Toronto Maple Leafs: Good Start, but We Need Some Fireworks

The Toronto Maple Leafs have solved their goaltending problems, and that’s about it so far.

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t bring themselves to commit long term to Jack Campbell, probably because he cries too much,  and have decided to go with a duo whose “floor” may be a pit, but who at least have massive ceilings.

Personally, I’ve written so much about the randomness of goaltending that I could recite the dogma in my sleep: There are only a few goalies in the NHL worth betting on, and therefore it doesn’t make any sense to spend a ton of assets or money on goalies.

I may be, at least generally, a fan of the way the Leafs do things, but I was prepared to write a Fire the GM article if they committed more than two years to Jack Campbell.

And as much criticism as the Murray and Samsonov pivot is getting, I will say that there isn’t likely anyone on earth better positioned to gamble (or not, as the case proved to be) on Jack Campbell. If Kyle Dubas won’t commit to his guy, that would likely be a red flag to anyone but Ricky from the Trailer Park Boys and Ken Holland.

As to the other guys they signed (Gaudette, Aube-Kubel, Malgin) they will get the chance to compete with about two-dozen other cheap players for spots in the lineup.

Ilya Mikheyev, Jack Campbell and Ilya Lyubushkin all signed such great contracts for themselves, but really bad ones for their new teams.  The Leafs are amazing at taking cheap players and turning them into overpaid mid-range players they no longer have need for.    Everyone laughs at the way they do things, but how bad can they be when everyone keeps paying double for their trash?

The important thing, though, is what comes next.

Toronto Maple Leafs Need Some Fireworks

The Leafs cannot enter the season with their current blue-line, which doesn’t have room to give enough minutes to Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, who are both poised to be the Leafs best and second best defenseman next year.

They could use an upgrade/ change at the top.

I don’t care if it’s a forward or a defenseman, this lineup has too many mid-range players who don’t do anything special (Holl, Muzzin, Kerfoot) and can be swapped out for two rookies and a star.

The Toronto Maple Leafs can clear almost $11 million if they want to in an instant.  If they also want to get crazy, Brodie, 32, makes another $5.  They might not want to use them, but this team has options and major cap flexibility.  (That runs counter to the narrative, but at this point, if you can count without using your fingers, you should be able to see what that narrative is worth).

John Klingberg? A Trade for Matt Tkachuk?  A Trade for Colton Parayko? Bringing back Kadri? I doubt any of that happens, but my point is that something has to.  Something big. Something exciting.  Something creative.  It doesn’t even have to be a good move at this point, just do something to stop the bickering! Give me a HUGE move that is so exciting we can all gather around and imagine Ilya Samsonov winning the Vezina.

My current review of the offseason is: I like the Gio and Liljegren signings, I love that they let Campbell and Mikheyev walk, and I trust them enough to be confident with their goalie evaluations.  But I’m waiting for the other loafer to hit the boat deck.