Ryan O'Reilly takes massive shot at the Maple Leafs: Claims they will never win

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Felip Gosselin
August 14, 2024 (8:53 PM)

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Former Toronto Maple Leaf Ryan O'Reilly allegedly believes that the current Leafs roster may not be capable of winning a Stanley Cup due to the presence of certain players who, in his view, do not embody a winning culture.

Ryan O'Reilly, a two-way forward, was acquired by the Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season just before the trade deadline, hoping that his experience and leadership would propel the team to a championship. He quickly made an impact, tallying 11 points in 13 regular-season games and contributing 9 points in 11 playoff games. His performance was pivotal in helping Toronto advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Despite his significant contributions, many Leafs fans were surprised when O'Reilly chose not to re-sign with the team. Recent insights from Dan Powers of The Empty Netters Podcast may shed light on O'Reilly's decision. Although Powers did not specify which players O'Reilly was referring to or the exact reasons for his concerns, the implication is that O'Reilly believes certain individuals on the roster may not have the winning mentality necessary for a championship run.

''I was talking to someone who knows Ryan O'Reilly very well, and he had talked about his time in Toronto and was like, 'certain people on this Toronto team will never win, and I don't want to be here anymore'. And he's not saying that about the people in [Nashville's] locker room right now.''

O'Reilly, who captained the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' MVP, is widely regarded as a strong leader. His assessment of the Maple Leafs' roster carries considerable weight.

If his observations are correct, it might suggest that the team needs a significant overhaul to achieve their Stanley Cup aspirations. With superstar Auston Matthews now taking on the captaincy , there is hope that a shift in leadership and culture could bring the Leafs closer to their ultimate goal.

Credit: Maple Leafs Daily
Ryan O'Reilly allegedly states that a pair of current Leafs will never win a Cup

Source: Empty Netters Podcast
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