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Toronto Maple Leafs won't win the cup until they fix their biggest flaw


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Mark Parsons
August 9, 2024  (2:10 PM)
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Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews gets up slowly after hitting the end boards as the Toronto
Photo credit: Steve Russell - Toronto Star

This offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs focused heavily on improving their blue-line. While they've made some strides, they still lack a true elite defenseman like Cale Makar, Adam Fox or Miro Heiskanen.

As a result, their defense might only be in the top 5-10 range, despite their best efforts.

Maple Leafs continue to struggle on clutch offense

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.

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