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It has been a week since Marcus Johansson’s overtime goal ended the Toronto Maple Leafs season. Since then, the club has cleaned out their lockers and management has shifted their eyes to scouting the upcoming World Championships, preparing for the expansion and entry drafts, as well as plotting strategy for trade and free agency season.
While it is easy to get lost in the excitement of last season and the promise of rookies Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Connor Brown, GM Lou Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock both recognize that the Leafs will not catch anyone by surprise next season and will have to get better over the summer to get back to the playoffs.
How they do that is what many fans will debate for the next few months, so it is time to take some questions from the world of Twitter to see what is on the minds of Leafs Nation.
A – It is unknown whether the Leafs or more specifically Assistant GM Mark Hunter will stray from a ‘best player available’ strategy at the NHL Draft in Chicago or if they will focus on addressing an area of need, but if they decide to zero in on a particular position, it would likely be on the blueline over center.
The Marlies could be thin up the middle next season, with 2016 pick Adam Brooks and possibly NCAA grad Dominic Toninato coming into the fold, but having Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak, the option of moving William Nylander to the middle and Frederik Gauthier likely succeeding Brian Boyle on the fourth line buys the Leafs some time.
Toronto has young blueliners Travis Dermott and Andrew Nielsen with the Marlies and Jesper Lindgren possibly coming to North America next September, but the club recognizes the need to add to their prospect pool on defense.
The Leafs appear to be dipping into the European free agent pool for the second summer in a row with the rumored signing of Swedish blueliner Calle Rosen. Unless there is a run on defensemen in Chicago, they are likely to go in that direction with their first pick, but expect Hunter to pick a couple centers.
A – The fringe benefit of Toronto stockpiling prospects and draft picks is that it now enables them to package two or three assets for one key player.
It is very possible that will be Lamoriello’s method to get a top-four defensemen, but the Leafs GM said on Tuesday that he will not overpay in the trade market and will wait for the right opportunity if it does not present itself this summer.
A – My prime target would be Anaheim, who cannot protect Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler unless they buyout the final year of Kevin Bieksa’s deal. Even if GM Bob Murray does that, defenseman Josh Manson would still be vulnerable and that might make Manson a trade chip before the expansion draft on June 21.
A close second is Minnesota, who could protect youngsters Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin over the more expensive Jared Spurgeon and Marco Scandella, but a trade does not help them too much, as they will still lose a quality forward or defenseman to Vegas.
A – Good idea in theory, but the prices on the defensive trade market are so inflated right now that it will be tough to find a top-four D for prospects and/or picks. Dermott will get a long look at training camp to see if he can make the jump, but the Leafs might try to address their blueline problem with a short-term free agent.
A – Dermott has the slight edge over Nielsen, as he is a better skater and makes good decisions. Nielsen has the size advantage and a booming shot that could be of use on the power play, but may need another year with the Marlies.
My opinion is that both will be NHLers.
A – The Leafs do not need to add an offensive-minded blueliner like Kevin Shattenkirk and a more two-way defenseman like Alzner would make more sense, but USA Today’s Kevin Allen said on a recent HockeyBuzzcast that Alzner will be looking for as much as $5.5 Million per season on a long-term deal, which is more than Morgan Rielly makes.
If Toronto could get Alzner to accept in the $4.5 - $5 Million range, it would be a prudent move, but if the market drives up the price, the Leafs will look for more economical options.
A – One can dare to dream, but unless the Leafs are prepared to trade Nylander or Marner, it’s not happening. There is a better chance of Doughty coming via free agency in 2019.
A – Boyle is likely not back, which was the reason why dealing a second round pick for a rental at this stage of the Leafs development was questionable. Toronto may not want to risk exposing Martin, who is popular and a team leader, which makes me lean towards a pre-expansion draft trade of someone like Josh Leivo to Vegas to get them to pick Eric Fehr.
Kapanen could be in the top nine, he could also be the price the Leafs have to pay to get a top four defenseman in a trade.
A – Give up the dream. It makes no sense anymore. Tavares will be getting Toews/Kane money as a UFA next summer if he gets to free agency, and the Leafs are likely going to have to pay close to that to Matthews when his entry-level deal expires.
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