The Maple Leafs Changed Their Priorities: Will It Work?
While reading the comments on a recent post on The Hockey Writers, I came across one that really caught my attention. He thought the Toronto Maple Leafs made three big mistakes by moving Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, and Dennis Hildeby. His point was simple. McMann scored goals, Robertson was improving, and Hildeby gave the Maple Leafs insurance in goal.
I understand where he's coming from. I was also sorry to see those players move.
Maple Leafs fans become attached to their players.
Fans tend to become attached to players. We remember the goals, the hustle, the improvement, and the potential. It's natural to wonder why a team would let those players go. But a general manager like John Chayka has to look at the roster through a different lens.
General managers don't always ask, "Is this a good player?" More often than not, they ask, "Can I replace what this player brings?" That's a very different question.
Take Bobby McMann. Although Bobby McMann left before Chayka took over, it's fair to wonder whether the new GM might have tried to keep a player with his skill set. He brought speed, energy, physical play, and 20-goal production. Those aren't easy things to replace. But if Chayka believes he can spread those qualities throughout the lineup rather than relying on one player, the decision starts to make more sense.
Related: The Maple Leafs’ Biggest Bet May Be What They Gave Up.
The same idea applies to Nick Robertson. His shot was never in doubt, and he showed signs of becoming a more complete player. But perhaps the organization decided that the role he filled could be handled by someone else who fit the new system better.
Then there's Dennis Hildeby.
Many fans were uncomfortable seeing him moved because goaltending is unpredictable. Keeping three capable goalies feels like cheap insurance. But maybe the Maple Leafs have more confidence in their goaltending depth than fans do. Or maybe they decided that improving other parts of the roster was worth taking that risk.
That's really what all of these moves came down to: risk.
Every general manager has to decide which risks are worth taking. Fans often focus on the players leaving. Managers focus on the team they're trying to build. We won't know for months whether Chayka got these decisions right.
But one thing seems clear. The Maple Leafs didn't simply trade three players. They changed what they value. And that may end up being the biggest story of all.