"Delusional": NHL columnist harshly labels Toronto Maple Leafs' hopes of success owing to insubstantial roster changes

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Aug 16, 2024 11:30 GMT

NHL columnist Dave Feschuk recently criticized the Toronto Maple Leafs for not making enough roster changes. He believes the team's recent adjustments are insufficient to do better in the playoffs.

The Leafs recently named Auston Matthews as their 26th captain, replacing John Tavares. Matthews, a three-time NHL goal leader, is seen by some as a strong choice. However, Feschuk argued that this change is mainly symbolic and does not address deeper issues.

On TSN, Feschuk said that the team often promises big changes but fails to deliver.

[4:40] "But this is not the real change—the “everything is on the table” kind of change. And they use that “everything is on the table” phrase in the postmortem when it was Pelly and Shanahan and Treliving standing on the dais talking about another failed season...."

"The whole team that was there is essentially coming back. So you're right; the idea that anything substantial will change in the result without anything substantial changing in the makeup of the roster is delusional and we've got eight years of evidence that tells us that," Feschuk added.

After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years, many expected major changes. Instead, the Leafs made only minor moves, hiring a new head coach, Craig Berube, and signing defencemen Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They decided to keep their core forwards: Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and Tavares.

The team has retained core players by giving Matthews a new four-year contract and Nylander an eight-year deal. But they still have to sign Marner and Tavares, with their contracts ending soon.

General manager Brad Treliving earlier said the team wants to improve but is careful about making big changes. The Leafs have performed well in the regular season but have only won one playoff series since Matthews and Marner joined the team. Feschuk’s comments suggest that without major roster changes, the Maple Leafs might continue to struggle in the playoffs.

Auston Matthews named first American captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs

On Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs named Auston Matthews their new captain. He is the first American to hold this role. Matthews shares his thanks, honor, and commitment as the new captain.

"I'm incredibly humbled to be named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs," he said (via TSN). "I'm honored to follow in John's footsteps and continue our work in leading this team along with so many other leaders within our dressing room..."

The team hopes Matthews can help end their long Stanley Cup drought. Both GM Brad Treliving and Tavares believe Matthews is ready to lead.