TORONTO (June 20) — Something tells me the world’s most–gifted hockey player was not impressed when his team flipped between goaltenders late in the Stanley Cup final. Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard; the latter having played one game for the Toronto Maple Leafs: a 4–3 overtime loss, at Colorado, on Dec. 29, 2017. Even after Skinner had backstopped the Edmonton Oilers, last year, to within one victory of the National Hockey League championship. This spring it was two victories shy of defeating the incomparable Florida Panthers, owner of an undisputed No. 1 stopper on his way to the Hall of Fame. Methinks Connor McDavid had Bobrovsky on the brain when he suggested “if I feel there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.
“But, I’m not in a rush to make any decision.”
In other words: “Get me a fu**ing goalie or I’m heading to free agency next summer.”
It’s not as if the Oilers haven’t tried. Five general managers since McDavid’s rookie year in 2015–16 (Peter Chiarelli, Keith Gretzky, Ken Holland, Jeff Jackson, Stan Bowman) have deployed a total of 14 goalies (with at least one NHL start): Skinner, Pickard, Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith, Jack Campbell, Anders Nilsson, Laurent Brossoit, Al Montoya, Jonas Gustavsson, Oliver Rodrigue, Anthony Stolarz, Stephen Valiquette, Matthew Berlin. Wait. Back up there a few names. Anthony Stolarz played goal for the Oilers? With McDavid? Yup. Six games in 2018–19, registering a 3.77 goals–against average and 0.897 save percentage — numbers that would not have made him attractive to the Maple Leafs last summer. Instead, it was 27 appearances for the Florida Panthers in their first Stanley Cup season, ably backing up Sergei Bobrovsky with a 2.04 GAA and 0.925 SV%.
You can be sure McDavid, at some point, took note of Stolarz in his first season with the Leafs. There were times over the winter when tall Anthony was the best goaltender in the NHL. In my view, easily the club’s most outstanding performer, compiling a 24–8–3 record, 2.14 GAA and league–best 0.926 SV%. Had he not sustained a concussion at the start of the Florida series, courtesy Sam Bennett, might the Leafs have played with a smidgen of confidence in Games 5 and 7 on home ice; both 6–1 disasters? We’ll never know, but I suspect Stolarz was the best of any goalies utilized, this past season, by the Maple Leafs or Oilers. Again, I’m certain McJesus noticed.
If that continues, could it provide the Leafs a leg up in the pursuit of McDavid, should he not sign an extension with the Oilers (he is eligible for an eight–year pact, starting July 1)? It may help, but there’s lots more work to be done in the Toronto dressing room. Did you happen to see the YouTube clip of McDavid losing his mind in the Edmonton room during an intermission of the Cup final? “Not… fu**ing… good… enough!!” he yelled like a madman, several times. That, in a room full of ‘mates with whom he’d ventured, last year, to within minutes of a Game 7 Stanley Cup triumph. Can you imagine the veins on Connor’s neck were he a Maple Leafs forward and saddled with the blasé indifference of Auston Matthews at playoff time? He’d be hangin’ from the goddamned ceiling!
Reliable goaltending, therefore, is merely a start for the Leafs, should they have designs, next summer, on pulling off the biggest free agent coup of all time. If they cannot subtract Matthews, or if they refuse to try, McDavid will look elsewhere. The guy wants to win the silver mug. He’s not coming anywhere near a team “led” by No. 34. In a best–case scenario for hockey fans in Toronto, the Leafs’ new battery of Keith Pelley and Brad Treliving would adamantly convey to Matthews that management — in the post–Brendan Shanahan era — has changed course and would appreciate a list of eight teams to which he’d accept a trade. Hockey is a business… and a cruel one at times. This would be the Leafs telling Matthews “thanks for all the regular–season thrills, but we really don’t want you anymore. We need winners.” After the perpetual grief of the past nine playoff years, do you honestly think Matthews would dig in and choose to languish in such a circumstance? Just because he has a no–movement clause? If so, he’s even less–driven than it seems. By clearing playoff gnomes Matthews and Mitch Marner from the roster, the Leafs could begin to move forward when it matters. And, become attractive to winning free agents.
Theoretically, this could happen at any time. Realistically, given the administration of the Leafs, it won’t happen at all. Surely it wouldn’t were Shanahan still in control. It still may not, if the two–time defending champs wish to remain intact… and can accommodate Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand with extensions. Remember, it’s a business… for teams and players. Desire frequently gives way to practicality in the salary cap era. A club with imaginary, fanciful playoff designs, ala the Shanahan Leafs since 2021, keeps going back to a dry well. For reasons unexplained… other than it being the path of least resistence. No form of resistence, of course, is a threat in the Toronto hockey market. As such, the Leafs can carry on as they choose. At some point, though, sheer and inescapable futility ascends through the muck and offers a team no viable option. Fundamental change must occur.
That’s where the Leafs are, today, more than a month after Treliving’s now–eminent call for a new genetics.
When examined more closely, the team is in quite a spot and, really, with no choice but to spend money to try and stay competitive. Bottoming out, as prior to the 2014 NHL draft, isn’t an option after management (Treliving included) tossed away so many first–round picks. To move forward, the Leafs need to become an attractive destination for players that want to win the Stanley Cup, rather than hanging in for a couple of playoff rounds before capitulating. It’s true… on the surface, what motivation is there for Marchand and/or Bennett to consider Leaf overtures in free agency this summer? Especially if the Panthers want them back. Why come to a team that is demonstrably mediocre beyond mid–April? Year after year. Now, about to lose, for nothing, its 100–point, regular–season magician? The answer may be two–fold: a) maintaining incentive cannot be easy after winning consecutive championships. Otherwise, at least one team since the 1981–82 New York Islanders would have captured a third title.
Since that time, 43 years ago, there have been seven repeat champions: Edmonton (1984, 1985 / 1987, 1988); Pittsburgh (1991, 1992 / 2016, 2017); Detroit (1997, 1998); Tampa Bay (2020, 2021) and the Panthers (2024, 2025). So, perhaps there is merit to securing a fresh challenge. And, b) Stolarz. He needs to stay healthy and put up superb numbers for a second consecutive year. If so, he could start emulating Dominik Hasek, whose big NHL break did not occur until age 28. The Czech stopper was entrenched behind Ed Belfour in Chicago. A trade to Buffalo on Aug. 7, 1992 kick–started his Hall–of–Fame career. He won consecutive Hart Trophies at ages 32 and 33. Stolarz will be 32 in January. There is nothing so essential to a contending club than stability in goal.
Which the Leafs may possess in tall Anthony.
The biggest prize, of course, awaits the group that finally ends the longest–ever Stanley Cup drought. The bronze statues along Legends Row outside Scotiabank Arena will be comparative toys to the monolith erected for the hero of the Leafs’ next championship. Whenever it occurs. And, it will happen; just ask fans of the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, who waited a century (or longer) between baseball championships.
Though still on a Dopamine high in Florida, the charismatic Marchand is savvy enough to understand the transforming role he could play with the Leafs toward the end of his career. As is the younger Bennett. Were Leaf management to somehow coerce the Panthers duo into coming north — and, if still available on July 1, you know Pelley and Treliving will try — imagine how appealing this hockey market would become for Connor McDavid. Who has virtually no reason, at the moment, to target his home town as a potential free agent next summer.
Setting the table must be a big part of the equation for a team so devoid of first–round draft picks.
Right now, the Leafs are stale and predictable. There’s the guarantee of playing before large, passionate followers each home night… all of whom are dying for a breakthough in the spring. Otherwise, it’s same–old, same–old around here. As it will continue, minus Marner, next season if the club cannot lure a potential difference maker.
FROM THE VAULT: MARLBORO MEMORIES
Again, not sure when this item crossed my path, but it rekindles memories from my youth. The Junior Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey Association played home games at Maple Leaf Gardens, normally on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. I still remember Johnny Esaw calling the weekend matinee encounters on CFTO TV (Channel 9) here in town. This information book is from the first season of NHL expansion — the year after the Marlboros defeated the Port Arthur Marrs to win the 1967 Memorial Cup. Games were played at the Fort William Gardens in what is now Thunder Bay. The front and rear covers are above; the club’s hierarchy listed, below.
These are the names (above and below) that I most recall from watching the Marlboros of the late–60’s. Somehow, the Leafs allowed teen–aged Brad Park to slip away and join the New York Rangers, for whom he starred as the NHL’s second–best defenseman in the early 70’s (behind No. 4). What a difference Park would have made for the transitional Maple Leafs of that era, alongside fellow blue–liners Bob Baun, Jim McKenny, Jim Dorey, Rick Ley, Brian Glennie and Brad Selwood. Park later skated for the Boston Bruins.
Marine mechanic Guy Kinnear, who serviced the boats at Harold Ballard’s cottage in the summer, became a medical expert before each hockey season as trainer of the Marlboros… and, later, the Maple Leafs. Both the Junior and Senior Marlboros played home games at the Gardens; the Seniors vying for the Allan Cup.
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