Lack Lustre Leafs

The struggling woes of the Toronto Maple Leafs continued this week with more losses. The most recent was a lost to the under achieving Arizona Coyotes. Ranked third worst in the league the Leafs allowed the Coyotes to come from behind and win it in the third period. Leading the game into the third the Leafs looked to be in a good position. Bernier was on top of his game and even Kessel managed to rid himself of that awful scoring drought. However, off the opening face-off the puck was dished back to the Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larson who promptly shot the puck down the ice from his own blue line. The shot was on net and managed to fool Bernier. My mind immediately took me back to images of Vesa Toskala a few years ago when he let a similar bouncer into the net. This fluke goal would soon be followed by another stinker less than four minutes later. While crouched against the right post Bernier allowed a shot from the goal line to squeak between him and into the net. The Leafs ultimately lost the game 3-1.

 

This epic collapse on this particular night is an almost too familiar one of late. Members of Leaf Nation have been experiencing this type of play for the past few years and must be getting sick of it. When all else fails burn it down and start again. Unfortunately I find myself coming to this point. I regret to say it but I honestly do not think that there is anything left from the current organization to save. Starting from the ownership, management, coaching staff and the players. I think it is even time for the stick boy to find a new calling. A major change needs to take place and that starts with the ownership. They have tainted this group to the point that I do not believe they are capable of winning anymore. The fact that Coach Horachek has set a new Leafs record for the worst coaching record for a starting coach is befitting of this sentiment. This proud and successful franchise has been reduced to a joke.

Start from the top and work down. Wholesale changes need to be made and they need to be made now. I have already given up hope for making the playoffs this year just like many recent past years and it is only halfway through the season. It is time for a change and not just the coach or a couple of star players. The entire system needs to be redefined. If I was Carlyle I would be laughing all the way to the bank right now.