Lowly Maple Leafs still have hope to salvage their season

Hope dies last. The Toronto Maple Leafs are going through a complicated and high-pressure moment, but they still have an opportunity to right the ship.

With Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto is 9-9-3 and has lost six of its last seven games.

For now, the collective performance is too low. Toronto is in the negative in shot differential, with the worst defense by goals against in the conference and special teams near the bottom (PP/PK). If there are no sustained improvements in basic execution, coverage, backchecking and discipline, any positive streak will dissipate.

Furthermore, general manager Brad Treliving's decision to replace Mitch Marner with Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli has not delivered the competitive leap that was expected. If head coach Craig Berube is more of a motivator than a strategist of X's and O's, the lack of tactical structure amplifies any talent gaps or fit issues.

There are reasons to believe the Maple Leafs can save the season

The return of players like Auston Matthews, Chris Tanev and Anthony Stolarz balances the spine of the team (top-six, top-four D, goaltending). Also, Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo represent an improvement over Sammy Blais and Dakota Mermis, which helps the matchup game, the PK and clean breakouts from the defensive zone.

More finishing ability up front, a more reliable shutdown defenseman and a better-protected crease reduce preventable goals and allow Toronto's forecheck to be effective.

Some players still need to adapt to Berube's system fully. Several names like Easton Cowan, Joshua, Roy, Troy Stecher and Maccelli can settle in and better execute the coach's principles. With straightforward roles, the team should gain identity and consistency.

Treliving recently took responsibility for this chaos. Accountability opens the door to roster moves more aligned with Berube's style. If the front office acts quickly, it can reinforce the depth, especially on the blue line and the PK, improving critical areas without waiting for the offseason.