It's common knowledge by now that the Maple Leafs have put together a history of playoff misery with their core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares at the helm.

Roger Neilson coached some impressive Toronto teams in the 1970s, led by Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald up front, with ...

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs ... Under Shanahan, the Leafs rebuilt a struggling team around the “Core 4” forwards of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.

You're handing the keys over to Matthews and Nylander; you don't know about Knies yet. What happens if there's no Matthew Knies, or Marner or Tavares? They are big if's but they are probable if's.

Brendan Shanahan’s effort to build a champion with Core Four forwards Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. Heavy investments in four scorers kept the Maple Leafs ...