The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to win games lately, or as Leafs fans call it, performing to expectations. Leafs head coach Ron Wilson and GM Brian Burke have reportedly not had conversations about Wilson’s future, but after scoring just 15 goals in their last nine games, something is clearly wrong with Toronto, and as always, Wilson and his job have become the center of attention in the media. Wilson has struggled to find a winning lineup of players, but that may also result from an incredible lack of depth among his players.

There was a lot of speculation about the Leafs coach after last season when Toronto finished second-worst in the league, mostly regarding how long of a slump he could withstand. Wilson has been known as a confrontational coach with public disagreements between himself and his players. This summer was full of debate regarding his relationship with Tomas Kaberle and while at least the player says that he likes the coach, the Toronto media almost unanimously agree that it’s impossible to like Wilson.

After a hot start to the season, the Leafs have fallen into familiar territory and have won just once in their last nine games. They’ve fallen from an eerily unfamiliar first place in their conference and now no longer have a playoff spot. Should the slump continue, the Leafs will either forfeit in November a chance at their first playoff appearance since before the lockout, or Wilson will lose his job before Christmas; or possibly both.

Failing to make the playoffs will be another serious blow, as the Bruins hold Toronto’s first round draft pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. They had Toronto’s 2010 pick too, both being delivered to Boston for Phil Kessel. Boston turned that first pick into Tyler Seguin. The Leafs, including Wilson, are certainly hoping that another second-overall pick is not in Boston’s future. Toronto’s a bottom-of-the-barrel team as it is, and they don’t have any significant signs of hope for the future. It’s bleak for the Blue and White, and it’s not getting better anytime soon.