With all the free-agents the Toronto Maple Leafs have, new GM Brad Treliving has the opportunity to re-makes the team’s depth.
During the regular season and in the 2023 NHL playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not get enough secondary scoring, arguably because their bottom-six was filled with defensive players like Aston-Reese, Kampf and Lafferty who have no real offense to their games.
The Leafs need to add some players who are consistent 15-20 goal scorers, and some players with upside to augment their best players.
We know what to expect from the top six for point production. Toronto needs guys in the bottom six who can step up on a night when the top six aren’t getting the job done.
By reshaping the Maple Leafs bottom six, Treliving can put his stamp on this team and give it the identity that he wants.
A mix of secondary scoring and physicality is a good place to start. As much as the Leafs need secondary scoring, they can’t allow themselves to get pushed around.
I think former GM Kyle Dubas addressed the physicality issue at the trade deadline but he go too far in the other direction? There is no question the Leafs were built for a playoff run this year, but they were not able to score enough goals to advance.
The beginning of NHL free agency on July 1st is only two weeks away. It will be interesting to see which direction Treliving decides to go with this team.
The first couple of signings will give fans an idea of what Treliving has planned for this team. Here are some players I would like to see Treliving add to change Toronto’s identity.