The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be on the verge of solving several of their main roster problems.
I have been critical or the Toronto Maple Leafs GM, Brad Treliving, for sitting on his hands as the Leafs keep running out David Kampf and Pontus Holmberg in the top-six, which is pathetic.
Making due with your 4th line guys up top for a game or two is fine, but the Leafs have been clearly desperate for centres all season long, and you'd expect them to bring in a guy, even as a stop-gap measure.
However, recent developments seem to be suggesting that the GM was right to be patient, as the Leafs appear to have internal answers for several of their problems.
Could Treliving's Patience Be Rewarded? Maple Leafs on Verge of Solving Problems
Problem #1 Depth Scoring - Solved
The Leafs bottom six doesn't score, their blue-line doesn't score, and they have dressed Pontus Holmberg and David Kampf at 2C or 3C way too many times to count.
However, the emergance of Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson and Matthew Knies (as well as the comeback of Max Pacioretty) takes care of the depth scoring issue. Since December 1st, both McMann and Robertson are scoring at a first-line rate. as they flirt with a ridiculous 4 points per 60 minutes of ice time.
Problem #2 Centre-Ice - Pending, but Easily Solved
This hasn't been addressed, but could easily be solved internally if the Leafs would simply skate Marner, Matthews and Nylander on different lines.
There is no need to spend assets on getting a centre when putting one franchise player on each line would make the Leafs so much harder to play against. By pairing Matthews with Domi, Marner with Tavares and Nylander with McMann, the Leafs could have three dynamic duos and mix and match Robertson, Knies and Pacioretty as the coach sees fit.
Just a note on the recent success of the third line with Domi at centre: because this lines needs constant offensive zone faceofs to be successful, it hurts the team because those draws are better used by having Matthews, Marner and Nylander take them. You also have to overplay your fourth line or overuse Matthews defensively if you continue with Domi at 3C, which is not ideal long-term.
Problem #3 Mediocre Blue-LIne - Potentially Fixed
The Leafs blue-line lacks a star #1 player, but otherwise is pretty decent. It's middle-of-the-pack, but by getting 3 solid lines who all win their minutes, the Leafs can overcome the star-problem.
They seem to be on the verge of doing so, as Phillipe Myers has posted great numbers with Morgan Rielly, stabalizing the Leafs top-four.
If the coach can just get Simon Benoit out of the lineup, move OEL to his left side and dress Connor Timmins with him, the Leafs would have three solid pairings, as well as a good mixture of size, skill, toughness and puck-moving ability.
If the Leafs can internally fix all these problems, then they can avoid having to plug multiple holes at the trade deadline and instead just focus on making one big trade for the best player available, regardless of position.