Shocking Trend Exposes NHL Bias Against the Toronto Maple Leafs
When the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice, it often feels like they have a disadvantage when it comes to officiating, but new stats show that may be true.
Given that the NHL is trying to add new rules and regulations that allow for more penalties to be called due to slashing, hooking, diving, and delay of game.
These rules were implemented to create a safer, and more exciting brand of hockey for all to enjoy.
But sometimes it doesn't feel like the NHL is exactly doing its best to create parity within its walls, and there's some evidence to show that at least in the case of the Toronto Maple Leafs: The NHL doesn't seem to like them all that much.
Toronto's Being Given Less Breaks Than Others
A lot of controversy has struck the Maple Leafs in the past few weeks when it comes to officiating.
Whether it's having goals called back consistently, penalties being reviewed (and either extended for Toronto or not given for others), something feels a bit out of place.
Per some statistical analysis from an X user named @GrinsAbove, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had some of the league's least amount of powerplay time, with their best ranking being in 2020-21 and 2022-23 at 25th in the league.
This season they are afforded the least amount of time with no clue as to why.
It's not just the lack of power play time either. According to Money Puck, Toronto is ranked as the ninth highest team in terms of penalty minutes taken, and the evidence can get a little egregious at times, such as in the case of William Nylander's high-sticking call.
Or the phantom slashing call that referees penalized defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for.
It was a call that the veteran defenseman was none too pleased, almost looking perplexed as to why he needed to get off the ice.
But it's not even just the penalties and missed opportunities on that end for the team, but the referees are actually taking chances away from Toronto, be it offensively or defensively.
The Maple Leafs also need to start getting their disciplinary issues figured out, as the main culprits who are leading the team in PIM are Ekman-Larsson, Ryan Reaves, Max Domi, and Simon Benoit. Pontus Holmberg isn't too far behind him, a stark contrast to his 18 PIM all of last season.
Whether it's a product of Craig Berube, or a new vision the NHL has decided to really ramp up this year, the Maple Leafs are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to their special teams.
It's not just a talking piece anymore, as the evidence is piling up more and more.
