The Toronto Maple Leafs are enduring one of their roughest starts in years, sitting at the bottom of both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference with a 9-10-3 record. A stretch of seven losses in eight games has left the team in crisis, and questions about leadership and accountability are growing louder with each passing game.

Captain Auston Matthews, sidelined for the last five games with a lower-body injury, has returned to practice, hinting that he could be back in the lineup soon. His absence coincided with the team’s ongoing struggles, putting him squarely in the spotlight as fans and analysts assess the state of the Maple Leafs.

Off the ice, commentary from former champions has sharpened the narrative. Two-time Stanley Cup winner Kris Versteeg has delivered a blunt asses

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