I am actually more upset with last night's loss than the previous debacle against Calgary. The talent gap between the Leafs and the Rangers is staggering. What is upsetting is that I just don't see a way for us to close the gap over the next few years realistically.
But, there are ways of being competitive when you don't have the skills to match the elite teams.
You need a defensive head coach first and foremost, who will install a system and make players defensively accountable, not only the actual D but the forwards. That coach is not Lavy. I don't know who it is, or who is out there, but continuing with our current coaching staff is not going to cut it.
We must be a hard-nosed, hard-working team. We know there are teams out there known for their work effort. That is not the current group. It does mean, younger, hungry players. We don't have many, but they must play bigger roles. Any moves we make must be to bring in this kind of player.
I've come to the opinion that we must cut back to the bone. Not easy to do with the Zib, CK, Panarin contracts. Frankly, to me the only untouchables on the team or Shesty and Cuylle. I guess Perrault should be included. I'm willing (easy for me to say) to get rid of everyone else, including Fox.
I fear, unless there is a drastic overall, we are in for a few really hard years.
