On this version of Toronto Maple Leafs Information & Rumors, I’ll have a look at three matters. First, Max Pacioretty’s future with the crew stays unsure after being a wholesome scratch by head coach Craig Berube. With restricted alternatives left, Pacioretty should show his worth to safe his spot.
Second, former NHL coach Mike Keenan praised Berube’s old-school fashion, suggesting it might carry the self-discipline and grit wanted to push the Maple Leafs additional in playoff hockey, contrasting Berube’s depth with the extra passive strategy of former coach Sheldon Keefe. Third, I share hypothesis a few potential Timothy Liljegren commerce to the Los Angeles Kings. The Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League (AHL) scouting presence at a current Kings recreation hints that the group is likely to be making ready to switch Liljegren with youthful expertise if a commerce materializes.
Merchandise One: What Is Max Pacioretty’s Standing with the Maple Leafs?
Pacioretty’s time with the Maple Leafs hasn’t gone as anticipated since signing knowledgeable tryout (PTO) over the summer season. The 35-year-old veteran has struggled to make a constant affect, with age seemingly catching as much as him. Most notably, Berube made Pacioretty a wholesome scratch throughout a current 6-2 win in opposition to the Kings, citing that the choice was primarily based on roster depth and what’s finest for the crew, not a mirrored image of Pacioretty’s effort.
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“We now have additional gamers, and never everyone can play each evening,” Berube defined. Pacioretty has been respectable within the lineup; nonetheless, his future with the crew is unsure. He’s operating out of probabilities to show himself as a helpful contributor.
If Pacioretty capitalizes on his probabilities, he would possibly nonetheless maintain onto a job. But when his efficiency doesn’t enhance, his stint with the Maple Leafs might finish ahead of anticipated. At this level in his profession, he’s dealing with the cruel actuality that sustaining a spot on an NHL roster requires greater than previous success—he should present that he can nonetheless compete at a excessive stage.
Merchandise Two: What Does Iron Mike Keenan Need to Say About Craig Berube?
In a current interview, former NHL coach (often called Iron Mike) Mike Keenan praised Berube, the brand new head coach of the Maple Leafs, and highlighted how his management might positively rework the crew. Keenan, who coached Berube throughout his taking part in days, expressed confidence in his potential to arrange the Maple Leafs for playoff success. He emphasised Berube’s robust, old-school fashion, which, although uncommon in at the moment’s NHL, has confirmed efficient prior to now.
Associated: Interview With Iron Mike Keenan
Keenan referenced different profitable coaches like Paul Maurice, who embraced an identical gritty strategy to win the Stanley Cup. Berube’s depth was evident throughout a current Maple Leafs recreation, the place he referred to as a timeout regardless of a 5-2 lead, stressing the significance of staying centered and never turning into complacent. Keenan prompt Berube’s management might reignite the crew’s competitiveness.
Keenan believes Berube’s old-school self-discipline might carry the Maple Leafs much-needed construction and accountability, doubtlessly guiding them to playoff success.
Merchandise Three: Extra Hypothesis About Timothy Liljegren
Hypothesis is rising that the Maple Leafs are actively seeking to commerce Liljegren, with the Kings rising as a probable suitor. The Kings, a crew that’s lately graduated lots of their high prospects to the NHL, would possibly take into account Liljegren a great match as a result of his playoff expertise and the truth that he aligns with their youthful roster. For Liljegren, a transfer might present the constant taking part in time he’s looking for, whereas for the Maple Leafs, buying and selling him might supply round $3 million in cap reduction.
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There’s additional proof {that a} commerce is likely to be within the works. In the course of the current recreation between the Montreal Canadiens and the Kings, three Toronto Marlies’ management crew members have been in attendance, doubtlessly scouting for gamers to switch Liljegren. The involvement of the AHL employees hints that Toronto is likely to be making ready to usher in youthful gamers to fill the hole left by a possible Liljegren commerce.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman alluded to the potential of a deal quickly if Toronto can safe the appropriate return. Whereas it’s uncommon to see AHL scouts taking part in such a direct function in a possible NHL commerce, this means the group is likely to be centered on rebalancing its roster with youthful expertise. As well as, ought to the Maple Leafs determine to half methods with middle David Kämpf, the return for Liljegren might contain a middle to bolster their bottom-six lineup except they depend on rookie Fraser Minten as soon as he returns.
Liljegren stays a Maple Leafs participant, however the clock might be ticking on his time in Toronto.
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
I do know I’ve made this level earlier than, however though many imagine Liljegren can be traded, I hope the Maple Leafs maintain onto him. He’s a type of gamers who might thrive in Toronto or elsewhere. Buying and selling him is likely to be a mistake. He has vital upside—he’s a good-sized right-handed defenseman with stable puck-moving abilities and the flexibility to skate nicely. His points have been instability and an absence of belief from his coaches.
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Sure, he’s had many probabilities and hasn’t made vital strides. However at simply 25 years outdated, there’s nonetheless time for him to develop. The return for him doubtless received’t match his potential worth. He stepped up when Morgan Rielly was injured and seemed nice throughout that stretch. With the brand new teaching employees in place (though the defensive coach stays the identical), giving Liljegren a extra prolonged shot might repay.
