How the Toronto Maple Leafs Could Regain Their Top-Team Status

The Toronto Maple Leafs record is way better than what it should be, if we are to assume a team's record should be reflective of their play.

Other than Auston Matthews and William Nylander having Hart Trophy level seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't really played well.

Their GM has been horrendous. Their coach isn't very good. Their goalies have, for the most part, been bad. The blue-line has been a joke all year.

Somehow the team is still winning most of their games, but it doesn't take a genius to see that teams that rely so heavily on winning one-goal games will eventually regress to where their play says they should be. Same goes for teams who don't win very many regulation games, who have an obscene record in games where they blow a two goal lead, or go down by two goals.

But with a little proactive managing, the Toronto Maple Leafs could regain their status as a top team. They have a great core, so it really shouldn't be so hard to build a great team around it.

How the Toronto Maple Leafs Could Regain Their Top-Team Status

1. Bring up Dennis Hildeby.

The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect goaltender is having a great season in the AHL.

With the exception of Joseph Woll, you can't say the same thing about any other Leafs goalie in the organization.

Eventually, Woll will return and resume his job as the team's starting goalie. Neither Ilya Samsonov or Martin Jones is an NHL goalie right now, or likely to become one again in the future. The Leafs should be starting Dennis Hildeby until Woll is ready, then go with the pair of rookies for the rest of the year.

The risk/reward here is really in their favor. Goalies are basically random, but when they are hot, they tend to stay hot. These guys will be fine for at least the rest of the year, and they'll save Ilya Samsonov's $3.5 million on the cap.