What if each Leaf was a Shawn Mendes song?

Shawn Mendes is the definition of a Good Ontario Boy. Raised in Pickering, Ontario, Mendes has gone on to write and record three award-winning albums. Mendes was listed among Time’s The 25 Most Influential Teens in 2014, Time’s The 30 Most Influential Teens in 2015 and 2016, Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2016, and Time’s The 100 Most Influential People in 2018. He’s clearly going places, and his favourite hockey team, of course, is the Leafs.

He’s not too bad on the ice himself…

So we decided to undertake the challenge: what if each Leaf was a Shawn Mendes song?

Key lyric: Hey, how’s it going? Can you meet me down on Adelaide street? Can you talk for a moment…

The song is about tough feelings in a relationship, whereas in this case, the song could be applied to simply wanting to ramp up contract negotiations with Nylander.

Key lyric: Might help me forget, but loving her (sic) is something I could never do. Because I had… Because I had you

The Arizona Coyotes could have drafted Mitch Marner. They chose Dylan Strome.

Key lyric: If this is what it’s like falling in love. Then I don’t ever wanna grow up… Maybe I’m just a kid in love.

Remember his first NHL goal face? That’s a kid who’s just so darn happy to be in the show. Hopefully his youthful exuberance sticks around throughout his career.

Key lyric: You can’t take my youth away. This soul of mine will never break. As long as I wake up today, you can’t take my youth away

A children’s author and a babyface, Zach Hyman could easily be confused for your average high schooler, despite the fact he’s also a very mature man.

Key lyric: I don’t even know your name. All I remember is that smile on your face, and it’ll kill me everyday.

Semyon Der-Arguchinstev. Say that three times fast.

Key lyric: Oh, I’ve been shaking, I love it when you go crazy, You take all my inhibitions, Baby, there’s nothing holding me back

Here’s to an injury-free, 82-game season. 50 goals? 100 points? Sky’s the limit.

Key lyric:  And you’re spending all your time, in this wrong situation… And anytime you want it to stop

Another easy choice. Entire career in San Jose? Better give Toronto a rip for a season or three.

Key lyric: Mistakes we all make them. But they won’t let it go, no. ‘Cause she’s got a bad reputation.But I know what they don’t. And I don’t care what they say about you baby. They don’t know what you’ve been through… All I want is you.

Wouldn’t it just make your day if the Leafs could fit in Jake long-term? Unfairly maligned but a 50-point d-man, every Leafs fan has a soft spot for #51.

Key lyric:   I pretend that I’m not ready… Why do we put each other through hell?…  Why can’t we just get over ourselves?

Why did it take so long for Kappy to stick with the big club last year.

Key lyric:  You’re perfectly wrong for me… And that’s why it’s so hard to leave.

Ironically, this isn’t a perfect fit. But he’s a bit of an asshole, and he’s our asshole. Perfectly wrong for us.

Key lyric: Help me… it’s like the walls are caving in. Sometimes I feel like giving up but I just can’t… it isn’t in my blood.

Mendes’ song has been touted as a mental health anthem of someone feeling helpless, but it’s also sometimes what it’s like playing behind the Leafs’ defence. Thankfully, Andersen just can’t give up.

Key lyric: So baby when you’re ready…. I’m waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiting.

Need we say more?