Leafs need to adapt to the trap

Going to keep this question fun: If you were at a campfire and could hang out and have a couple of beers with one current Leaf player, one retired player that is alive today and was a Leaf, and one deceased player that was a Leaf, who would they be and why? — Justin P. Interesting take. Well, I’d want good storytellers. Ron Hainsey doesn’t love talking to the media, but he’s an interesting guy with an interesting take who’s been around and seen a lot. So him from the current team. Maybe he’d tell a few Atlanta Thrashers stories. Wendel Clark can also chat things up pretty good, so he’s my retired Leaf. Some farm stories. And let’s go with the late, great Johnny Bower, just so he can tell stories about babysitting Lou Lamoriello. Is Josh Leivo a bust? How much longer do we have to wait for this guy to break through? He really has shown very little since becoming a regular. — Dan W. It’s a little early to give up on Josh Leivo. There are a lot of guys in the bottom six not producing. Hello, Andreas Johnsson. Hello, Tyler Ennis. Hello, Connor Brown. Hello, Frederik Gauthier. Hello, Par Lindholm. Four goals among them. I suspect once one begins to roll, so will others. After seeing another trap team, the Flames, stifle the vaunted Leaf offensive juggernaut on Monday, what exactly is the best way to beat the trap? Stretch pass to get it into the opposing end and break up the trap before it can get set? Obviously, key is to get the first goal so the opposing team can’t get into the trap and wait mode. Just wonder what the Leafs can do. — John L. The stretch pass is the Leafs’ go-to move that other teams have figured out. The Leafs need to adapt. One way is by carrying the puck. Unfortunately, two of their best zoneentry and zone-exit guys are out: Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Funny how questions that have nothing to do with Nylander sometimes end up being about Nylander. Without him they are less dangerous. Nylander is elite at controlling the puck and entering the offensive zone. Dump-and-chase hockey is not effective anymore. Sometimes, that’s what the Leafs are left with. I’m wondering about the Nylander stalemate. Given the Leafs have two of the most successful corporations as owners, couldn’t MLSE leverage that in the contract negotiations? Maybe sign Willy for $6 million per year then have Rogers and/or Bell sign him to a personal contract for $1 million each to cover the remaining gap? — John B. I’ll give you credit for being creative, but what you’re suggesting sounds like salarycap circumvention and in violation of Article 26 of the collective agreement. Gary Bettman would shut it down in a nanosecond. Because once one player gets it, another 700 across the league will want it the next time their contracts come due. That said, players are free to pursue other sponsors. Matthews and P.K. Subban have deals with Scotiabank, for example.

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