The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2015-16 season with aspirations of being more structured on the ice under the leadership of Mike Babcock, continuing the transition away from the failed core group of the Burke/Nonis era under the direction of GM Lou Lamoriello and positioning themselves to have a high draft pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Six months later, the Leafs have used 43 different players (most in the NHL) but have shown more organization and effort under Babcock than during most of this decade under Ron Wilson, Randy Carlyle and Peter Horachek.
While some players remain, Lamoriello moved the expensive contract of Dion Phaneuf without having to retain salary and acquired young prospects and a sizable amount of draft choices trading veterans Daniel Winnik, Shawn Matthias, Roman Polak, James Reimer and Nick Spaling.
If the Maple Leafs lose in regulation to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, they will hit the trifecta and finish 30th in the NHL, giving them a 20% chance of winning the NHL Draft Lottery and selecting no lower than fourth overall in a talent-laden Draft in Buffalo.
The young patchwork Toronto lineup led 1-0 over Columbus on Morgan Rielly’s short-handed goal, but allowed five unanswered tallies to the Blue Jackets in a 5-1 loss at Air Canada Center. The Leafs coach has maintained that his club continue to fight was disappointed in the effort in some players who will be heading back to the American Hockey League for the post-season, as Toronto finished up the home schedule with regulation losses to Boston, Florida, Detroit and Columbus.
“We had some guys that turned the puck over, we turned the puck over way too much tonight.… Babcock said. “For the young guys that are going down to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs, it should be a real good reminder to them that if you turn the puck over, you can’t play. It’s impossible. The message should be loud and clear.…
The loss guaranteed the Leafs finishing no higher than 29th in the standings and a 13.5% chance at selecting Auston Matthews and a 5-2 Edmonton victory over Vancouver in the final game at Rexall Place on Wednesday has Toronto in position to lock up 30th with a regulation loss to the Flyers.
The game at Wells Fargo Center is critical for Philadelphia, who lost 3-0 to Detroit on Wednesday and are battling with the Red Wings and Boston Bruins for an Eastern Confernence playoff spot.
Both clubs will be playing the second of back-to-back games. Jonathan Bernier will make the start after Garret Sparks lost his fourth in a row on Wednesday, while Steve Mason will be between the pipes for the Flyers. Michal Neuvirth returns to the lineup from the injured list and will backup Mason instead of veteran Ray Emery, who was signed to a pro contract this week.
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