Well the NHL semi-finals may be fast approaching but I’m sure the thing that is on most people’s minds is: ‘what in the world does this Toronto Maple Leafs team do this offseason?
While many have suggested blockbuster trade proposals and scorched-earth type scenarios that usually end with the acquisition of a tough, grizzled playoff veteran, I think that more balanced and subtle changes would provide the Toronto Maple Leafs with the best opportunity to improve.
As shown by the completely listless matter by which the Toronto Maple Leafs handed a playoff victory to Montreal a few weeks ago, adding a boatload of veterans and physical presence did nothing to alleviate the playoff problems perpetually plaguing this Leafs team.
Furthermore, not one of the preceding four playoff series’ losses was a result of Toronto being physically dominated or outmatched, so the “trade this skill guy for that tough guy” talk is just utter nonsense to me.
Adding a veteran or tough player by virtue of that player simply being a veteran or tough is not a successful strategy, as has been proven through the last couple of years (See Clifford, Kyle; Foligno, Nick; Simmonds, Wayne and Thornton, Joe, for reference).
FIRST POINT
I would suggest that Toronto offers no more gifted roster sports for veterans who want to live their life-long dream of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs…but only once they have utterly and completely past their prime and earned a boatload of cash first.
Spots on the roster should be earned by hungry players who, at any time, could be potentially usurped by other hungry players. Robertson, Anderson, Amirov, Hallander, Brooks, in addition to any offseason FA signing or other minor leaguer, should all be given an equal opportunity to make this team.
Current players like Pierre Engvall and Ilya Mikheyev shouldn’t be gifted spots either and certainly shouldn’t be automatically penciled in for more 3rd line duty, considering their meagre offensive production. Let’s get some hungry, motivated and driven players on this team.
SECOND POINT
Protect Dermott over Holl in the upcoming expansion draft and either trade the latter prior to July 21 or keep him exposed in hopes that Seattle elects to pick Holl over Kerfoot.
Liljegren and Sandin should be in the lineup full-time and Dermott, just 24, still has un-tapped potential and is willing (and able) to play both the left and right sides. If Bogosian wants to return on a cheap, one-year deal again then he can come back and fill out the 6/7/depth position on the blue line.
This team needs to embrace their speed and agility on their back end so these young defensemen should be getting plenty of ice time next season.
THIRD POINT
Let’s get a good goalie to work in tandem with Campbell. Now goaltending certainly wasn’t the reason Toronto bowed out in the first round this year and Campbell’s numbers (1.81 GAA, .934 Save %, 1SO) were sparkling but there are some intriguing goaltending names on the upcoming free agent market and it’s always beneficial to have a second goalie with quality experience and the capacity to start, if needed.
One of Antii Raanta, Petr Mrazek, Linus Ullmark, Chris Driedger or Jaroslav Halak should be an attainable, if not affordable, addition.
In conclusion, the Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that fought for first place in the entire league until the last game of the season, and were done in by a combination of injuries and a slumping top line that came at the worst possible time. Instead of overreacting and making changes for the sake of making changes, all they need to do is follow the above blueprint, stick to their main plan, and try again.
It’s not the most exciting or cathartic plan, but this is a good team that just needs to inject some youth and a sense of meritocracy to the team. The Leafs just need to get back to focusing on skill over Nick Foligno types, and embrace their young, talented blue-line, while augmenting Jack Campbell with a strong partner.