Is the Maple Leafs’ Season Mostly Smoke and Mirrors?

Today, I read Steven Nixon’s (Editor in Leaf) article. In it, he postured what seems like a radical thought by outlining why he thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs might be better off missing the postseason. He went on to make a case that focused on the team’s problems and the possibility that missing the playoffs could be the best outcome for the team. While I don’t buy it, he raised several key issues about the current Maple Leaf season worth considering.

While the team has enjoyed some regular-season success, he raised concerns about the sustainability of their performance as they head into the final stretch. Is he right? Let’s take a look at his case.

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Here are three reasons why the Maple Leafs’ season might not be as promising as it seems.

Reason One: The Maple Leafs Goaltending is No Longer Sustainable

The Maple Leafs’ problems were heavily bailed out by stellar goaltending early in the season, but since mid-December, their goaltending has dramatically dropped off. After ranking 1st in 5v5 save percentage early on, they’ve slipped to the mid-twenties in goaltending rankings. That directly correlates to their drop in performance. This lack of consistent, high-level goaltending could be the Achilles’ heel for a team riding on its early-season saves.

Reason Two: The Maple Leafs Lack Depth Scoring

While the Maple Leafs boast top-end talent like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander, their depth scoring has been a problem, especially in January. Losing Tavares and Matthew Knies to injuries certainly hasn’t helped. However, despite their stars in the lineup, the team’s offensive depth is insufficient to sustain a deep playoff run. If their core isn’t clicking, the team struggles to put up enough goals, which is problematic for a team that relies on its offense.

Reason Three: The Maple Leafs Have a History of Playoff Failures

Despite being a consistent playoff team over the last nine years, the Maple Leafs have only won one playoff round, fired two coaches, and let two general managers walk. The team has a different coach, Craig Berube, but it has kept the same core despite its lack of postseason success. If they miss the playoffs this season, it would highlight the Maple Leafs’ problems and force a much-needed shake-up in the front office and roster. This “re-tooling” could be the key to future success, but as it stands, the Maple Leafs appear stuck in a cycle of regular-season success that doesn’t translate into playoff victories.

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Would the Maple Leafs Be Better Off If They Missed the Playoffs?

If the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs this season, is Nixon right that fans should expect significant organizational changes? Do these changes include potential trades of big-name players like Mitch Marner or William Nylander? Does the franchise need a fresh perspective to break the playoff curse and finally build a championship-contending team? Does the organization need to blow it all up in a radical problem-solving fix?

Although Nixon’s article was a tantalizing read, he’s wrong. His suggestion that the Maple Leafs might be better off missing the playoffs is illogical. First, missing the postseason would set the team back, wasting another prime year for Matthews and the core group. Second, playoff experience – even if it’s not successful – is crucial for the team’s growth. Missing the postseason would deprive the team of vital learning opportunities.

Finally, despite recent struggles, Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander remain one of the league’s most talented cores, and they still have the potential for a playoff push. Missing the playoffs would only hinder progress—addressing their issues and leveraging their talent is the way forward.

Fun read, but off-base.

Related: Maple Leafs Eyeing Big Names Before Trade Deadline