Maple Leafs next GM inheriting the best young core in two decades builds a legitimate powerhouse
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Whoever comes in to lead the Maple Leafs is actually going to have a great foundation to build around and could make them a contender sooner than later.
When the Maple Leafs hire their new leadership group, all attention then turns to the roster and who is going to be sticking around. There could be a completely new look when they take the ice in October, and fan favourites like Morgan Rielly and Max Domi are likely headed elsewhere.
But that doesn't mean the team is left empty handed, as they still have some extremely good players who can impact the team in a positive way. It's not just the guys on the roster, but those in the system who had a quick audition but still made waves in their minimal time.
Toronto's new management group is certainly going to be spoiled
Taking a look at the amount of players in the system — whoever is coming in has a wealth of young assets at their disposal.
For all of Brad Treliving's faults (and there are a lot) he did make one good decision and that was finding the youth movement through the NCAA pipeline and adding some heavy hitters like Vincent Borgesi, Luke Haymes, Jacob Quillan, and Brandon Buhr.
Add in names like Borya Valis, Bo Groulx, Ryan Tverberg, John Prokop, and Noah Chadwick; suddenly there's a lot to be excited about. Don't forget two great goalies in Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov who are itching to take over the second Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll goes down.
Oh, did we mention Easton Cowan? Yeah, there's some serious firepower waiting in the wings. Right now, the Marlies are going to be fighting for the Calder Cup as they've locked up a playoff spot and adding guys with legitimate NHL experience along with Cowan will certainly help out.
This could be the start of something special, and adding a Calder is only going to strengthen the argument that these guys need a closer look.
Nothing is guaranteed however, and it's not good if Craig Berube is in charge again
Granted, there is a new management group coming in but that doesn't mean they are necessarily getting rid of Craig Berube and that's bad news for the rookies.
As we've seen this season, Berube is oddly hesitant about getting the young guns into the lineup and has often chosen to give Calle Jarnkrok heavy minutes as opposed to allowing a player like Quillan to thrive; especially as the season winded down.
If he's still around next year, is it going to just be another veteran-laden affair or will the new group be in his ear and explain the importance of playing rookies or younger players despite a lack of experience?
We have no clue and until they get themselves a new group and we start to see the first dominoes falling then we can only sit here and wonder. Though, if you're the Maple Leafs — at least you finally have a pipeline you can be proud of even if the coach hardly used it.
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