Weekly Takes - Monday, March 16th Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, March 16th Edition 

1. I love the Maple Leafs’ pushback in the third period against the Ducks on Thursday.

This era ended the night they caved on home ice in Mitch Marner’s return, but they were going to be buried if they did not respond after Radko Gudas’ dirty hit on their captain.

Easton Cowan, Max Domi, Matthew Knies, Michael Pezzetta, Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly, and yes, William Nylander, all should be proud of what they did in the third period. This has to set a new standard moving forward.

2. As for the hit itself and Radko Gudas only getting five games… no one should have been surprised. The Leafs, despite being labeled soft for a decade, get suspended more than any other team in the sport. And players are allowed to take liberties against them.

It is sad that Brad Treliving did not come out with a scathing statement against the NHL, instead leaving it to Auston Matthews’ agent.

Par the course.

3. In 2030, I would love if Canada can get a better commitment from their players for the WBC – particularly on the pitching side.

They will never be able to run the gauntlet and win the whole thing, but they could have had a punchers chance to beat the Americans if Nick Pivetta, Cade Smith, and Matt Brash wanted to be there.

Disappointing. 

4. Speaking of disappointing, it is disappointing that the Raptors have fallen off as much as they have. The Eastern Conference was open for them to make a bit of a run in the spring. 

But their lack of shooting and size has been too much to overcome. The foundation is here but they need to adjust in the offseason.

5. My adjustment would not include firing Darko Rajakovic – at least not yet.

I truly like how the Raptors play. They just do not have the players to execute. He gets the start of the 2026-2027 season for me.

6. The Ravens should be ripped for pulling out of the Maxx Crosby trade, but they were right to do so. A discounted Trey Hendrickson + two first round picks is better than Crosby and no picks.

Deal with the consequences later. 

7. The Rams are my biggest winner of free agency.

Their one weakness was their secondary. Now it is a major strength.

A Matthew Stafford decline can change everything, but they are primed to enter September as the best team in football.

8. I love what Kansas City and the Steelers did, too.

The Steelers, assuming they draft a WR and LG in the first two rounds, have little to no holes… outside of the quarterback position. But there is no reasonable way to upgrade at quarterback this offseason. 

As for Kansas City, they will finally have a run game for Patrick Mahomes – the biggest knack against them in the last half-decade.

They need another wide receiver but they are primed to contend with the Ravens, Bills, and Chargers in the AFC.