It’s hard to get excited about the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs knowing you’re going to get your heart broken.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had their worst season since the Peter Horachek era. Even though the Leafs finished last in the NHL one year after that, the team at least did it with a purpose. The Leafs were tanking and executed that plan perfectly, as it led to the acquisition of Auston Matthews. Since his arrival, the team made the playoffs every year, until this season.
It’s hard to remember that the Leafs actually missed the playoffs. When I think back on the season, I keep forgetting that the Columbus match-up was a qualifying series and not an actual playoff series. It’s so disappointing realizing that the Leafs are in the same category as the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators this year.
When you look back in the record books, you’re not going to see an asterisk or anything that indicates this season stopped short and restarted in a Hub City. Instead, all you’re going to see beside the Toronto Maple Leafs 2019-20 season on hockeyDB is ‘Out of Playoffs.’
I know it was a weird season, but I can’t help but feel scared toward the future. Hopefully Leafs management can change those thoughts soon, but here are three reasons why you should be pessimistic about the Toronto Maple Leafs.