Maple Leafs AGM Reveals Message Management is Sending to Players Amid Offseason Overhaul
Photo credit: Maple Leafs on Instagram
Amid numerous offseason changes for the Maple Leafs, AGM Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser has revealed what sort of message the organization is sending to its players.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs undergo a transformative offseason, highlighted by the departure of Mitch Marner and the arrival of several players, including former Leafs draft pick Dakota Joshua, the culture and identity of the team appears to be shifting.
General Manager Brad Treliving has focused on bringing in versatile, team-first players with the aim of reshaping the locker room dynamic and instilling a winning mindset through more will and less skill.
Hockey Hall of Famer and Maple Leafs Assistant GM of Player Development, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, shared her thoughts on building a winning culture earlier this month at Leafs Summer Development Camp. Her words, as quoted by Dave McCarthy on X, speak to the message that management is sending the players throughout all levels of the organization.
"Winning is 90% mental. Everyone is pretty equal physically. It's the ability to have that performance on demand when it matters most. That's a really hard thing to do. When you get over the hump, winning breeds more winning. Seen it with [Florida]."
Winning Culture Shift Will Start with Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
While the roster changes may help reshape the team's core, true transformation starts at the top, with superstar captain Auston Matthews. Despite a season hindered by injuries, Matthews remains widely regarded as the NHL's premier goal scorer.
Beyond his offensive talent, Matthews has also earned praise for his leadership, most recently from former teammate Ryan Reaves -- something that will be crucial as the Leafs aim to turn the page and establish a stronger team identity. Reaves praised Matthews' dedication for playing through pain last season, specifically.
Matthews and the new-look Maple Leafs will attempt to embrace a winning culture, much like the one built by their Atlantic Division rivals, the Florida Panthers, as referenced by Wickenheiser.
This team will have to put a lot more emphasis on using force and displaying the will to win through their work ethic, rather than relying solely on skill as they have in the past.
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