Brad Treliving Saved Specific Bullet For Maple Leafs’ Offseason
In a recent conversation, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox and Jeff Marek spoke about what it would mean for the postseason to be considered a success or a failure for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Is winning a single round enough with the current roster new GM Brad Treliving constructed? Or, would winning only one round be considered a monumental failure?
Many believe if the Leafs don’t win at least one round, maybe two, some changes may have to happen. Previously, the focus has often been on first-round success. It took everything the Leafs could muster just to win a round. Last year, they advanced but fell short against the Florida Panthers in the playoffs. This season, even though the Leafs are arguably not as strong a team, more is expected of them.
The Expectations Are High on the Maple Leafs This Season
Fox explained that, fair or not, a lot is riding on the Maple Leafs going farther than they’ve gone in previous playoff appearances. At some point, getting in and beating one opponent doesn’t cut it. He explained:“I think you gotta win two rounds. Or, if you go out in the second round, there’s no excuse for going out in the first round, which is maybe too high of a bar because they’re going to be underdogs in that first round, but what they achieved last season I think they absolutely have to win a round and if you’re going to lose in the second round, you got to push it to seven, you got to go down fighting.”
Fox added that there are no excuses now. All of the Leafs’ top guys are getting big salaries and being paid to perform. And, for those who aren’t getting the money this year, their future of big-money earnings is already secure. Each player is having a good season but that needs to carry over to the playoffs. It’s time to perform. The fan base and the organization won’t tolerate a lackluster effort.
