Toronto targeting Gary Roberts completely guarantees a major culture shift
The Maple Leafs wanna bring in another familiar face as they've been interested in adding former forward Gary Roberts as a way to dramatically shift the culture.
There's been a lot of discussion about how the Maple Leafs can make things right for not only themselves but for the fans. A lot of that comes with changing the culture and bringing them back to a time where you felt pride wearing the crest.
They have been in talks with Mats Sundin about a potential role and bringing back one of, if not the most iconic Maple Leaf of all-time is a heck of a start. He knows what it means to play for the jersey and just because he didn't bring a Cup to Toronto as a player — he certainly may want to as an executive.
But that isn't just going to stop at the former captain either.
Toronto eyeing another former player in Gary Roberts to reset the broken culture
ON TSN's FirstUp, Darren Dreger explained that the Maple Leafs were also looking at potentially bringing in former forward Gary Roberts and that he may be someone to be part of the new group though not necessarily in a prominent role:
I haven't heard much but from what I have heard from around Toronto is they are looking at maybe bringing in Gary Roberts for some type of position. I'm not sure what, but there have been some talks.
Roberts has been out of hockey for a bit now but he's still deeply engrained in the game. He's the physical fitness guru that people turn to and his conditioning and nutrition program has been used by countless current and former players.
During his time with the Maple Leafs (2000-2004) Roberts put up 157 points in 237 games (83 goals, 74 assists) and a plus-19 and was a huge part of that successful millennium Maple Leafs group that made the Conference Finals in 2001-02.
He's a guy who does not mess around and gives it to you as is. He's also someone who could potentially turn the tides of the Maple Leafs' misfortunes when it comes to injuries; they may actually become durable now.
Why Toronto needs a Gary Roberts to fix the culture
Well, bringing in someone who genuinely cares about the team is a pretty good start, and there's a lot to say about adding players who once played for the team and understand the pressure. It's why Jason Spezza was a solid decision to add to Kyle Dubas' ranks.
Instead of having a mishmash of half a dozen GM's and assistants, no President of Hockey Ops, and way too many cooks in the kitchen, it's time to strip things down and reset who is actually representing them.
If Toronto puts in Sundin as a VP of Hockey Operations and adds Roberts as an advisor, you have two former teammates in the new GM and President's ears and two very towering figures both metaphorically and literally.
It's become too corporate on Bay St. and considering it's a multi-billion dollar franchise then you'd expect that — though with 100+ years of history behind it you'd think that would also be a huge factor.
For Roberts it would be, and not only could he change how people outside the organization perceive the Maple Leafs, but make everyone inside think twice before going against one of the toughest and loudest voices in the room.
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