from Mike Johnston of Sportsnet,

The Maple Leafs will have a successful season if… having a successful season means showing clear signs of improvement under Mike Babcock without expecting to make the playoffs. For the franchise’s long-term overhaul to work, management has to be patient. This means not rushing their top prospects and continuing to collect assets by selling off pending UFAs at the trade deadline.

The Maple Leafs will have a disappointing season if… they’re a lottery team again. Making the playoffs will be a stretch but the Leafs should be an improved group under Babcock. There’s so much parity in the league that a well-coached team with a shortage of talent can be more successful than a talented group in disarray.

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