LongtimeLeafsufferer
Rejoint: juill. 2015
Messages: 59,438
Mentions "j'aime": 22,639
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.