Maple Leafs on the Brink: Is This the End of an Era? – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have once again found themselves at a crossroads. After going up 2–0 in their second-round series against the Florida Panthers and coming within inches of taking a commanding 3–0 lead on the road, the team has now dropped three straight. A 6–1 blowout loss in Game 5 sent the series back to Florida, where the Maple Leafs now face elimination.

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There’s no question: tonight’s Game 6 is a defining moment for this core and quite possibly the entire franchise structure as it’s currently built. Let’s take a quick look at what’s at stake.

Is This the Most Important Maple Leafs Game in the Last 10 Years?

In many ways, the Maple Leafs might be playing the most important game of their last decade. The current Maple Leafs era — built around Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares — has been defined by high expectations and annually recurring heartbreak. But no stretch of play has carried this weight.

After years of first-round exits, this season was supposed to be different. It was. Until it wasn’t. A Game 6 loss would undo all the optimism from finally getting out of Round 1. It would bring the franchise back to square one, possibly to the end of the current era. I know that has been said before, but there were only tweaks around the edges. Who really expects the team to run it back one more time should the Maple Leafs fold in this series? This time, not me.

So What Happens If the Maple Leafs Lose?

If Toronto plays another listless game and fails to extend the series, the fallout will be wide-reaching. First, Brendan Shanahan is likely out. I’d expect him to author his own resignation, but I do not expect him to be relieved of his duties. It feels like Shanahan’s on the hot seat. The “Shanaplan” hasn’t delivered the playoff success the fanbase demands.

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Second, fans should expect a shakeup in the core. We’ve already seen changes around the edges, and (granted) with success. This time, it could be one of the big names. Two of the Core Four are on expiring contracts – Marner and Tavares.

Is This the End for Mitch Marner in Toronto?

It’s been speculated for months…