Some thoughts on the Leafs

I hope everyone’s holidays are going well.

The Maple Leafs split a Saturday/Sunday back-to-back, defeating the Ottawa Senators 7-5 before losing a 3-2 OT heartbreaker in Detroit. This was their only back-to-back in December.

So far this season, Toronto’s split every back-to-back except for November 8th and 9th, losing 5-3 to the Boston Bruins and 5-4 to the Carolina Hurricanes, respectively.

For the rest of the season … January has one, February has one, March has two. With four B2Bs remaining, Toronto’s got a chance to come out with a decent record in such cases.

Last night‘s OT loss was a tough one. The Red Wings sit atop the Atlantic Division with 49 points through 40 games.

With 38 games in the rear-view, Toronto sits second-last in the division at 40 points. The Columbus Blue Jackets are last with 3 points in 37 games.

Of course, as with any regular season, there are repercussions that go beyond the current season, even without considering the 2026 playoffs.

The lack of first-round picks in the Leafs’ possession (among other things) has haunted the team through this era. Being in win-now mode has doomed the future for a bit. As the team has looked to contend the last few years, the front office has moved a number of first-round picks.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20. But none of those moves have accomplied the desired result for Toronto.

I could go on and on about how the past decade for Leafs fans has been … well, pick a word, I guess.

It’s safe to say Leafs fans deserve some reason(s) to celebrate. But maybe we old off on getting tha a while longer.

The 2026 NHL Draft can be a turn of luck for the Leafs. There’s a chance Toronto keeps its pik but only if it lands in the top-five. This was part of the deal that brought Brandon Carlo north of the border from the Boston Bruins.

Yes, that deal gave the Bruins nt only Freser Minten, but also potentially this pick. It’ll be grim. I know. But the thought of giving that team, of all teams, another asset makes me feel quite sick.

Toronto teams losing makes me sick. But seeing the Boston Bruin benefit at the Leaf’s expense makes me slghtly more sick.

Tuukka Rask, anyone?