Toronto Maple Leafs: No Need For Realistic Expectations

The Toronto Maple Leafs might win the President’s Trophy and the Stanley Cup this year.

I mean, they probably won’t.  But they could.  There is no reason the 2018 Stanley Cup Winner can’t be the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Yesterday my respected colleague Andrew Boehmer wrote about managing expectations and being realistic.  He noted where the Leafs were, where they are and were they might be shortly.  It was a smart article by a smart man.

But you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t buy in.

Already Got My Back Tattoo

I read Andrew’s piece yesterday and immediately proceeded to my local tat shop, Dirty Carl’s Discount Tattoo Emporium, and got Carl himself to ink over my regrettable Weird Al back tattoo with one that proclaims the 2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs as Stanley Cup Champions.

If it comes to pass, I’ll look like a genius. And if it doesn’t work out, well, I never take my shirt off in public anyways, so who cares?

Because, here’s the thing about sports:  it’s all about having fun.

If I want to invest money, set a goal, or learn a new skill, I will manage my expectations realistically.  But when it comes to sports, where is the fun in that?

Be Unrealistic, Have More Fun

I want to get drunk, I want to cheer and I want there to always be a streaking option, but the last thing I want is realism.

Here’s an example:  What would you rather hear when  Matthews scored four goals in his first game 1) a measured mathematical analysis concluding that he basically just peaked in his first ever game or 2) a crazy person giving you a convoluted and possibly insane explanation of how Matthews can beat Gretzky’s all-time goal record of 894 in just a little under three seasons?

Obviously one guy is right and the other insane, but what reason does any sports fan have to be sane?

I mean, if you go on the internet and argue with other grown men about a childrens game played by millionaire fat-cats, didn’t you leave the world of “realistic expectations” behind miles ago?

You can get a lot of fun, excitement, and good times out of unrealistic expectations.   Sure, in real life you can also get a kick in the nuts too, if you’re not careful about managing expectations.  But this is sports.

The only consequences you’re going to face for your unrealistic expectations are in the comments section where LeafsFan342 might tell you what an idiot you are.

As an expert on that particular topic, let me tell you: you aren’t going to care.

In the end, realistic expectations and sports don’t mix. That is why I’m going to lay down a few of the things I expect to happen this season:

1. The Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup.
2.  Timothy Liljegren will win the Calder Trophy.
3. Auston Matthews will win the Hart, the Conn Smythe, the Rocket Richard and the Art Ross, outscoring Connor McDavid by 20 points.
4. Lou Lamoriello will grow his hair out, including some really bad-ass sideburns.
5. . During the upcoming season, Auston Matthews will break Daryl Sittler’s single game point scoring record by scoring six goals and five assists in a single game.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs Ultimate Top Prospect List

See? Nothing to it.  In life, manage your expectations. In sports be as crazy as you want to be.  And when you’re not sure, just ask ‘ What Would David Lee Roth Do?” If you like the Toronto Maple Leafs, then set your expectations at 11, cause this team is about to become a dynasty.

Or not.