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We are now in year 9 of the Shanaplan, it is 1 week to the 2024 trade deadline and the Leafs have still not won a playoff round.
This will be your team after the trade deadline if the Leafs decide to put all their chips in the middle.
Most statistical models at this point like MoneyPuck, Evolving Wild and the one produced by Micah Blake McCurdy have Toronto as a lock to make the playoffs and destroy my beloved Ottawa Senators in the first round.
All the pundits in Canada's national sports media such as Jeff O'Neill, Craig Button and Nick Kypreos all predict that the Leafs will sweep the Sens.
The Leafs have about an 85% chance of winning the President's Trophy and the Sens have a 50-50 chance of making the playoffs.
It shouldn't even be a contest.
However, a few things just don't feel right.
Matthews and Nylander are both pending UFAs.
They have threatened that if they are still with the Leafs past the deadline and they are still unable to win a playoff round, they will be playing for another team next season.
Nylander has a 10 team no-trade list and will make absolutely no compromise on it.
Matthews has a full blown NMC and will only waive it for the Arizona Coyotes, the Vegas Golden Knights or the New York Islanders.
Not to mention, Muzzin and Brodie also have some amount of trade protection and told the front office they will be playing somewhere else if the Leafs fail to win a playoff round.
What do you do?
Do you go all in and hope you win a playoff round and maybe the first Stanley Cup since 1967?
Or ...
Do you sell off the core and get a treasure chest full of picks, prospects and not so flashy roster players?
Let me know your thoughts and I'll see you in the comments :D