The apathy surrounding Tavares' CRA controversy is emblematic of Toronto

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As I read that Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares is ready to fight the federal government for millions in taxes, I thought “maybe they should start throwing his checks in the puck.”

At issue is the signing bonus that makes up the vast majority of Tavares' $77 million deal. The Leafs thought they had broken the path to free agent nirvana. The Canada Revenue Agency has other ideas. The difference is $8 million, not including attorneys' fees.

At least it's a solid retirement plan. Laziness destroyed former professionals more than alcohol. Now Tavares has a hobby – he is engaged in amateur litigation.

Each report on the incident devotes several paragraphs to how the outcome of this case could affect the Leafs' ability to land top free agents.

Too true. Who wants to come to the biggest, most passionate hockey club on earth and make millions of dollars with zero expectation of return and taxes to pay? You have your own doctor at work. How fair is it that other people have to pay for their doctors? Funny.

If a football star in England sues to avoid paying taxes – no matter how right he is – all the luxuries in his life will be catalogued, photographed and published in the tabloids. He would forever be mocked mercilessly in every stadium. It would be a media slaughterhouse.

Here? Nothing.

I don't blame Tavares for trying to get as much as he can for himself, but that's not the same thing as thinking it's good. How many MRI machines can $8 million buy? How many beds can you open in a nursing home? How much money is enough for one person?

It's all about the Leafs and the Tavaras, the fun things they shout at each other. But not in Toronto.

Even for a day, the story is burning like the morning mist. Flashy editorials or sports-radio drone strikes. General apathy.

That's what the Leafs are, rather than scoring or scoring five-on-five. That's why they haven't won anything for 60 years. Because everyone complains, but no one cares to do anything about it. The Leafs live in a sports environment with no consequences. Most importantly, they know it.

It doesn't work if you raise a kid like that, and it doesn't work with hockey teams either.

When they do something right – any little thing – they are praised for achieving the bare minimum.

Last weekend, the Leafs organization helped make the All-Star Game a disaster-free one. This being Toronto, there was a big crowd. Like the hockey players, the participants seemed to be enjoying themselves. Auston Matthews (no pun intended) was the star of the show.

From the notices, you'd think the club had just rebuilt the pyramids. People are gushing over Matthew like he's the reincarnation of Richard the Rocket (minus the championships). This halo is large enough to encompass the entire organization. Like France circa 1940, it won't win any wars, but it throws a great party.

This was no longer true when Justin Bieber and his oversized coat left town. About two-thirds of the way through the season, the Leafs are just above the .500 hockey mark, but — again — that's nobody's concern.

Here's a sneak peek at how the playoff transition has played out in past years:

The production of Toronto's top three players (we didn't expect Tavares to turn into the 2016 version of himself in the postseason) continues unabated; defenses become stronger suddenly and for no reason; Whoever is online this year becomes Vladyslav Tretiak.

It never happened, but people lived in hope.

This year, even the most leafy leaf fan can't fool themselves. They don't have a No. 1 goalkeeper, and they don't have a reliable goalkeeper. They often end up in a two-man defense on a nightly basis, meaning there is a half-hour of playing time where the offense is expected to play defense through offense. If they can't dominate people, they can't win.

These problems will only get worse when the postseason begins. Right now, it's a 50-50 shot whether or not the Leafs make it this far.

Two or three years ago, every time Sheldon Keefe left for the team – which was very rare – it was a big deal. The players felt the need to strike back.

After Tuesday's loss to the New York Islanders, Keefe gave the team a sideline — “It's a good thing” — and no one seemed to care. It's the Leafs. Of course they play like peewee players. After taxes, they only have enough to afford a cottage in Lake Joe and a condo in Palm Springs. What do you expect from that kind of money? Miracles?

Players who have spent their entire careers together have gotten to the point where they don't even hear criticism. Other than a few waves of “yeah, we should try harder,” they don't need to respond to that.

In a more active and vigorous sports town, Keefe would be a coach for life right now. But in Toronto, everyone knows that this poor guy can do a lot to change everything. It's not like he has any power over these people. We don't care, so they don't care, so why should he?

A malleable myth that underpins Leafs fandom is that things will always change. How does that happen? This is a mystery. But one day a player or a coach or a GM will come along who turns season water into postseason wine.

This is ultimately true because everything that is possible will happen in every possible future. But right now, this year, with this crew, in this city, with no pressure to change, it doesn't look like it's going to last much longer.