Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Are the Leafs Contenders?

What a week it’s been for the Toronto Maple Leafs, eh?

Mike Babcock finally listened to us! In scratching every semblance of grit and dead weight, the Toronto Maple Leafs iced perhaps the most balanced and talented lineup the team has seen since the 2004-05 lockout.

So, now that the Leafs are finally living up to their potential, thanks to their wonderful new additions, it begs the question:

Does the emergence of Travis Dermott make the Leafs able to contend for a cup this year? 

Let’s hear what the EIL staff had to say.

Mike Stephens

As Travis Dermott shatters every expectation we had for him with each passing game, I absolutely am of the belief that the Leafs can contend for a cup this year.

And yet, there are a few caveats.

Although it may be difficult to topple a powerhouse like Tampa, the Leafs possess all the necessary tools to do so. They boast a ridiculously deep forward group, a bonafide elite goaltender, and now a mobile backend capable of actually holding a lead.

In fact, the only area truly in need of improvements is at fourth line centre.

Can you imagine this current Leafs roster with Brian Boyle at 4C? The thought is borderline erotic. The only downside here, however, is there appear to be no sizeable upgrades available on the trade block.

Frankly, the Leafs would be better suited to just call up Miro Aaltonen from the Marlies to see if he could be the answer. As of today, Toronto currently sits in a playoff spot, with a 15-point lead over the next closest team.

What is there to lose?

Aaltonen is talented, fast, and there’s no harm in giving him a shot to see what you have. Regardless, come April, this team is poised to make a significant run.

Let’s enjoy it, folks.

Wilbert Timmermans

This is a tough question to answer. Personally, I think the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be the top contenders starting the playoffs.

With Travis Dermott, it may seem as if all the pieces are in place. But, I don’t like the idea of burdening him with such heavy pressure so early on. I do, however, think that the Leafs will surprise all hockey fans during the playoffs with how fast they have developed as a team. I don’t think there is a (suitable) piece that can change that.

Dermott should be the only deadline acquisition the Leafs make. Could you imagine Dermott still being a Marlie and the Leafs having to give up draft picks or prospects for an overpriced rental like Erik Gudbranson?

No thank you.

I think what differs Toronto from, for example, Tampa is experience. They have the pieces, between the pipes, on the blue-line and up front. What they just need more of is time.

Essentially, the thing that will elevate this team from pretenders and into contenders is time. These youngsters have the potential to become exactly what will drive the Leafs to a cup, but they shouldn’t be rushed or sacrificed for a rental.

The only position that could be improved is the fourth-line centre position. Although, even an upgrade there won’t make them into top contenders this playoff season.

Lauren Kelly

Travis Dermott has been so good in his first 10 games in the NHL that it’s simply mindboggling he didn’t make the team earlier this season, or even out of training camp.

Now that he’s with the team, despite being a rookie, he injects the blueline with an extra offensive edge they desperately needed. If the Leafs continue to have him play in the lineup, I see no reason for them not to be legitimate contenders this year.

The one caveat I have here is that when Roman Polak and Ron Hainsey (and Morgan Rielly) are healthy enough to return, what does Mike Babcock do with so many options?

If (and I hope not) Dermott ends up on the sidelines when the original six defensemen are all healthy (which shouldn’t be the case because he is so much better and more defensively responsible than Polak) then it’s hard to say whether the Leafs could go deep in the playoffs.

It’s hard to pin that on just Dermott, but it’s pretty obvious he makes the team and blueline better. He should stay with the team. He should be playing 18-20 minutes a night, every game. Frankly, he deserves it, and he’s proven to be more than capable of the minutes he’s been given.

What happens next is up to Babcock. At the end of the day, those blueline decisions will determine whether the Leafs are true contenders this year.

Josh Tessler

With the emergence of Travis Dermott, the Toronto Maple Leafs can certainly contend for a Stanley Cup this year.

While Dermott has been a strong force in the defensive end, they still need help to have any chance of toppling the Tampa Bay Lightning. So far this season, Tampa has been the best team in the East and are built specifically for a long playoff run.

In order to beat them, the Leafs will need to move one of their forwards prior to the deadline. The goal should be to trade someone with an expiring contract, who can serve as a rental for another playoff bubble team.

It’ll be a tough decision for Lou Lamoriello, as Leo Komarov and Tyler Bozak will likely be up for discussion. They need to move someone in order to open up a permanent spot for Kasperi Kapanen, who has earned an extended stay.

Komarov has been a vital asset for the Leafs this season in the defensive zone and on the penalty kill. He also provides solid veteran leadership, which is needed on a team full of young players.

As stated in a previous post, the Leafs desperately need to move on from Bozak and cash out. His time has simply run out in Toronto, and a change of scenery may do both parties some good.

Additionally, although challenging, they should be on the lookout for teams willing to take on Dominic Moore and Matt Martin‘s contracts in order to free up more roster spots. Moore has been shuffling in and out of the lineup and as of late, with Martin doing the same.

If the Leafs feel the need to grab another forward come February 26th, they should look for a fourth line centre. I’ve recommended Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the past. He’d still be my pick.

Alex Hobson

Do I think the Maple Leafs can truly contend for the cup this year? My heart says yes, but my mind says no.

Although, I do think the Leafs are much closer to winning the cup than people realize.

They have their number one centre in Auston Matthews, a number one defenseman in Morgan Rielly, and a number one goaltender in Frederik Andersen. Their forward depth is outstanding and among the best in the league. Not to mention, they’re still loaded with prospects.

However, the only thing I think they’re lacking is experience.

They have some grizzled, “seen it all” vets such as Patrick Marleau and Ron Hainsey (who surprisingly didn’t see playoffs until he became a Penguin), but they have an incredibly young defensive core.

So, while I think their chances are much stronger this year than they were last year, I can’t see them taking down one of the Western powerhouses.

For me, a reasonable finish is something along the lines of a semi-final/conference final run.