Weekly Takes - Monday, May 12 Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, May 12 Edition

1. My three stars from the Maple Leafs chaotic game one win over the Panthers on Monday…

1. William Nylander

2. Max Pacioretty

3. William Nylander

The second line was outstanding, while the first line played great once the game became 4-3. The third line was solid throughout, while Max Domi and the fourth line had their best game of the playoffs.

Just a great effort, with the game only looking as close as it did because of Joseph Woll. He was no good, but it was tough to be good in his situation.

Here’s hoping the league rightfully comes down on Sam Bennett. That has to be a three-game suspension. He just took out the Leafs starting goalie with an elbow to the head. It is time to throw the book at him.

2. My three stars from the Leafs thrilling game two win over the Panthers on Wednesday…

1. Pacioretty 

2. Nylander

3. Pontus Holmberg

Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have another gear, but the rest of the team is peaking. Everyone is humming. Almost impossible to select three stars for this one.

Go steal a game in Florida and give yourself at least three cracks to close out the series.

3. My three stars from the Leafs heartbreaking game three loss to the Panthers on Friday…

1. Knies 

2. Steven Lorentz 

3. Scott Laughton 

A 50/50 game that came down to bad bounces. But the Leafs allowed it to get to that point with such an awful second period. They had the Panthers on the mat and they could not finish them. Now we have a series. 

Woll has to be way better in net and Matthews needs to start scoring. Simply not being on the ice for goals against isn’t good enough. He’s the highest paid player in the world. Go and carry the team to a win just like Connor McDavid does

4. My three stars from the Leafs horrific game four loss to the Panthers on Sunday…

1. Woll

2. Simon Benoit 

3. Knies  

The Core Four needs to be way better. Matthews, Marner, and Nylander were no good in Florida this past weekend. 

It’s a legacy game one way or another in game five. May as well make it a positive one. 

5. As Mother’s Day comes and goes, the Blue Jays are about who we thought they were.

A middling, fringe playoff team, that has a below average offence that is only slightly better than a season ago, an improved bullpen, and a top-heavy starting rotation. 

They have solved their left-handed bullpen issues with the play of Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty, while the bounce back season by George Springer has been substantial. But they still need a third baseman and designated hitter and they still need another starting arm.

And as was the case at the start of the year (if not worse due to the underwhelming performances from the likes of Jake Bloss and Orlevis Martinez), it is tough to address those needs with such an awful prospect system. 

Just a massive failure from a management group that has been here for a decade and has been given a massive payroll to work with.

Their only saving grace is the American League has never been so mediocre. 

6. I like the idea of the Steelers trading George Pickens.

He and DK Metcalf would have been a weird fit together for multiple reasons (both are deep ball threats and divas), while there was no chance Pickens was going to re-sign in the offseason. Getting a day-two pick for him is tidy work.

But this has to mean the Steelers are committed to being bad in 2025, with the hopes of finishing low enough to draft their next franchise quarterback in 2026, when they host the draft. Signing Aaron Rodgers is 100% meaningless now. Ride with Mason Rudolph, finish as low as you can in 2025, and start contending again in 2026 with a loaded roster around your rookie quarterback.

And given the current roster, 12 draft picks in 2026, and a ton of cap room, there should be no reason for the Steelers not to be a contender in 2026.