J.S. Giguère believes team’s struggles start with leadership

With every loss that mounts in the Toronto Maple Leafs season, the questions surrounding the future of this team only continue to grow. Currently mired in an eight-game losing streak and set to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season, the season prior to drafting captain Auston Matthews. 

On Wednesday, former Maple Leafs goaltender and 2002-03 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jean-Sébastien Giguère joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss what he saw last night during the 3-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens, the current state of the Maple Leafs and the goaltending questions that surround the team moving forward. 

“Last night was kind of deja vu because it reminds me of my years with the Leafs. Mind you, we probably had a less talented team back then, but it’s hard to see that,” Giguère said. “It’s hard to see a team that had high hopes at the beginning of the year, and you can see it in their face; nobody seems to be having fun, and nobody seems to be into it. You see little snippets here and there of what the team could be, but at the end of the day, not willing to put up the necessary fight to win some games, and it’s a really hard watch.” 

As for who is at fault for the club’s 27-27-11 record and lack of intensity at times, Giguère pointed to a multitude of reasons that could be factoring into such a disappointing season. 

“It starts with your leaders, and it starts in the dressing room. You could put the best coach behind the bench and have the best general manager, but at the end of the day, the players have to play, go out and compete and be willing to do the things needed to win some games,” Giguère said. “It doesn’t seem like the chemistry is good or that guys are willing to do what it takes to get to that next level. You could blame the Mitch Marner trade, losing a guy with 100 points really hurts your lineup, but there’s all kinds of things, and I think nobody has a definitive answer. You want guys to have fun and play hard for one another, and I don’t think we’re seeing that this year out of the Leafs.”

Next season, the Maple Leafs are going to have to make decisions with goaltenders Anthony Stolarz, Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby. Stolarz is entering year one of a four-year, $15 million extension signed last September, Woll is under contract at $3.66 million until the completion of the 2027-28 season, and Hildeby will be waiver-exempt after showing promise at the NHL level through 13 games this year. As for what the team should do, Giguère discussed some of the possibilities the team might face. 

“I think at the end of the day, everything is on the table. By the end of the season, everyone’s going to be available, and they’re going to want to improve the team and start new with younger players. Try to build around the youth and talent that you have in net with Toronto,” Giguère said. “Some teams are looking for some veteran guys, and those are the ones that will give you the best trade chip, and that’s where I would go as the Maple Leafs, knowing that you have a young, talented goalie that can give you some good games in the future.” 

The Maple Leafs are back in action on Thursday night when they host another one of Giguère’s former teams, the Anaheim Ducks. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at Scotiabank Arena.