Toronto Maple Leafs: Let the Offseason Shopping Begin
It’s no secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs need a few more pieces to fit the puzzle.
Nothing crazy, just a couple things here and there. The Toronto Maple Leafs have already done the hardest part by stripped down the team right to their boxer shorts.
But, that doesn’t excuse the fact that there’s more to do.
There’s always more to do, but crossing these things off their list will immediately improve the team and give them a better shot at a deeper playoff run next year.
Trade, free agency, resigning, call-ups, drafting.
Who knows how it’ll be done, but it will be done before the puck drops in October, I’ll tell you that.
In no particular order, here we go.
Backup Goalie
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I know what you’re thinking.
Well, he’s about to be an unrestricted free agent, so ya.
There are two options here.
Either the Leafs resign McElhinney to a new contract or they go shopping. It’s a dangerous world right now with Expansion Draft looming and I liked how he played after he got traded to the Leafs, so I’d say they should resign him.
Just to a one-year deal, though. Trust me, he won’t be getting more than $1 million, so it’s not like they’re going to tie up a lot here.
In 14 games played for Toronto this past season, he posted a 2.85 goals against average, with a .914 save percentage and one shutout.
Not terribly bad by any means.
Now, if the Leafs decide to look elsewhere, there are options such as Scott Darling, Darcy Kuemper, Anders Nilsson, Peter Budaj and Keith Kinkaid.
Those are just a few decent names, but it’s all too risky with the impending pandemonium.
Top Pairing Defenseman
Here’s the nail biter.
Yes, the Leafs need a top pairing defenseman to bolster their blueline in order to really compete.
No, it’s not going to be easy.
Okay then, how can this be done?
The Leafs could trade for someone like Marc-Edouard Vlasic, sign a pending UFA like Kevin Shattenkirk or call up a young gun like Travis Dermott.
There’s always the KHL to look at it.
The point is that the list of ways to do this is extensive. None of them are going to be easy, but there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Leafs needs to slot someone in.
There will not be any knee-jerk moves here.
Whatever happens, will have been careful thought out and creatively crafted to benefit the Leafs now and in the future.
Don’t hit the panic button, folks.
This is a smart team.
Fourth Line Center
Ya, ya, I know.
Brian Boyle and Frederik Gauthier.
I like them both, I really do.
The reason I put fourth line center on the list is because we’re still unsure about what will happen here.
Boyle’s a pending UFA. Although he performed well while donning the blue and white, which I think is reason enough for the Leafs to resign him.
Not to mention his veteran leadership or gritty game that he brings to this young roster.
However, if they choose not to, that probably means it’s Gauthier’s time to shine, which isn’t a bad alternative.
I’m not too worried about whatever happens here because for once in my adult life, the Leafs have a lot of good center depth.