In the past few seasons, the Leafs' playoff performance has disappointed. Despite finally making it past the first round last season, their journey ended abruptly, loosing to the Florida Panthers in just five games.
Trevor Moore, who played in Toronto between 2018 and 2020, shared an awkward anecdote from their 2019 playoff face-off against Boston.
This lack of acknowledgement from his teammates exposes the deep-rooted culture issue affecting the team's performance. When a player doesn't feel supported, it can negatively impact their morale and, subsequently, their game. Would Moore have been as eager to go back out and challenge Chara, one of the NHL's most intimidating players, without the validation of his teammates?
However, there is hope on the horizon. Players like Reaves, Bertuzzi, and Domi are known for their high energy and vocal presence. Let's hope they can shake up the Leafs' bench and turn the tide in the right direction.