Maple Leafs Woes: Facing Facts in Toronto

Matthew Howard — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:12:54 -0500

The Toronto Maple Leafs have to lose and lose bad.

Or should I say, keep loosing bad.

The situation in Toronto is dire, and it doesn't look like it's getting any better. While it seems like the Leafs have been rebuilding for years now, and Leafs fans* may not like to hear it, this year should be a write-off as well.

(*I use the term "Leafs fans" rather than "Leafs Nation" because the latter makes Leafs fans sound ridiculous. Changing "Raider Nation" to "Leafs Nation" is the most hack thing a group of fans could possibly do. Just trying to help.)

Anyway, my two cents: Look to the future. Look at the example set by the Flyers.

With the sale of Peter Forsberg, Philly was able to turn around a team that had been lucky to put together a two-game winning streak. The sale or trade of Mats Sundin might do the same thing in Toronto.

Moving Sundin could help the Leafs obtain an NHL-caliber goaltender. It could provide disappointing $4-million-a-year Jason Blake someone he can click with. Or it could bring the Leafs a skilled pair of defensemen.

Any of these moves would help the Leafs build a better future. But while it may sound fairly straightforward, it's not.

In Toronto, it never is.

There are a few slight complications preventing the Leafs from making a competent front-office decision. First, John Ferguson Jr.'s GM job security is tenuous at best. In order for Mr. Ferguson to keep his position, the Leafs have to start winning—and not stop until they reach at least the first round of the playoffs.

The catch is the Leafs would never be able to make the playoffs without Mats Sundin. Ergo the trade of Mats Sundin would be detrimental to the Leafs GM, but good for the organization.

Unfortunately, the final decision lays in the hands of the Leafs GM.

The Toronto Sports Network, meanwhile, sure seems to believe the Leafs can turn it around. As of last week, Darren Dregger and Glen Healy were still perpetuating the myth that the Leafs were a playoff-bound team. On Sunday night, Don Cherry in his "Coach's Corner" segment claimed the Leafs were struggling, but insisted "we" (referring to the Leafs) would make the playoffs.

This is the second obstacle facing the Leafs: The English-language media propagates the absurd notion that the Leafs are a good team. This isn't helping the franchise.

Until TSN and CBC start fessing up about the sad state of the organization, the Leafs won't be able to progress.

There is a slim possibility the Leafs may be able to make the playoffs. Most of their players are underachieving. Mathematically it's still possible—and if they were to pull it off, it would certainly be TSN's feel good story of year.

Of course, it would also be the worst scenario for the Leafs organization.

The suspect crew assembled by Ferguson wouldn't get past the first round—and would only fare worse in seasons to come.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Matthew Howard

Maple Leafs Woes: Facing Facts in Toronto