Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs – Youtube
The Toronto Maple Leafs admitted their play against Ottawa on Saturday was unacceptable and a flat out embarrassment for the fans as they lost their third straight.
If you genuinely thought things couldn’t go from bad to worse for the Toronto Maple Leafs, all you have to do is take a look at Saturday night’s performance against the Ottawa Senators as a prime example of when it rains — it pours.
Maple Leafs players admit effort vs. Senators unacceptable
It was something not lost on the Maple Leafs players as well, considering they were quite honest with how rough their play was against Ottawa, and it ranged from long-time leaders to the captain himself.
First, Auston Matthews explained that the team needs to take more pride in their performance and called the effort embarrassing:
It was embarrassing to be honest with you. We have to have more pride in our play.
Then Morgan Rielly chimed in and was as perplexed as anyone as to why things have gotten so bad for the Maple Leafs:
Jake McCabe took a more colourful route when it came to describing how things went, as it started pretty hot until things went south quickly:
A good first five minutes and then s*** the bed.
These are the words of a team that has given up and has no answers for what lies ahead and with less than a week until the trade deadline, they need to figure out where they stand fast.
It was an effort that also may have led to Craig Berube’s last game, as he very well could be fired ahead of the March 6th deadline but even then it’s too little, too late.
Toronto’s time is running out and they’re not watching the clock
Elliotte Friedman said during the broadcast that Toronto was not sure on whether or not to keep Bobby McMann. Really? We’re still debating on things with minimal time and a worsening team? It’s time for action and if Brad Treliving doesn’t do something then he shouldn’t be leading the team at all.
You have the potential to bring in several high-level picks for McMann, a potential first-rounder for Oliver Ekman-Larsson on top of a prospect, Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton can fetch you a decent haul; there are moves to be made.
If Toronto comes away empty-handed at the deadline and continue to free-fall down the standings, then their only saving grace is a Top-5 pick that carries them to success.
Even then, it’s not guaranteed.
Lance Hornby put it best in his post-game social media post on X:
5-2 Ottawa final. The Olympic break has broken the Leafs.
There’s nothing more to say than hopefully someone has the glue that can eventually put this crumbled group back together.
Previously on Hockey Patrol
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‘Embarrassing’: Auston Matthews and Maple Leafs leaders sound off after loss as trade deadline week closes in
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