“This is a much better team than we played two years ago,” admitted Paul Maurice after the Florida Panthers eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs from the playoffs. However, that didn’t stop the Leafs fans from being agitated at how their team choked to the defending champs despite having an early lead in the series. But a former Cats boss might have the solution to Toronto’s problems.

The Maple Leafs finished the regular season at the top of the Atlantic Division. And yet, when they crossed paths with the Panthers, it didn’t take long for the divisional top seeds to go belly up. Obviously, fans weren’t happy. Especially considering Florida won 3 of the four regular-season matches, the postseason clash offered the perfect stage to settle the score. But Doug MacLean thinks it’s not only the Leafs players who need to up their game.

The former Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets coach and NHL prez was heard talking about how Toronto can turn things around for the better in an X post by Sportsnet 590 The Fan from May 23. MacLean joined Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne in a conversation to highlight how a management change is in order for the Maple Leafs clan.

“They better figure out their pro scouting really fast. Take a dozen of those analytics guys, drop them down to four, and move the other eight into scouting,” the former Florida Panthers highlighted how the Leafs need to shake things around in order for a better postseason campaign next year. MacLean went on to underline how the Maple Leafs also need to handle their finances better.

Considering that stars like Mitch Marner could become unrestricted free agents from July 1, the former Panthers’ coach’s words might hold some weight for them. “Teams with a salary cap,  it becomes even more important to make sure you’re on top of the business,” Doug said. On May 21, Marner’s cryptic statement, “I’ve always loved my time here. I loved being here … I’ve been so grateful,” only fueled more fires to his ext speculation, and the former Florida coach could be walking on the right track here by suggesting that Toronto needs to chalk up a proper contract deal to make sure its attacking sharpness isn’t dulled.

MacLean went on to provide examples of a number of scouts who have been pivotal in the success of NHL teams. “Florida. Rick Dudley. Advisor. Pro scout. Les Jackson, who helped build Dallas Stars. Pro scout. Paul Fenton, who was a real instrumental in Nashville. Pro scout and a former GM,” Dough listed how effective scouts have been game changers. 

Things don’t stop there, no! Following the playoff exit, the Maple Leafs’ president, Brendan Shanahan, stepped down from his role. In the wake of things, the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) CEO, Keith Pelley, held a press conference to reiterate his confidence in Brad Treliving, the GM of the Leafs, and head coach Craig Berube. Naturally, all the shifting around is getting too much for the former Florida Panthers boss.

“ I think that they’ve got to figure it out. And Pelley saying, well, I you know, ‘I got Brad and I got Craig.’ Well, you need a refurbishing of that staff. And trust me, I really believe that cut back on the skill development group, the player development group, the chef, and put it into hockey,” Doug said. His optimism that Toronto would soon bounce back may not all be baseless, either. 

The Florida Panthers alum isn’t one to speculate out of thin air

It isn’t like the Leafs didn’t have a good regular season. Finishing at the top of the division, Toronto was in a better position than both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers before the postseason kicked off. Their playoff campaign also started on a high note, too! Matching up against the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs for the first time in over two decades, Berube’s boys could hardly wait to reclaim the Battle of Ontario.

And so they did. Trampling over the Sens, the Leafs blitzed into the second round. Immediately, they picked up two back-to-back wins in the first two games. The fans were elated, and experts dismissed the Florida Panthers’ chances of making it past Toronto. However, the Cats held on, and the series unfolded for all seven games the fans had hoped for.

And yet, despite stars like Justin Bieber showing their love for the team, or the Leafs’ goalie Jason Woll pulling out incredible tricks from the hat, the Florida Panthers proved why they are the reigning champs. And now, it looks like a former Cat himself has his own suggestions about how the Leafs could finally end their 58-year-long drought and reclaim the Stanley Cup as their own once again.

Along with Doug’s advice, how else do you think Toronto can bounce back from its misfortunes? Tell us!