He is looking magnificent out there, a dominant beast that always seems on the verge of taking a dump.
- Scabeh

Maybe that's his Caramilk secret?

Working under the assumption none of the core 4 are moved, I'd like to see the leafs move Mitch back with JT and Willy move up to play with Matthews.

I'd like Hyman on the cheap or a replacement Hyman type player on the wing L1 maybe a bit of a bigger body than Hyman, which should give AM and Willy more space and puck possession.

I want to see a Robertson - JT - Mitch line, I think it could really click.

Swapping Willy and Mitch from this year + adding Robertson seems like it gives each line 2 guys who can and will shoot / snipe at least which I think they need.

Mitch isn't a shooting threat really and lets be honest neither is Hyman but you have 4 legit guys who can snipe when Robertson is up and then Mitch can be all Mitchy with the waterbug dangles but teams have to decide if it's Robertson or JT they are worried about.

I'd also love to see the Leafs get Jamie Oleksiak.

Big, Young, Heavy player, bit of a snarl to him and hits.

I'd be fine (I actually would like to see them trade him) with Reilly being moved but they need a true #1 Dman if they are moving him. Reilly has been wearing the A in Toronto for quite some time and hasn't helped lead them to any different results.

If he and Hyman are gone that's the 2 longest serving leafs gone, maybe that + Freddy going is the shake up and message Shanny and Dubas want to send?

Take a stab at resigning Foligino and offer him the A if he stays.

Kerfoot is likely gone to Seattle

Bring up Joey Anderson and see what you have in him, same with Sandin and Lillybust.

Go grab a cheapish 1B goalie to help Jack.

Bogo as 7th D man on the cheap again or similar.

Offer Gally a 1 year deal for 1M to play line 3 with whomever is left from giraffe, Mik,Kerfoot or other new bodies for the 3rd line at about same cost as current or less.

Have Adam Brooks on Line 4 with Spezza & another cheap vet? Perry?
- Cush29

I'm all aboard the Oleksiak train!

Stone is many things.

Fantastic hockey player.

Great leader.

Worth every dollar of that contract.

But he's NOT a beauty.





- Scabeh

He came out of the womb looking like a 40 year old.

We have 4 players in the Top 6 who are making 40M and you think we need to add more scoring there? You do realize the Leafs were missing John Tavares for 99% of the series, right?

Agreed on Rielly's value being severely diminished if he's not on PP1. My argument is that he is actively a detriment to the power play as he doesn't have a threatening shot and he's only really effective offensively when he's on the rush. Fixing the Leafs PP goes a long way to fixing this team's offensive woes.

Having said that, Muzzin and Brodie does not inspire much confidence as your top two guys. The D needs a stud and neither one of those guys - who are certainly very effective and valuable pieces - meets that requirement.

As I've espoused to CC, I believe this team's defence core is largely overrated by this fanbase. Beyond EDM, the North is not exactly an offensively gifted division (among other things) and so I think the TML defensive core is akin to a house of cards. And, of course, deleting Rielly and replacing him with a lesser D-man would actively be a step in reverse.
- mjones242

Well it was the problem the last two years. Depth, D, goaltending has all been good.

I don't really agree with you on needing a stud. Half the teams left have a stud and the other is D by committee. The Leafs d was really good last season and Rielly wasn't a massive contributor to the D zone. I don't think D is an issue.

I disagree with this post. I like where the D is at and I think the Leafs can afford to lose Rielly to help add guys do fix the issue the last two playoffs which has been shutting down the top 2 guys.

rielly has led the Leafs D in 5v5 scoring just once in the past 5 seasons.
only his 1 huge outlier season where he scored on every other shot

rielly has led the Leafs D in 5v5 scoring just once in the past 5 seasons.
only his 1 huge outlier season where he scored on every other shot
- senstroll

And his defensive ability is questionable.

I'd take him on my team, especially if Dougie goes elsewhere, but only because we already have Slavin and Pesce that can cover for him.

Mitchy needs to (frank)ing show up when it matters.

That's it. That was the problem. I mean that and JT having that freak accident but that's just bad luck. Marner has 5 goals in 32 playoff games. That's not acceptable for a guy making his dough.
- BINGO!

For sure he is the biggest issue when it comes to the playoff woes.

So that is the question I am sure Leafs brass is asking themselves...how do they get him going? He is one of the most talented wingers in the NHL it is certainly not a bad bet to bet on him performing.

IMO they need a confident, bigger named threat to slot into the top 6.

I like Hyman but I'd like to see someone different and I don't want to bet on him.

Mitchy needs to (frank)ing show up when it matters.

That's it. That was the problem. I mean that and JT having that freak accident but that's just bad luck. Marner has 5 goals in 32 playoff games. That's not acceptable for a guy making his dough.
- BINGO!

Ding ding ding.

Yeah and that's why its annoying to see people ignoring that and looking at depth, goaltending and D.

It is obvious to me where the Leafs need to see improvement.
- Santo_44

Upgrading the D isnt just about losing to the Habs. Their dcore still needs an upgrade to be a contender. Their PP sucked, and not having a shot from the point is a big part of why.

1. Players who forecheck more is a very ambiguous statement - how many players exactly? You also alluded to shifting the lines. Are you suggesting breaking up AM34 and Mitch? Do you swap Mitch and Willie on Matthews' wing?

From a forecheck standpoint, I'm not sure who's out there that could legitimately play in the Top 6 truculently while not dragging the stars down.

Perhaps Sam Bennett?

Doesn't sound like Foligno is an option and Hyman is likely not returning. Maybe you bring in Boone Jenner as your 3C?

I dunno. I'm not trying to "gotcha" here, I'm genuinely curious.

2. If the Leafs let Rielly go they're going to immediately need someone who is a stud D in return. That will cost $$$. Maybe you swap Jones and extend him beyond this year?

If you want to ride Rielly for the year you're either committed to letting him walk (terrible waste of assets unless this team miraculously wins the Cup) or paying him big $$$ to re-sign.

Suffice it to say. the Leafs need to make a long term decision on who is the #1 D. I don't think Rielly is capable of being that guy. He doesn't appear to be a functional PP QB type though I doubt he would enjoy being relegated to PP2 behind Sandin (or whomever).

Dougie Hamilton may be the cat's meow this year in terms of UFA, but I'd like to know how many teams are willing and capable to afford him at 8.5Mx7 (ish). I doubt he takes the money from dumpster fire teams and he certainly won't be signing with VGK or the Avs (who have their own upcoming monster in RFA Cale Makar).

I don't think him signing or the wage he'll be commanding is quite as out-of-reach for the Leafs than you do, I guess.

(though I do doubt that they will end up signing him in the end... it's just fun to speculate and I think it makes just too much sense as a good fit)
- mjones242

I don’t pretend to have a clear blueprint, just a general idea that they start playing a playoff style game during the regular season and make some adjustments. I would break up Matthews/Marner and go with with Mitch/JT and Willie/Matthews.

It sounds like Bennett did ok while he lasted. Of course trading him for Dermott would have meant Marancin, because you know, depth.

I don’t know if truculence is the word I’m looking for. Leafs already have one top six forechecking type who doesn’t slow them down and who has pretty good hands - Hyman. Question is whether they can afford him. Some lesser versions would be nice.

Kerfoot is an example. He plays a nice game and was actually good against Montreal. But for $3.5 and where they are and what they need he plays a very light game. I’d move that money.

Again, if they can’t lock Rielly in at a number they like, go shopping. Jones is going to be more and Hamilton is going to be a lot more (not a lot of other top guys in the market this year)

Working under the assumption none of the core 4 are moved, I'd like to see the leafs move Mitch back with JT and Willy move up to play with Matthews.

I'd like Hyman on the cheap or a replacement Hyman type player on the wing L1 maybe a bit of a bigger body than Hyman, which should give AM and Willy more space and puck possession.

I want to see a Robertson - JT - Mitch line, I think it could really click.

Swapping Willy and Mitch from this year + adding Robertson seems like it gives each line 2 guys who can and will shoot / snipe at least which I think they need.

Mitch isn't a shooting threat really and lets be honest neither is Hyman but you have 4 legit guys who can snipe when Robertson is up and then Mitch can be all Mitchy with the waterbug dangles but teams have to decide if it's Robertson or JT they are worried about.

I'd also love to see the Leafs get Jamie Oleksiak.

Big, Young, Heavy player, bit of a snarl to him and hits.

I'd be fine (I actually would like to see them trade him) with Reilly being moved but they need a true #1 Dman if they are moving him. Reilly has been wearing the A in Toronto for quite some time and hasn't helped lead them to any different results.

If he and Hyman are gone that's the 2 longest serving leafs gone, maybe that + Freddy going is the shake up and message Shanny and Dubas want to send?

Take a stab at resigning Foligino and offer him the A if he stays.

Kerfoot is likely gone to Seattle

Bring up Joey Anderson and see what you have in him, same with Sandin and Lillybust.

Go grab a cheapish 1B goalie to help Jack.

Bogo as 7th D man on the cheap again or similar.

Offer Gally a 1 year deal for 1M to play line 3 with whomever is left from giraffe, Mik,Kerfoot or other new bodies for the 3rd line at about same cost as current or less.

Have Adam Brooks on Line 4 with Spezza & another cheap vet? Perry?
- Cush29

Jamie Oleksiak. - 4 yrs @ 3.5. but I think he stays in big D

a lot, I think, will depend on the the expansion draft.

Well it was the problem the last two years. Depth, D, goaltending has all been good.

I don't really agree with you on needing a stud. Half the teams left have a stud and the other is D by committee. The Leafs d was really good last season and Rielly wasn't a massive contributor to the D zone. I don't think D is an issue.

I disagree with this post. I like where the D is at and I think the Leafs can afford to lose Rielly to help add guys do fix the issue the last two playoffs which has been shutting down the top 2 guys.
- Santo_44

If you're paying 40M to 4 guys they need to get the job done and shouldn't have to rely on additional support.

None of the teams left or who even made it to the 2nd round have sunk this much money into so few players.

Something to ponder.

Upgrading the D isnt just about losing to the Habs. Their dcore still needs an upgrade to be a contender. Their PP sucked, and not having a shot from the point is a big part of why.
- Archaic

You can put a forward there.

You don't need a big booming slapper, you just need somebody who will get the puck through.

Upgrading the D isnt just about losing to the Habs. Their dcore still needs an upgrade to be a contender. Their PP sucked, and not having a shot from the point is a big part of why.
- Archaic

The PP didn’t have a shot from the point when it led the league this year

Upgrading the D isnt just about losing to the Habs. Their dcore still needs an upgrade to be a contender. Their PP sucked, and not having a shot from the point is a big part of why.
- Archaic

This is a lame narrative. The D was great, lets stop bringing upon old narratives onto this team...lets focus on what went wrong and its not the D.

You can put a forward there.

You don't need a big booming slapper, you just need somebody who will get the puck through.
- BINGO!

I respectfully disagree.

They have shown reluctance to go all forwards, and you have Marner on the PP1, and he clearly is not a shooter, and not dangerous from the side boards.

In the scenario you cant have another player at the point who doesnt have a dangerous shot that doesnt have to be covered.

Upgrading the D isnt just about losing to the Habs. Their dcore still needs an upgrade to be a contender. Their PP sucked, and not having a shot from the point is a big part of why.
- Archaic

I still put that 100% on the coaches.

No one can say this team did not have the personnel to succeed on the power play.

Doing the same thing for 4 months when it hasn't been working for 3 makes no sense.

This is a lame narrative. The D was great, lets stop bringing upon old narratives onto this team...lets focus on what went wrong and its not the D.
- Santo_44

This is not the same narrative. They were good in the regular season, and ok in the playoffs, but you cant tell me you think that the Leafs dcore matches up well with the other contenders...its just not true.

I still put that 100% on the coaches.

No one can say this team did not have the personnel to succeed on the power play.

Doing the same thing for 4 months when it hasn't been working for 3 makes no sense.
- Leafs43

It makes it easy on the other teams coaches/players when they only have to cover 3 players on the PP for a shot.

This is a lame narrative. The D was great, lets stop bringing upon old narratives onto this team...lets focus on what went wrong and its not the D.
- Santo_44

The D is not great. They played in a poopty division. Holl in the top-4 is great?

The PP didn’t have a shot from the point when it led the league this year
- Canada Cup

You are partially correct - playing in the weakest division- they led said division in PP -
Stats this yr are skewed and don’t reflect a league wide reality.

Now if they lead the league next year…they won’t …
Well then Leafs will have something.

If you're paying 40M to 4 guys they need to get the job done and shouldn't have to rely on additional support.

None of the teams left or who even made it to the 2nd round have sunk this much money into so few players.

Something to ponder.
- mjones242

I believe they can win with having 4 talented core players being paid as such.

The freak JT injury sucked that's for sure.

And the narrative that the core 4 is being paid too much and can't afford depth, D or goaltending was a false narrative against the Habs.

Funny enough the best production came from outside the 40M core besides Willys 7M cap hit.

The D is not great. They played in a poopty division. Holl in the top-4 is great?
- Steven_Seagull

Totally, what other contender wouldnt have him in the top 4.

It makes it easy on the other teams coaches/players when they only have to cover 3 players on the PP for a shot.
- Archaic

Exactly.

So switch up the powerplay. Take Mitch off if he isn't working. Move Nylander to PP1.

The powerplay worked amazing for a month (maybe a few weeks). I think it lulled the leafs coaches into a sense that it would return to that level if they just stuck with it.

That's the only explanation I can come up with for why no significant changes were made in roughly three months of failure.

The D is not great. They played in a poopty division. Holl in the top-4 is great?
- Steven_Seagull

Holl has been great at 2M in the top 4. I've been saying it the past two years and losing in the 1st round doesn't change my opinion on it.

The D was a non issue. It is a false narrative being held onto by some from past teams.