Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Summer Defence Edition

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on March 28, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on March 28, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 28: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on March 28, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 28: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on March 28, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

Do the Toronto Maple Leafs need to add another defenceman?

That’s the question of the summer. Not even the arrival of John Tavares can dissuade fans from bemoaning the state of Toronto’s blueline. With a locked in left side of Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly and Travis Dermott, it’s the right side where problems arise.

Frankly, my view of the Leafs D corps isn’t nearly as dour as most. The right side lacks proven options, that’s without a doubt. Although, the blueline’s current construction lends nicely to Kyle Dubas’ ideal vision.

Justin Holl, an incredibly mobile defenceman, is primed for a spot. Connor Carrick could see his role increased as the season moves along. Not to mention the group of Andreas Borgman, Calle Rosen and a new-and-improved Martin Marincin waiting in the wings.

Suddenly, depth isn’t an issue. At least on the surface. Still, the topic of adding a D has been bandied about. Why not ask the EIL staff?

Let’s see what they had to say.