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Rory McIlroy Offers Eye-Opening Comments on Maple Leafs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 3:04 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into a crucial offseason following another early playoff exit. Toronto fell short in Game 7 of their second-round series with the Florida Panthers, sending them to another bitter offseason.

With the team having multiple key players entering free agency, the roster could look very different next season. But many have questioned the legitimacy of the title contention from this franchise, considering the playoff failures that occur each year.

However, golf star Rory McIlroy hasn't lost faith. The veteran golfer had some eye-opening comments on the Maple Leafs' title chances.

“If I can win the Masters, then the Leafs can win the Stanley Cup,” he told TSN’s Bob Weeks, having been longtime friends with Pelley. “I hope they do it, I was pulling for them hard, especially now because Keith is involved.”

The Maple Leafs have seen a 57-year Stanley Cup drought, last lifting the trophy in 1967. Toronto has built consistent winning teams almost every year, but the organization continues to fall short in the playoffs.

“I guess we now all have to throw our support behind the Oilers at this point, but one day I hope…it’s only a matter of time.”, McIlroy said.

The franchise is expected to make some big changes across the roster this offseason in the hope of mixing things up. The Maple Leafs front office seems determined to bring a title back to Toronto, starting with the president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Keith Pelley.

"Our next step is to take it to the next level and we felt that this move would help us get to the next level. Make no mistake about it, making the playoffs and winning rounds is not our aspirational goal; our goal is to win the Stanley Cup.", Pelley stated.

Maybe McIlroy will turn out to be right someday. But for now, the Maple Leafs have a lot of work to do before they can fully be considered true Stanley Cup contenders.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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