James Tanner
Obviously, the Leafs should get another defenseman.
With Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev still on the team, it’s very clear that the Leafs need to upgrade if they want to win the Stanley Cup next season. In my opinion, the Leafs should not be looking to acquire a superstar defenseman. The cost of doing so is too high and William Nylander is not a trade chip. He is an absolutely untouchable franchise-level star. There is not a single player his age and skill level that has been traded where it worked out well for the team trading him.
What the Leafs should do is look to trade draft picks and prospects in exchange for a solid defensively sound asset who can move the puck and play in the top four. Examples of this kind of player are Chris Tanev, Jason Demers, Josh Manson and Jared Spurgeon.
The cost of such a player will be expensive and the Leafs should pay it as long as they do not include Nylander. Should this prove to be impossible, the Leafs should pair Gardiner and Rielly together, play Carrick with Dermot and have a bottom pairing of Marincin and Liljegren.
It’s not optimal, but it’s a lot better than going with the status quo from last year.
Next: Trade Value Power Rankings
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