Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 players that need to improve post all-star break

Tyson Barrie

Things could not have gone worse for Barrie in his first few months with the Blue and White to the point where a trade out of Toronto was becoming a real possibility.

While people will fixate on how bad things have gone so far, this final stretch is crucial for Barrie and that’s what he needs to focus on considering he’s playing for his next contract.

Talking with Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, Barrie admitted that being in a contract year hasn’t been easy to deal with but he also said that Keefe has made him more comfortable because he wants him to play the game that suits his style.

There’s no denying the role the 28-year-old was brought in to fulfill considering he was a consistent offensive producer and should have been able to find success considering the depth of offensive talent on this team. If you expected him to be a premier shutdown defender than you did not watch him play in Colorado.

He even admits in his interview with Johnston that part of the problem with the Leafs defensive play is when the team doesn’t get the 100 per cent commitment. Of course, many would say that Barrie has been guilty of not putting an honest defensive effort but there’s still time for him to improve on that.

If he doesn’t then he will have a tough getting the deal many expected him to get when the season started.