from Mike Brophy at NHL.com,

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a transition phase, and it is clear there will be no quick fixes after they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. President Brendan Shanahan and new coach Mike Babcock have preached patience as they take their first steps toward trying to construct a winning team.

With sweeping changes this summer, including a trade that sent forward Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 2015-16 Maple Leafs will bear little resemblance to recent editions. Considering they've made the playoffs once since 2004, it's a welcomed fresh start.

Here are four reasons for optimism:

Babcock is behind the bench: Given his success, Babcock could have taken a job with a team that is much closer to being a contender than Toronto. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and two Olympic gold medals with Canada (2010, 2014). The Maple Leafs, who haven't won the Cup since 1967, represent one of hockey’s greatest challenges. After signing an eight-year contract, Babcock has the credibility and organizational power to successfully command an intense on- and off-ice commitment from his players. Babcock demands discipline and hard work from his players; those who don't give it will find themselves elsewhere.

Because of their lack of success, coupled with the media scrutiny in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have not been a destination for many high-profile free agents. Babcock said upon his hiring that he wants Toronto to be a "safe" city for his players. That will be accomplished by winning and consistency.

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