With Toronto currently at 13-8-1 and embarking on a key juncture in their schedule that will have them play five games in the next eight days, it is a good time to answer some questions and concerns about the club from the members of Leafs Nation.
Q – Zazzle asks: In your opinion, who has been the best Leaf so far?
A - In spite of a rough night against Nashville, Jonathan Bernier would have to be a candidate with a 2.19 GAA and eight wins. As would James Reimer, who is second behind only Boston’s Tuukka Rask with a .942 save percentage. My choice however would be James van Riemsdyk, who is second on the club with nine goals and third in team scoring in spite of going scoreless for four games when he was moved to center. Van Riemsdyk gives the Leafs a presence down low, especially on the power play and is a perfect complement to Phil Kessel.
Q – Garnie asks: Do you think Jake Gardiner will get traded this year and what will he get traded for; a forward or a defenseman?
A – There is no doubt that Gardiner has all the tools to be a premier NHL offensive defenseman, but the other parts of his game have not developed and I believe that the Leafs will move him either before the trade deadline or more likely over the summer.
Toronto has to re-sign Cody Franson and Dion Phaneuf, and the performance thus far of rookie Morgan Rielly gives them the luxury of having a bevy of offensive minded blueliners. Rielly showing his readiness at such a young age combined with Gardiner’s entry level deal expiring and expecting a long term extension adds up to GM Dave Nonis being open to a deal if a team is willing to offer a forward(preferably a center) of similar age. A trade such as the rumored Brayden Schenn deal with Philadelphia is likely what the Leafs would be looking to make for the slick skating defenseman.
Q- lumlums asks: What do you see as being the biggest need for the Leafs at this point in time and where do you project the Leafs will finish in the Atlantic/East based on play thus far?
A- The biggest need for the Leafs continues to be a first line quality center, but that is likely unattainable until the off-season due to cap restrictions. The need that Nonis can address in season is a stay-at-home defenseman capable of playing in Toronto’s top two defensive pairings. The combos of Franson and Gardiner or Franson and Paul Ranger have been defensive nightmares to this point and you cannot expect Rielly to log top four minutes at this point in his young career. The Leafs should be able to find a rent-a-player solution closer to the trade deadline, as teams out of contention look to move pending free agents defensemen for a prospect or draft pick.
Q – LeafMan asks: Do you think Peter Holland stays up until Dave Bolland comes back or because he is eligible to be sent down without waivers, do the Leafs go that route? What have you thought about his play thus far?
A- In a short three game window, Holland has played well and looks fully capable of being an effective NHL second or third line center, but his ability to be sent down to the AHL without being exposed to waivers, as well as the conditional draft pick in the deal to acquire him (from a 3rd to a 2nd if he plays more than 25 games) have to be considered factors.
Toronto’s roster is at 23 players with the demotion of Carter Ashton to the Marlies making room for the likely return of Bozak on Saturday, which means there is not a rush to make a decision on Holland, Jerred Smithson or Trevor Smith. Head coach Randy Carlyle likes versatile players like Jay McClement and Smithson, who can play both center and wing, as well as being effective in the faceoff circle. Smith has been unexpectedly effective offensively, with six points in 13 games and if the Leafs tried to get him through waivers, he might get claimed. My expectation is status quo for now and that Smith, Smithson, Holland and Fraser Mclaren will be rotated in and out of the lineup for awhile.
Q- peddy-93 asks: Morgan Rielly has been very impressive this year, had another great game last night with 2 assists. Do you think scratching him to manage his games so he doesn't go over the 40 game limit is the right idea? Or should they stop ignoring the fact that he's been better than a lot of our defencemen and just play him?
A- I think that at this point, spotting Rielly and shuffling him in and out of the lineup is a good tactic, not only because of the 40 game contract factor, but also because it prevents a 19-year-old from being overwhelmed. In spite of all the evidence that Rielly has a good handle on the NHL so far, being careful with a prized prospect and avoiding tough opponents like Boston makes sense.
I will not be surprised if the Leafs loan Rielly to Hockey Canada in December for the World Juniors in Sweden and perhaps even send him back to Moose Jaw during the Olympic break, as their season would end in mid-March and he would be free to rejoin the Leafs or play for the Toronto Marlies. If Rielly continues to play noticeably better than more seasoned veterans like Ranger or Gardiner, it may be tempting for Carlyle to play the rookie as he did Cam Fowler in Anaheim.
Only time will tell.
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