2023-10-18 19:32:00
The new general manager of the Maple Leafs, Brad Treviling, did not hesitate to offer several contracts to free agents upon his arrival at the head of the Toronto organization.
Of the four main players signed, each of them is capable of significant contribution at certain levels, but they also came with their share of risk and a sometimes unenviable reputation, whether through their personality or the shortcomings of their respective game.
We are of course talking about Tyler Bertuzzi ($5 million per season), Max Domi ($3 million per season), John Klingberg ($4.15 million per season) and Ryan Reaves ($1.35 million per season) who have all brought to Toronto for very specific reasons.
After three games, none of these players have really made a difference for the Leafs who have a 2-1-0 record. None of these players are really responsible for the two victories for Sheldon Keefe’s men.
The credit goes to the regulars. Auston Matthews scored back-to-back hat tricks to start the season. William Nylander truly plays like a player looking for the contract of a lifetime, with his 3 goals and 3 assists. Morgan Rielly acts as a pillar in defense and captain John Tavares has already contributed with 6 points.
Make no mistake, the Leafs have allowed at least 4 goals in each of their outings, and if it weren’t for their explosive attack, a wind of panic might already be blowing on the shores of Lake Ontario.
As for newcomers, we certainly need to give runners a chance before making an unequivocal diagnosis. It must be admitted that the small sample is far from convincing.
Bertuzzi sometimes seems out of control on the ice, as evidenced by his five minor penalties (an NHL high). However, Bertuzzi is not recognized for his indiscipline, he who never exceeded 47 minutes in the cell during his career. What’s more alarming is that Bertuzzi’s only point was scored on the power play and that it was mainly for his contribution at 5-on-5 in the top-6 that Bertuzzi was attracted to the Leafs.
In Domi’s case, the observations are even more worrying. He spends barely 12 minutes per game on the ice and he already has a -3 rating, with only one assist to his record. Domi has never been recognized as a force in the defensive zone and his place in the Toronto chessboard still seems nebulous. Within a 3rd line and a second wave of power play that only picks up the crumbs, it is difficult to imagine Domi approaching his personal peaks offensively.
For his part, Klingberg has already provided 3 assists, but his defensive shortcomings are well documented. Sheldon Keefe knows this very well, and the more the games progress, the more rare his presence on the ice becomes. Monday against the Hawks, Klingberg was employed on the third pair of defensemen, even though the Leafs were looking to make a comeback against the boards in Connor Bedard.
Reaves, with his limited usage, does what he has to do on the ice, but nothing more. His speed is greatly lacking and his -3 differential is not encouraging. Reaves was brought to Toronto for three seasons to protect its stars and as long as he continues to play his role as an intimidator, his place in the lineup will not be in question.
It’s still very early in the season, but the question arises: do Treviling’s additions really have the profile to take the Leafs to the next level? Despite the two victories in three outings, the questions are more numerous than one would like for October 18 within the “Leafs Nation”.
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