I am not a Leaf fan. Never have been. Not likely to ever be one.
I am a die hard Habs fan.
All that being said. I did want the Leafs to move on to the Eastern Final, maybe even to the Cup Final. However, I cannot say I ever want them to win the Cup.
The reason I would like to see them move beyond the second round is many of my friends, and a few extended family members even, are Leafs fans. I’ve seen the misery they have gone through over the decades, especially during these past nine years. The so called, Core 4 Era.
I remember when the Leafs signed John Travares to his $77 million contract in 2018. Even as a Habs fan I thought this could possibly be the start of a dynasty, given the added talents of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Rielly.
The expectations were enormous.
Rightfully so.
I need not review the devastating history of all that happened since 2018. Leafs fans know it all too well.
It’s not like there haven’t been other teams who haven’t fared well over the past decades. It’s a long list. However, it’s hard to argue against the fact that the Leafs have been one of, if not, the most talented teams in the NHL. Hence the valid expectations.
Over the past few summers many expected to see dramatic changes after the Leafs failures to move beyond the second round. Coaches have been fired. GMs fired. Yet the Core 4 has stood strong.
The time has come for the Core 4 Era to come to an end.
The time has come for someone in the decision-making process to admit a drastic change or changes have to be made to the roster. Whether that’s Shanahan or higher. It needs to be done.
It’s the classic, you can’t expect to do the same thing and expect different results.
I would never argue that the Core 4 aren’t talented enough to win. They are. We all know it. That’s what makes it so disappointing to Leafs Nation.
But it’s just not working.
It takes more than just talent to win a Stanley Cup. It takes leadership, grit, and a sustained effort that this team doesn’t seem to have.
Many seem to be laying the blame on Marner. He’s not my fall guy. Should he be part of making a change. Yes. Things aren’t working. Something drastic has to happen.
Some say Tavares shouldn’t be resigned. I’m not in that camp. I was disappointed with them taking away his captaincy. He was a great captain and showed this year that he’s a great leader. There was no give up in the way he played, even in games 5 and 7 of this second round.
Nylander, though disappointing in this second round, has been the most consistent offensive playoff performer of the Core 4. If two players stay, it should be Tavares and Nylander. But nothing should be off the table.
Now comes the biggest change that should happen, but likely will not. Matthews.
He seems to be the sacred cow. Yes, he’s an elite goal scorer during the regular season, and a respected defensive presence. However, Leafs Nation expects more from such an elite skillset. Everyone should. They want to see Conn Smythe type of performances from him come playoff time. That’s what the greats do. Elite players bring it to another level come playoffs. You don’t have to necessarily win the Stanley Cup, but if you’re an elite player you have to do what’s expected.
Can you image Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, or Leon Draisaitl performing like Matthews does in the playoffs year after year?
It’s not as if this is Matthews first playoff year where he has failed to live up to expectations.
He does not lead by example. He does not live up to the privilege of wearing Tavares’ C.
Yes, Matthews has a no trade clause in his contract, but I’m sure they can work around that.
As a Habs fan, I should be happy if Matthews remains a Leaf. But for the sake of Leafs Nation, I hope he’s part of some big moves this summer. Unfortunately, it won’t likely be the case. I could be wrong, but it will probably be another summer of minor adjustments, with perhaps the exception of Marner leaving.
