Toronto Maple Leafs: With Rookie seasons over, the stars can now talk
By Omar L
As their rookie seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the young superstars on the team should see more interview time next season.
The beginning of the 2016-2017 season had a lot for Toronto Maple Leafs fans to be excited for. There was seven rookies in the line-up including 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews. Newly acquired number one goalie Frederik Andersen was making his debut on the team. Most importantly, fans were looking forward to see what head coach Mike Babcock could do to a team that was filled to the brim with skill.
That game against the Ottawa Senators couldn’t have started better. Not only did Matthews get his first career goal, but his second was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, Leafs fans saw the hand of GM Lou Lamoriello during the in-game intermission.
What we wanted to see is Matthews talking about what it meant to score his first goal. We wanted to hear Matthews breakdown of his second. Instead, we had Nazem Kadri doing the interview.
Related Story: Babcock's Expectations for Matthews
The whole season the in-game interviews were mainly done by either Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak. Even if Matthews, William Nylander, or Mitch Marner had a great period, they weren’t able to talk to any of the media until after the game.
It makes sense why Lamoriello would want to do this. It takes away some of the pressure off of the young players. In an interview with the Canadian Press, Lou said:
"I think people have to earn what they get, not because it’s a good media exposure or we’re always trying to look for something there. Somebody asked a while ago, what is the face of the franchise? The logo is the face of the franchise."
Leafs’ management didn’t want the rookies to be considered saviours. They just wanted them to play.
Not Rookies Anymore
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Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Connor Brown, and Zach Hyman will begin their second season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their capabilities can’t be downplayed anymore. The team will be recognized around the league by these players.
Most importantly, if one of the Big Three do something spectacular, we’ll most likely be hearing from them. It’s better for the fans, and for the other players on the team as well. You could get the sense that the vets were getting pretty annoyed of having to talk about how good they were.
Management can’t protect them from the pressure anymore. After making the playoffs for the first time since 2013, the expectations are through the roof. Many Leafs fans think they can make it as far as the Easter Conference Final.
Lou and the rest of the front office just wants them to be players. However they’re not, they’re superstars in the making.
Next: The Leafs' Forgotten Prospect
Do you think Lou will give the young stars more freedom? Will they live up to the expectations from the fan base? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!