The “Shanaplan” continues to come together for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After getting pummeled in their season finale to the New Jersey Devils, the Maple Leafs “locked down” the final standings spot in the NHL for 2015-16.
This gives them the best odds at getting the top pick of the 2016 NHL Draft, whether that means that the Leafs would grab Auston Matthews or a different high-end prospect.
The Globe & Mail’s James Mirtle spells out what it all means in more detail:
The Leafs will have:
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 10, 2016
20% chance of picking 1st
17.5% of picking 2nd
15% of picking 3rd
47.5% of picking 4th pic.twitter.com/Tpr0vlBTAr
Expect more on draft lottery odds later on, but the bottom line is that the Maple Leafs continue their rebuild in an impressive way (albeit with the cognitive dissonance that comes with absorbing some humbling defeats).
This will be the Leafs third top five pick in five years and fourth in the top eight.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 10, 2016
Even Mike Babcock acknowledged the writing on the wall.
Mike Babcock on finishing last "short term pain for long term gain"
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) April 10, 2016