'The worst team in the league': Maple Leafs analyst blasts the team as it stays in free fall
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs analyst Bryan Hayes ripped the team, calling them "legitimately the worst team in the League right now" based off their winning percentage over the last 25 to 30 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading toward missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, which would also mark the first time since they took future captain Auston Matthews with the first overall pick in that year's NHL Entry Draft.
Toronto has been far too inconsistent and battled numerous injuries to important players, and they've fallen almost hopelessly out of the playoff chase with so little time remaining.
Speaking with fellow analysts Jamie McLennan and Jeff O'Neill, TSN Maple Leafs analyst Bryan Hayes ripped the Maple Leafs as being, as he put it, the worst team in the NHL over the last 25-30 games.
They're losing a lot, they're legitimately the worst team in the League right now. Them and Vancouver.....but you look at winning percentage, the last 25-30 games, the Leafs are basically the worst team in the League. And I know there's an understanding right now that it's like they're tanking, but they're actually not tanking. Tanking is like shutting guys down but they're not doing that.
I think the answer is Craig Berube is not going to do it. - Bryan Hayes
I think the answer is Craig Berube is not going to do it. - Bryan Hayes
Hayes then went on to say that Berube is not going to intentionally tank, unlike what ex-Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock did in his first year with the team, which eventually got them the Draft Lottery win and the chance to take Matthews with the first overall pick.
Is Craig Berube's Job As Maple Leafs Head Coach In Danger?
Berube, who won a Stanley Cup as head coach of the St. Louis Blues in 2019, was hired by the Leafs in 2024 to bring a new level of accountability to the team.
Even though he led them to just their second playoff series win since 2004 last spring, there will be many questions about his job security this summer.
Rampant speculation has built that the Maple Leafs could choose to clean house, and Berube could be a part of it.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Former Flame Adam Ruzicka throws away his future, loses another pro hockey deal
Former Flame Adam Ruzicka throws away his future, loses another pro hockey deal
| POLL | ||
MARS 23|258 ANSWERS 'The worst team in the league': Maple Leafs analyst blasts the team as it stays in free fall Will Craig Berube be fired as Maple Leafs coach? | ||
| Yes | 238 | 92.2 % |
| No | 20 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||