Sources indicate that the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-called Tyler Bozak from the AHL Marlies and will have Viktor Strahlberg back from a concussion for tonights match-up against the Colorado Avalanche.
To make space on the roster it appears that Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman will both be healthy scratches as the Maple Leafs look for their first win. After getting off to the worst start in franchise history, with 1 point in an overtime loss to Montreal to open the season, the Leafs are winless through 5 games.
It should be noted that Stajan and Hagman have combined for almost half of the teams scoring (3 and 2 respectively, for 5 out of the teams 12 goals) but it’s more then likely a move to send a message to the rest of the team to wake up defensively.
After an off-season spent bolstering the defense, the Leafs have been horrible defensively. At times looking like they’re short-handed while at full strength, playing a 5 man box in their own zone while leaving opposing forwards open to chip in rebounds in front of the net, or giving half efforts when attempting to block shots from the point.
Veterans like Stajan and Hagman are expected to lead by example, not just talk about “playing with desperation” and ” being accountable in our own zone” while being questioned by reporters.
Although it is only 5 games into the season what has most Leaf fans worried is the lack of willingness to compete being shown thus far. The pressure is only going to increase as the losses mount, and the players need to realize it’s up to them to right the ship. A leader needs to emerge and give this team an Identity, a Heart, a Soul…But who?