One Toronto Maple Leafs forward offered a candid take Friday on what it’s like behind closed doors on a team that’s won just six games since January 1.
“It’s pretty screwed up in here,” said a forward who requested to remain anonymous according to Michael Traikos of the National Post.
The unnamed player, who was described as a “fringe” forward, spoke openly about the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and what he perceived as a slight to the players who worked the hardest on the ice that night.
Traikos cited Sam Carrick, Richard Panik, Brandon Kozun, and Zach Sill as players who appeared to put in the most work in the loss, and who were not rewarded with any extra ice-time for their efforts.
“You’d think things would change,” the anonymous player added. “No one notices what’s going on here.”
Head coach Peter Horachek was critical of his team’s effort following the Thursday loss.
All-Star Phil Kessel answered questions Friday morning about Horachek’s comments and a perceived lack of effort or care on the part of himself and his Maple Leafs teammates.
“That’s his opinion,” said Kessel. “We’re professionals. No one is not trying. If you’re saying that you’re lost.”
The Maple Leafs will be in Ottawa Saturday to face the surging Senators.
