Craig Berube's comments hint at the test Brad Treliving is really watching
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube's comments show that maybe he's trying to make sure that GM Brad Treliving is paying attention to what needs to improve.
Although the team put in a valiant effort on Saturday night, the Maple Leafs still fell to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a shootout. Toronto clawed their way back thanks to Scott Laughton's tying goal and Dennis Hildeby's goaltending heroics, but it wasn't enough in the end.
With two rookie goalies and a less-than-ideal blueline, this is exactly the kind of stretch Brad Treliving has to evaluate before deciding whether to make a move or not.
Despite their record as of late, the team is still getting pelted with chances and need to find a way to tighten that up without their top defenders.
It's something the team has been reportedly trying to work on, and Craig Berube's latest comments could be seen as a call to action.
What Berube's 'nothing changes' line tells Treliving about this core
Speaking to reporters prior to the loss to Montreal on Saturday, Berube explained that it doesn't matter who is in goal for the Maple Leafs, or what injury woes they are dealing with; it's next man up.
But if you read between the lines a little bit, you can read it as Berube sending a message to Brad Treliving: the system is fine, but the personnel in front of a rookie tandem may not be.
Berube said:
I don't think the mindset changes. I think you just gotta keep playing. You know, we come off of the trip, had a great trip, but it's about not being complacent tonight. Being ready to go from the drop of the puck here tonight. I don't think much changes with our game based on who's in net.
Dennis Hildeby was called upon for the Maple Leafs while Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are on the shelf, and it shows that the game plan can't change regardless of who is in net.
The team is relying heavily on Hildeby and rookie Artur Akhtyamov to hold things down in the interim, and while there's a lot of potential for both, they are unproven NHL-level goalies.
Which circles back to who the Maple Leafs have in front of them. With the team down Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo for an undetermined period of time, the onus is on Toronto's defense to hold it together.
How this stretch in front of a rookie tandem could shape the Leafs' next big move
That's a tough task when players like Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers are being called upon in prominent roles. While they are good in an emergency, they don't bring the offensive or defensive impact Toronto needs right now.
The team's forward lines are not an issue right now, as Toronto has been rolling with a consistent lineup for the first time all season. Now that's locked down, it's about improving what they already have, and it starts at the back end; especially if they are going to keep using Hildeby and Akhtyamov.
Improving on defense would make their jobs a lot easier, and take off a lot of the pressure that will inevitably be placed on their shoulders given the circumstances.
This next run of games behind Hildeby and Akhtyamov is the real test Brad Treliving is watching: does this blue line survive as-is, or does he finally pay the price for a true upgrade despite the potential for some fan backlash?
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 1057 ANSWERS Craig Berube's comments hint at the test Brad Treliving is really watching Does Toronto need a top-six forward, goalie or a top-four defenseman more? | ||
| Top-Six Forward | 286 | 27.1 % |
| Goalie | 86 | 8.1 % |
| Top-Four Defenseman | 416 | 39.4 % |
| All Of The Above | 269 | 25.4 % |
| List of polls | ||