Toxic Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Need a Reality Check

No, it wasn’t just a bad dream. The Toronto Maple Leafs really did blow a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens, lost Game 7, and are now on the outside looking in throughout the remainder of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Although my Twitter feed would have you believe otherwise, the Toronto Maple Leafs most recent first round loss is not the end of the world as we know it, fellow fans.

Was it disappointing to witness? Of course. It’s more than permissible to be frustrated, angry, and upset at the misfortunes that seem to follow this team. However, onlookers are often far too quick to blur the balance between reality and fandom.

If you’re so angry at the outcome that you threaten to abolish your affiliation with the franchise, choose to publicly shame those that keep it relevant, or decide to burn a jersey that can otherwise be donated, you’re no more of a winner than the 2020-21 Maple Leafs.

It’s gone too far and it’s enough already.

The Fine Line of Fandom

There’s nothing wrong with critiquing yet another less than ideal conclusion in Toronto. We all watched that breakdown and are certainly entitled to our opinions as invested supporters of this squad.

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However, it’s a whole other approach to target a mere few among a group that collectively failed, let alone acting out in a way that suggests the results of this sport are detrimental to life outside of it.

Those who refer to that as passion are wrong. Their toxicity, which inevitably oozes out, is anything but. Being happy when your team wins and mad when they lose is normal, but recognize that it’s a game and leave it at that.

If you already feel the need to refute, before you’ve even attempted to take in the rest of what I’ll illustrate throughout this article, you are exactly who this is being written for.

Let me guess, you’re going to claim that’s just how big of a fan you are, you can’t handle them losing every year, and that it’s simply your right to react this way?

That approach won’t change Toronto’s fate. Not now, not ever.

All it does is cast a dark cloud above your own well-being, while you make it insufferable to even attempt a conversation inclusive of any common sense. It’s time to shift that way of thinking. For your own sake, at the very least.

It’s Business, Not Pleasure

Never forget that this is a business, first and foremost. As such, people are getting paid to perform their respective functions within it. If they fail, leave them with the burden of pain as it’s ultimately their job and livelihood on the line — not yours.

Maple Leafs’ personnel aren’t reciprocating the same type of concern for your success. Stop expelling that much energy towards something you’re choosing to take personally, when it’s far from worthy of such an approach.

Although supporters of the losing side are expected to be disgruntled, and rightfully so, there’s a line that need not be crossed. Doing so does nothing but further the negativity that those perpetuating it can ultimately cease if they allow themselves to.

Yet, here we are.

Let’s delve into a few of the more ridiculous things I’m seeing fellow (supposed) fans spewing across their profiles these days.

Rid the Roster of It’s Most Prolific Performer

The Toronto Maple Leafs fail as a group and the answer is, therefore, to run one of their best offensive talents out of town? Give me a break.

I understand that Mitch Marner hasn’t yet done enough to make his mark as an impact playoff performer in Toronto. However, neither has the team around him. Perhaps he’d have a chance to satisfy your need to align his point totals with his talent if the Maple Leafs as a whole played past the First Round.

Of course, his contributions — or lack thereof, in this case — are a necessary portion of the bigger picture. Yet, Marner’s inability to mirror his 2020-21 results was not the only thing this city lacked.

In fact, he outproduced eight of his non-goalie teammates who also participated in all seven contests against the Canadiens.

Although four assists in seven matches obviously aren’t enough from a postseason perspective, ignoring that he racked up 67 points through 55 games played during the year doesn’t support the argument that he’s incapable. He can produce and he continues to prove that.

Marner has quickly turned into a point-per-game (P/GP) player, as he elevates to new heights every subsequent season. He’s utilized in a variety of situations, led the team in points through three of the past four campaigns, and had the highest average ice time among Toronto forwards last year.

An Expected Annual Increase

2016-17: 0.79 P/GP
2017-18: 0.84 P/GP
2018-19: 1.15 P/GP
2019-20: 1.14 P/GP
2020-21: 1.22 P/GP

If the Maple Leafs want to continue trending in the right direction, they need Marner’s progress. Whether you choose to recognize that or not.

Sure, it would have been great if he accomplished in the playoffs what he had during the rest of their schedule. That shouldn’t mean the lack of support around him is off the hook. They all lost, together.

While I can understand pointing to his nearly $11 million AAV as a rationale for the higher volume of criticism Marner must now face, it was his right to capitalize as he did when he was able to.

Marner is 24 years old. He has ample time ahead of him, including four more years on his current contract, to prove what more he can do. Hopefully, if logic prevails, he’ll still be in Toronto when he finally does break out in the playoffs and showcase why he’s worth every penny.

Will you be as ready to defend the deal when they win, as you are to criticize it after they lose?

Highest Win Percentage Ever Isn’t Enough

It’s always easy to blast the coach when the overall strategy fails to result in success. After all, it is their job to effectively deploy the talent pool and Toronto is certainly not shallow in that respect.

However, Sheldon Keefe provided ample opportunity for his stars to perform. Those who should have been out on the ice the most were. There’s only so much he can do, following the shoulder tap that sends Toronto’s best into action.

Now, with that said, there are obviously lessons for Keefe to learn. He could have leaned heavier on the players who were producing and adjusted his lines to more effectively engage in the game that Montreal was playing in that regard.

There is no doubt in my mind that Keefe will come back stronger and more strategic. He’s proven to be a dynamic presence, willing to adapt and make the decisions necessary to set his team up for success.

Need an example? Deciding that Jack Campbell, who hadn’t seen any playoff action since being drafted in 2010, was going to be Toronto’s starter the whole way through was his call to make. Frederik Andersen was healthy, so it’s not as though this was the no-brainer you may be thinking it had to be. Keefe had options and chose accordingly.

Campbell went on to earn a 1.81 goals against average, a .934 save percentage, and a shutout. He was undeniably the best Maple Leaf this past postseason. You can thank Keefe for giving him that chance.

In his first full season, Keefe helped navigate Toronto’s ship all the way to the top of the North Division’s standings. Yet, some still suggest he deserves to be the scapegoat to cover up his athletes’ shortcomings? I don’t think so.

Their record of 35-14-7 through 2020-21 yielded a points percentage (PTS%) of .688. That’s the highest in franchise history and it appears as though Keefe has only just scratched the surface of what’s to come with him in this role.

Better Than Toronto’s Best Seasons

2020-21: .688 PTS%
1950-51: .679 PTS%
1934-35: .667 PTS%
1940-41: .646 PTS%
1960-61: .643 PTS%

It’s not unrealistic to foreshadow that Keefe could turn out to be the most successful coach in Maple Leafs’ history, as he’s already begun to etch his name in their record books.

Keefe also shot up to 17th all-time in regular season wins, after less than two years on the job, among the 40 coaches that have stood behind Toronto’s bench since 1917-18.

If a few more postseason failures follow, and Keefe has illustrated an unwillingness to evolve as his roster produces the same results, then it’s time to judge accordingly.

For now, he’s done enough to earn our trust as he works to pave a new path ahead.

Good Riddance to Ridiculousness

Regardless of which side of the spectacle you find yourself on, there’s one perspective we have in common. This version of the Toronto Maple Leafs was poised to do far better than they fared. There is no good excuse for why they didn’t, either. With that said, they failed as a unit.

To be clear, I’m not happy with Toronto’s conclusion to their 2020-21 campaign. I, too, cheered on all who showed up when it mattered most and expected more out of those who didn’t.

It would have been great if each and every one of them did what their best playoff performers were doing, which would have likely pushed the Maple Leafs further through the postseason. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out as such.

So be it. We’re fortunate to be fans of a sport, league, and franchise that will still exist for years to come. We can, therefore, be brought right back to embracing every moment deserving of our cheers along the way. If we allow ourselves to actually enjoy the experience, that is.

Let’s not forget that the personnel involved, from management to the players and everyone in between, are paid to care about the results they earn. We, fans, are not. So to take one’s reaction to a point that surpasses that of those who are in it for a paycheque is beyond irrational.

And that’s exactly what too many Maple Leafs fans are guilty of at the moment. Suggesting outrageous solutions beyond their scope of expertise, while acting like that child who won’t stop screaming because they didn’t get their way at the toy store.

While that may seem like a harsh judgement, it’s centred around — and directed towards — those who have begun the offseason attempting to redefine what it means to be a fanatic.

Relax, it’s just a game.

I realize it’s out of my control to determine how others feel during the rollercoaster ride it ends up being when you back the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, let me be sure to not mince my words with what comes next.

If you’re one of those fans claiming you’re committed to finding a new club or you think starting a bonfire with the blue and white proves just how passionate you are, then the rest of us don’t want your alignment with our team anyway.

Don’t even think about coming back when we’re nearing levels of celebration we wouldn’t even be able to fathom with your type of toxicity blocking it from ever become a realized reality.

To the like-minded individuals who share my sentiment, grieving as upset fans should while maintaining optimism given this team’s trajectory, let’s keep that momentum alive.

I’m looking forward to the good times that we know await us. Aren’t you?