Toronto Maple Leafs Head Into the New Year with New Hope, Bright Future.

Some time ago (April 1st, 2009), Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke issued a statement that missing the playoffs in a "hockey mad" city, was like being kicked in the groin. At the time, no Burke led team had failed to make the playoffs for seven years.

He did go on to say the Leafs can and will spend to the cap and will be looking to get back into the playoffs as soon as next season.

That was 10 months ago.

To date, the new Leafs GM has acquired Phil Kessel, a handful of talented young prospects, including Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak, and a potential superstar goal tender who goes by the name Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson.

The Leafs, currently sit just five points back of the New York Rangers for eighth place in the Eastern Conference . With just one more game to play before the official half way point in the season, after the terrible start that the team endured, and a never ending revolving door in net, all in all, I'd say they are doing fairly well.

Coach Ron Wilson, who has taken a lot of flack over the team and it's brutal start, is starting to look like some what of a genius. If the Toronto Maple Leafs do make it to the post season this year, he will have forever cemented himself in Leafs Lore, no matter what becomes of his team beyond the here and now.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, may actually make the playoffs this season. I would honestly not be surprised. This team has shown me, that on any given night, if everyone shows up, they can beat any one.

The question that is burning a hole in my otherwise calm, easy going mind is...what's next?

If the Leafs make the playoffs this year, and lets face it, no one can honestly rule them out. Does that change anything, or everything when thinking about the future of the team? Does Brian Burke go from visionary to reactionary overnight?

What I mean is, if they taste some post season success, will he deviate from the "plan"?, or will he smell blood and go after immediate success for next year?

This concerns me some what. I've seen this before, and I genuinely don't know enough about Burke to make any kind of assertion as to what he may or may not be thinking.

For the first time in a long time, I not only enjoy watching the Leafs play now, but the    "baby steps" that Brian Burke has taken so far, have me excited about watching the team play next year, and beyond. I really hope that Brian Burke stays the course of the Blue and White ship, even in the face of sudden success.