Quoting: oneX
Agree to disagree on this. They are definitely more than 2 D and a 4th line winger away from being serious contenders. Right now Keefe (who I haven't believed in for at least 2 years) does NOT have a reliable defensive line that he can confidently put on the ice and not think twice about being scored on.
Couple that with the issues on D and the lackluster performance of the new guys and we have a team that will be lucky to win round 1 in the playoffs.
2 Dman can fix that pretty quickly depeding on who they are
If Toronto went out and got Zadorov and Tanev Dcore goes from
Rielly-Brodie
McCabe-Liligren
Gio-Klingberg
Ext: Lagesson
to
Rielly-Brodie
McCabe-Tanev
Zadorov-Liligren
Ext: Gio
There top 9 looked good like we got a goal from our new third line, and our top 6 looks good, Bertzuzzi is a different manner but meh he will hopefully get going soon. Media be a bit to much with him as its not like hes not done anything.
4th line though definetly a priority after the Dcore. Gregor and Reaves aint what Kampf needs. Either through whose left in FA (Bailey, JP, etc), callup (McMann, Steeves, Ellis, etc) or Trade got to find him linemates.
They have a pretty nice defensive top line in Matthews, Marner, and Knies now all guys who can PK and defend. Also could soon have a new 4th line that encapsulates defense once we get Kampf new linemates.
Like as of now these are the 3 main issues
1. Dcore
2. 4th line
3. PK
Fix the 2 above PK should than improve as if you upgrade the personnel on it should be much better.
Bertuzzi and Sammy are a different manner but both should rebound. Would add Domi but when they moved him to C he looked so much better. Moving his feet more less think more do. Perfect he keeps it up were set.