Decisions, Decisions

By Mike Rifkin

Once again the Toronto Maple Leafs fell short of their goal of winning the team’s first Stanley Cup since 1967. MLSE President Keith Pelley announced in his end of season press conference that team President Brendan Shannahan would not return to the club. Pelley went on to say that he might not replace Shannahan, he will communicate more with GM Brad Treliving and Coach Craig Berube.  

The biggest decision facing the Leafs this summer is what will happen with impending unrestricted free agents Mitch Marner and John Taveras. Marner, the fourth overall pick by the Leafs in 2015 finished fifth in the league in points with 102 (his first 100 point season). Marner ranks fifth in team history in points with 741. Marner has been a tremendous regular season player, when it comes to the playoffs that is a different story. In 70 games played during the playoffs Marner has 63 points, which is good but only 13 goals. This year in the second round against the Panthers Marner had one shot in three games (games 4-6). It’s not the first time Marner disappeared in the playoffs. Tavares, was the prized free agent Shannahan signed to a seven year 77 million dollar contract to bring Tavares home. The 34 year old Tavares put up 38 goals and 74 points in 75 regular season games. Tavares has scored 35 + goals in two of the last three seasons. Tavares put up five goals and seven points in 13 games in the playoffs. In 51 playoff games as a Leaf, Tavares has 17 goal and 31 points. 

The Leafs have won a grand total of TWO playoff series under the Shanaplan with all of these star forwards. The Leafs have already changed coaches and General Managers and it hasn’t worked, so now they have to change the current core. So if I was Treliving and company I would let Marner walk out the door. As for Tavares the thing for me and I would consider bringing him back, but that depends on the term that he wants. Anything over two years, and I’d let him test the market. 

So with potentially both Marner and Tavares out the door, how should Treliving use his money?

•  Matthew Knies had a breakout season and is a RFA, so the first thing should be a Knies deal.
• A true number one goalie :Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll had a very good season together, until Stolarz got hurt in the playoffs. Now there’s not an elite goalie on the free agent market and if the Leafs make a trade they’ll have to get creative. The Leafs don’t own their own first rd pick over the next three years. 

However the Leafs want to use the money freed from Marner and Tavares (potentially) one thing is for sure and that is they cannot run it back with the same core again. And thus ends the Shanaplan which was a failure.