MLSE CEO Keith Pelley addresses Maple Leafs’ disastrous Game 5, Game 7 performances

As MLSE CEO Keith Pelley took to the podium Friday afternoon, two things were top of mind for his press conference: the departure of Brendan Shanahan, and how the Toronto Maple Leafs have found themselves in the throngs of playoff disappointment for yet another year.

While a seven-game second-round exit is the best result the Maple Leafs have seen in over two decades, it’s more a matter of how it went down, as Toronto dropped Games 5 and 7 at home in spectacular fashion, falling 6-1 in both efforts. Speaking to the media, Pelley took a moment to reflect on the series-defining contests.

“I think Game 5 and 7 were both difficult games,” the executive said. “I’ve already made my comments on that. I think we’ve made strides, Florida is a very good hockey team, we’re seeing that this week as well, Carolina is also a good team. As I said, I think we’ve made strides this year, but now it’s time to take it to another level.”

There’s no doubt the Florida Panthers’ dominance over the Carolina Hurricanes so far in the Conference Finals has brought some comfort to Maple Leafs fans, but it’s also brought an element of devastation in thinking about what the Maple Leafs could have accomplished if they just made it past Florida. After decades of disappointment, Leafs fans are hardly satisfied to settle for just taking strides. Considering the bulk of talent they possess, it feels like it’s a mood of championship or bust at this point.

In that sense, Game 7 brought particular heartbreak to the city, as they came just one game away from inching closer to the ultimate glory, only to get beat down in front of a home crowd. As the final minutes ticked by, boos rang through the stadium, and jerseys and debris were thrown on the ice, with the dissatisfaction with Toronto’s on-ice product clear. Pelley was present for Game 7 and spoke candidly about the moment.

“It was tough,” Pelley said. “Sports brings you on an emotional roller coaster and team sports in particular. I haven’t felt that type of emotion in a long time.”

The term roller coaster was thrown around a lot this postseason by the Toronto Maple Leafs, their coach, and now MLSE’s CEO. But for anyone who’s been to Canada’s Wonderland, it’s hard to think of a ride there that takes you to such dramatic lows, let alone one that finishes with back-to-back monumental drops. The hope now is that Pelley really feels the emotions of this ride along with the city, and that it prompts the necessary changes moving forward.