'Say it ain't so Mo'

[GoDogsGo]

This is how Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Paul Maurice opened up training camp.

"We'll make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup."

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Paul - what are you thinking? That's the kiss of death in Toronto.

"We'll make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup".
Don't forget, Toronto is the city where a two-game winning streak is cause to start camping out on Bay street for the Stanley Cup parade.
Toronto is the city where a first-round playoff victory is cause for seemingly normal citizens to drive up and down Yonge street, honking horns and waving flags.

When it comes to coaching the Leafs, it's always better to take the humble, cautious approach.

Such as:
"Geez boys, you guys know how tough it is in the Eastern Conference. Heck, maybe if we're lucky we can stay healthy and squeak into the playoffs."

Maurice's proclamation today brings back horrific memories of the infamous "this Leafs team is built for the playoffs" back in the spring of 2004.
Remember that debacle?

The Leafs dealt away a ton of young players to acquire Brian Leetch and Ron Francis. The Leafs also lost to the Flyers in the second round of the playoffs. Remember how Jeremy Roenick blew that high wrist-shot by Ed Belfour in overtime and the Leafs season was over. Oddly enough, that was the last time the mighty Blue and White were in the post-season.
So what's Maurice going to say at the end of the season if the Leafs miss the playoffs again?

"Yeah, I said we'd make the playoffs - I just never said in what year."

[WellandDogsFan]

I was surprised to hear that he made such a bold prediction. At best, they are going to be a 5-8 seed, and that is only if the planets align and all the prayers from leaf nation are answered...

Hey Mo, you better start leaving your tributes to the hockey gods!

Just my two cents worth.

[GoDogsGo]

ya no kidding...that is pretty bold....seems confident... but i'm not holding my breath at all... there needs to be some sort of miricle for this to happen.

[AlphaDog]

Yah, he's jinxed the entire season.

The best change that has helped the Leafs this year wasn't even made by MLSE. It was by Buffalo LOSING 2 of their top players. That means more points for the Leafs vs. Buffalo (hopefully) and they won't have to worry about them [as much] in their divisional standings.

But.... if our young guys (Wellwood, etc..) can build on last year, and Blake and Sundin hit it off (I don't mean romantically), and Raycroft has a non-bad season (I didn't say great) then they've got a good chance.

But making the playoffs... is that how pathetic we are as fans? That we accept merely -making- the playoffs a reason to call it a good season?

Granted, when you're at the bottom, it takes a lot less to make you smile. But we've got to set our standards higher than this. Tinkering here and there each year just hasn't cut it the last 40 yrs. Ok, when Fletcher came in he did an overhaul. But that's what we need now. A completely overhaul of the team. It's gotta go from top management down. We're cursed by being a huge hockey market - as long as the people running the show aren't die hard hockey fans, and are pulling in $$$, there's no need to dump lots of money into it. Actually - I take that back. Teams CAN'T dump money into their roster anymore. So where does that leave us? Maybe our best chance of winning went bye-bye as soon as the cap was installed, because having money was pretty much our only advantage in the past.

Simply put - we're screwed for the foreseable future.