Toronto Maple Leafs: No Expectations in 2008-09

For the first time in years, this Maple Leafs team has no expectations of success.

There is no “this could be the year” hope, no suggestions of contending for the Cup—not even the expectation of making the playoffs.

This has certainly been one of the busiest offseasons in recent years for the Leafs. Along with a new GM and Coach, Toronto drafted a top prospect, added a few new players, and bought out or let go of others. 

But there is one big difference this year—all moves have been done in the name of “building for the future” rather than for the present. It is because of this that nobody is looking at the moves and saying we will be better next year.

There are many reasons for these lowered expectations. Firstly, Leaf fans have been told that the team is officially rebuilding (although it’s more of a semi-rebuild) and will likely go backwards before they move forward. By doing this, Cliff Fletcher has lowered our expectations by telling us that the Leafs won’t contend this year.

Secondly, seasons of high hopes have led to unfulfilled expectations year after year, leading fans to be less optimistic. There is no longer a sense of “all we need to do is make the playoffs, then anything can happen”.

Going into this season, there is absolutely no expectation of immediate success. For once, the Leafs will begin a season with no pressure. We expect them to be bad. We have been told that they will likely be worse than last year, putting them near the bottom of the league.

With so little expectations, how can they possibly disappoint?

Last offseason, the Leafs seemed to address their biggest needs—consistently strong goaltending and a scoring first-line winger—by adding Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake.

They had just barely missed the playoffs with Raycroft in net. Surely these additions would push them into the East’s Top Eight. After all, nobody in the Northeast seemed to have improved as much as the Leafs—Buffalo lost Drury and Briere, and Montreal lost Souray. (Obviously no one realized Montreal would significantly improve through player development.)

When Paul Maurice said the Leafs would make the playoffs and contend in the East, I agreed. Needless to say, he and I were completely wrong and the Leafs never came close to meeting those high expectations.

I still believe they underachieved—but either way, they once again let down the fans.

This season, without high expectations and pressure, maybe the players will finally feel comfortable playing in the world’s craziest hockey market. Maybe the team we expect nothing of will overachieve and do well. Maybe I’m completely wrong again.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?