Brad Treliving has taken the helm as the 18th general manager of one of the NHL’s most renowned teams, although his appointment is viewed by some as fraught with challenges. His immediate goal is to navigate the complex issues plaguing the franchise in pursuit of a coveted Stanley Cup.Ontario sportsbooks eagerly await.
Supporters and fans of the team often highlight their impressive 111 points from the 2022-23 regular season, along with a playoff victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, long-time observers of the team's struggles understand the complexities of the situation: How can Treliving uncover a successful strategy amidst the chaos?
The last time theLeafs won a Stanley Cup was 1967. No otherNHL This team’s performance has often been marked by significant shortcomings, especially if one measures success by the standard of winning championships.
Treliving now finds himself in a challenging role, facing expectations that seem daunting. He has a limited timeframe to address pressing issues this offseason, stepping into a problematic scenario following the dismissal of Kyle Dubas over a disagreement regarding general manager authority.
What should Treliving focus on first as he sets out to reshape the team’s future?Maple Leafs in better stead with users ofOntario sports betting apps ?
Get Auston Matthews Signed
Despite having a less-than-stellar season in 2022-23, he remains one of the league's standout players. Last season, Matthews still achieved 40 goals and 85 points, demonstrating his commitment to improving his all-around game, as evidenced by his impressive plus/minus rating of +31, ranking him 13th overall.
At just 25 years old, Matthews is considered a future leader of the team and has expressed his desire to continue playing in Toronto. However, a no-trade clause will become effective on July 1, coinciding with the final year of his $11.6 million annual contract according to CapFriendly. Treliving has emphasized that meeting with Matthews is a top priority. Fans of the Leafs are optimistic that this discussion will go favorably, particularly since financial factors should not be a concern.
Matthews is a vital part of the Maple Leafs' strategy, who currently hold odds of +900 at theDraftKings Ontario sportsbook to win the Stanley Cup in 2024.
Decide On The Coach
Sheldon Keefe's future with the team has been uncertain since the changes initiated by Dubas's exit. New general managers typically prefer to appoint their own coaches, yet it would be challenging to let go of a coach who led the team to 50 wins, secured fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and achieved a first-round playoff victory against Tampa Bay, marking the first time in 19 years Toronto progressed in a playoff series. Treliving should aim to announce an extension for Keefe as soon as possible, especially since he is also entering the final year of his current contract.
AtNorthStar Bet Ontario sportsbook Gerrard Gallant holds the lead among potential successors with odds at +200, followed closely by Keefe, Joel Quenneville, and Bruce Boudreau, but an option for 'any other' is positioned as the most favored at +100.
Sort Out The NHL Draft
The draft date is fast approaching, scheduled for June 28-29 in Nashville. The Leafs possess the Boston Bruins' first-round pick (No. 28 overall) from the February trade involving Rasmus Sandin and Erik Gustafsson. However, this is the only selection they hold until the fifth and sixth rounds.
The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to select the top prospect Connor Bedard, currently playing forward for the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League. AtFanDuel sportsbook Ontario Adam Fantilli is predicted to be the second overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks, with betting odds of -550.
Figure Out The Free-Agent Market
This summer, several players are set to hit free agency, including Michael Bunting, Alexander Kerfoot, Ryan O’Reilly, Luke Schenn, and Justin Holl, among others.
With the NHL free agency period commencing on July 1, the team has some budget space to maneuver, possessing a salary cap of $83.5 million, with approximately $9.1 million available to fill critical roster spots. This figure can increase to $14.768 million if Jake Muzzin remains on injured reserve, according to CapFriendly.
As it stands, the Leafs have secured contracts for six defensemen and seven forwards for the upcoming season. A promising asset for Treliving is rookie LW Matthew Knies, who is virtually guaranteed a roster spot after his solid playoff performance, and he is under a cost-effective entry-level contract worth $925,000. Additionally, the team hopes that LW Nick Robertson ($796,667) can rebound from his shoulder injury.
It appears there’s no intention to dismantle the Core 4 (Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander) and their combined salary of $40.5 million, which adds a layer of intrigue to the situation. In his initial press conference, Treliving did not commit entirely to keeping this core intact.
In addition, goaltender Joseph Woll demonstrated readiness for NHL play during the playoffs, and his contract of $766,667 provides Treliving with an advantageous financial element.
The prevailing expectation is for the new general manager to secure a deal with free agent goalie Ilya Samsonov and seek innovative solutions to trade injury-prone Matt Murray, whose contract includes a $4.7 million salary.
The Leafs Lead Ontario's Sports Betting Scene
As reported by Proline, on the most recent Tuesday, eight out of the ten most bet-on NHL events this season featured the Leafs, all of which were playoff matchups. Their games accounted for 13% of regular season betting and an impressive 25% of total playoff betting.
Apart from the NFL and the FIFA World Cup, which consistently capture bettor interest, the standout event for Proline since early September has been Toronto's decisive Game 6 victory over the Lightning. Furthermore, 22% of customers confidently wagered on the Leafs as potential Stanley Cup champions, the highest percentage even after their defeat by the Florida Panthers in the second round.
The interest in betting on the Leafs is deeply entrenched in Ontario, a region where both sports betting platforms and online casinos have flourished since they became operational over a year ago.
Fromdeereplanet.com
