Don Cherry opens up about which member of the Core Four he'd trade after another disappointing playoff

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Josh tupper
May 16, 2023 (4:07 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs were finally able to end their first round curse, only to fall flat on the second round. The 4-1 series loss undid all the goodwill the Leafs has earned with their fans. Of all people, most would expect Don Cherry to be very critical of the Leafs and their core.

However that isn't actually the case and unlike most Maple Leafs fans who are calling for full scale changes, Cherry feels that's not the right approach. In a recent interview with the Toronto Sun he has the following to say.

"I would bring them all back. You don't blow up 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."

While he understands and agrees with them being "ashamed" of losing out in the second round after having such a good season, he would also bring back coach Sheldon Keefe, general manager Kyle Dubas and team president Brendan Shanahan.

"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 might not sit well with many Leafs fans, but Cherry is likely right. If the Leafs can lockdown Auston Matthews to a long-term contract it opens up the teams window for a much longer period of contention.

What do you think? Should the Leafs move one of the Core Four?

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Should the Leafs trade one of the Core Four?
Yes, keep all 4	2162	36.9 %
No, you have to trade at least 1	1913	32.6 %
No, you have to trade 2 or more	829	14.1 %
See results	959	16.4 %
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