Leafs' Defense Fails, Fans Question Tanking

0:00On April 16, last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs owned the Atlantic Division, smoked the Ottawa Senators in Round 1, then got crushed at home by the Florida Panthers who went on to win the Cup. This year, everything flipped. They finished with the fifth worst record in the league, plagued by defense that leaked like a sieve from day one. No structure in their own end, constant turnovers, and they got outshot by opponents 62 times overall. Stats tell the story, goals against per game at 3.60, 31st in the league, shots against 32.4, dead last, even at. Five on five, they ranked 31st in goals against and scoring chances. Players weren't watching each other's backs, zero compete level, no fire when stars like Austin Matthews took dirty hits. Other teams jump in immediately. Leafs just stood around showing weak character that killed any momentum. At the trade deadline, they sold off pieces like

1:01Bobby McMahon for a second rounder in 2027 and a fourth in 2026 plus. Scott laughed in for a conditional third that bumped to a second. Returns felt light sparking fan talk of tanking to protect their top five first round pick from going to Boston with GM Brad tri-living out and new coach Craig Barubian. It's reflection time, fix the defense, build that team grid, or risk another lost year. Sliding further off track, that wraps NHL news today, brought to you with AI.