“It’s psychotic”: Steve Dangle’s hot take on Toronto Maple Leafs Core Four receives nod from NHL insider

The time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to break up the Core Four was in 2021, argues podcaster Steve Dangle. During an edition of the Steve Dangle Podcast, Dangle and NHL insider Chris Johnston discussed the most opportune moments to break up the Leafs’ Core Four.

Dangle said:

“It’s psychotic that they’re still trying to do this.”

Dangle’s comments were made in relation to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ continued attempts at winning a Stanley Cup, with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and Mitch Marner all making over $10 million per season.

Dangle argued the following moments would have been the most appropriate to break up the Core Four:

“The emotional time to break up the Core Four was 2021. The arguable time to break up the Core Four was 2022.”

Dangle’s assertions are rooted in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ consistent playoff shortcomings and expiring contracts. However, Dangle made this interesting reflection on when the Leafs committed to their Core Four for the foreseeable future:

“The Core Four’s point of no return was January 8th, 2024, the day Nylander extended.”

Dangle added:

“Slammed NMCs on four guys making double digits.”

As Marner’s ongoing contract saga unfolds, the Leafs will look to make the Core Four plan work one more time.

Nevertheless, if the Core Four fail to win a Stanley Cup, let alone make a deep postseason run, the Toronto Maple Leafs may be faced with the possibility of a rebuild.

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Johnston echoes Dangle’s opinion on the Toronto Maple Leafs' Core Four

Johnston echoed Dangle’s opinion regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs’ ongoing commitment to the Core Four:

“I agree. Like back to 2021, is when they should have done it. I think. We felt an urgency with their action that year.

"Like the first second of that postmortem, which was like a day and a half after they cacked that series against Montreal, and like the first thing is like, ‘Nothing is changing.’”

Johnston followed up his comments with the following insight:

"I think they’re (Leafs management) worried about the message so much they’re worried about how we’re all going to interpret it. It feels like they blame the media for something Just do your business and win.”

While there have been changes within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, they have occurred with management and coaching staff. However, the fear seems to be that another lackluster season could lead to major changes on the ice.

As for now, the Core Four are intact. The team’s play this upcoming season will determine if the band stays together or if major changes are on the horizon. However, if the Leafs bring home a Cup, fans and the media may be willing to put the criticism and speculation aside for a while.