The Toronto Maple Leafs’ determination to tank this season has been commendable. Since the Olympic break, the team has lost eight in a row. They’ve been outscored 33-15, allowing 19 power play goals while scoring just four.
It takes a concerted effort to get blown out by the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers this season.
Now, the argument that the Leafs are tanking is nothing new. The idea behind this move is simple: Get back their first-round pick from the Boston Bruins this season.
But there could be an even broader idea behind this push. This year’s top-overall prospect has attained the hype of being a franchise cornerstone. So, wouldn’t landing Gavin McKenna be the ultimate prize after such a tough season for the Maple Leafs?
Fans have seen what Matthew Schaefer has done to revive the New York Islanders. Wouldn’t McKenna do something similar?
Most importantly, could McKenna ultimately replace Auston Matthews?
That could be the path forward if the current Maple Leafs captain figures he’s had enough of Toronto and wants to bail. The Leafs fan base wouldn’t have a meltdown since there’s already an heir apparent in place.
No, McKenna wouldn’t be the franchise savior any more than Matthews was. But at least a Maple Leafs rebuild could start over much the same way the previous core did with Matthews.
A fresh start like that would allow the Maple Leafs to avoid the mistakes they made with the Core Four experiment. And it’s not often second chances come around in life.
McKenna Would Provide Maple Leafs with Unique Opportunity
McKenna would provide the Maple Leafs with a unique opportunity. He could buy Toronto some more time. That’s enough time to convince Matthews to stay amid a clear path forward.
It would also buy the team time for a transition. A gradual wind down as Matthews’ once formidable peak recedes into a solid, if unspectacular, back nine of his career.
With McKenna in the fold, the Maple Leafs would have a true superstar candidate to lead the next iteration of the team. The Leafs already have several young pieces in place to build a new core. Players like Nick Robertson, Matthew Knies, and Easton Cowan could form part of a solid top six.
But landing a superstar like McKenna won’t be easy.
Leafs Still Need Historic Losing Streak and a Bit of Luck
So, landing the top-overall pick won’t be easy for the Maple Leafs. They’ll not only need a historic losing streak, but also some serious luck.
Last season, the Islanders got an unbelievable stroke of good luck by winning the NHL Draft Lottery. Unless the Leafs finish in the bottom three, winning the lottery will take another major stroke of luck.
It would be like literally winning the lottery twice in a lifetime. It’s hard enough to win once, let alone twice.
But first, the Leafs need to bottom out. They need to tank so they can land at least in the bottom five. That would ensure they get their first-round pick back.
After that, it’s anybody’s guess.
The odds of getting there are increasing every day. So, Maple Leafs fans may have a light to look for at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps that light shines on Gavin McKenna.
Maple Leafs Looking for Top Draft Pick to Replace Captain