main Photo: The Toronto Star
