Defense First
The Leafs are in need of a stronger defensive core if they want to go far in the playoffs. Toronto’s offensive core looks great as of now, featuring players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Nazem Kadri. Their defensive core however features Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, and Nikita Zaitsev, but then begins to fall off.
The first pair of D-men that come to mind in being expendable at the deadline are Roman Polak and Matt Hunwick. Both players are on expiring deals this season, and it is questionable if they would even return.
Whether they’re traded for draft picks, prospects, or roster players, their play has not been up to par this season and they may be the first to go. The Leafs should be looking at multiple defensive options that can solidify the blue line. Maybe a veteran defenceman with a good amount of skill can do the trick, or a top notch prospect like Jacob Trouba.
More Importantly, a Top-Pairing Defenceman
More specifically however, the Leafs should be looking to fill a much needed hole on the blue line–a top-pairing defenceman. Morgan Rielly is the Leafs own top-pairing D-man of the future, but is her really a number one guy? If that number one defenceman is truly hard to come by, getting another top-pairing defenceman of equal or greater skill would still be better for Rielly to play alongside.
Trade rumours have been going on for a while, and out of all of them, the most obvious surround forward James Van Riemsdyk. He is on a good and cheap contract that teams looking for a winger would be attracted to. Perhaps the Leafs can flip him for a top defenceman who is on the market right now. Maybe someone like Cam Fowler, Kevin Shattenkirk, or Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Leafs could even sweeten the deal a bit and perhaps land a young and elite defenseman like Trouba or Tyson Barrie.
Morgan Rielly suffered a lower-body injury during Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. His absence in Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers was more than evident, as the Leafs defence took a plunder and the team lost 5-2. Morgan Rielly is currently the Leafs best defenceman, and their blue line is basically one injury away from falling off. This issue needs to be addressed by finding another top pairing defenseman who can solidify the blue line in the wake of injuries.
If the Leafs truly want to contend this year, a top pairing defenseman is the the most evident hole in the lineup. Find one, and this roster will immediately be much better.