The Maple Leafs might be on Santa’s naughty list for their first-quarter foibles, but that doesn’t appear to be making this a bah, humbug Christmas for Brendan Shanahan.
In an interview with TSN’s Geno Reda at the board of governors meeting in Seattle on Monday, the club’s president stopped short of saying he was disappointed with Toronto being middle of the pack (12-6-4 in the Atlantic Division), rather that the Leafs are hardly alone in their sputtering start.
“I don’t think there has ever been as much parity in the league as I can remember, beyond one or two teams at the top or bottom,” Shanahan said. “We’re all trying to find that consistent approach. Our results have been pretty good, we want it to be better. We’re still looking to get that entire game back (effective in all three zones that led to two previous 50-win seasons and a clear path to playoffs).”
Shanahan said that his informal discussions with other governors made him realize he’s not alone in his concerns.
“We’re all going through it. With the salary cap not growing the last few years, what was already a league of parity has become closer, night in and night out. It’s going to be a race to the end.”
Six of Toronto’s past seven games have been one-goal decisions, marked by both late-game collapses and exciting rallies.
“The past 10 we’ve played much better and found that 20-man unit game.”
Shanahan did not want to undermine general manager Brad Treliving’s trade discussions about the price to improve the back end if John Klingberg is out long-term with his hip injury and in the ongoing absence of Timothy Liljegren.
“First off, we’re hopeful our players are on the mend and going to come back. The guys with the Marlies we’ve called up (William Lagesson, Simon Benoit) have really done a good job.
Shanahan said the high-wire act the Leafs are involved in during the late stages of close contests can be a character-builder for playoffs, where last spring Toronto won its first series since he took office in 2014.
Reminded the Leafs won’t have their Core Four forwards in a 3-on-3 or shootout situation come playoffs, Shanahan said the lack of regulation wins so far has obscured how hard the team has fought back to get wins or just single points in overtime situations.
“We’re in the top five or six for fewest (regulation) losses. The guys have proven they’re tough to beat. Over 82 games we’ll take a step back and really make that judgement where we can improve. Certainly, we’d like to close out games where we have an opportunity to, but I like our ability to find ways to scratch out points.”
As for what it will take to retain winger William Nylander, with all signs pointing to a career year and a huge price, Shanahan remains under the collective cone of silence about negotiations.
“I’m a Leaf fan, everything concerns me,” he quipped. “But if you’re concerned because players on your team are playing pretty good hockey you really have to (chill out).”