As early as four years ago, an era forever to be known as the Dark Ages, this team was inherently predictable. If a coaching decision regarding the fourth line hinged upon either inserting an underrated skill player or a stagnant grinder, it was pretty clear that the Leafs would go with option B. When a free agent hit the market, whose resume of past success seemed obviously unsustainable – say, David Clarkson, for example – you could bet your bottom dollar on the Leafs locking him in for 7 years and regretting almost immediately.
These days, however, no one knows anything.