The end of something? The start of something? The continuation of something? The range of outcomes feels massive for the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ offseason following their latest playoff disappointment, a 6-1 home loss in Game 7 of Round 2 versus the Florida Panthers. The Leafs and team president Brendan Shanahan officially parted ways Thursday, and with Core Four forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares becoming unrestricted free agents July 1, the franchise finds itself at a crossroads.
It’s possible the Leafs and Marner mend fences after a tumultuous season in which he vetoed a trade that would’ve sent him to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen. And perhaps Tavares puts his family first and returns on a…