1. Don't trade young players coming into their prime.
2. See above.
3. Tavares and his contract are fine.
4. Andersen is fine.
5. Holl is fine.
6. The additions to the D-core are nice, we will see if it works out.

i agree

I say they could potentially upgrade on holl at the deadline. They could also go after a Blake Coleman type for depth mid season. The team isn’t really changing for now. I fully agree with the first 3 points.

Anderson will likely bounce back, he’s one of the most consistent goalies in the league in terms of save percentage.

I agree with everything but Andersen is a solid starter and Holl is a good dependable defenseman

"1. They don't really wanna trade Nylander. 2. They don't really wanna trade marner."

I am perfectly fine with trading either (or both, or anyone else) and always have been.

"3. They like Tavares but don't like the contract (in the future)."

I don't like the contract for any of the big-4.

"4. Andersen is crap."

Andersen is a good goalie who has been scapegoated by a segment of the fanbase.

"5. Holl is crap."

Holl is a weak 4, decent third pairing D who worked well with Muzzin last year.

"6. Defense is good."

Time will tell. Fans said the same thing last off-season.

"What needs to be done to this team?"

Depends.

"Do they need another top 4 right shot dman?"

Depends on what they are doing. If they think they are serious cup competitors this year then I think so. But I don't think they are even close so I don't think it matters.

"Do they need more forward depth?"

I don't think so. But some fans freak out at any signs that the team may score 2 less goals over the course of a season.

"Do they still need to get tougher?"

I think so. They added some toughness at the bottom of the lineup. I don't think that this team can win against heavy teams at the top of the lineup.

1. - Agree
2. - AGREE (duh)
3. - If JT can keep this up we will be fine. enough. and hopefully the cap will go up.
4. Andersen is okay, if hes healthy.
5. Holl should be traded if we can get an upgrade.
6. Im happy with our defense.

I think some cost-effective bottom six players could do this team well.

Leaf fans hate me but they should keep Nylander, trade Marner solely based on cap numbers, Tavares contract will start to look worse but he’s the captain and not going anywhere, Andersen is a quality starter who has been a scapegoat in the playoffs over the poor defense, Holl is solid but could be upgraded much like Andersen, they’re defense is slightly better if Bogosian isn’t getting significant minutes.

The JT contract screwed up the balance needed & was unnecessary. Sure he’s a fantastic talent but Leaf fans will disagree to just disagree. The rebuild WAS moving along fine. Domino effect trading away Kadri for nothing resulted. A regular season team filled with min contracts destined to remain not built for playoff runs.

It always cones down to trading Nylander only cuz the top 3 have contracts that cannot get fair value. Poor cap management that any GM could do.

Freddie is fine

Marner is the contract to move

I believe Toronto is set for the next season. There's always going to be room for improvement, but I don't think any trade would be beneficial. This is partially because there are only a handful a guys who you can realistically move if you don't believe moving the major pieces is a wise decision.

So 1 and 2 is right, either should be moved. No major trade is on the table which would net a worthwhile return of either of those two.

Everyone knew what the Tavares signing was going to be. Yeah, maybe you could put together a roster in insight with the extra 11 million but I've yet to see one that bests the current roster. 11 million is fine for a 1C who wanted to come here.

Andersen had a down year last year and we're hoping he rebounds. Campbell will probably get more starts.

Holl's a decent shutdown defenseman who pairs well with Muzzin and can chew away tough minutes, but realistically he may end up Seattle bound if Dermott outperforms him. His tethering to Muzzin leads a lot of Leaf fans to believe he's not good and should be moved for spare parts, but I think he's a suitable roster player especially on a team that's been criticized for it's blueline.

The defense this season is a significant upgrade. Brodie, Lehtonen and Bogosian cost as much as Barrie and Ceci did and are better investments. Sandin and Lijegren are waiting to take their spots if things don't work out.

What Toronto could use is a suitable top 6 LW and maybe another guy to irritate the other teams top lines.

well they shouldnt trade any of the forwards because they have an elite scoring unit that is actually really good in both directions on the ice most of the time.
And anyone who thinks Andersen is bad is just unable to get past the teams inability to defend in front of him in 3-4 games.
Holl is a fine number 4, anyone who thinks otherwise simply has no idea what an average to ok number 4 guy looks like
the defence is also fine. It's not Tampa or Carolina but no one else really is. The issues with it stem from injuries at the worst times. Their top 3 is as good as almost anyone in the league and with a fine number 4 and good bottom pairing depth, they're good to go

In my opinion
1. They don't really wanna trade Nylander. ( I really don't)
2. They don't really wanna trade marner. (true)
3. They like Tavares but don't like the contract (in the future). (I'm fine with contract, he's 34 when it expires)
4. Andersen is crap. (I like Andersen, I just see him moving on in the summer, and Leafs trying to go cheaper/platoon route)
5. Holl is crap. (Holl is fine, I'd be happy if dermott could pass him on the depth chart, and he pair up with Sandin for a year or 2 on bottom pair)
6. Defense is good. (I'm fine with make-up of Dcore - hopefully team defence improves this year)

What needs to be done to this team? - (See if their consistency/effort/maturity improve with a full year of Keefe running things)
Do they need another top 4 right shot dman? - (Not at the expense of Marner/Nylander)
Do they need more forward depth? - (No)
Do they still need to get tougher? - (No)

I think this is completely accurate. Only thing is you can’t trade marner now. Not in a flat cap world after a slight down season. Let him get back to 90+ points and consider trading him a year or 2 from now.

And that’s why he’s gotta stay but it’s also why the retirement home is the leafs’ depth.

Big one for me is forwards depth, I don’t like the bottom six for a playoff series, and while it’s true about many teams, this team truly cannot afford a superstar injury.

Ya lol. 2 of them will probably retire next year so atleast it’s temporary.

1/2: Don't want to move them yet, but I think over the next few years if there's no improvement moving Marner would get a hefty return, and could potentially balance out the roster a bit
3: Tavares great, contract great given the circumstances under which he signed. Was injured last year, previous year 47g/88pts which I will gladly pay 11M for
4: Anderson is inconsistent. Usually a god, usually has a tough first stretch games, wouldn't call him clutch per se. You mainly see him moved a lot because he only has 1y left on his deal
5: Holl is fine with Muzzin, kinda trash without him. Luckily we have Muzzin so thats not a huge issue. Main issue is that he has only done it for one year, he could be a one-and-done type player.
6: D is good. I wouldn't mind an upgrade on Holl for the reasons I mentioned but I think it is much deeper, and much improved.

he was on pace for 90+ points last year as well but ya

Damn. Everyone like to jump on the kid so much on this site they made me think he was on pace for 80. He was on pace for 93 points, I didn’t even realize.

I know right. Its ridiculous. They love to harp on the 94 point 23 year old who is like 1-1.5M overpaid but nobody mentions the actually horrible contracts that most teams have like an okposo or skinner

1:Get into more fights type of players acquire
2:Trade some people
3:Fire Dubas and Shannahan
4raft Canadians and bigger players
5:Tavares’s contract is terrible
6:Save some cap

clearly you cannot be successful overpaying your top 4 guys by like a combined 2.5 million. The way to do it is to over pay your third line 2 million bucks each, like tampa

Don't trade nylander and or marner since they are just entering their prime unless the return is really good. tavares is a bit overpaid buts its fine. andersen is not crap, it was a down year. holl is decent as a bottom pair guy. Defense is improved but it isn't as bad as people think it is but I could still use another upgrade.

It’s a waiting game at this point. We have to see how this team plays after the changes made this off season, and go from there. Personally I think they are like the Avs of a few years ago: loads of talent yet still under-achieving. Need a Duchene-type trade to put them over the top.

Here's what I'm getting from Leaf's fans.
1. They don't really wanna trade Nylander.
2. They don't really wanna trade marner.
3. They like Tavares but don't like the contract (in the future).
4. Andersen is crap.
5. Holl is crap.
6. Defense is good.

What needs to be done to this team? Do they need another top 4 right shot dman? Do they need more forward depth? Do they still need to get tougher?

Crazy, thanks for asking.
I don't think the Leafs are that much different than most teams. At the cap...strength in some areas, weak in others.

What the Leafs need (as do most teams) is for fringe/average player to play beyond their contracts. Then go in the playoffs without injuries and then hope.

Nylander doesn't need to be traded...but if he doesn't a Dman with equal cap and top 4 abilities has to come back
IMO, Marner and his contract is almost untradeable. Just won't get quality back due his 10.9m contract.
I have no trouble with Tavares and his contract. But Leafs overpaid signing their top RFAs by 4.5m when comparables and term were considered. Why the Leafs got suckered in paying "hometown premiums" I don't understand.
Andersen is good, but don't think he will remain a Leaf after this season and is a UFA....unless the Leafs win a Cup. Leafs will move on in 21/22 from Andersen
Holl is good and excellent value at 2m X 3 years. Plays 20 minutes a game, is a plus player and plays against top opposition.
Defence is better than last year since the two worse Dmen are gone...Barrie and Ceci. If they get some luck and don't have their top Dman on LTIR like last year, Leafs should be just fine with Reilly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl. Dermot is a competent Dman. Bogosian if he can play like he did for Tampa and not the Sabres...that's good for the Leafs. Then the unknown best KHL Dman Lehtonen...we'll see.
Keefe should be a better coach in first full NHL season, as will be his assistants. Babcock was a horrible bench coach, and Leafs had climb back into playoff contention after his firing .

So that's my take on the Leafs. They should be fine in the regular season. Then in the playoffs, there seems like so many teams are equal in abilities. Need some luck and some players playing their best hockey of their life to advance.

Those fans just follow burkes advice lul

Anderson could be a very dangerous goalie next year and may be in the Vezina conversation
Holl was fine

Nylander and Marner should not be traded unless a deal of a lifetime occurs

The dcore is fine (you got Rielly previous 20 goal scorer, Brodie and Holl balanced offense and defense, Muzzin and Bogo heavy hitting, shot blocking monsters, and upcomers like Dermott, Sandin and Liligren who have enormous potential)