Realistic 2018-19 Leafs

A couple people have now added Spezza to the leafs for next year. I'm not sure what to make of it...

I'm not a Leafs fan, but I watched almost every one of their games this season because I listen to the Overdrive Podcast on TSN 1050 and I like being informed on what they talk about. The leafs, as we saw against Boston, need to learn how to defend better and protect leads. Spezza will not do this for them - he has always been a defensive liability. Taking on that much money, even for just a year, doesn't make much sense.

Also, trading Gardiner before this season is a bit shortsighted. Hainsey is not going to give the leafs what he gave them this year. He'll be a year older, more prone to injury, fatigue, etc. Therefore, they need NHL ready defencemen should one of them go down to injury. I personally don't like Gardiner's game - he doesn't compete hard enough in his own zone. I'm not saying he has to hit everything, but at least be more aggressive/tenacious (like Keith was a few years ago - without the slashing now...).

I still think they should be relatively aggressive on John Carlson, because if they do want to trade Gardiner at the deadline, or let him walk as a UFA, then at least they haven't lost the offense he provides.

Dubas will have to be creative to find the best combinations of contracts, free agents, trades, re-signings, etc., as this team is close to being a contender. However, one bad signing could prevent/stall their climb up the NHL power rankings.