With the boatload of talent up front, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ biggest problem has always been on the back-end.
First it was the backup goaltender, who the Toronto Maple Leafs finally acquired in Jack Campbell this season. That same feeling was felt last summer when Kyle Dubas brought in Tyson Barrie.
As the NHL and NHLPA continue to discuss options regarding the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs are ready to end the season off on a good note.
But what about next season?
Barrie is likely to walk during free agency, after Dubas signed Mikko Lehtonen to an entry-level deal. And if he does walk, the Toronto Maple Leafs will likely have either one or two right-shot defensemen.
The right side could be in the hands of Justin Holl and Timothy Liljegren, unless Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs have another trick up their sleeve.
As it stands though, it’s possible that head coach, Sheldon Keefe, will experiment with Lehtonen, who already has some experience playing on the right.
There’s always a risk when trying a left-shot on the right side because what if it doesn’t work?
And don’t get me wrong, Dubas and Brandon Pridham together are incredible GM’s, but if the cap doesn’t rise after next season, they could be in a bit of trouble. Then again, maybe not.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have to try one pairing, and one pairing only.
As the discussion going into next season ramps up regarding who’ll play on the right side of the top pairing, I have a possible solution.
One of either Jake Muzzin or Morgan Rielly need to play there. That’s it.
Neither one of Holl or Liljegren are going up there, and I highly doubt Lehtonen, who’s at best a top-four player gets that spot.
Even if you shift each player around and you do get it to work, where does that leave Travis Dermott?
Unless a trade is made, there will likely be one defenseman that’s left out of the lineup. Although that’s always a good position to be in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have too many mid-pairing players.
They can trade one, or if the Lehtonen experiment doesn’t work, put the pairings back.
Either way though, I don’t see anyone other than Rielly on the left side. And unless anything changes, he won’t move anywhere else.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to win, they need to find that player who can play on the top pairing, and the right side. And if they find it, they’ll finally have the success that everyone was hoping for.