
The Toronto Maple Leafs have long been one of the NHL’s most successful regular-season teams, only to fall short once they reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With just one playoff series win in their last 20 seasons, fans are hoping this year’s version of the Maple Leafs takes a step forward.
So far, all indications are that this could be it. First-year head coach Craig Berube has this team playing a tighter defensive game, and the combination of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz have given Toronto arguably their best goaltending since the days of Curtis Joseph and Eddie Belfour.
With one week until the NHL Trade Deadline, rumours are swirling over where the Maple Leafs and general manager Brad Treliving will try to upgrade. Do they try to add some depth on the wing? Does this group need one more legitimate top center? Or can their blue line add another piece to put them over the top?
On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss Frank’s “Cup Contender Inner Circle,” and if the Maple Leafs have put themselves in a position to compete for their first Stanley Cup championship in nearly 60 years.
Frank Seravalli: With Toronto being in that inner circle, I just think it’s wide open. At some point, they’re probably going to break through. They have the best goaltending they’ve had during this run of five-to-six years. At the same time, they have the best defense corps with Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson that they’ve had in this stretch.
What are the Leafs going to do at the Trade Deadline? I imagine they’re going to fill one of their center roles. Why can’t Toronto be one of those teams that breaks through?
Tyler Yaremchuk: I do agree with you on that, with the Eastern Conference being wide open, and the Leafs goaltending staying healthy. I think there is reason to believe this year could be different for Toronto.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
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