Look, I see the schedule. Montreal, Dallas, Winnipeg—it all looks like hockey, but for a Maple Leafs fan, August is just the time of year where we collectively try to forget the pain of another early exit. The Stanley Cup has been hoisted elsewhere, the parade is over, and once again, we are left looking at the roster, asking if this is finally the year we don't collapse under the weight of expectations. It’s 2026, and the 1967 drought remains our most loyal companion. We’ve seen the draft come and go, and free agency has brought its usual mix of 'maybe this fixes the blue line' and 'oh no, not another short-term contract.' Being a Leafs fan is a masterclass in cautious hope—an endurance sport where the gold medal is just not losing our minds before October. While the rest of the league moves on, we’re here parsing every trade rumor and prospect camp highlight, desperate for a reason to believe. The ice might be melting in the summer sun, but the anxiety? That stays frozen year-round. Here’s to hoping for something other than disappointment. Honestly, I’m not holding my breath.