As expected, Brad Treliving’s summer signings have not yielded positive results for the Toronto Maple Leafs so far.
Over the past seven years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been a strong franchise. Originally led by Kyle Dubas briefly, then Lou Lamoriello, then Kyle Dubas again, and now Brad Treliving, the recent moves made by the most recent GM have been some of the worst in recent history.
When the Leafs fired Dubas during the summer, it wasn’t surprising to see him sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins just one week later because of the high regard he is held in as an executive.
Although the franchise never won a Stanley Cup and only managed to win one playoff round, Dubas set the team up not only for success over the last few years but also for many years to come. Consequently, it has been disappointing to observe how Treliving has spent the team’s cap space so unwisely.
We’ve discussed this issue extensively on this website, but it cannot be emphasized enough. Treliving spent $15 million as unwisely as one possibly could:
Tyler Bertuzzi: $5 million
John Klingberg: $4 million
Max Domi: $3 million
David Kampf: $2.4 million
Ryan Reaves: $1.35 million
Let’s begin with Bertuzzi. He is certainly an enjoyable player to support, but in his four games, he hasn’t really clicked with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Matthews and Marner are two of the best 5v5 players in the NHL, yet Bertuzzi has failed to record an even-strength point, which is highly disappointing. As a result, Bertuzzi has been relegated to the bottom-six at times, in favor of Calle Jarnkrok, who has outperformed him on occasion.
Treliving Signings Have Been Huge Dissapointment for Toronto Maple Leafs
We all knew he could contribute on the power-play, but we were also aware of his significant defensive shortcomings. He is a poor defender, and whenever he is on the ice, the opponent seems to create scoring opportunities. He should not be playing top-four minutes.
I won’t delve into Kampf and Reaves extensively because they have fulfilled their roles adequately, but they are still earning far too much money. Treliving probably shouldn’t have invested this much in them, considering they have had a negative impact on the team so far.
Lastly, we need to discuss Domi, whose performance could have gone in one of two directions. There was a possibility that he would return to the player he was with the Montreal Canadiens, where he scored 28 goals and was close to a point-per-game. However, instead, we have witnessed a player who is trying to live up to his father’s legacy.
Although his father, Tie Domi, wasn’t known for his goal-scoring, he was a fan favorite, adored in the city. It seems the spotlight has been too much for Max so far. He’s gripping the stick too tightly and is trying too hard when he needs to relax and let the game come to him. He appears lost, and like the four signings made by Treliving, has been a significant disappointment.
It’s only been four games, and the team is at a 2-2 record for the season, so it’s not as if the entire year is a write-off. However, there is significant concern that the Toronto Maple Leafs may have hired the wrong GM.
Perhaps all these players will perform better when the playoffs begin, but the team needs to reach that stage first. Based on the performance in the initial few games, there hasn’t been enough to assume that this team will automatically make the playoffs.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
