Subj : Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Barrie; Nylander
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers
Date : Mon Jul 06 2020 04:40 am
I came across an interesting bit of history doing my research for this post.
That is, as sportswriter Lance Hornby noted, "Since 1917, more than 1,000 men
have worn the Blue and White in Toronto's NHL history. They're part of a team
that millions of Canadians grew up listening to, watching on TV or even seeing
live, perhaps dreaming they could play for them one day" (from "Once a Leaf:
Chris Kotsopoulos, Lance Hornby, Ottawa Citizen, 05/07/20).
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Hub Cities, Amnesty Buyouts, Wendel Clark
As I read it, I was struck by how fortunate I feel to be writing about these
players almost every day. Today's post won't be any different.
In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I want to put perhaps a
different spin on Tyson Barrie's value to the team, prop up William Nylander as
a young player who might not be finished improving, and share the charitable
work of Maple Leafs captain John Tavares.
Item One: Why Sheldon Keefe Likes Tyson Barrie More than People Think
When the Maple Leafs entered the 2019-20 season, most hockey forecasters
believed the team would be solid enough because of a group of elite forwards
and a steady goalie in Frederik Andersen. Even with newly acquired Barrie and
Cody Ceci, and the presence of Morgan Rielly, the defense was seen to be
lacking quality. In truth, that assessment wasn't far from wrong.
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Forgetting any of the team's inner turmoil when head coach Mike Babcock was
replaced by Sheldon Keefe, perhaps the worst thing that could have happened to
the defense happened. Jake Muzzin, Rielly, and Ceci were all injured at the
same time. That left Barrie as the most veteran presence on a completely
duct-taped rear guard. However, the Maple Leafs kept winning more games than
they lost with a hodgepodge of defensemen.
When I assess what the team went through this season, I don't think enough
credit has been given to Barrie's leadership on this beat-up defensive corps.
Keefe probably had no choice but to trust his offensive-minded defenseman, even
playing Barrie�more than 25 minutes in 11 games. And, once Babcock was gone as
coach and Keefe reshaped Barrie's assignment, he performed quite well - at
least to my eyes.
Related: St. Louis Blues' 50-Goal Scorers
That increased ice time shows the confidence Keefe had in Barrie, who responded
by scoring 32 points (5 goals, 27 assists) and was plus-4 in 47 games after
Keefe became coach. He was the highest-scoring defenseman on the team.
Almost everyone believes Barrie will be gone after this season, and perhaps
that's accurate. However, I'm already on record as suggesting that there's a
chance he might just stay in Toronto next season on a team-friendly contract to
wait for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to settle down and get a lay of
the land going forward.
No one is smart enough to see through the pandemic's fog to predict the kinds
of free-agent contracts players will sign. Because the world isn't normal right
now, it might be a good time to safely hole up and watch.
Tyson Barrie, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Why might Barrie stay with the team? First, I think he and Keefe like and
respect each other. Second, why not play for a next contract by showcasing your
talent with a team that's likely to help you put up big offensive numbers.
That team would be the Maple Leafs. Third, if you dream of playing for a
Stanley Cup, look around or ask Jason Spezza. Certainly, the Maple Leafs are in
that conversation.
Item Two: William Nylander Is Comeback Player of the Year
I am a total Zach Hyman fan, and I hope he wins the Bill Masterton Trophy. To
my mind, he's one of the most valuable Maple Leafs players and had an
incredible season both by improving his overall play and by overcoming a
debilitating injury.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Campbell, Rielly, KHL Players, Ayres Card
That said, Nylander was an absolute revelation to me, and was the Maple Leafs'
comeback player of the season. It wasn't just that he improved his game, it's
that he found what his game might become. Credit Keefe with help in that
department.
If you're a confident - even cocky - young player, which I think Nylander is, I
can't even imagine the self-doubt that might have arisen in the aftermath of
his contract holdout and the horrible 2018-19 season after he signed. What's a
word on the other side of embarrassing?
Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly celebrates with teammate William Nylander.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hans Deryk)
This season, Nylander's game evolved. When Keefe consistently gave him more
power play time, the young Swede became an in-front-of-the-net power forward
whose scoring prowess grew. Nylander scored 31 goals and would have passed his
career high in points had the season played out. As it was, he began to show
what he's capable of in 68 games.
I don't think we've seen the end of his growth either. Connor Brown did him a
huge favor in Connor Carrick's podcast when he revealed that Nylander was
"probably the most laid-back guy I've ever met in my entire life. But have you
ever seen a guy on the ice more than him in your life? Right? I mean, he's on
the ice 25 minutes before practice, stick-handling through pucks lined up."
That kind of work ethic will only help to push Nylander's skill forward.
Item Three: John Tavares Starts a Foundation
John Tavares is taking his job as both a parent and a Maple Leafs
representative seriously. During June, he began the John Tavares Foundation
with a goal of providing kids access to a healthy and active lifestyle and
empowering "the next generation to reach their full potential. Because a world
filled with possibilities starts with a space for them to imagine and create."
Related: Maple Leafs' Forgotten Ones: Jeff Finger
For anyone interested, as I am, you can follow the work of this foundation on
their Facebook page.
We are incredibly proud to launch the John Tavares Foundation encouraging
families to savour their experiences and each other by discovering different
ways to be mindful, active, healthy and together, turning these moments into
lifelong memories. pic.twitter.com/f0Y55S8LVl- JohnTavaresFDN (@JohnTavaresFDN)
June 10, 2020
What's Next for the Maple Leafs?
With the news two days ago that the St. Louis Blues had shut down their Phase 2
operations for the weekend because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the need
for safer operations once again comes into the news.
Planning for Phase 3 will occur this week. July 10 is a key date. It will be
interesting to see how those plans evolve and whether they actually can keep
players safe.�
The post Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Barrie, Nylander & Tavares appeared first
on The Hockey Writers.
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