The Daily: Maple Leafs Seem Serious This Time; Augustine Sharp

There’s plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Brendan Shanahan accepted responsibility for the disastrous state of his organization.

He certainly knows that he could have been fired along with coach Sheldon Keefe.

No one knows exactly what’s going to happen, but it seems clear that the Maple Leafs are very serious about shaking up this roster, as much as the salary cap and no-trade clauses will allow them to. At the very least, we would expect a discussion with John Tavares and Mitch Marner about trading them. We would also expect, added aggressiveness toward bringing in a new goalie and adding an impact defenseman.

It’s fair to wonder whether Detroit’s Steve Yzerman will call about Tavares or Marner.

Another reason former Red Wings star Shanahan accepted responsibility for the mess is that he knows this is his last chance to change the course of this team. Shanahan and Brad Treliving clearly have a mandate to change the look of this Maple Leafs roster.

“Everything is on the table,” Shanahan said. That’s how it should be.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Detroit goalie Alex Lyon was injured in Team USA’s triumph against Germany at the World Championships.

Nate Danielson is showing has skill level to join the likes of Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin to make the Red Wings squad the second season after his draft year.

A Norwegian playing in Sweden may be a good option for GM Steve Yzerman when he drafts at No. 15. The NHL draft is next month at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Red Wings Offseason

Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine (drafted 35th overall by the Red Wings in 2023) is only 19 and his resume keeps growing more impressive. He added playing for USA in the World Champions to it Saturday after Detroit’s Alex Lyon was injured early in the second period. Augustine stopped 11 of 12 shots (.917 save percentage) in 36:23 of action. He has a 1.64 goals-against average.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Brad Marchand is day to day with an upper body injury for Game 4 against the Florida Panthers. Jimmy Murphy has the details. Marchand did not practice Saturday. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Evan Rawal writes that the Avs didn’t show the killer instinct in Game 3 of their playoff series against Dallas. Colorado Avalanche.

Nashville: Kiefer Sherwood has made a strong case for GM Barry Trotz to give him a new contract. Nashville Predators.

Pittsburgh: Dave Molinari analyzes the Penguins’ summer arbitration scenario and offers his thoughts on what Pittsburgh’s position should be on each player. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: The Sharks are showing a “large uptick” in interest for Sharks tickets because they won the right to draft Macklin Celebrini. San Jose Sharks.