It's really hard to fix this team, when you lose to a Zamboni driver. Sorry i couldn't resists. LUL
Aynways, serious talk...
The biggest problem with Toronto is same as last year. Everywhere you can only see leaks/holes in the team.
Coaching = newbie AHL coach, you can say lots of bad things about Babcock, but he had success on NHL level = downgrade on the long run(same situation in Nashville land Laviolette > Hynes)
Team = no structure ( look at Islanders/Boston and copy that or get a coach like Bruce Boudreau, who had insane defensive structure in minnesota if Keefe cant copy other teams structures)
This 24/7 offense structure never works in the playoffs, except if u have guys, like Kane/Crosby who are above the whole nhl... Matthews is an insane goalscorer, that's it... when he is not in the O-zone problems start to appearing) Blocking shots = underrated
Forwards = not defending(stuck on O-zone or not coming back fast enough/ not working like a 5 man team, everyone needs to know their role)
Defenders = not good enough(too many mistakes) or rookies/newbies/offensive D-mans
Culture = need to change from losing culture to winning culture + give 100% every shift, not just coasting
Contracts = lots of overpayments(like the 11mill+ guys)
Team = top5 softest team(Clifford helps, but he is the first, you need a lot more)
Goaltending = fixed by Dubas(good job by him)
Overall
going through the same things, as tampa did... it will never work with that many offensive guys... next year the retool can start... i think dubas is not that bad... so i would give him at least 2 more years...
After the season is over, i would hire for start a good/respected coach who has proven on the NHL level. Like Gerrard Gallant/Laviolette.
Next step is probably sell 1 guy from those 4 big contracts and spend it on hard working shutdown type D-mans or defensive minded forwards.
Tampa got Coleman/Cirelli/Goodrow/Point who shutdown opponents scoring chances. Toronto needs to stock up on those hard working guys as well...
It's good to have a William Nylander on your team, but not in Toronto. 2 Clifford > 1 Nylander for playoffs results.
Regular season Toronto will be good in next 5 years no doubt about that, whatever will happen on the coaching/GM/players front...
But it's not what fans wants... they want the cup... so good luck to your GM to fixing this team.
It's possible, it's just hard... and takes a lot of time... (not 6-12 months)
I still hope you guys can make the playoffs and Tampa vs Toronto playoffs series 1st round.
Even though the outcome is probably predicatable, it will be huge fun. Afterall tampa still an offensive team, however hard we trying to fix our issues as well.
The fun is guaranteed for every fan. You only need to beat Florida for this to happen. Not that hard.
In the playoffs anything can happen, just get in