Former NHL GM Tells the Truth About Toronto's Chance of Winning the Cup

PUBLICATION

Mackenzie Stern-Kolesnikow
March 27, 2023 (3:59 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Leafs are just one win away against the Florida Panthers to clinch a playoff spot.

Since the trade deadline, fans have also been discussing how the acquisitions of Noel Acciari, Sam Lafferty, Ryan O'Reilly, Jake McCabe, Luke Schenn and Erik Gustafsson have made the Leafs a better team.

These six additions to the roster added size, physicality and versatility that the old roster lacked.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe is still experimenting with the lines to find the perfect combinations.

These new players are beginning to find their places in the lineup, for example, Jake McCabe has taken Morgan Rielly's spot on the top line with T.J. Brodie.

This has also been beneficial for Morgan Rielly, who has been able to play a more sheltered role. Calle Jarnkrok is doing well with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

The Leafs also seem to have a number of great combinations in their bottom six. Ilya Samsonov, Matt Murray and Joseph Woll have also been beneficial to the team.

It appears that this might be the deepest roster the Leafs have had in nearly 20 years.

Craig Button Comments on the Leafs Chance of Winning the Cup

After their 3-2 win against Nashville, TSN's Craig Button commented on the current roster and how he thinks the Leafs will do in the playoffs:

"I think that the Leafs are built to adapt to different situations and to play different styles as the game dictates. And for that reason, I think they're in a much better position to win the first round. This is a Leafs team that I think is better built for the different challenges that a team faces come playoff time."

We do not normally agree with Button, but he is right. The Leafs have a great chance at making a deep run this season.

They have the ability to play in a track meet, a tighter physical and defensive game. They will certainly need to excel at all three types of play if they want to beat Tampa.

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily -
Analyst and former GM comments on how prepared he believes the Leafs actually are for the playoffs