Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have become the toast of the NHL's North Division, but not everyone believes they're the juggernaut that fans and critics believe they are.
NHL insider Craig Custance managed to get some anonymous quotes from players, general managers, scouts, and coaches from around the league for his new report for The Athletic, in an attempt to gauge how people on the inside think the postseason will turn out. And, boy, oh boy, did Custance get some great Leafs quotes.
Scout:
«Goaltending. I'm just not sure about it. It could be above average, it could be below average. I don't think many people can tell you for sure, to be honest. Their defense, I'm not totally sold on their defense. They have a good group of forwards. They've mixed in their veterans. They've gotten good results from that. But you have to have really good goaltending, I just don't know what to expect.»
GM:
«I think they'll come out of that group, but if you're talking about winning the whole thing, it's a different game when they come out of that division. Defensively, goaltending, we'll see.»
And here's the best quote of all:
The player:
«Toronto — they're steamrolling teams in the Canadian division. Guess what? I don't think any of the teams in the Canadian division are good. Any of them. They have no defense. How the fuck can they win the Stanley Cup when they play no defense? I just don't think their forwards care enough about defense to win. I don't know if their goalie is good enough to steal them a series. They're good against the Canadian division. I don't think they're actually good.»
