The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a great start in the NHL's 2024-25 season.
Not only are the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1, but they are getting solid contributions from virtually every member of the team and the new coach seems to be working out wonderfully.
A good start is what everyone wanted, but this has been a team that has been among the best regular season teams in hockey for over five years - their last coach, who has only coached the Leafs, has the highest all-time winning percentage in NHL History.
So the question is not "how did the Leafs start" but rather "will the Playoffs be any different?"
And the answer to that question can't be made by the current roster. The answer depends on whether or not the Leafs make a push for that one missing piece they so desperately need.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Need to Add that 1 Missing Piece
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a good team, and maybe even a great team if they get the necessary goaltending.
But if they want to be a no-doubt Stanley Cup Favorite, they need to add one final piece to their roster. Last year, Treliving virtually sat out the Trade Deadline, while teams around him added major pieces, he was content to let his team stick with the goalie they had recently put on waivers and the only re-enforcements he provided were useless defensive defenseman who did not help, and actually hurt the team.
Brad Treliving's performance at last year's trade deadline was an absolutely putrid failure, and it was the main reason the Leafs did not advance.
This year, whether he does it now or at the deadline, he must improve the team. Specifically, this version of the Toronto Maple Leafs is one player short of having the best roster in the NHL.
It's not like you can just waive a wand and get a top-of-the-lineup defenseman, but Treliving has six months to get it done.
The Leafs need a Noah Dobson or rough-equivalent added to their roster. Dobson is a pending RFA due a huge contract, and the Islanders are team going nowhere. Should they be out of the running for a playoff spot, Dobson becoming available is within the realm of possibility.
But if not him, someone who can step in and put Morgan Rielly to the second pairing. You think the Leafs are good now? What if their 3rd pairing was McCabe/OEL instead of their second pairing?
With an elite defenseman, the Leafs are the best team in the league by a mile. It's time for Big Brad to step up and earn his salary and position. Get me a #1 defenseman and I'll never never say the words "Al Bundy" ever again.