Just because the previous 9 years of rebuilding didn't work - doesn't mean they didn't exist.
In that same vein, people who post stuff like this show they are unknowledgable about Toronto's situation. NEVER before Shanny was hired and even during his first year did the Leafs try to sell off futures and tank for high picks, or even focus through the draft.
Every year the management said they wanted playoffs, and signed UFA's to over inflated deals and traded our 1sts and 2nds like candy to try and win.
When the rebuild started is when the Leafs collapsed for a 4th time in a row and he blew up management and we took Marner 4th OA. Before that we were a bad team failing to make the playoffs each year.
After this, management was over hauled, Kessel was traded, so was Phaneuf and all our expensive contracts we could trade. We started hoarding draft picks, and the biggest difference, management said the goal was to develop for a few years and not make the playoffs.
I can't take anyone who says the Leafs have been rebuilding longer than a few years seriously. Everyone knows the Leafs were trying to make the playoffs the whole time, you all enjoyed laughing at us when we failed, but now want to say it never happened.