It has been a long time since the Toronto Maple Leafs won a Stanley Cup. In fact, their last title was in 1967. The NFL had barely introduced the concept of the Super Bowl to the public.
That's what I'm here to talk about: that exact misfortune that has plagued the beleaguered franchise for so long. It's gotten to the point where Toronto hasn't won a playoff series since 2004. With it being nearly two decades since Toronto's playoff victory, it's a good time for the Leafs to consider blowing everything up.
Auston Matthews is set to hit free agency in 2024, where he's an important piece of the puzzle. However, Toronto is 24th in cap space at the moment, making matters difficult. What's more, the Leafs are dedicating nearing $22 million to their top centers (Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander).
Seeking cheap options at the wing position won't help Toronto much, either. While getting Wayne Simmonds might sound appealing, only having Mitchell Marner being the main contributor doesn't help. That's especially true when players like Simmonds and Michael Bunting aren't doing much in the postseason.
The Maple Leafs have become the laughingstock of the NHL (aside from the Sabres, who just stink). Their early exits and lackluster play have dimmed any hopes of ending their dreaded curse. What they need is to look at matters from a new angle, trying a fresh approach in the process.
