Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday Thoughts on Recent and Future Trades

The Toronto Maple Leafs first game with Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari went off without a hitch.

Despite a small lull late in the first/early second, the Toronto Maple Leafs were untouchable against a short-handed Montreal team and won with ease.

Though the Leafs were often sloppy, and though the Canadiens had the puck more than you would have liked, the Leafs didn’t let them get any quality chances, more than doubling their dangerous scoring chances 18-9.

The Leafs had a great first shift with O’Reilly, Tavares and Marner, but after that, it was really the bottom six that won this game.

Acciari was more noticeable than O’Reilly, and he, Kerfoot,  and ZAR formed an excellent fourth line Montreal had no answer for.  The Kampf/Engvall/Jarnkrok line was great too.

It’s not like the top six was bad, but they didn’t dominate a weak team like they should have.  The second PP unit was even better last night. (stats naturalstattrick.com).

Other Thoughts on the Toronto Maple Leafs

• The Ryan O’Reilly trade was really incredible.  I thought the Leafs should have targeted Timo Meier, and as their Big Piece I do not think O’Reilly is good enough, however, that said, getting Acciari as well, and getting 75% of ROR’s salary paid is not something I ever would have imagined.
• The Price is dirt cheap.  I’ve heard people say the opposite but that is absurd.  One of the picks is canceled out by the prospect the Wild sent, the other was picked up for free in exchange for accepting Matt Murray.  So a late first and a 2nd was all it really cost, and those picks are way more valuable as trade currency than if you use them anyways.
• Murray’s cap hit, along with Kerfoot and Holl’s give the Leafs nearly ten million if they feel like doing something more.
• Their best assets – 2024 unprotected first, Matthews Knies – are still available for use.
• “Deeper than Love” by Colleen Green is the best song of the week.
• Given the trade that just happened, it’s pretty embarrassing for MLSE that they made the NHL’s best GM into a lame duck.  If he isn’t so upset that he goes to a different team, they should count themselves lucky for not having to pay for their blatant mismanagement.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will once again take on the Chicago Blackhawks this afternoon, Erik Kallgren appears to be the starter, and the only question is how many goals will the Leafs win by?