Why the next few games are critical for the Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to TSN's Chris Johnston, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL are facing a critical slate of games ahead as the trade deadline draws nearer.
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off a tough 6-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth, it's hard to blame them for being a bit exhausted after a long night in Colorado where they took the NHL's best team to the limit.
But they are still on a fairly hot streak as of late and they have two more important road games before heading back home for a five-game homestand including their highly anticipated matchup with Vegas on Thursday.
Looking ahead however, it seems like while these next two games are important, so too are the next several games for the Maple Leafs to finish out January and put themselves in a favourable spot come the Olympic break.
NHL's end of January schedule crucial for determining trade deadline atmosphere
And according to TSN's Chris Johnston, the rest of the NHL in addition to Toronto are going to be making sure they are all fighting for a solid finish to January.
Not only because they are going to be in a good spot in the standings, but it could very well determine who becomes buyers and sellers in March:
I really got the sense that action is picking up around the league, that these next 5, 6 games for a lot of teams are critical, that maybe some trade discussions are getting a little more serious; even something like a coaching change.
The rumblings around the league are that names like Rasmus Andersson, Dougie Hamilton, and Kiefer Sherwood will be dealt to other teams meanwhile coaches like Scott Arniel, Sheldon Keefe, and even Kris Knoblauch are all potential coaches who could be let go.
Toronto is in a tough spot determining whether to buy or stand pat
With the standings so tight as well, the league is going to see a lot of fluctuation and it's really going to be anyone's race especially if certain teams find themselves with a hot hand.
Unless you're in the Central Division, you have a pretty solid shot at making the playoffs so it's going to be a last minute thing to see where teams stand including Toronto.
Will the Maple Leafs pull the trigger and bring in someone like Andersson or Hamilton to replace Chris Tanev? Do they decide to go cheap and bring in Luke Schenn for the third time? Maybe his brother Brayden is back in the fold as well?
Right now the team is flying high and bringing in a new face could throw off what chemistry has been built up. But on the flip side, the team needs that extra bit of help to push them over the top.
If they buy, they could very well be giving up Ben Danford, their last first-round pick, or maybe even Easton Cowan which could prove to be fruitful but won't have fans happy whatsoever and is never a guarantee.
They could sell off their straggling pieces, keep as much money for the summer as possible and fight on a hope, a prayer, and the united front that we've come to see over the last month.
It's a horribly tough decision for Brad Treliving, and he'll have to wait and see how his team -- and the rest of the league -- respond to a January schedule that could alter the course of the entire season going forward.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 14|760 ANSWERS Why the next few games are critical for the Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL Will the Maple Leafs be buyers or sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline? | ||
| Buyers | 436 | 57.4 % |
| Sellers | 114 | 15 % |
| Do Nothing | 210 | 27.6 % |
| List of polls | ||