For nearly a decade, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been a lock for the playoffs.
That certainty is fading this season.
Toronto sits outside a playoff position, chasing multiple teams in a crowded Eastern Conference race.
If the standings hold, the Leafs would miss the postseason for the first time since 2017.
That would end a nine-year streak of playoff appearances.
Long losing stretches, defensive breakdowns, and inconsistent scoring have defined much of the season.
At times, Toronto’s offence has looked dangerous, only for defensive mistakes to erase any momentum.
Injuries to key players have also disrupted line combinations and defensive pairings.
Now, the Olympic break has paused NHL action until Feb. 25.
For the Leafs, the three-week break arrives at a critical moment.
Management has time to evaluate the roster before the trade deadline.
Sportsnet host David Amber says the numbers paint a difficult picture.
“The math isn’t mathing for them,” Amber said during an interview.
Amber noted Toronto would need a near-perfect finish to stay alive.
“If you need about 97 points, they have to go 20-and-9 the rest of the way.”
He added that the team has not shown signs of that kind of run.
“This isn’t a team that’s showing you they’re really going to go on a run like that.”
He believes the standings reality may force difficult decisions.
“The popular narrative is that they need to sell, because this team is probably going to miss the playoffs.”
Amber also pointed to goaltending injuries and defensive struggles as major factors.
“The defence in front of them has been abysmal,” he said.
Those comments reflect growing uncertainty about Toronto’s direction.
If the Leafs remain outside the playoff picture, selling expiring contracts could become the logical move.
That approach would prioritize future assets over a short-term playoff push.
Longtime Toronto resident Alex Marino said the season feels unfamiliar.
“Usually we’re talking about first-round matchups by now,” Marino said. “This year feels different.”
Marino believes the Olympic break offers a crucial window for management.
“They’ve got three weeks to decide what this team really is,” he said.
“If they’re not contenders, selling makes more sense than pretending we are.”
Toronto still has time to climb the standings once play resumes.
But the margin is slim, and every game after Feb. 25 will carry playoff implications.
The Olympic pause provides a rare moment for reflection in a demanding market.
By the time the Leafs return, their direction may already be decided.
Whether it’s a late push or a deadline sell-off, this break could define the franchise’s future.
