The headline on TSN read Islanders Damage Leafs Playoff Hopes—at least someone's keeping the faith.
Hell, even John Ferguson Jr. thinks that this team should be selling off their assets, but the opinion of an ex-GM is the last thing that Leafs fans want to hear right now, as we've come to uncharted territory.
We're finally coming to grips with reality.
For the past few years, we've come close to the playoffs—that is to say, we've come close following hot streaks that the New York Giants and Colorado Rockies would be proud of.
In 2005-06, the Leafs weren't expected to be anywhere near the playoffs with names on their roster such as Khavanov, Lindros, and Allison. The Leafs were hot and cold throughout the season, and looked to be on the outside looking in on the playoff picture for the first time in eight seasons. However, false hope was given to Leafs Nation as the Buds went 11-3-2 to finish out their season, only to find out after their 80th game, that their season would be finished two games later.
In 2006-07 it was much of the same. The same expectations to miss the playoffs, the same underachieving players, the same hot and cold play. The fact that the Leafs decided to turn it on late and again bring false hope to the city of Toronto also remained consistent, as the Leafs finished the season 10-6-2, only to have their playoff dreams dashed the following day by Wade Dubielewicz and the New York Islanders' shootout win.
In both of those years the Leafs made minor deadline moves to try to improve the club just enough so that they could squeeze into the playoffs: In 2005/06 Luke Richardson was added, and in 2006/07 Yanic Perreault was brought back for a third stint in the blue and white.
In two years of missing the playoffs what do the Leafs have to show for it? One first round pick, a new starting goalie for each of the past three seasons, and a fan base that's balding not because of age (well...some of them are), but because of the frustration brought on by the mediocrity that they're forced to buy into year after year.
So what's different this year? Well there are a few things:
1) To start with, Leafs fans want that number one draft pick. Hell, they NEED that number one pick. If you listen carefully you can hear hundreds of thousands of people who are hyperventilating at the idea of Steven Stamkos, a Drew Daughty, or a Kyle Beach. Within the span of a season, Leafs fans have suddenly realized that Mats Sundin won't be around forever, and at this point, there's no one in line to become the next "face of the franchise".
Sure, there's players that could wear the "C" for the Leafs, but once Sundin leaves, there's not much on this roster to get excited about (I'd say "not a single player on this roster will put butts in the seats" but you could probably throw dancing bears out on the ice and sell-out the ACC. It'd probably make Joe Bowen's job a lot more enjoyable).
2) In additon to the lack of a "bonafide future superstar", the idea of mortgaging the future that the Leafs have accumulated (as has been the recent trend) is beginning to give Carlton the Bear grey hairs. As has been the case for years, the Leafs are far too willing to give up on prospects for "established" talent* and the fans are sick of it.
*If you were to look up established talent in the Toronto Dictionary of Hockey, you'd find that it stands for the following:
"Any player(s) who can be exchanged for one or more prospects and/or draft picks. The player(s) that the Toronto Maple Leafs receive in return may not be younger than thirty-five (35) years of age, and must have no more than one season remaining on their contract."
3) We've been staring at the same mid-level overpaid free agent acquisitions for years now. What's worse? We're stuck with them because of the no movement clauses in their contracts. All we ask for is a change, and maybe some players from that "next level" of talent.
And most importantly...
4) We want to have a good team for the future...not just a team that's good for that fleeting two month period to close out the season.
That's it. We just want to be good. We finally opened our eyes to the past two seasons and realized that we started challenging for a playoff spot because we got hot at the right time, like the Rockies and the Giants before us (except they made the playoffs and made it to their respective championships).
We finally realized that, to be good, we'll have to part with some of the players that we've grown to love (and overrate) over the past few years because we want to be proud of our team—not just the individual players on the team.
So Cliff, if you're listening, or reading, or having this dictated to you, or scoffing at it while you light a big fat cigar in the press box with a (Canadian) hundred dollar bill:
Do the right thing. Tank the season.
The last thing we need right now is another "close call" playoff run.
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