New Year, New Leafs...

I’ve never been a fan of the idea of “tanking”. I find that it’s degrading to do, as an organization and that there are better ways of reconstructing a team. But sometimes, in the most desperate of times… it feels like the only option.

To my fellow, broken hearted leaf fans, I am sad to say that once again… it was not our year. Yes I am aware that the season is not done but I’m trying to be a realist here. We are amid another disappointing season courtesy of our Toronto Maple Leafs. Really, are you surprised? I hate to be a cynic, but I can’t help to only generate negative thoughts while I think about the Leafs in this moment.

I hate being negative, so let’s discuss some positives:

The reconstruction of the entire team is healthy. Many people will argue and dislike trades that are going to be made because they believe some of our guys have potential. Hey, guys, remember someone named Wayne Gretzky… “The Great One”, yeah… he was traded. It’s all apart of the realm of sports. It’s all just a game and players are just along for the ride, where they end up is where they end up. Either they excel or they fall down the ranks and that is that. A lot of people look at this and read it for what it is. Dig a little deeper people; to evolve we need to shake things up a little bit. Yes, Kessel has been our guy for a long while in Toronto, but has he taken us anywhere? A man can only do so much. Look at Phaneuf, sure he did some good things for us but maybe switching up the leadership in the locker room is what this team needs. Think of all the possibilities that can come from moving guys like Kessel and Phaneuf. This gives us more cap space to work with and potentially we can have something that will change us. If you love a team, you have to be willing to let go of some things to make for a brighter future.

Here’s another positive. I presume that once this disastrous season is over, management is going to find a guy that can change the stigma around the Leafs. A guy like Babcock comes to mind instantly. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but a girl can only hope.

I sincerely feel like a broken record, and maybe sometime soon I can write something about the Leafs flourishing as an organization but as of right now, I think that’s a long shot.

So leaf fans, I leave you with a nice little cliché; There’s always next year.