Being a Leaf fan is about the persistence of myth - alternative reality.

We remember that generation that won the war and founded the franchise and won a lot of cups thereafter. Great. To the writer, let's be clear. Today's team is entertaining and has refreshing potential, it is by no objective measure, good. 

The ethos is not something that is tangible yet and credit management for giving this time in a changed game. The soul on the ice is not as clear as it is in the heart yet, but these kids make it feel possible. This management has a soul (thank you Cliff too, for the early 90's) and finally, the owner's success is aligned and genuinely hangs in the balance rather than in annuitized hot dog profits (we got what we deserved).

Hope is not the same as expectation. Hope is what you need when you are just another team below median in February. Expectation is what you earn when you can write down an ethos and align as an organization. Ask Shanahan, ask Lamorello...ask Lemaire.