Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For the faithful of Leaf Nation, its almost that very special time of the year- the time when pundits, closet GM's and fans alike assess what is best for the hockey team going forward for the remainder of this season and into next. After a sweet little run in early January, the team lost twice- not only against the Rangers earlier this week 7-0 but last Saturday to Calgary in what was one of the dullest games ever staged on Toronto ice. Routs are something that every team endures. Champions, as well as the ordinary among us can go flat on any given night regardless of talent and record- Hello, New England Patriots? But the shootout loss to the Flames should have been an easy 2 points, at home against a team struggling in its own right, there is less explanation for that effort and result than the thrashing in NY. Redemption last night with a sound game against the Ducks, but now a stretch of games largely against Eastern Conference foes, many of which are in the hunt for the playoffs themselves. The Leafs' next 12 games, starting tomorrow night are all against East opponents, 7 of which are currently playoff seeds or could be. The road ahead being challenging at best as the team approaches the trade deadline late next month. So, what to do? Showcase the best trade possibilities like Giguere, Bozak, Kaberle regardless of clauses and commitments? Bring up the Marlies roster en masse and let the kids play for jobs down the road? The future of the top of this organization is murky at best, Ron Wilson's future come spring a likely topic of debate as well. An abysmal finish means the Bruins get yet another high draft pick compliments of the deal that wouldn't die- the Phil Kessel trade and ongoing embarrassment for Brian Burke. The simplest of truths is there are no easy answers. We all know the team needs to develop the bright lights like Shenn and Reimer, keep their picks and nurture those assets and lose the losers- the top of that list looking now like it could be the future of goalie Jonas Gustavsson. Beyond that, it takes an acumen that admittedly I don't possess and a hell of a lot of luck. But while it feels like there are better pieces in place, the results are not showing the lift that Burke's significant changes should have made...81 points in 08-09, 74 to close last year and 43 with 36 games to play this campaign, not exactly dramatic progress. Earlier this week a friend said to me, "I am done with the Leafs, what a huge waste of time and energy." While I believe that he, like millions of others was just articulating out loud what a 7-0 drubbing feels like it is easy to believe that many are again losing patience with this latest incarnation of NHL hockey in Toronto. There are no easy answers, but for the money we all contribute through our loyalty to the Buds - there damn well had soon better be.