Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs 2020-21 season in spite of winning the North Division and individual honors such as Auston Matthews winning the Rocket Richard Trophy and being nominated for the Lady Byng and Hart Trophies has to be considered a dismal failure, as the club suffered their fifth straight opening-round defeat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs under the administration of Team President Brendan Shanahan.
Right wing is a position that is arguably as strong and deep than any on the Leafs roster, but whether that continues will depend on the outcome of trades and free agency this offseason. Toronto had the benefit of players who could play either side, so when injuries to Nick Robertson and Joe Thornton occurred or the club lost Jimmy Vesey on waivers to Vancouver, head coach Sheldon Keefe shifted William Nylander, Ilya Mikheyev, Zach Hyman, and Wayne Simmonds to the port side.
In a perfect world, the Leafs would have Mitch Marner on the top line with Auston Matthews (where he finished in the top five of NHL scoring with 67 points) and Nylander alongside John Tavares, but if Hyman, Foligno and Alex Galchenyuk depart via free agency, it might be necessary to shift Nylander or Mikheyev permanently to left wing and thus weaken the right side.
Although appreciated and valued for his hustle and defensive abilities, the left shooting Mikheyev has proven in two seasons that he does not have the finish to play ably in the top six, which would leave the Leafs with a rather large hole on the right side if Nylander has to shift to the left or Mikheyev has to play higher in the lineup on the left side.
A great deal depends on what GM Kyle Dubas is able to do in terms of attracting free agents at a low price as he did last offseason, but the Leafs seem to be covered with depth pieces on the right side with Simmonds and Jason Spezza returning. Another option could be 23-year-old Joey Anderson, who Toronto acquired from New Jersey in exchange for Andreas Johnsson and scored seven goals in 20 games for the AHL Toronto Marlies.
*******
Lot’s of â¤ï¸ for the 💙ðŸ¤
— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) April 26, 2021
Convo on Podcast.#theleafsconvo https://t.co/Xdn3CDLVCI
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******