Over the past week or so, the have suffered many lo ses, even if they arent participants in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year. However, all that gloom that shadowed the franchise lately has cleared up following Torontos tremendous luck in the draft lottery on Tuesday. The lo ses could actually span much further than the past week, when you include the fact that the Maple Leafs had a terrible season and mi sed the playoffs for the first time in nine years, which is the entire duration of the Auston Matthews era in Toronto. But you dont need to look too far to find all the different indirect knocks that the franchise may have felt in recent history. It starts when the eliminated the in six games in the first round. Why is this significant? Well, the Maple Leafs havent been able to get the best of the Bruins Daniel Cope Jersey in the first round of the post-season. MORE : Dating back to 2017-18, Toronto has lost to Boston in the opening round three times, all in Game 7. That total could increase to four times if the 2012-13 post-season is included. So while the Leafs have struggled to beat the Bs in the first round, the Sabres did so in their first playoff campaign since 2010-11. That doesnt leave a good impre sion on the Maple Leafs organization. Next on the list is Mitch Marner. Everyone knows about the sign-and-trade between the Leafs and the , leaving a ma sive offensive hole in Torontos roster. When he was with the Maple Leafs, there was the narrative that he couldnt perform in big games in the post-season. In fact, in 26 appearances in the back half of a playoff series (Game 5, 6, 7), Marner had recorded one goal and nine a sists. However, with the Golden Knights, Marner has been dynamite in the post-season, playing great when the lights were brightest in their first-round series win against the . He scored seven points in that six-game series, including a two-goal and three-point outing against Utah in Game 6, which ultimately led the Golden Knights to move on to the next round. MORE : Furthermore, he had another multi-point performance in Game 1 against the . With that, he leads the team in plus-minus with a plus-seven rating and is second on the team in points with nine, as Jack Eichel has 10. The wounds dont end there for the Maple Leafs. On Sunday, the organization officially announced the hiring of GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin, and the public reaction to this decision was extremely negative. That feeling dragged into the introductory pre s conference for the new hires, and that media availability got ugly, uncomfortable, and awkward. The day was highlighted by , asking MLSE CEO Keith Pelley why he came to this conclusion, and Pelley barely defended his decision. Add that to reports from NHL insider Chris Johnston revealing that and that he doesnt really have a plan for what he wants to do. However, all that uncertainty, embarra sment, doubt, and the general unease around the franchise completely shifted after the Maple Leafs won the NHL draft lottery. Now, Chayka, Sundin, and the rest of the organization can get on with their housekeeping as they get accustomed to their new surroundings, but can do so knowing the first-overall selection of the 2026 draft in Buffalo is in Torontos favor. More NHL News Colorado Rockies Jersey