I said Montreal earlier because Toronto just isn't built for the playoffs at all. It would have been relatively easy to fix not long ago, trade one of their stars for effort/leadership players and cap space, but pretty much everyone on the team has an nmc now.
The Leafs don't need to add talent, they just need a better and more motivated supporting cast plus someone who can get their top guys to do what they need to in the playoffs. They need a coach, or a dressing room player, who can get their best players to play the way they need to. Someone who can convince Reilly that tough isn't crosschecking a guy in the head from behind after he scores on you, it's someone who can play hard all game and help his team win. Someone who can convince the top line that it's worth taking the abuse in the playoffs to get the looks they needed during the season.
It's tough to change team culture, but it's tough to acquire star players, too.
The Leafs don't need to add talent, they just need a better and more motivated supporting cast plus someone who can get their top guys to do what they need to in the playoffs. They need a coach, or a dressing room player, who can get their best players to play the way they need to. Someone who can convince Reilly that tough isn't crosschecking a guy in the head from behind after he scores on you, it's someone who can play hard all game and help his team win. Someone who can convince the top line that it's worth taking the abuse in the playoffs to get the looks they needed during the season.
It's tough to change team culture, but it's tough to acquire star players, too.