Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Grading The Leafs Trade Deadline

By Tim Chiasson

Feb 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock watches the game against the San Jose Sharks in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock watches the game against the San Jose Sharks in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
toronto maple leafs
Jan 25, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs fans hold up a sign during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Toronto won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Eddie Razo’s Grade

Grade: A-

The Toronto Maple Leafs get an A- from me. The addition of Brian Boyle solidifies the fourth line center role, putting an end to the Ben Smith era and allows for Frederik Gauthier to continue his development with the Toronto Marlies, who could be Toronto’s younger version of Boyle down the road.

Also, Boyle has playoff pedigree and Stanley Cup Finals experience to parlay to the entire team. The stat everyone continues to milk would be the 100 playoff games the 32-year-old has been a part of over the last six years.

The rookies shouldn’t be the only ones soaking in Boyle’s advice, even the veterans on this team do not have enough playoff experience or have been with an organization that has a winning culture.

Now, the defense went without addressing, thus the reason for minus in their grade. Personally, I didn’t expect Toronto to land someone like Kevin Shattenkirk, but someone like Johnny Oduya would’ve been an ideal fit in their second-pairing. Oduya would’ve been another rental that would at least help stabilize the blue-line, somewhat.

Toronto didn’t sacrifice the future; no prospects were sent out, and the plan didn’t go out the window now that the team has positioned itself for a playoff push. Nice, cheap deals that give the team a boost of confidence that management believes in them.

Overall, not a bad trade deadline from the buds.

Home/Editorials