NHL Legend Reveals Number One Missing Piece from the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Arguably the greatest American and NHL legend Mike Modano recently spoke on what the Toronto Maple Leafs need to add to their team to compliment Auston Matthews and win the Stanley Cup, and that is an elite puck moving defensemen.
While the Leafs have had Morgan Rielly for years, they need someone at an even higher level if they wish to reach the top of the mountain.
Mike Modano knows that the Maple Leafs are missing.
Charlie McAfee of Hockey Patrol reported on the comments made by Modano, who was discussing Matthews, and where he stands as one of the best American born hockey players in NHL history. But he will not be able to accomplish everything on his own, and according to Modano without that elite defensemen, the Leafs will never get where they want to be.
"I think it's just a matter of finding you know, a secondhand scoring, depth around him. Obviously a defenseman who can help him. It's not like a Makar to MacKinnon or Hughes for Kaprizov, he would really benefit from someone who can help open him up, keep the skate in and free the game up a bit more."-Modano
The Avalanche only experienced success once they got Makar, and he ended up winning the Conne Smythe as the Stanley Cup Finals' MVP. The Wild haven't had playoff success either, and they just might now that they got Quinn Hughes. For the Leafs they never experienced a player of that caliber on their blue line, and it could be why they failed to produced offence when it mattered most.
"They have internal options but again, they aren't the elite puck-movers that Modano insists Matthews needs. Toronto may need to spend a little bit more to get a player they need but if that fails again -- the fan backlash will be loud and swift.
Modano had his own offensive wizard on the blueline in Sergei Zubov for years, so it's not like he isn't speaking from experience, and getting Matthews a proper distributor may bring him back to his 60-goal form."-McAfee
Modano had his own offensive wizard on the blueline in Sergei Zubov for years, so it's not like he isn't speaking from experience, and getting Matthews a proper distributor may bring him back to his 60-goal form."-McAfee
The Maple Leafs have taken a step back this season, but they have a chance to turn it around for next year if they prioritize the right pieces to bring in.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15|255 ANSWERS NHL Legend Reveals Number One Missing Piece from the Toronto Maple Leafs Can the Toronto Maple Leafs acquire an elite defensemen to help Auston Matthews this summer? | ||
| Yes | 170 | 66.7 % |
| No | 85 | 33.3 % |
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