Steven Stamkos is projected to go first overall at the NHL draft this summer.
You know, some things don't really need to be said, because, well, words should not be wasted.
Yes, even in this space.
But for the obvious stuff, just save your breath.
Patrick and Jonathan Roy need anger counseling. That Ovechkin kid is pretty good. Ray Emery looks ready to go off the deep end. Jessica Biel is hot.
Straightforward, right?
Then there is Richard Peddie, who didn't exactly raise any eyebrows when addressing the current plight of the MLSE cash cow, also known as the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the Cupless clock gets set to chime out another bell.
"We failed."
Yes, friends, this is what is known as an understatement.
You see, the Leafs can't even screw up right. A recent exercise in futility in the form of a decent run has the Leafs in no-man's land when it comes to their first pick at the draft, but that can be changed with a little creativity.
Whatever is needed to get that first or second pick, you do it if you are Cliff Fletcher. If it costs the Leafs their first, an Alex Steen and a Jiri Tlusty, you do it.
It is a roll of the dice, no doubt, but one of Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty makes the gamble pretty worthwhile.
The options are pretty limited. It's a move the Leafs almost have to make.
Sure, October, and another season of hope, is only six months away but, if you listen to Peddie, tomorrow may as well never come.
"We thought we had a solid plan to move ahead, but that's not the case. In fact, we're not set up that great for next year either."
Oops. Not exactly inspiring confidence among the Leaf faithful.
Alas, there is a way to clean up that nasty mess in Toronto, or at least begin the process, without needing a pooper-scooper and a plastic bag.
And it starts this June.
Snag one of those top two picks, keep it in neutral for next season and hope you land a John Tavares or another blue-chip prospect in a similar top-heavy draft.
Rome wasn't built in a day, so they say. And they had a hell of a lot more to work with than this outfit.
Yes, the Leafs failed all right. It's nothing short of a screwed-up situation for the entire organization.
Getting bold this summer, even if it comes at a hefty price, could go a long way towards un-screwing things.