Happy Wednesday, a day where we’ll hopefully get some answers and some direction for where the Toronto Maple Leafs hope to go through the offseason and into next year. President Brendan Shanahan, General Manager Kyle Dubas, and Head Coach Sheldon Keefe will speak to the media at 1pm today following exit interviews and the wrapping up of the 2019-20 season.
Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe are meeting with the media (virtually) tomorrow at 1 pm.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) August 11, 2020
It goes without saying that this year was bad, weird, confusing, busy, and painful. From contracts, to the defense, to the goaltending, to the disappearance of depth scoring, to injuries, to racism (still ongoing), to xenophobia (still ongoing), to the coaching fallout, to the pandemic, and to everything in between, I think we’ll all be very glad to see this season go. I doubt next year will be any more normal, and the anxiety from last year will still loom large, but at least we can close the book on some things. Namely Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie. Hopefully. Please.
I want answers. I want to know what Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan have learned, or at least what they’re willing to admit. Because this team isn’t in the top-10 in the league like we hoped they would be four years ago. They aren’t as complete as we hoped they would be. They feel stuck, so I want to know what the lubricant will be. Everyone has their own ideas, I’m curious to know what the GM thinks, because at the end of the day, only that’s what matters.
We’ll be providing coverage and reactions as the day goes on.
Who do you want to hear from most?
Brendan Shanahan | 225 |
Kyle Dubas | 230 |
Sheldon Keefe | 6 |
Any Players | 6 |
Carlton the Bear | 119 |
Yesterday’s Games
Calgary Flames 3, Dallas Stars 2 — CGY lead 1-0
The First Round started out pretty normal with this game. It got very not normal in the next one...
Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2 (5OT) — TBL lead 2-0 1-0
I’m sure you heard about this game. Suck it, Columbus.
This is still bizarre to look at in so many ways. pic.twitter.com/hSX1iI8a0j
— Matthew Esteves (@mattestevesSBN) August 12, 2020
Carolina Hurricanes “@” Boston Bruins — Game 1 — CANCELLED
This game was delayed due to the Lightning vs. Blue Jackets game going nearly two full games over time (heh, overtime). Originally scheduled for 8pm on Tuesday, these two teams will play at 11am today (Wednesday). As a result, Boston and Carolina will start their series with a back-to-back, and will have a second back-to-back in Games 5* and 6*.
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Chicago 1 — VGK lead 1-0
This was a pretty convincing win for Vegas.
Today’s Games
Carolina Hurricanes “@” Boston Bruins — Game 1
11am ET, NBCSN, TVAS, CBC, Sportsnet, NESN, FS-CR
New York Islanders “@” Washington Capitals — Game 1
3pm ET, SN, NBCSN, TVAS, NBCSWA, MSG, MSG+
Arizona Coyotes “@” Colorado Avalanche — Game 1
5:30pm ET, SN360, NBCSN, TVAS, ALT, FS-A
Montreal Canadiens “@” Philadelphia Flyers — Game 1
8pm ET, CBC, SN, NBCSN, TVAS, NBCSP
Vancouver Canucks “@” St. Louis Blues — Game 1
10:30pm ET, CBC, SN, NBCSN, FS-MW
Various Hockey Branches
The boys at Back to Excited had a sombre postmortem podcast. Sometimes that’s the tone that’s needed.
Related
Back to Excited Episode 115: Leafs vs Blue Jackets Postmortem
Elliotte Friedman spoke heavily about the Leafs in his 31 Thoughts blog. He speaks about Dubas altering his mindset about the team, tradeable contracts, possible timelines for the core, and Mitch Marner. I’m upset by his article because they don’t say the team is trading Marner.
Related
31 Thoughts: How will Dubas handle Maple Leafs’ off-season?
I dislocated my eyes reading this tweet. They’re pointing at my brain now.
Seth Jones on non-call on Hedman:
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) August 12, 2020
“I’d like them [refs] to come up here & give an explanation. I get a call, pretty much the same thing ... the officiating to me was, I don’t know, kind of suspect all night. So, we just want a clear explanation & never got one" https://t.co/edUuhyp0ax
I dislocated my eyes reading this tweet. They’re pointing at my brain now.
On another worldly night, Space Needle is an appropriate backdrop. Insane Columbus - TB game. God bless both teams for a great effort. Enough tho. I believe we should end these games sooner via 3 v 3 or shootout after a time. Whaddya think? pic.twitter.com/L9dyhJeT2W
— Mike Milbury (@realmikemilbury) August 12, 2020
Pittsburgh Penguins fans have Opinions about their management.
https://t.co/KOojxNWGCL pic.twitter.com/UOaFu2rTCc
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) August 11, 2020