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Toronto Maple Leafs: Editor in Leaf Monday Mailbag

By Andrew Boehmer |
Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals right wing Daniel Winnik (26) defends in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (46) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals right wing Daniel Winnik (26) defends in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Questions on the Toronto Maple Leafs came flying in this past week.

Awesome, I love it when there are so many questions concerning the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There was no real theme this past week, which is alright.

That just means an open discussion on a wide variety of topics, all of which will be covered in this week’s mailbag, one of my favorite times of the week.

Defenseman Trade

Obviously, there’s been quite a bit of talk regarding an ideal defenseman from my end – *cough* never said I was right or it’s my way or the highway because I really carry little weight in the grand scheme of things.

I do like reading your comments about what you all think the Leafs should go after in this scenario.

That being said, my answer will be the same as it’s been for quite a while now.

I still think Brandon Montour is the guy the Leafs should go after, but I will say the following.

In this question, it was never posed as to who the Leafs could send in exchange, so I’ll leave that open to all of you.

If Montour was coming the Leafs way, who do you think the Leafs should send to the Anaheim Ducks?

Comment below.

Ilya Kovalchuk

I remember watching the Russian team skate away a couple years ago after Canada won the World Championships, having only Alex Ovechkin and a few others try and stay on.

Good on Ovi and them.

Kovalchuk was the one signaling to his guys to skate off.

The captain of the team I might add.

Ya, I don’t like that and no, I don’t want that kind of person, not even him as a player, on the Leafs roster.

He’s poison.

Great player, lot’s of skill, I’m not denying that.

But, what the Leafs are building here does not include a guy like Kovalchuk.

Stay in the KHL, bud.

William Nylander

More from Editor In Leaf

I had to boil this next question down a bit.

Do you think William Nylander is better suited for the wing or center?

-Jon Chandler

I haven’t seen him play much center at the NHL level, so it’s hard to say.

To be completely honest, I like him on Auston Matthews right side.

They have terrific chemistry and I wouldn’t want to break that up just yet.

Although long-term, yes he should play center.

He most likely isn’t strong enough right now and that might be the delay.

Roman Polak

And lastly, Mr. Ryals, a Leafs fan from Clevland, Ohio sent me this via email.

Do you think Roman Polak will be back with the leafs next season?

-Charles Ryals

This is a tricky one.

If the Leafs trade for a right-handed defenseman, then no.

But, with the looming Expansion Draft, who really knows what will happen.

However, I do think that if the Leafs were going to sign one of Polak or Matt Hunwick it would be Polak.

Thanks and Next Week

Many thanks to the questions that came in this week and special thanks to those whose questions were featured.

Please keep sending them in and I look forward to our next mailbag on Monday, May 8.

So, send in your questions to me via Twitter, @acboehmer, or by email, acboehmer@liberty.edu.

Looking forward to more questions, remember to have them in by Monday at noon.

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