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Don Cherry Shares His Pick on the Core Four Leafs Player He'd Trade


PUBLICATION
TJ Tucker
May 16, 2023  (8:14 PM)
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A lot of people have been voicing their opinion on what the Toronto Maple Leafs need to do and what moves need to be made to bring more success in the post season. Now, long-time hockey analyst Don Cherry is giving his take.

A lot of the debate has surrounded Toronto's core four of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander. Many feel at least one has to go in order for Toronto to get over the playoff hump. Cherry disagrees with that take entirely.
"There are always differing opinions. As for me, I wouldn't blow it all up at all," Cherry told the the Toronto Sun. "I would keep trying to build a family to try to win the Stanley Cup. I said it in my Grapevine podcast, I say it here and I will keep saying it: You can't do that by bringing in new people all the time."

The Guys at the Top

Cherry also discussed whether Toronto should look at replacing GM Kyle Dubas, head coach Sheldon Keefe, and/or Team President Brendan Shanahan. Again, he insisted that won't lead to winning.
"I would bring them all back. You don't blow up a team that had a 50-win, 111-point season. You just make sure you have a team that is ready to win in the playoffs because the regular season means nothing."

"People are upset, but it will settle down in a few weeks. You don't keep changing the coach and management. You just work on it for next season."

This doesn't seem to match the sentiment of many fans who feel something has to give. But, Cherry's insight as someone who's played and coached is an interesting one. He's essentially telling them don't quit, and that the formula the team has been using will work eventually.

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