The 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Monday was not a unique experience for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the club lost their sixth game in a row and further cemented their chances for a top five pick in the 2015 Draft, but it marked the first time the Blue and White played in front of a non-sellout crowd at Air Canada Center since moving to the Bay Street building in 1999.
This is the lowest attendance figure (18,366) the #leafs have reported in the 16-year history of Air Canada Centre.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 24, 2015While this may be the first occurrence of what could become a common sight over the next few years as the Leafs start down the path of tearing down and rebuilding the organization, the empty seats may be more reflective of apathy towards the current group of players, who have won eight games in the last half-season and appear to just want this year over with.
There is a desire among many who frequent the ACC and watch every Toronto game to move past the core players of the Brian Burke era(Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul) and to begin the process of evaluating young homegrown talent and adding cornerstone pieces.
ICYMI: Monday night's Leafs game didn't sell out. Are fans finally staying home? http://t.co/EHmUXaD1pa pic.twitter.com/HcQy4wKN10
— Rob Del Mundo (@Rob_DelMundo) March 24, 2015The MLSE board recognized the reality of this situation and what it would mean financially when they signed off on Brendan Shanahan’s plan in February. It is likely that some reduction in the club’s payroll would offset the potential drop off in revenue from declining attendance, but it is also possible that the seats at ACC will not be as vacant as many expect if the club puts forth a group of youngsters with a work ethic who give Toronto fans a reason to hope.
The argument that the Leafs fan base does not have the stomach for a full rebuild was the justification for former GM Brian Burke taking shortcuts in his first two seasons in acquiring Kessel and Phaneuf instead of positioning Toronto to select the likes of Stamkos, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin
The whole point of the next few years is for Toronto to be bad enough to acquire those top players in future drafts and then add the pieces necessary to become a contending club by any available avenue.
Once the organizational reset begins this summer, it would be foolhardy for the MLSE higher ups or public sentiment to demand a change of course or that the rebuild be expedited, since it would only be repeating the same mistakes they have made the last 48 years.
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McEichel Race – Points(Games Played)
8. PHILADELPHIA 74(74) 7. NEW JERSEY 73(73) 6. COLUMBUS 70(72) 5. CAROLINA 62(72) 4. TORONTO 60(74) 3. EDMONTON 53(73), 2. ARIZONA 50(73), 1. BUFFALO 47(73)
Current Leafs odds at winning Draft Lottery(9.5%) Same
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