The Daily: Maple Leafs Need Renovation; Berube Update

When you talk about spring cleaning in Toronto, it’s usually about the Maple Leafs. It seems like every April or May, we are talking about making changes, sweeping out the old, bringing in new.

After bowing out of the playoffs too early for the eighth consecutive season, fans are hoping for, maybe expecting, major changes. Coach Sheldon Keefe’s job seems in jeopardy. Mitch Marner could be traded if he is willing to waive his no-movement clause. GM Brad Treliving might have the broom in his hand all summer.

It sounds as if the Maple Leafs will do a thorough cleaning this time around. The Maple Leafs lost a Game 7 on Saturday, and within minutes there was already speculation about what might happen, including whether John Tavares would still be captain next season.

Everything is on the table. The Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran took a comprehensive look at all of the issues Treliving faces, including whether to trade for a goalie, re-sign free agents like former Red Wings player Tyler Bertuzzi or Joel Edmunson or what assets to give up to toughen up the defense.

Goalie speculation includes the Maple Leafs inquiring about Jacob Markstrom. Treliving knows him well from their days together in Calgary.

This seems like the summer the GM spiffs up the Maple Leafs top to bottom.

What’s amazing about the Maple Leafs playoffs struggles is that they’re a team built for offence (half their cap is spent on four forwards) and yet they have trouble scoring in the post-season. Toronto has now been held to two goals or fewer in 13 of it’s last 14 playoff games.

— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) May 5, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Bob Duff looks at whether the Red Wings should make a bid for Steven Stamkos if he becomes a free agent on July 1. And Duff looks at whether the Red Wings have the cap space to make it happen.
• Jonatan Berggren scored all three game-winning goals, two in overtime, to help the Grand Rapids Griffins win the best-of-five playoff series against Rockford IceHogs. The Griffins beat Rockford 4-2 Sunday for the clincher.
• Defenseman Simon Edvinsson said he’s still bothered by the Red Wings missing the playoffs this spring. That’s the kind of attitude you want from a young player.
• Detroit captain Dylan Larkin had to pull out of the World Championships because of an injury. He had wanted to play. The USA team will have Jeff Petry and Detroit prospect Trey Augustine.

Red Wings Offseason

GM Steve Yzerman attended Game 3 of the Grand Rapids-Rockford AHL playoff series, and you can expect he will be following the team closely as they continue their playoff run. Yzerman has a few decisions to make about Grand Rapids player this summer and next fall.

Hockey Now Networkck

Boston: David Pastrnak said he had issues with coach Jim Montgomery calling him out before Game 7.  Boston Bruins. 

Florida: Brandon Montour has become a huge part of the Florida Panthers winning culture.

Montreal: Marc Dumont explains why the draft lottery rules work to the Montreal Canadiens‘ advantage.

New Jersey: Report says the New Jersey Devils have talked to Craig Berube about their head coach vacancy.

Philadelphia:  Jonathan Bailey explains why the Philadelphia Flyers should not inquire about trying to acquire Mitch Marner.

Pittsburgh: Dave Molinari writes that Sidney Crosby made the right call by deciding not to play for Canada at the World Championships. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng looks at whether Will Smith’s decision to play for the U.S. team at the World Championships will impact his decision  to sign with the San Jose Sharks.