Former Leaf reveals why McDavid reached the cup final before Auston Matthews

PUBLICATION

Austin Kelly
June 7, 2024 (10:38)

SHARE THIS STORY

As the Edmonton Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final, where the Toronto Maple Leafs were sent home in the first round, one former Leaf has provided insight as to what he thinks makes Edmonton a winner instead of Toronto.

On the JD Bunkis Podcast, former Toronto Maple Leaf Kris Vertseeg shared what he viewed as similar roster construction between the current Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers, but says what is a difference between the two clubs is from the top.

Versteeg says what separates the two teams is the Oilers ability to get contributions from their role players, arguing that they get more out of their depth and make them feel as a team alongside stars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as opposed to Toronto being overly reliant on their star players, lacking depth impact below.

"If you get your role guys understanding, buying in, loving what their doing, killing the clock essentially some of them. That's what the Leafs do not have."

"They don't get their role guys involved, they don't make them feel important. And to tap it all off their top guys don't produce at the level you need to do when you build a team structurally that way".

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a difficult playoff series despite going to seven games, finishing last in goals per game with 1.71, as well as 2nd last on the PP with 4.8% and 4th worst on the PK with 64.7%.

Their top guys somewhat produced, but their bottom-six forwards were noticeable as absent with 7 forwards getting a point or less in the series against the Boston Bruins.

Source : Daily Hockey Dose
Ex-Maple Leaf reveals why McDavid reached the Stanley Cup Finals before Matthews