The Maple Leafs were unlucky in the playoffs, former players believe

If it weren’t for the Tampa Bay Lightning, two -time defending Stanley Cup champions, who blocked the first round of the playoffs, they would have come a long way this time around, they said. on Radio-Canada on the sidelines of the Canada Day Pro-Am in St. Louis. George’s Golf Club in Toronto.

The event, organized as part of the festivities surrounding the return of the RBC Canadian Open after two years of pandemic, brought together several local celebrities, Canada’s best golfers and amateur golfers.

I really think, as we go along, it’s mostly a matter of mentality and once we get over that, watch out! said Tucker, who played 58 playoff games with the Maple Leafs and was part of the 2001-02 edition of the team that last reached the East Final that day.

First of all, the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win, so that puts things in perspective. Sometimes, in the playoffs, all you need is luck. And they play on the team that has won the Stanley Cup the past two years and knows how to play at this time of year.

The former Leafs forward still believes in his core team, although it is limited by the little space left under the salary cap to add reinforcements.

We have a great group of players. We have a great coaching staff and the management has done a tremendous job to get the players in the condition for success. I hope that by the spring of next year we will no longer have such a conversation.

Curtis Joseph, who watched the goal for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs from 1998-99 to 2001-02, reflects the sentiments of former teammate Darcy Tucker.

In my opinion, if we beat Tampa, I think we had a chance. I think that’s what all Maple Leafs fans think and that’s also what I think. But they are the champions. They have a reason and you can see how tough they are [en séries]. You have to give it to them.

CuJoHe believes, as his nickname is, that the Torontonians were unlucky to face the Lightning in the early playoffs, after having the best season in their history.

In retrospect, yeshe admits. They lost seven games. They made a great effort. Jack (Campbell) also played very well. I am proud of him. If they had crossed paths with another team, the result would have been different. Any team.

Campbell, Leafs ’most important free agent, should be extended by the organization, according to Joseph.

I love Jack and I think in the future he will be a great number 1 for them. But you know, I don’t have to face the ceiling, so … I hope he comes back. That’s all I can say.

Since capturing the Los Angeles Kings in February 2020, Jack Campbell has taken 51 wins in 75 starts for the Maple Leafs. He only earned $ 1.65 million last year and is expected to get a big plus this summer.