The uneasiness about the standings is unfamiliar territory for the team and its fan base compared to the past few seasons. Consider their place in the standings on January 25 of the past two seasons compared to this year:
| Season | Points Percentage | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | .609 | 11 |
| 2022-23 | .694 | 4 |
| 2021-22 | .697 | Tied for 7 |
This has inspired many conversations about how the Leafs should approach the 2024 trade deadline.