New Lineup Concerns Mounting For The Toronto Maple Leafs Ahead Of Condensed Schedule, Per NHL Analysts
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The Steve Dangle Podcast spoke about how the Maple Leafs' schedule can cause some issues for the lineup due to their several injuries.
A lot of talk around how the Maple Leafs schedule is both terrible and great. Its staggered nature allowed Auston Matthews to heal at a more reasonable pace, but it causes issues for those looking to get ready but only have a day or two to prepare.
Maple Leafs analysts Jesse Blake, Adam Wylde, and Steve Dangle all spoke on the issue of the team's schedule on Wednesday, with Wylde explaining the rigor of the timeframe can cause some issues with their lineup:
"You're looking at the Leafs' schedule they play 15 games in 31 days in December."
Dangle responded with the note that while their earlier schedule afforded their players time, with how it looks now it's going to matter who is in and who is out:
"Now the injuries actually start mattering. We were like 'Ah take your time off, and it doesn't matter and now McCabe is out and I'm like *worried look*."
Blake interjected and noted that the injury to Jani Hakanpaa specifically, was more of a need to clear a roster spot to bring someone up as opposed to Hakanpaa being hurt:
"The Jani Hakanpaa IR is so fake because it's retroactive. Activated at any moment because it's retroactive to when he last played; so he would have spent enough time on the IR to be activated again.
So he's not playing tonight but when he wants to play he can just play. It's literally a roster thing so they can bring up bodies."
So he's not playing tonight but when he wants to play he can just play. It's literally a roster thing so they can bring up bodies."
Toronto's Odd Schedule Helped Them Now It'll Hurt Them
The season for Toronto has been a bit weird to say the least. Firstly, there was a bit of fan backlash due to the Amazon Prime deal, then there was a huge gap of time in November where they had one game, then three days off multiple times.
It's hard for names like Max Domi, David Kampf, Bobby McMann, Max Pacioretty, and now Jake McCabe who are unable to properly get back and have a few extra days without needing to gauge how they'll feel, and Toronto shouldn't risk bringing them back too soon.
Fast forward to December where they have 3 back-to-back series among those 15 games, with the only extended break being Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. They don't face the greatest competition but they do face Dallas, Winnipeg, and New Jersey; three teams who are poised for a deep playoff run.
Although Toronto has a tough December ahead of them, they are starting to get their reinforcements back, but it might be a bit before they get back to full speed all thanks to the NHL's scheduling decisions.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 4 | 359 ANSWERS New Lineup Concerns Mounting For The Toronto Maple Leafs Ahead Of Condensed Schedule, Per NHL Analysts Do you think Toronto's schedule helps or hinders the team this season? | ||
| Helps | 199 | 55.4 % |
| Hinders | 160 | 44.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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