Tuesday night’s 8-0 blowout at the hands of the Panthers might have been a blessing in disguise for the Maple Leafs and their loyal but disillusioned fans. You see, as long as the Buds seem to be in contention for a playoff berth, there will be no fire sale of players. If there is no fire sale of players, the team will never stock up on young talent and draft picks. And without young talent, the club will never get better.

The only way Toronto management will blow up the team is if things get so bad, it has no choice. An 8-0 rout to the barely-contending Panthers is a good start. If you are a Leafs’ fan you have to hope that the team takes a few more beatings like the one they endured Tuesday. It would be best if the Maple Leafs allowed the Kings and the Lightning to pass them in the standings so that they can maximize their chances to select first in the June draft. Steven Stamkos would sure look nice in a Toronto uniform.