Elliotte Friedman makes major prediction about the Maple Leafs future

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one game away from elimination in the playoffs, and if that happens, it may be the end of this team as we know it.

Over the weekend, the Maple Leafs dropped another game to the Boston Bruins, putting them on the brink of elimination as they sit in a 3-1 hole heading back to Boston, with this being potentially the biggest game in recent franchise memory. If the Maple Leafs do fail, it's clear that something has to change, and now NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has predicted that it could be the end of this lineup as we know it.





The Core Four have been together for years now, and while the regular season is always fun, they just can't get it done in the playoffs, and with so much money allocated to just four players, something clearly needs to change. After game four, many fans began putting together trade packages for Mitch Marner, and with John Tavares and Marner both set to be free agents after next season, they're the likely candidates to move.

Friedman also mentioned how a trade is certainly on the table, and if they lose in dominant fashion 4-1 against the division rival Bruins, things are about to be shaken up in a big way.


Ultimately, this quartet has run its course, as they have not had any playoff success beyond one series win, and with needs on the blue line and in net, moving this money will certainly open them up to big and necessary changes moving forward.