from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

They’ve fired their coach. They traded Nazem Kadri, Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev, Patrick Marleau and Trevor Moore. They parted ways with a first-round draft pick and two third-round picks, as well as a conditional draft choice.

In total, they’ve turned over 40% of the roster that lost in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins.

And yet, heading into next week’s trade deadline, it’s difficult to imagine another GM who is under more pressure to further tweak a lineup that at times doesn’t look good enough to reach the playoffs — never mind win a Stanley Cup — than Kyle Dubas.

Then again, with apologies to the San Jose Sharks, it’s difficult to come up with a team that has underachieved as much as the Leafs have this season.

Remember, this is a team that is coming off back-to-back 100-point seasons. A team that, after re-signing Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in the summer and luring John Tavares in free agency the year before, has three of the top-earning players in the league.

You say they were expected to qualify for the playoffs? Well, thanks, Captain Obvious.

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