The Leafs “didn’t think” the Habs would be this good this season

Marc-Olivier Cook
The Leafs “didn’t think” the Habs would be this good this season
Credit: NHL.com

Keith Pelley, president of MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment), spoke with the media today following Brad Treliving's dismissal.

And let's just say that the man himself made some statements that were, to put it mildly… surprising?

In any case, the organization doesn't look too great right now. You'll see why.

Basically, Pelley started his press conference by saying there won't be a rebuild in Toronto. The Leafs want to move forward with the players they have, and the organization has confidence in its core.

That's already a bad start.

But Pelley also mentioned that the Leafs didn't expect teams like the Habs and the Sabres to make a strong push for the playoffs this season. The front office in the Queen City thought the Canadiens and the Sabres weren't dangerous teams… and that's led to the result we're seeing today.

Ouch. 

It's rare, but Pelley really spoke highly of the Canadiens and their rebuild.

He mentioned that the Habs did things right by drafting effectively and praised Kent Hughes' work, explaining that in Toronto, they want positive results just as they do in Montreal.

But… again, the idea of rebuilding the Leafs isn't on the table. That's what I find ironic.

Clearly, we missed the boat in Toronto.

We watched the train go by and missed our chance. You can't say out loud that you didn't expect teams in your OWN division to be this surprising… though it is still a compliment to the Canadiens and the Sabres.

But that's Toronto for you, and it looks like it'll never change.

Especially when you hear the team president say that a rebuild isn't necessary because there are good players in place… even though everyone knows it'll never work with this core.


In a nutshell

– Good mindset.

– I like that.

– Lots of action tonight in the NHL.

– Enjoy the read.

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