Les Leafs semblent sur le point de rater les séries éliminatoires pour la première fois en 10 saisons, mettant ainsi fin à leur règne de la plus longue séquence active en séries éliminatoires.
En parcourant la liste des séries éliminatoires en cours, certaines des équipes inférieures pourraient surprendre les gens. Vegas a raté les séries éliminatoires il y a seulement quatre saisons après une année marquée par des blessures, puis a remporté la Coupe la saison suivante. Je ne dis pas que c’est ainsi que les choses se dérouleront pour les Leafs, mais des saisons de transition, des années creuses et des blessures surviennent. En changeant de sport, les Jays étaient une équipe de dernière place un an avant de participer aux World Series. Les hauts et les bas sont une réalité dans le sport.
Être « à la chasse » pendant autant d’années consécutives a ses inconvénients. « Y aller » la saison dernière semblait justifié à l’époque, mais des années de pratique ont laissé les placards vides. Malgré quelques étoiles et plusieurs points brillants sur la liste, cette équipe semble fatiguée et épuisée. Il reste peu d’actifs à déplacer pour combler les trous.
Ce qui nous amène aux 29 derniers matchs de la saison. Mis à part les blessures, les chiffres sous-jacents de cette équipe sont terribles. Bien que l’équipe puisse sembler capable de remporter quelques victoires en séries éliminatoires, ce n’est pas un prétendant. Alors à quoi bon pousser pour s’imposer, sachant que l’équipe n’est pas assez bonne ? Une élimination au premier tour ferait plus de mal que de bien.
Avec une défense vieillissante qui a besoin d’être reconstruite, la décision responsable de l’organisation est de jeter l’éponge en 2025-2026 et de se tourner vers l’avenir. Ils peuvent reconstituer le pool d’actifs en échangeant des contrats arrivant à expiration et aider à développer Marlies en leur procurant des représentants. Et s’ils tankent assez fort (je le crois), peut-être garder ce top 5 protégé échangé à Boston. Je préférerais voir cela plutôt qu’une autre élimination au premier tour.
—
lsaran
22 Comments
i was just thinking about this yesterday. it’s gonna be sad to see their streak end. who knows when will be the next time when we go on a long playoff streak again
Man, if you looked at this list you would just automatically assume that the Leafs won more than 2 rounds. And now, it’s some dark days ahead
Totally agree. Teams like Toronto make so many bad decisions because of impatient fans that want a stanley cup yesterday.
Maybe Berube is a poor fit, but so far he had one great year, and one shit year (which still had a short hot streak and lots of injuries). Not saying he should or shouldn’t stay but demanding that heads roll every time we lose a game is so unhelpful.
Frankly, that string of wins a few weeks ago clearly showed that this team has a high ceiling if the right things fall in place. Let’s all relax.
There is still time…
There’s also the shutout streak which everyone’s already forgotten about. It’s not a big deal
The top 3 holders’ of the all time playoff appearance list totals to 82 post season appearances with only 2 cups being won by 1 team, that being the bruins.
That would make me feel a bit better if I didn’t see the results of the teams further down the list.
The pandemic bailed them out, I think they could have missed the playoffs that year with the way they were playing later in the season. That was the year the panthers started to come alive as well.
I just want to say the play-in series vs Columbus shouldn’t count towards this playoff streak. The Leafs did not make the first round that year. They missed the playoffs in 2020.
I was thinking that this is the most joyless season in many years but couldn’t put my finger on just how long. Now I know.
Shit I forgot that Vegas missed the playoffs that one year. Missing the playoffs could be a good thing honestly.
I’ve had this convo with a number of people.
I firmly believe missing the playoffs the first few years with Matthews on the team would have done wonders.
Yes, he was the prize. (Remember #TankForMatthews?)
But that doesn’t mean the rebuild was complete as soon as the Leafs drafted him. Of course, hindsight is 20/20.
The organization should have assessed his NHL capabilities for at least his rookie season and then added the necessary pieces around him.
It’s the same pieces this team needs a decade later: at least one (but more likely two) top-four defenders and a number of bottom-six forwards.
Goalies are not as big a need imo in 2026, but goalie health is essential.
I say let this season go. Sell assets and recoup what we can. Reload for next year.
I remember all those first round knock outs, reason why it’s making this season so difficult to watch.
Regroup, start this streak again next year? Oh ya
Just the thought of being a Leaf fan as I am life long, makes me ill. But I deal with it, every day.
This is the leafs we’re talkin bout here
I’m pretty sure this team will make the playoffs next season with some tweaks. A season off so players like Matthews, Willy, McCabe, Tanev and our goalies can have a summer of no playoff hockey is a good thing.
We’re not winning shit this year. Hell, missing might actually get people fired.
Plus we can sell some assets and restock the cupboards a bit.
Are we missing the playoffs? Haven’t looked at the standings
Let it end. This core needs to learn you take nights off, this can be the result.
Now do Stanley Cups
That team was having fun scoring goals. Once they had to play a hard playoff series they were screwed. The talent they’ve traded could make a cup winning team. The gm needs to stop making panic moves to save his ass, and failing.
Personally I would’ve loved to see them retool a few years ago, but second best time is now and I f done correctly a new streak can begin next year.
To me their streak ended in 2020