Insiders break down why the Maple Leafs share so little details on injuries
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The TSN OverDrive panel discussed why the Toronto Maple Leafs are so secretive about their players regarding injuries and explained it wasn't an MLSE problem.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are not a team who like to give away a lot of information to the media and by proxy, their fans. Often times people are left in the dark regarding what exactly is happening, and the consistent lack of real transparency is frustrating to say the least.
It's something the team needs to start addressing more, and while they might not want to show their hand when it comes to who is feeling what, at least something better than 'we'll see' would make things a little less stressful for Leaf Nation.
The issue is something that isn't new, and it feels like for the last decade or so the team has been extra protective of any information they are giving away.
It's not a Keith Pelley problem, it's a Maple Leafs problem
That protection has irked some around the league, and it was a topic of discussion on the latest episode of TSN's OverDrive.
The panel of Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan, Jeff O'Neill, and guest Darren Dreger discussed the secrecy around the Maple Leafs, with Dreger explaining more:
You saw the release from the Raptors yesterday, they mentioned the specific injury for RJ Barrett. You'd think Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment has a clause where they say 'We don't want to disclose information,' but clearly the Raptors aren't adhering to that.
So it's not that. It's a Maple Leafs issue. I think they are inching towards being more honest and open with Anthony Stolarz now because they don't have any real choice now to explain why this guy isn't on the ice. There's wild speculation floating around as to what's keeping him off and some of it's getting goofy.
So it's not that. It's a Maple Leafs issue. I think they are inching towards being more honest and open with Anthony Stolarz now because they don't have any real choice now to explain why this guy isn't on the ice. There's wild speculation floating around as to what's keeping him off and some of it's getting goofy.
If the Maple Leafs themselves are being so secretive, it's hard to understand why. If a player is out for a 'lower-body injury' and 'day to day' that does no good once that turns into a month long stretch.
Toronto needs to start being more open regarding injuries
If the team knew guys like Stolarz weren't on the ice for a long time, what's the harm in telling people why? For some benign strategy of making sure opponents don't know where to pinpoint injuries?
No team is sitting there thinking 'Which players are injured so I can specifically target them and injure them long-term?' They want to win games, and while some players make take exception to what winning games entails; it's not going to make or break every game.
Chicago placed Connor Bedard on the IR and explained it was a separated shoulder. They don't seem worried about their superstar being targeted, but Toronto can't even say that Auston Matthews is still not really healthy after two years.
All the Maple Leafs are doing is giving their fans more to be frustrated with. Their on-ice performance is mid at best, and their off-ice behavior has only made the jeers grow louder.
Toronto can't hide anymore, and the more they try to pretend things are okay, the worse they are going to get.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 1849 ANSWERS Insiders break down why the Maple Leafs share so little details on injuries Should the Maple Leafs be more transparent about their injured players? | ||
| Yes | 1354 | 73.2 % |
| No | 495 | 26.8 % |
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