It may only be the end of November, but this feels like a big weekend for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Following their OT win in Columbus, the Leafs are in Washington for a funky 5 PM Eastern start on Black Friday before visiting Kyle Dubas’ Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
That’s where the conversation started on the Friday edition of Leafs Morning Take as David Pagnotta filled in as co-host for Jay Rosehill. Naturally, we transitioned into a segment about what’s happening behind the scenes. How motivated are the Leafs to make a trade? Who’s available? Is Berube’s job on the line? Pagnotta hit on what’s potentially to come if the Leafs can’t find their footing.
Then, we got into a full game preview. The Leafs are in D.C. to take on a red-hot Caps team, who’ve won five of six. This will be a tough one. At the time of recording, we weren’t sure about what the Leafs roster will look like. Dakota Joshua will draw back in. Furthermore, it seems likely that Max Domi could be a healthy scratch. For the record, we agreed that decision —if it ends up happening. Bottom line: There needs to be accountability up and down the lineup. All in all, it will be fascinating to see how Joshua responds to sitting for one game.
Speaking of which, Dan Riccio of OFF THE ROSTER, The Nation Network’s new sports show, stopped by. Dan’s been in Vancouver for almost a decade, he covered Joshua when he was with the Canucks. In fact, Riccio admitted Joshua needed to be poked and prodded, so maybe the health bomb was a blessing in disguise. In addition to promoting the show, Riccio hit on Joshua, the Leafs and Canucks potentially hooking up on a deal, and what the mindset of Brad Treliving should be right now with the team struggling so mightily. All three of us agreed that this team shouldn’t be adding right now whatsoever.
At any rate, David Pagnotta will be in for Jay Rosehill once again for the Monday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Be sure to join us for a full recap of Toronto’s back-to-back this weekend. Plus, Sportsnet’s Anna Dua will stop by the show, too.
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