Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 3.20

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Don’t look now but the Maple Leafs are suddenly rolling right along. After a disastrous swing through California that began on January 9th, three embarrassing efforts against Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose seemed to indicate that the end was likely near for John Ferguson Jr. along with the tenures of a variety of Maple Leaf players. Then in typical Maple Leaf fashion, they fool everybody with a perfect week, picking up all six available points. With the three victories this week, the Maple Leafs remain in striking distance of the eighth and final playoff spot; however, the odds are still very much against them.

Now some will be sure to suggest that there is lots of hockey left to be played and the Maple Leafs are by no means out of the playoff race at this point. While they are indeed correct, they are in fact missing the bigger picture. If Toronto is to make the playoffs, they will need to fight and claw the rest of the season hoping to sneak into the final playoff spot. Unlikely they will do much damage in the playoffs, and then because of their salary structure and their roster’s current constitution, JFJ or whomever the general manager come the off season might will be unable to significantly improve for next season. As a result, you can expect a similar discourse for rigmarole a year from now on episode 4.20 of AFITC.

In order to make the transition from playoff straggler to legitimate contender, the Maple Leaf management must not allow themselves to be fooled by this sudden stretch of success. So far this season, the Maple Leafs have given no indication that they can be consistent enough to make it worthwhile. This team must be rebuilt with talented youth or it will be the same story every year: fighting tooth and nail to squeak into the playoffs. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.