Serious rumour emerges that Leafs are dealing with huge dressing room issue in series vs. Florida

As the Maple Leafs fight to regain control of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers, speculation is growing that something more than injuries might be affecting the team at this crucial time.

Several absences and in-game departures have raised eyebrows throughout the series against Florida. While illness was cited for Oliver Ekman-Larsson missing practice on Tuesday, NHL analyst and die-hard Maple Leafs fan Steve Dangle believes there’s a wider issue at play — and it’s not just bad luck.

“I’m not making excuses,” Dangle said on his podcast, “but I’m convinced they’re sick.”

The theory started back in Game 1 when goalie Anthony Stolarz was seen vomiting on the bench. Whether that was due to a concussion or something else is unclear, but the pattern continued with defenseman Chris Tanev briefly left Game 3 without explanation. Forward Matthew Knies exited Sunday’s game in similar fashion before returning shortly after, while Calle Järnkrok did the same earlier in the series.

“It’s the same thing over and over,” Dangle went on to explain. “Guys are leaving for a few minutes, no clear injury. I think they’re just sick — puking, maybe worse.”

Ekman-Larsson’s illness and backup goalie Matt Murray’s recent absence from practice only add fuel to the theory that a bug could be going around the dressing room.

Whether it’s a stomach virus, flu, or something else entirely, the Maple Leafs haven’t looked like themselves, especially in Game 4 this past weekend. But if Dangle’s right, and a recovery is around the corner, fans could see a very different team in Game 5.

Let’s hope for Toronto it’s just a short-term setback — and that the worst is already behind them.