However, in their quest for a stronger defense, the Leafs have overlooked a glaring, long-standing problem: they struggle to score when it matters most. For years, Toronto's management, from Lamoriello to Dubas, and now Treliving, has tried to mold the team into a "playoff hockey" contender, emphasizing toughness and defense. This approach consistently backfires, as it forces the Leafs away from their natural strength—scoring.
Last season, they crippled their offensive potential by focusing on defensemen who couldn't effectively move the puck. This led to just one game with more than three goals in seven playoff matches, ending in the expected early exit.
This summer, while they've improved their blue-line's puck-moving ability, the forward group has weakened, with key departures like
Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Robertson. If they don't address their offensive shortcomings, especially in the bottom six, the Leafs could be heading for another disappointing season.