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Should the Toronto maple Leafs Stand Pat at the Trade Deadline?

By Lucas Mascherin

Sep 18, 2018; Lucan, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas on his laptop before the start of their game against the Ottawa Senators at Lucan Community Memorial Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2018; Lucan, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas on his laptop before the start of their game against the Ottawa Senators at Lucan Community Memorial Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs (Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports) /

In 24 games this season, the Leafs have been the top team in the NHL. They lead the way with 38 points, which is seven more than the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning. Their +31 goal differential ranks them second in the league and is only one goal behind the first-place Tampa.

Superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are third and fifth in the NHL for total points. Add to that ten starting Leafs with at least 0.5 points per game. Only two starting players in Toronto have a negative plus-minus.

The entire team is having success, and that is why the team is winning. Even with countless players missing time with injuries, the team has played well. That includes holding the Edmonton Oilers without a goal in back-to-back games on February 27th and March 1st.

In the two games, Toronto was playing without Matthews, Simmonds, and goaltender Frederick Anderson. For the second one against Edmonton, the Leafs played without those same players and their backup goaltender Jack Campbell.

The Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the best duo in the NHL in back-to-back games without their top two goaltenders and their number one center. Depth pushed the team to win without their best talents.

Toronto has more than enough depth among their forwards. They can call upon Adam Brooks, Nic Petan, or Jimmy Vesey if injuries creep up.

Depth among their defensemen is also not a problem. The likes of Mikko Lehtonen, Rasmus Sandin, and Timothy Liljegren are all able to step in. Oddly enough, Toronto’s depth at goaltender has been beyond exceptional. Their third-string goaltender Michael Hutchinson has the second-best save percentage among goalies with at least four games played.

The team is first for goals scored per game and fourth in goals against per game. Their top players are putting up points, and their depth players are pitching in.

The Leafs are not hitting a ton, but that doesn’t mean they lack a physical presence. Bogosian, Simmonds, Thornton, and Jake Muzzin can step up for their teammates and lay the body.

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