TORONTO (Apr. 19) — It’s a question that no person in the Leafs-owned media will ask aloud (or in print). What happens amid the Doomsday scenario: another first–round playoff defeat in the Core–4 era? This time against an opponent that hasn’t qualified for the Stanley Cup tournament since 2017, when Auston Matthews was a rookie?
My ol’ pal Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet wrote his weekly column the other day for the Toronto Star.
A desk type at the newspaper affixed the following headline:
On the surface, the heading required no explanation. It should have been crafted before the COVID playoff with Montreal in 2021. Instead, Leafs management completely ignored the club choking on a 3–1 series lead against the much–inferior Canadiens. But, let’s look deeper. Four years later and the playoff stakes are “higher than ever” for the Leafs? In what conceivable way? And, precisely for whom? You think another early exit will ruin the summer escapades of Matthews and William Nylander — both lucratively under contract for the foreseeable future?
Will Mitch Marner not be laughing all the way to the bank by mid–afternoon on July 1? Wherever he signs?
Marner gets to choose whether he stays in Toronto or leaves. I can’t imagine him joining a rival club and sobbing uncontrollably at the press conference. Would Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment dismiss either of Brad Treliving or Craig Berube after 52 wins (second–most in franchise history) and 108 points (third–most)? Given the somnolence from ownership during the playoff underachievement of the past eight years, I’d say not. The general manager and coach are safe, even if Ottawa sweeps the series. Only Brendan Shanahan, whose second contract as club president expires after this season, needs to worry… unless he and MLSE have quietly agreed on an extension. The uppity–ups love what Shanahan has brought to the organization for the past decade — off the ice. Is it enough to retain him, irrespective of playoff performance this spring? Again, I’d say not. But, who really knows at MLSE, particularly with Ed the Conquerer about to consume 75% of the company? Given the recent capitulation by Rogers to the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. camp, expect the Leafs to ultimately cave into whatever litany the Marner entourage proposes. Whether it happens before July 1, and whether Mitch truly wants to stay, remains a mystery.
Marner and John Tavares are unrestricted free agents this summer, along with Max Pacioretty, Steven Lorentz and Jani Hakanpaa. There is obvious danger in the Leafs overreacting to the strong, second–half effort by Tavares — then extrapolating it over the next three or four years. Unquestionably, Johnny T. established himself among the most–dignified captains in franchise history. He is a pro… from head to toe. But, he’s also going to be 35 in September. I can confidently say that the Boston Bruins, in the same situation, would thank Tavares for his contributions and move on. I cannot confidently say that for MLSE. Fundamental change has never been the company’s hockey hallmark. It’s easier negotiating with “your own” players, especially if from the Toronto area.
Among the restricted free agents, none can obviously sign elsewhere — unless a rival team submits an offer sheet. As it pertains to Matthew Knies, this will amount to a wasted effort; the Leafs will match any number.
Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg are the other RFA’s. I sense that Berube covets Holmberg and would not care if the smallish and streaky Robertson moves on. Both goalies — Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz — are under contract for next season, after which the latter can test the open market. So, I ask again: for whom are the playoff stakes “higher than ever” in Toronto? You know the consequence of the Leafs losing to Ottawa. Fans will bitch and moan… for about a week. Perhaps Shanahan will be sacrificed. Ultimately, and quicker than elsewhere, cries of “run it back” will drown out all other noise. This is a region unaccustomed to playoff success, yet infinitely trapped in the Toronto hockey exorcism. Nothing can dissuade Leaf rooters from getting excited all over again. It’s an unassailable pattern in these parts; demonstrably shatter–proof over decades. Why would it change now?
OPENING ROUND STANLEY CUP PREDICTIONS
Eastern Conference
WASHINGTON over Montreal in 6.
TORONTO over Ottawa in 5.
TAMPA BAY over Florida in 6.
New Jersey over CAROLINA in 6.
Western Conference
WINNIPEG over St. Louis in 5.
Colorado over DALLAS in 7.
VEGAS over Minnesota in 5.
LOS ANGELES over Edmonton in 6.
STANLEY CUP FINAL: Tampa Bay over WINNIPEG.
Home–ice team in CAPITAL letters.
* * * * * * * * * *
LEAFS PLAYOFF PROGRAMS IN MY COLLECTION
These are among the most–coveted items of hockey memorabilia that I own. Dating to 1948:
The last time I saw Johnny Bower was in May 2017, at his home in Mississauga, Ont., west of Toronto. During that visit with the legendary Maple Leafs goalie and his wife, Nancy, I received the above autograph on a program from the 1967 Stanley Cup semifinals between Toronto and Chicago (line–ups, below). In this third game of the series, the Black Hawks prevailed, 3–1, to grab a 2–1 lead in the penultimate round. It would be Chicago’s last victory, as the Leafs won three straight and eliminated the heavily favored Black Hawks in six. Bower is still regarded the most–beloved figure in Maple Leafs history — nearly 8½ years after his death on Boxing Day 2017.
Program covers from the consecutive Stanley Cup years of 1948 and 1949. With autographs from Ted Kennedy (left); Bill Ezinicki, Cal Gardner, Ray Timgren, Turk Broda and Vic Lynn (right).
Line–ups (above) from the night the Leafs swept the Red Wings to capture the 1949 Stanley Cup at the Gardens. Goals by Ray Timgren (22), Cal Gardner (17) and Max Bentley (7) proved sufficient in the 3–1 victory; Ted Lindsay (7) had opened the scoring for Detroit. Conn Smythe and coach Hap Day led the Leafs to five Stanley Cups in seven years immediately after World War II (1945–47–48–49–51). Young defenseman Bill Barilko wore No. 19.
Punch Imlach had just arrived on the Toronto hockey scene and the Leafs started an impressive comeback against the Bruins (above) in the Stanley Cup semifinals. Having dropped the first two matches at Boston Garden, the Leafs got back into the series with a dramatic overtime victory in Game 3. Gerry Ehman (17) was the hero at the Gardens — tying the game with 2:52 left in regulation, then winning it at 5:02 of the first extra period. Bob Pulford (20) also scored for Toronto while Vic Stasiuk (7) had both of Boston’s goals. The Maple Leafs would upset the Bruins in Game 7 on the road, then lose to dynastic Montreal in the Cup final.
The Leafs prevailed only once in the 1961 Stanley Cup playoffs, taking the opener of the semifinals against Detroit in quite a marathon. George Armstrong (10) beat future Leafs teammate Terry Sawchuk (1) at 4:51 of the second overtime for a 3–2 victory. The Red Wings captured the next four games… and the series in five. Toronto would win the following three Stanley Cups and next be eliminated from a playoff series on Apr. 13, 1965. Bob Nevin (11) and Ron Stewart (12) also scored for the Leafs; Alex Delvecchio (10) and Howie Young (4) for Detroit.
Leafs program covers from 1961 (left) and 1963. Bob Pulford and Dave Keon, stalwarts of the dynasty under Punch Imlach; Toronto winning the Stanley Cup in 1962–63–64–67.
Another overtime victory helped the Leafs move temporarily back into the 1965 semifinals against Montreal (line–ups above). After losing the first two games at the Forum, a 3–0 deficit may have led to a sweep of the three–time champions. But, ol’ reliable, Dave Keon (14), fooled Lorne (Gump) Worsley (30) at 4:17 of overtime and Toronto trailed the series by one. Ultimately, the Canadiens would prevail in Game 6 at the Gardens when Claude Provost (14) beat Johnny Bower (1) at 16:33 of overtime, ending the trio of Toronto championships. This game started off crazily with four goals in the first 3:49 of regulation. The Leafs jumped to a 2–0 lead when Keon and Red Kelly (4) scored shorthanded goals on the same Montreal powerplay (Bob Baun off for charging). John Ferguson (22) finally scored for the Habs at 3:32, but rookie Ron Ellis (11) restored the two–goal margin just 17 seconds later.
The Big M graced the program cover (above) for Game 3 of the 1967 Toronto–Montreal Stanley Cup final, a 6–2 Canadiens romp at the Gardens (line–ups below). It was the last game the Habs would win, as Imlach’s old boys rallied for three straight and their fourth NHL title in six seasons. Ralph Backstrom (6) and Jean Beliveau (4) each scored twice for the Canadiens while Mike Walton (16) and Tim Horton (7) replied for the Leafs.
EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM
