We did catch up, and didn't win with it in 99-04, and those teams developed a reputation that the NHL STILL uses to shut down the Leafs playing too physical. Every time the Leafs have attempted to up their physicality since 2004, they've gotten a huge neon sign from the league that they do NOT want the Leafs to play like that EVER.
For f***'s sake, we signed Reaves this year, and it took 3 games for him to start taking penalties for STEPPING ON THE ICE. When we traded for Muzzin, it took 5 games for the refs to start sending him to the box for throwing hits. I'm wondering how many games before they start cracking down on Edmundson, who has always played with a bit of an edge...