Maple Leafs fans are calling for a rebuild, but here's why it's not happening

The Toronto Maple Leafs 9-10-3 record has split some fans in different directions on where the Leafs should go. On the one side, you have those who feel that the Leafs have missed their contention window.

Others are keeping more optimism, which was a popular offseason motto to wait until the playoffs, letting the results play out in the regular season.

The doomers in the latter justified their concern with the Leafs recent performances and inconsistency, while the optimists point to the Leafs past success and Craig Berube going from last to the cup in St. Louis.

Despite what has been a difficult early season for Toronto so far, there is no public indication of any changes that are coming to the Leafs roster.

The struggles Toronto has faced this season is dividing fans on what to do, with some taking the hardline stance that would've been imaginable to start the season, that the Toronto Maple Leafs should consider tanking.

Some Toronto Maple Leafs fans have discussed the potential of tanking this year, setting themselves for one of the top prospects in this year's draft in Gavin McKenna or Keaton Verhoeff.

McKenna, the Penn State winger, has been the most dominant offensive producer in junior hockey since Connor Bedard, but despite 18 points in 16 games in the NCAA has faced questions from some scouts over a lack of physicality.

Verhoeff, a 6'4 RHD, has been viewed as one of the most pro-ready draft eligible players in years, and although he doesn't project with as much upside as McKenna, he's looked the more translatable to the NHL.

Some fans are already arguing that it's time to call the Leafs season a loss, and focus on adding help through the draft, aiming for one of McKenna and Verhoeff as consolation prizes instead, with the Leafs also being recommended to go as far as trying to tank, and trade veterans to let the youngsters play.

However, despite the Toronto Maple Leafs difficult season up to this point, the Leafs going into a rebuilding situation, at least for this season, is highly unlikely and potentially something Toronto seems unable to execute with how they Leafs have set themselves up.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have not indicated that they are considering going into some sort of a mini-rebuild for one of McKenna and Verhoeff, and it may be an option the Leafs can't afford to do.

Toronto traded away their 2026 first round pick to the Boston Bruins in the deal that brought in Brandon Carlo, and there's a caveat.

The pick is top-five protected, and Toronto currently sits fifth last in the standings, but if Toronto gets drops in the draft lottery by at least one spot, the pick would transfer to Boston, giving a direct rival a top prospect.

The Leafs also don't have their first round pick next draft in 2027, sent to Philadelphia for Scott Laughton. If Toronto wants to commit to rebuilding, they may have already cost themselves that chance.

But as well, one big thing stopping Toronto from tanking is the amount of talent they have, and the amount of money they've put into their roster.

The Leafs have traded away two first round picks as an indication that they're focused on the short-term, and any deviation now seems highly unlikely to be done.

The Leafs roster itself is a complication for being able to tank, with players such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

It's hard for Toronto with their high-end talent to fall into the draft territory against teams with much less, with the Leafs having to be truly bad to feel comfortable exiting win-now mode with their 2026 pick at risk of going to Boston.

GM Brad Treliving has maintained that Toronto's mentality is that they need to win, so if Toronto isn't winning, they may not correct course and focus on the draft until they're truly out of it, and that might not happen until the deadline.

Treliving also has to consider the Leafs injury issues, having to wait and see how the team performs at full strength.

Even then, if Toronto still has a chance, they could be tempted rather than to become sellers to instead push for another risky trade as the Laughton & Carlo deals, which might see Toronto possibly deal more futures as desperation moves.

But if that doesn't solve things for Toronto, they just gave up the one future talent they have, and are still at risk of losing their first.

This is why Toronto might not commit to a rebuilding situation regardless of where they are in the standings, they've built themselves to only contend, regardless if they're actually winning or not.

Toronto has put too much into winning, and they might no longer be in position to try any way else, even if it means losing and getting nothing out of it. Trying to win might be the only thing the Leafs can afford to do.