When the Toronto Maple Leafs lose not one, but two games on the weekend, you can bet everybody in the city is talking about the team Monday morning, including Don Cherry.
Hosts Greg Brady and Andrew Walker chatted with Cherry on Sportsnet The Fan 590 about the Leafs’ recent struggles and, not surprisingly, Grapes had a strong stance on what course the team must chart.
“What the Toronto Maple Leafs organization should say is send in all your money for the playoff tickets,” said a cheeky Cherry.
Listen Now: Don Cherry on Brady and Walker
Bold suggestions aside, “The Don” did note Toronto—despite losing its past five games in regulation—still finds itself holding down a playoff position. And staying focused on the good right now is a huge key, says Cherry, because, with the trade deadline long past, it’s on the guys currently wearing blue and white to turn the ship around.
“This is the defence you’ve got,” Cherry said. “This is the forwards you’ve got; you can’t be down on anybody, you’ve got to be positive. They’re still in the playoff hunt. It’s not like they’re five points behind.”
The hot topic these days is who coach Randy Carlyle should tap in goal on Tuesday if No. 1 man Jonathan Bernier isn’t ready to go at home against the powerhouse St. Louis Blues. James Reimer was replaced by journeyman Drew MacIntyre after allowing three goals in a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night. Some are suggesting MacIntyre should start versus St. Louis, so Brady and Walker asked the former Boston Bruins coach if that’s the move he’d make.
“I think so,” Cherry said.
While Cherry said he wasn’t a fan of the way Carlyle was a little tough on Reimer last week, he’s not sure the Leafs bench boss should shoulder much blame for the team’s current condition.
“I can’t think of anything else Carlyle can do,” he said.