The Surrender Game: Leafs host Bolts after deadline sell-off
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
After a difficult six-game losing streak and a disappointing trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs look for good news against the Tampa Bay Lightning as they head home, sparking perhaps any glimmer of hope to wash away the struggles that have plagued the team.
Toronto finalized their long expected selling off, a decision exasperated after a six-game losing streak since returning from break, now committed to a retooling.
The Leafs at the deadline dealt Bobby McMann to the Seattle Kraken for a second and fourth round pick and Scott Laughton to the Los Angeles Kings for a third, with Leafs GM Brad Treliving admitting he didnt get the prices he wanted on the market.
If Toronto is able to finally get some solace and beat Tampa, even then it's debatable as a win as the Leafs go into selling mode while not comfortably in a position for a top pick.
The Leafs, still having their first round pick given up to Boston, would need to finish inside the top five at the draft lottery.
A mock lottery by TSN had the Leafs obtaining the first pick, but Toronto in real life needs just top-five to make up for the most disappointing season of the Matthews era.
Is there any optimism left for the Toronto Maple Leafs season?
If Toronto Maple Leafs were hoping to get some happiness out of the trade deadline as consolation for this season, social media's response indicates that isn't the case.
Upset by a losing team, a failed roster construction, an underwhelming trade deadline, and uncertainty if the team will have their first round pick, there's little to smile about this season for Leafs fans.
Toronto could theoretically go on a run and surprise everyone by beating the odds and making the playoffs, but the Leafs deadline moves weren't a team that seemed to believe that was happening.
Even winning itself won't bring the most happiness to Leafs fans as it puts them closer and closer to potentially losing their first round pick, but one small silver lining is Toronto gaining back a first in the Nicolas Roy trade.
To add even more negativity, if the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to lose the rest of the season and push their way closer to a potential draft spot, but fall outside the top-six in the lottery, it would mean having lost games for nothing, and giving a better draft spot to the rival Boston Bruins, who own Toronto's pick.
It's not all doom and gloom in Toronto, of course. The Raptors are in a playoff position and still holding firm. The Blue Jays are hungry to win again after a World Series heartbreak, and Toronto FC just potentially broke the MLS signing record on Josh Sargent.
Another small plus, rookie Jacob Quillan now joins the Leafs after Roy and Laughton were dealt, a big chance for a player who could be a long-term answer for Toronto's bottom-six meanwhile Bo Groulx was a scratch for the Marlies and could also be looking at a call-up in the near future.
The draft lottery seeming to be their hope, Leafs fans may not be rooting for wins as much as the start of the season, but breaking their losing streak after a tough trade deadline might be the short-term healing Toronto needs.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 7|705 ANSWERS The Surrender Game: Leafs host Bolts after deadline sell-off Should the Toronto Maple Leafs tank the rest of the season? | ||
| Yes | 565 | 80.1 % |
| No | 140 | 19.9 % |
| List of polls | ||