The Maple Leafs Future After Game 7 Loss – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

From his hotel room after Game 7 in Boston, Nick Kypreos joined Sportsnet Central to provide detailed coverage of the playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. Despite the Maple Leafs’ strong performance in Game 7, Kypreos highlighted critical factors that contributed to their eventual defeat.

Kypreos Made Five Key Points in His Talk

As part of his interview with Sportsnet reporters, Kypreos made five important points.

Key Point 1: Suddenly, There Was News Joseph Woll Couldn’t Play Themselves

First, he showed the pregame uncertainty that led to Joseph Woll not starting Game 7 for his team. He discussed the surprising events leading up to Game 7, including unexpected concerns about Woll’s availability. Until that news, the concern centered on the status of star center Auston Matthews. Was he going to play, or was he going to be a bad scratch again? In Kypreos’ mind, the news about Woll adds another layer of uncertainty — and, he said, despair — to the Maple Leafs’ plans for their program.

Related: Will Ilya Samsonov Be A Maple Leaf Next Season?

Key Point 2: Maple Leafs Lost Series, But Team Performance Was Strong

Second, Kypreos talked about the Maple Leafs’ performance throughout the series. Despite the loss, he believes they played a solid game, especially in Game 7. He thought they controlled the game for most of the final stretch of the series. He also praised their ability to play a defense-oriented style of hockey and a tough, consistent (patient) style of hockey. For him, that fact highlighted whether the team could succeed in the play-offs.

Key Point 3: The Early Games of the Map Leaf Puts Them In A Deep Hole

Third, he focuses on the team’s lack of cohesion early and late (in terms of showing and playing good hockey) in the series. Looking back on the series, Kypreos pointed to the Maple Leafs’ inconsistency during the season as the most important factor in their loss. He noted that, while they showed glimpses of their potential, their breakthrough game came too late to make a significant impact and lead them to a series win.

Key Point 4: Head Coach Sheldon Keefe’s Future May Be Iffy

Fourth, Kypreos discussed the outcome of the series and what he thinks will affect the coaching staff. He suggested that the Maple Leafs’ late surge could prompt discussions about the future of head coach Sheldon Keefe and team management. While acknowledging their efforts and hard-fought battles, he raised questions about their ability to raise funds in critical times and make necessary changes.

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[As an aside, while he didn’t say specifically in this interview, for those who watched Kyper and Bourne’s show throughout the series as it progressed, he often disagreed with Keefe’s coaching decisions – such as starting Ilya Samsonov in place of Woll from the series’ get-go.]

Key Point 5: What Changes May Occur in Map Leaves?

Fifth, as part of the discussion, Kypreos anticipated several possible changes during the off-season. He predicted so. Heading the list of organizational changes was the need to adjust training strategies and team structure. He admitted that there are difficult decisions still waiting for the management as they evaluate the performance of the Maple Leafs and plan for the future.

Key to Kypreos: Changes Are Coming to the Club

While analyzing the impact of the Round 1 series loss, Kypreos gave his insight into the Maple Leafs’ playoff run and how an unfortunate loss to the Bruins will affect the team’s future. He believed it would have an impact.

It seems that Kypreos has pointed the finger at the news where there will be wide agreement among the Blue & White fans. The question remains whether the team managers, although they may share these problems, will reach common solutions to fix the problems mentioned.

Specifically, from Kypreos’ point of view, what is the future for Keefe and the team? From my reading of fan wishes it seems that there is a lot of noise for him to be removed as a coach. That may be a question that will soon be answered within the organization. Regardless of whether Keefe continues behind the bench or not, you can be sure that the question is raised in the discussion between the meetings of the organization.