As the season for the Toronto Maple Leafs comes to a close, the Leafs’ front office is in shambles. The Toronto Maple Leafs hired a firm to help with hiring a new head of hockey operations. However, I think the bigger question is who is going to be the next general manager.
The Leafs have been linked to Sunny Mehta, who is currently an assistant general manager and head of analytics of the Florida Panthers. However, the two-time Stanley Cup winner is also linked to the New Jersey Devils. Which makes sense given he set up their analytics department from 2014 to 2018.
In this article, let’s take a look at why the Toronto Maple Leafs are a good fit for Sunny Mehta over the New Jersey Devils.
Leafs and the playoffs
Many will point to the fact that the Leafs have only won two first rounds in the last 10 years. It is no secret that it has been dark times for Leafs fans. That being said, up until this year, the Leafs had made the playoffs for nine consecutive years. In contrast, the Devils have only made the playoffs three times in the last 10 years, with one first-round victory.
On paper, you could say that both teams have had the same success. However, what is lost in the conversation is that the Leafs are in a much tougher division. In recent years, the Leafs had to generally go through one of the Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. Followed by the Florida Panthers in the second round.
While I can understand that you’re going to have to beat good teams when it comes to the playoffs, so it’s not an excuse. However, the Metropolitan Division is objectively weaker. Yet, the Devils have not been able to make the playoffs consistently in a weaker division.
Out of the 11 playoff rounds that the Leafs have played in the last nine years, six went to Game 7. It has been absolutely heartbreaking, especially taking the eventual Stanley Cup winner in last year’s playoffs to seven games. But an argument could be made that the Leafs are closer to breaking through than the Devils.
The Leafs still have pieces
It is obvious that it was a down year for the Leafs. But many of the core players on this roster that helped the Leafs win the Atlantic Division last season are still here. The Leafs still have superstars William Nylander and Auston Matthews. Despite a down year where the team was riddled with injuries, Nylander still had his fifth 75+ point season in a row.
The Devils have several pieces still in their prime, such as Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier. But they have not reached the consistent production that the Leafs stars have in the regular season. At the end of the day, the team still has to make the playoffs. Consistent production from the top players in the regular season has always been the Leafs’ strong suit.
Another strength for the Leafs is their goaltending. For the first time in several decades, the Leafs finally have stable goaltending. Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll were not the reason why the Leafs failed to make the playoffs this season.
The Leafs also have Dennis Hildeby in the development pipeline, who looked good in his 19 games with the Leafs this season. He is likely the team’s future number one if he keeps trending the right way. He will be the likely starter for the Toronto Marlies as they start their playoffs.
The Devils’ goaltending tandem of Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen is 36 and 35 years old, respectively. Now, the Devils can make a trade when the time comes. However, there’s a risk that the acquired goaltender might not work out. This might come with the cost of significant assets, likely a key roster player.
As we have seen from the Leafs, who have tried to fix their goaltending over the years (e.g., Frederik Andersen, Ilya Samsonov), consistent goaltending is a necessity for deep playoff runs. Or, it can be the difference between winning a Stanley Cup (ask Edmonton Oilers fans how they feel about Stuart Skinner).
The Mecca of hockey
There’s a reason, despite the “media pressure,” that players want to come to Toronto. It’s the Mecca of hockey. Mats Sundin, one of the most prolific captains in the Leafs’ history, is immortalized for two Eastern Conference appearances.
Mehta could be the general manager who finally brings the first Stanley Cup home to Toronto since 1967. Whatever players and front office make up that winning team, they will be immortalized in the city of Toronto.
Keith Pelley said in his recent press conference that the Leafs have “all the resources to be successful.” Mehta could use every aspect of the CBA to his advantage in building the Leafs’ roster, especially with capologist Brandon Pridham, who wrote the CBA, right beside him. These are luxuries that wouldn’t be available to him if he joined the Devils.
Whoever the next general manager of the Leafs is, they will have their work cut out for them. Several players need to be moved this offseason, and the Leafs need to find a good coach to replace Craig Berube at the end of the season.
Time will tell if Mehta is up to the challenge.
Why Sunny Mehta should not be the Toronto Maple Leafs GM
The Leafs plan to contend for a Cup over the next 2+ years. They need an experienced and successful/proven NHL GM. Sunny has never been a NHL GM and has no skills or experience at may parts of the job. He knows stats and analytics. His current job has him assisting the NHL GM in his area of expertise while there are other assistants who assist the GM in other areas. The Leafs cannot be training Sunny for 2+ years!
Pretty sad when THIS is the best you can do! Come on home to New Jersey, Sunny!