Maple Leafs Changing Their Power-Play Coach Distracts From the Defense and PK

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ power play was brutal in the playoffs, but their penalty kill and defense were rough all season, says Adam Proteau. What other changes could they make?

Veteran NHL coach Guy Boucher parted ways with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, leading to speculation about what will happen to their power play.

That speculation includes whether former NHL player Marc Savard will replace Boucher and take charge of Toronto’s man advantage under new coach Craig Berube.

While everything the Maple Leafs do goes under the microscope in Leafs-crazed Toronto, focusing on Boucher really distracts from their main issue – namely, their defensive play and their penalty kill.

The Leafs’ power play was indeed terrible in their first-round loss to Boston, going 1-for-21. That said, their power play was seventh-best in the regular season at 24 percent.

On the other hand, their penalty kill was 23rd overall in the regular season at 76.9 percent. And in the post-season, it was an abysmal 13th out of 16 teams at 64.7 percent.

In many cases, special teams are the difference between winning and losing rounds. The Maple Leafs’ inability to defend properly against Boston was ultimately their downfall.

And with Toronto allowing 261 goals against in the regular season, the second-most among teams that made the playoffs, defense is one of the main things that cost coach Sheldon Keefe his job. That has to be the focus of GM Brad Treliving in the off-season.

Certainly, that includes Toronto’s goaltending, which remains in flux until further notice. But the biggest area of concern for the Leafs is their blueline.

Which Defensemen Will Stay or Go?

We suspect Morgan Rielly will remain a Leaf. He’s beloved by Leafs management, is on a team-friendly contract carries a complete no-movement clause and is valued at $7.5 million per season. Although Rielly isn’t a contender for the Norris Trophy, he will remain because of his devotion to the team.

Simon Benoit, a 2023–24 revelation, and veteran Jake McCabe will both return to the Leafs. With a $2 million cap hit, McCabe is among the NHL’s better values, but Benoit’s $1.35 million cap hit and physical presence are priceless for the Leafs.

Assuming that blueliner Timothy Liljegren—a healthy scratch during the playoffs—is dealt, TJ Brodie, John Klingberg, Mark Giordano, and Ilya Lyubushkin’s contracts are not extended. Toronto would then have three defensive spots available.

Which Defensemen Could Fill In the Rest of the Blueline?

Cade Webber, a late-season addition with the 6-foot-6 frame to lure Berube to play him as an NHL rookie next year, may occupy one of those positions.

There are still two spaces available for the defense corps, and Treliving needs to take advantage of at least one of them to improve his team’s chances of making it to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Joel Edmundson, a trade deadline acquisition and seasoned defenseman, could occupy one of those places if he signs a deal that works for the team, but Toronto still needs to sign a top-pairing blueliner to play with Rielly and log at least 22 to 25 minutes per game.

Maybe that defenseman is veteran Florida defenseman Brandon Montour – a valued right-shot D-man – or maybe it’s one of Hurricanes blueliner Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei. Maybe it’s Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Maybe it’s Dallas Stars D-man Chris Tanev.

Treliving wouldn’t need to move anyone off Toronto’s roster in order to acquire any of the five targets because they are all unrestricted free agents, barring a Mitch Marner trade that would free up cap space.

The Leafs’ roster will most likely look very different from what it does now before the offseason is out. It won’t be nearly enough, though, to replace the current special teams system with a new one or to add a depth forward or assistant coach. Treliving needs to figure out how to be a game-changer for Toronto’s defense. Fans should be more than a little concerned if he doesn’t and the propaganda says the Maple Leafs are bringing back nearly the same set of defenseman.