The Toronto Maple Leafs will begin the 2019-20 season shorthanded.
That’s where we left off last time. With both Travis Dermott and Zach Hyman set to miss the first month of the season while recovering from respective injuries, the Maple Leafs will be down two key pieces as they enter into what is being viewed as a contention year.
In my piece a few days ago, I gave you my take on how this would all play out. I waxed poetically on the possible replacements who could step up in either player’s absence, with the likes of Andreas Borgman, Teemu Kivihalme, and Ilya Mikheyev drawing consideration for spot duty. Are any of the names ideal options? Probably not, but it’s the best the Maple Leafs have to work with right now, so they’ll do.
But who cares what I think? I asked you, our loyal readers, to hit me with your takes on the situation in the comment section. And, like always, you did not disappoint.
Here are some of the most interesting answers.
Kojak’s Cousin
Borgman on defence. Not Marincin. He needs another shot.
On forward there’s plenty of players that deserve a shot, so I’m not concerned about that. Leafs MUST NOT make a trade to cover this, as that would be foolish.
afp1961
The Leafs better hope that their depth will offset the loss of Dermott & Hyman until November. If the Leafs are not 7-10 game above .500 by Xmas this season could be a disaster.
Now having said that, I have faith in our offensive players to substitute for Hymen. Not sure it will be Mikheyev as he has never played on the smaller rink an at our speed. I think he is a top-nine forward from all I have viewed and read, but just on day one…..
Defence is the real challenge. This is where I think Ceci will be given every chance to win the RHD2 spot and hold the fort until Dermott is back. The bottom pairing will be a dogfight and I, for one, hope Gravel, and Harpur shows they can move and keep up with the leafs speed. having their big bodies on defence would be a godsend.
Stan Smith
My thinking will probably not make me famous, or get my thoughts in a future article. It is simply this. It will all get worked out in training camp.
Aenima
The fact that Marincin is even in the conversation scares the heck out of me. That guy is a nightmare. Our defensive depth is like the kiddie pool.
Is Holl not at least as good as Marincin? Borgman for sure over Marincin. Get well soon Travis (and stay well all).
gfinale
Borgman is down to 1 year before waiver exempt, He needs to play NHL games near the beginning. Forget about Marincin or Holl, as they’re both waiver eligible, about 27 or so and borderline still so trade or waiver them. The Leafs are hanging onto players in the AHL too long and consequently getting stuck with them sitting on the bench in the NHL, unable to go back to the AHL without clearing waivers. Two other players that need NHL games, a look at the least and hopefully more, are Bracco and Brooks as they both only have 1 waiver exempt year left too. No better time than the beginning of the year for all 3.
Andrew
“Mitch Marner and his continued contract negotiation saga that literally will never reach an end.”
You’re a writer. You’re supposed to know what the word literally means. HINT: the above is not it
Editor’s Note: Thank you, Andrew! And you “literally” have way too much time on your hands!
Old School
Babcock liked Ozhiganov and Lindholm as well. So is Mikheyev going to prove to be any better? The fact that we still have Marincin should be a concern. Yes, the Leafs are definitely going to miss Dermott and Hyman. Even more, they’re going to miss Kadri.
Thank you for reading and sending in your wonderful submissions. Except for Andrew.