The Toronto Maple Leafs upgraded their roster at the NHL Trade Deadline this season, but they’re not alone.
If you look around the NHL, there were multiple teams that made significant moves at the deadline. It felt like every contender in the league got a little better thanks to a few moves they made.
This year is completely different than any other. Not only are there limited fans, or zero, in every arena, but teams have been confined to playing only divisional opponents. Although the Leafs are the best team in the North Division and have the second most points in the league, does that make them the second best team in the league?
Who, knows.
Without a measuring stick game or having the ability to match-up against the other best teams in the league, it’s hard to say whether or not Toronto is a legit Stanley Cup contender. Obviously, they should be considered one because they’re the favorite to come out of their division, which will secure them a Final Four berth, but we don’t know how they’ll play against Tampa Bay, Washington, Vegas or Colorado, for example.
When you beat up on inferior opponents like the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks for 35 percent of your season, it’s really hard to get a true read on what this team can actually do.
Toronto’s team is better than it was last year and the year before. They seem more structured and balanced throughout the entire lineup, while their superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have made a next-step in their development.
Whenever Matthews steps on the ice, he’s a threat to score, while Marner’s creativeness is amazing to watch. Not only have the big-boy’s stepped up, but their defense and goaltending has been better than any season in recent history, which is always the biggest question-mark surrounding this team.
Clearly, there are still question-marks in net, but Jack Campbell has shown that he can be a No. 1 goalie if called upon during Game One of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Toronto may be one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, but there are a few other teams that made big moves at the NHL Trade Deadline that they should be worried about.
Here are five NHL Trade Deadline moves that impact the Toronto Maple Leafs chances to win a championship in a positive or negative light.