{"id":2126,"date":"2023-09-13T17:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T17:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/?p=2126"},"modified":"2023-09-13T17:00:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T17:00:09","slug":"if-you-were-maple-leafs-gm-head-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/13\/if-you-were-maple-leafs-gm-head-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"What If You Were The Maple Leafs GM or Head Coach?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By Stan Smith<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This post is a special one for Old Prof Hockey. It welcomes back Stan Smith for the season. If you&#8217;ve read posts on this site before, you know that Stan is the creator of &#8220;The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.&#8221; He&#8217;s an intelligent student of the game of hockey, and he&#8217;s well-read and well-versed about the game. As the Old Prof, I believe he does some of the most extensive Toronto Maple Leafs game reviews written. I am pleased he&#8217;s willing to do this again this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stan is a bit of a hockey &#8220;geek.&#8221; He tapes and rewatches each Maple Leafs&#8217; game as he prepares his extensive list of Good, Bad, and Ugly aspects. We&#8217;ll do this exercise again this season by reviewing each Toronto Maple Leafs game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome back, Stan! Here&#8217;s looking forward to another season of your adept analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/thehockeywriters.com\/maple-leafs-nylander-growing-more-professional\/\">Maple Leafs\u2019 Nylander Growing More Professional<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First Post of the Season: Considering the Maple Leafs Roster<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two parts to this exercise.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first part is to imagine yourself as the Maple Leafs general manager (GM). The first game of the season is tomorrow. Everyone who is under contract with the organization has made it through training camp healthy. You have checked with the other 31 GMs in the league and there are no deals available that you feel will make this team any better.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"704\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/John-Tavares-William-Nylander.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/John-Tavares-William-Nylander.jpeg 704w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/John-Tavares-William-Nylander-300x213.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">John Tavares and William Nylander make a strong second line for the Maple Leafs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Who are the players on the roster when the puck drops in game one? Keep in mind you have to be within the league&#8217;s $83.5 million salary cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second part is to take the role of the Head Coach. What do your lines and defensive combinations look like? Who is your starting goalie?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan as the Maple Leafs General Manager<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Forwards<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Cap Hit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Auston Matthews<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$11,640,250<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">John Tavares<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$11,000,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Mitch Marner<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$10,903,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">William Nylander<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$6,932,366<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Tyler Bertuzzi<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$5,500,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Max Domi<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$3,000,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">David Kampf<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$2,400,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Calle Jarnkrok<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$2,100,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Ryan Reaves<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$1,350,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Sam Lafferty<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$1,150,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Matthews Knies<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$925,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Bobby McMann<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$762,500<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Total Cap Hit Forwards<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$57,663,116<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Defensemen<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Cap Hit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Morgan Rielly<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$7,500,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">TJ Brodie<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$5,000,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">John Kilingberg<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$4,150,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Jake McCabe<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$2,000,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Timothy Liljegren<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$1,400,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Mark Giordano<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$800,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Total Cap Hit Defensemen<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$20,850,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Goalies<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Cap Hit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Ilya Samsonov<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$3,550,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Joseph Woll<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$766,667<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Total Cap Hit Goalies<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$4,316,667<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Position<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Cap Hit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Forwards<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$57,663,116<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Defensemen<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$20,850,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Goalies<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$4,316,667<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Total Cap Hit<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$82,829,783<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">League Salary Cap<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$83,500,00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Remaining Cap Space<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$670,217<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/nhltradetalk.com\/three-things-maple-leafs-gm-treliving-did-right-this-offseason\/\">Three Things Maple Leafs\u2019 GM Treliving Did Right this Offseason<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes About the Maple Leafs Lineup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>That lineup would give the Maple Leafs a twenty-man roster consisting of twelve forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies.\u00a0It would mean placing the following seven players on waivers: Martin Jones, Conor Timmins, Simon Benoit, William Lagesson, Maxime Lajoie, Kyle Clifford, and Dylan Gambrell. The players in the most danger of being lost to other teams would be Jones, Timmins, and Benoit. I would hope that with all of the players hitting waivers at the end of training camp some of them would slip through.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"343\" height=\"206\" src=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/bobby-mcmann.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/bobby-mcmann.jpg 343w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/bobby-mcmann-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I would keep McMann (shown above) over those players because of his size, physicality, and tenacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If Stan Were the Maple Leafs Head Coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My job is done as GM. Now I have to assemble the forward lines, defensive pairings, and starting goalie.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Forward Lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Matthew Knies<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Auston Matthews<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Mitch Marner<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Tyler Bertuzzi<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">John Tavares<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">William Nylander<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Max Domi<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Calle Jarnkrok<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Sam Lafferty<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Bobby McMann<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">David Kampf<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Ryan Reaves<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes About Line #1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not sold on Matthews and Marner playing together all the time. I realize they play to each other strengths, with Marner as the playmaker and Matthews as the goal-scorer. However, I am not sure about having the two best forwards on the team together on the same line. Ultimately my decision to leave them together was determined by my choice of Knies for their left wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I first thought about having Bertuzzi on this line playing a similar role that Tom Wilson plays on the Washington Capitals top line.\u00a0I decided on Knies with Matthews and Marner because both Matthews and Marner have developed into excellent 200-foot players and their defensive responsible play would help the rookie Knies be a little more comfortable and able to concentrate on his strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes About Line #2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another reason for not having Bertuzzi on the top line is that, between him and Knies, he is the better, more experienced, and rounded player.\u00a0I feel he would complement the play of Tavares and Nylander more.\u00a0One of the drawbacks of Tavares playing with Nylander and either Kerfoot or Jarnkrok the past couple of seasons is that it makes Tavares the most physical player on the line. Having another player who can do the banging will free up Tavares allowing him to spend more time in front of the net as opposed to behind it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes About Line #3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This line, while not being very big, would be a balanced line combining Domi\u2019s tenacity, Jarnkrok\u2019s defensively responsible play, and Lafferty\u2019s speed and physicality. They should also be fairly decent offensively.\u00a0 Both Domi and Janrkrok scored 20 goals last season while Lafferty potted 15.\u00a0 If this line can kick in 50+ goals, it would be the most potent third line the Maple Leafs have in a while.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Calle-Jarnkrok.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Calle-Jarnkrok.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Calle-Jarnkrok-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Calle-Jarnkrok-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Calle Jarnkrok, Maple Leafs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes About Line #4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This line has size and physicality with Reaves (6\u20192\u201d, 225 lbs), Kampf (6\u20192\u201d 195 lbs), and McMann (6\u20191\u201d 205 lbs). Reaves is a hitting machine with well over 3,000 hits in his career.\u00a0The late-bloomer McMann has impressed with his physical game in the AHL and has shown he is not shy about throwing his weight around in the limited play he has had in the NHL.\u00a0While Kampf doesn\u2019t hit much, he is a master at using his body to separate opposing players from the puck.\u00a0Usually, when a player spends time on a line with more physical players the hitting becomes infectious.\u00a0It would not surprise me if these three were to play together regularly if we didn\u2019t see Kampf\u2019s hit count increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defensive Pairings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Morgan Rielly<\/td><td>TJ Brodie<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jake McCabe<\/td><td>John Klingberg<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mark Giordano<\/td><td>Timothy Liljegren<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes about the First Pairing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We know that Rielly is comfortable playing alongside Brodie.\u00a0I see no reason to break that pairing up.\u00a0I realize that when Rielly was the Leafs&#8217; best player in the playoffs last season it was away from Brodie and paired with Luke Schenn instead.\u00a0Brodie struggled at times playing alongside McCabe and Giordano. But, the two of them played strong hockey for long stretches in the regular season.\u00a0They are familiar with each other, and they know their roles when they are together.\u00a0Brodie takes care of the defensive end of things allowing Rielly to play to his offensive strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes about the Second Pairing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the pairing with the most question marks. McCabe has been known as a strong, physical defenseman who played for bad teams.\u00a0Klingberg has gone from being one of the best overall defensemen in the league to one of the worst.\u00a0I feel it is important to note that Klingberg was good when playing for good teams and bad when playing for bad teams.\u00a0Looking over Klingberg\u2019s stat line last season, it was like he was two different players.\u00a0Bad when was with the Anaheim Ducks.\u00a0Good once he was traded to the Minnesota Wild.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The left-handed McCabe played both sides with the Maple Leafs last season.\u00a0Playing alongside the righthanded Klingberg would allow McCabe to remain on his natural left side.\u00a0Similar to the Rielly\/Brodie pair, Mccabe could handle the defensive end of things allowing Klingberg the opportunity to play more offensively.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes about the Third Pairing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As long as Giordano, at 40, doesn\u2019t lose too much of a step this season, this could be a strong third pairing. Liljegren\u2019s play has improved immensely over the past couple of seasons. He and Sandin seemed to have had a competition since the two of them came into the league. With Sandin gone, Liljegren can be declared the winner of that competition. He also started the season on the LTIR last year and lost development time in the Summer due to a hernia. He should come into this season fresh, confident, and in shape. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"784\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Timothy-Liljegren.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Timothy-Liljegren.jpg 784w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Timothy-Liljegren-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Timothy-Liljegren-768x582.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 784px) 100vw, 784px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Liljegren could be considered a top-four defenseman and has developed into an all-around decent defenseman with an equally balanced offensive and defensive game. He&#8217;s growing physically as well and was credited with over 100 hits last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The combination of youth and experience that Giordano and Liljegren have should work well together. As with the first two pairings, this one also has a player who can handle the defensive duties in Giordano and one who can join in the rush in Liljegren.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Extra Defenseman<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, one or both of Simon Benoit and Conor Timmins can clear waivers and be available if needed. At his age, Giordano is going to require some load management. Plus, the odds of having no injuries as the season progresses are slim to none.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I just want to add one more note.\u00a0I don\u2019t think this defence is as bad as some others think.\u00a0I feel it could surprise a lot of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Goaltending<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Ilya Samsonov<\/td><td>Joseph Woll<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stan&#8217;s Notes about the Goalies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t think we should look at this as a #1 and #2 pairing. Yes, Samsonov is the more experienced goalie and makes four times the salary as Woll. But, if I were the coach, I would look at it as a \u201cShow me\u201d situation. Providing both goalies are 100% healthy, whichever one had the best camp would get the start in the first game.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because both goalies have had their share of injury issues in the past load management would be at the top of my mind.\u00a0My goal at the start of the season would be to not have either goalie play more than two games a week and to have each of them play at least one game a week. If either one had something nagging that may allow them to play I would lean on the side of caution and play the other goaltender.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"705\" src=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Ilya-Samsonov-2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1940\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Ilya-Samsonov-2.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Ilya-Samsonov-2-300x212.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Ilya-Samsonov-2-768x541.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ilya Samsonov, Maple Leafs starting goalie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I would also hope like hell that Martin Jones would be able to clear waivers and be available.\u00a0A third goalie will be needed at some point.\u00a0If Jones failed to clear waivers I would make it a priority to find a goalie with NHL experience that I could park in the minors and call up if need be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There you have Stan\u2019s Plan if he was the GM or Head Coach of the Maple Leafs. If you had either job what changes would you make? Who would you have on the roster and where would you have them play?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/12\/maple-leafs-treliving-determined-sign-nylander-next\/\">Maple Leafs&#8217; Treliving Is Determined To Sign Nylander Next!\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Toronto Maple Leafs will soon begin the 2023-24 season. What if you were the team&#8217;s GM or head coach? Who would you play? And where?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[35,33,36,76],"class_list":["post-2126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-toronto-maple-leafs","tag-auston-matthews","tag-ilya-samsonov","tag-mitch-marner","tag-morgan-rielly"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What If You Were The Maple Leafs GM or Head Coach?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Toronto Maple Leafs will soon begin the 2023-24 season. What if you were the team&#039;s GM or head coach? Who would you play? 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