I think you’ll be disappointed if you think Mrazek is an improvement

I feel like you loose quite a bit going from Hyman as your 1LW to Galchenyuk or Kerfoot. The thing that is concerning is you don’t have much at all on the left side when it comes to guys that can get after it and drive a line, turn pucks over and be a general pain in the ass.

I think the biggest cause for concern is less about being dramatically worse and more about the fact that the team is not improving when many other contenders in the same tier as the Leafs did get better.

Freddy had a 0.895 last year. 30-35 games of league average goaltending is all I need to be happy. Mrazek has been inconsistent so we'll see.

While he isn’t Freddie when he stands on his head, he is very close to the same level as Freddie was when both are at their baseline. Plus he cost over a million less per season to play a platoon role. Really a lateral move quality wise but an improvement cap wise.

Improvement in cap sure. The Op’s point wasnt excitement in lower AAV on goalies.

Have to look at the big picture to see the win in a cap strapped team. As a fit for what the team was looking to do, as well as the cap ramifications Mrazek is an improvement.

LW has been a weak spot for years even with Hyman. As long as whoever comes in can mesh with the stars on the line I think it will work out but I get what you are getting at.

Funny you mention contenders getting better since this was something I was just thinking about. Colorado and Vegas lost their starting goalies among others and Tampa lost their entire 3rd line which was really important to their success. Boston got better and I expect the 3 teams I listed prior to still be good too but I think the power balance might get shaken up a bit. Not saying the leafs rise to the top but it's just something I thought was interesting.

He wouldn’t be the issue it’s that god awful defence Toronto has

Toronto’s defence is excellent. No issues there.

Mrazek is a clear upgrade on Freddy. Unfortunately Freddy has lost it. Hopefully the change of scenery will help him out.

Defense was excellent in a bad division. Lets see how they do in a real division this season.

I understand that Freddie sucked this past season, injuries adding to it. If you were frustrated with Freddie during the last 3 seasons, you will be frustrated with Mrazek for the same reasons. Inconsistent, when he is off he looks really bad, lets in a way too easy goal, makes you second guess your opinion of him the moment he steals some games, capable of .920 sv percentage season but, also a .895.

While I agree the North Division wasn't particulary strong the top 6 forwards across the board (aside from Ottawa) were filled with players who can score. So I think defensive performances might be the most reliable things to take away from last season for the North teams.

Still trying to run with the stupid bad division theory? Ridiculous.

I get what mrazek is. He will be in a tandem which would help him out. Freddy the last two seasons has just been bad. Last year absolutely horrible. Couldn’t stop a beach ball and that isn’t hyperbole. The injury certainly held him back but he lost it in his head as well. Hopefully he can fix the head issue by moving to Carolina.

Probably because of the forward depth chart. If you look at last year's scoring list sorted by P/GP, the Leafs have lost their 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 16th best forwards this summer.

http://www.nhl.com/