Maple Leafs president sends strong message to fans, but it won't fix team's problems

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and chief executive officer Keith Pelley sent a strong message to Toronto's team fans on Wednesday.

After boasting that the Maple Leafs have qualified for the NHL playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, Pelley promised to do everything possible to "make the next step."

"This team has made the playoffs nine seasons in a row, the longest streak in the NHL, and something to be proud of, but as I have said since joining the organization, our goal is to not just make the playoffs, and we will do whatever is needed for this team to make the next step," Pelley said, via TSN.

The MLSE head acknowledged that it is an "honor" for him to witness Toronto fans' passion for the team and assured that they will not stop until they deliver a championship to the city.

"Being able to witness and be a part of the passion and commitment that Leafs Nation has for this team is an honor, and we will not stop until we deliver a championship to our loyal Leafs fans and the City of Toronto," Pelley continued.

Keith Pelley's romantic letter won't fix the Maple Leafs' roster imbalance

That said, let's look at the real situation of the Maple Leafs. Toronto is 27-21-9 with 63 points, seventh in the Atlantic Division and outside the playoff zone.

Craig Berube's men are six points behind the final wild card and nine points behind the final direct spot in their division. Pelley referenced the ups and downs of the season, but the Leafs look more like a mid-table team, suffering from the inertia of nine consecutive playoff qualifications.

The Maple Leafs rely heavily on the flashes of William Nylander (52 points in 40 games), Auston Matthews (48 points in 51 games), John Tavares (47 in 57 games) and Knies (46 in 54 games), but further down, the production drops.

To rescue the season and "make the next step," depth is needed. It is not enough to write a romantic letter. TSN gives them a 15-18% chance of qualifying for the playoffs, reflecting the general perception that the margin for error has already been exhausted. Pelley's romanticism only adds to the pressure on GM Brad Treliving and Berube.