I think they'll get a bit bigger over the next two weeks as the math of making the playoffs takes over.

Right now you've got Detroit, Buffalo, NJ, Ana, SJ, and Ottawa.

Realistically though Calgary, Vancouver, NYR, and LA are extreme long shots.

In 2 weeks you can probably add another team or two.

Not sure what he/we like from that group. Hall, Palmeiri, Iafallo ???
- The Law

I agree, in the next couple of weeks there will be more clarity.

Right now I'd like Miles Wood from NJ if they are willing to trade him, and Hall if the acquisition cost was reasonable. I wouldnt be trading a first for Hall

I think Ekholm would be a very smart move, not sure Nashville will be selling. At least not yet
- Archaic

Disagree with Ekholm. He’s a guy used to playing 22-23 mins a night — how do you make that work with Rielly and Muzzin on the left side?

A banging 3rd pairing guy like Oleksiak would be a much better fit, IMHO.

Disagree with Ekholm. He’s a guy used to playing 22-23 mins a night — how do you make that work with Rielly and Muzzin on the left side?

A banging 3rd pairing guy like Oleksiak would be a much better fit, IMHO.
- mjones242

He has played the right side quite a bit from what I've heard. So he would play with Muzzin, and Holl would move down.

I could see the concern though.

One problem is they have 5 true top 6 guys: AM, MM, JT, Willie and Hyman. I think he sees rotating Hyman into Joe’s spot as needed but that may become untenable. Someone wrote Dubas’ preference is probably a top 6 guy who adds defensive strength (Granlund) but another option is just to go straight offense without really hurting yourself defensively (Hall).

Again, it’s getting tougher to find someone to trade with.
- Canada Cup

I think, and obviously don't know either, but I think they would ideally be seeking a LW to play on the top line. I still think that Keefe would ideally like to keep Hyman on the 3rd line because it acts as an energy line and controls play very well when you have that Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman trio there. The 4th line with Spezza Simmonds and Thornton would be slow, but is likely the fate of those guys except when they want to mix and match.

I have liked, in a very small sample, Galchenyuk's play, but can you rely on it? What if he regresses to his normal play from the past several years, or the play that got him dumped out of Montreal? If they make a trade, someone is the odd man out.

As it stands presently, the top-6 is some variation of:

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Nylander

And the bottom 6 is some variation of:

Kerfoot - Engvall - Mikheyev
Thornton - Spezza - Simmonds

Noting, as we all know, that Simmonds/Thornton/Hyman/Galchenyuk have moved around here and there, but the above is probably more ideal to what we have presently.

If we got a top-6 winger, who is out? For me, I'm not a huge fan of Thornton's game - but I don't think the Leafs can or will sit him. It's either Galchenyuk is out, or Kerfoot is involved in the trade.

Granlund, I'll admit, could move up and down the top-9 pretty well.

Right now, Kyle’s trading partners are drying up as they get back in the playoff race or look to re-sign guys.
- Canada Cup

SJ 🦈

He has played the right side quite a bit from what I've heard. So he would play with Muzzin, and Holl would move down.

I could see the concern though.
- Archaic

I don’t think he’s played much on the right side but I suppose I could be wrong. And if I am, great — bring him on!

If we’re going to bring in someone for the right side though I think trading Holl would make sense. Keep Bogo on 3rd pair.

Right now, Kyle’s trading partners are drying up as they get back in the playoff race or look to re-sign guys.
- Canada Cup

And Kyle's cap space increases daily... Buffalo is 31st and will stay that way. Get Hall and Ulmark.

I agree, in the next couple of weeks there will be more clarity.

Right now I'd like Miles Wood from NJ if they are willing to trade him, and Hall if the acquisition cost was reasonable. I wouldnt be trading a first for Hall
- Archaic

Players with term, like Woods and Rackell, are going to cost a premium this time of year. He'd be a nice addition but I think it'll be a rental given the Leafs cap situation and the expansion draft.

The prices could be whacky too... Isles, Boston, Avs, Blues, Leafs, etc.. all looking for top6 help.

Im starting to think a defenseman should be the priority. A guy like Ekholm stepping into our pairings and forcing Dermott to 7th D would be massive.

Also starting to feel like we don't need an impact forward as much as some think. You can only add so much horsepower before the focus should be on airbags. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

I agree with getting a solid dman being the TDL priority. Ekholm would be a good add IMO. If Freddy out for the season, a better backup is required. As far as forwards go, look through that lineup, add Roberson who is likely in the mix, who are the extra parts? Not many, Gally looks solid so far, maybe Kerfoot or Engvall but there really is not much filler there.

Ullmarks is pretty awful... Dubnyk or someone else please
- BorjeFan4Ever

Ullmark has put up damn good numbers on a historically terrible BUF team. He's orders of magnitude better than Hutch and has looked better than Dubnyk this season.

1000% agree, they are way too cute sometimes and In playoffs greasy goals make so much of a difference.
- Cush29

Yup. Which is why I keep harping on bringing in grit and making this team "tougher" (read: not goonish, but 100% pressure every shift types) to play against.

Unless you're bringing in an elite guy like Taylor Hall, this team needs more Hyman-esque players: smart, truculent, and maximum effort given.

Ullmark has put up damn good numbers on a historically terrible BUF team. He's orders of magnitude better than Hutch and has looked better than Dubnyk this season.
- mjones242

.919 save % is incredible to have on the Buffalo Sabres. That's the best Freddy Andersen has every posted on very solid Anaheim/Toronto teams.

I sense with Ullmark, everyone assumes he's terrible because of the disaster of a team he's on. It's damn impressive what he's doing. In fact, while it's his best season ever, his save % on only terrible teams is always pretty good every single season.

In fact it makes me laugh many still think Quick is great (2 cups!!!) and Ullmark is terrible. People really don't look very hard into how players are in 2021.

Clutchlander

.919 save % is incredible to have on the Buffalo Sabres. That's the best Freddy Andersen has every posted on very solid Anaheim/Toronto teams.

I sense with Ullmark, everyone assumes he's terrible because of the disaster of a team he's on. It's damn impressive what he's doing. In fact, while it's his best season ever, his save % on only terrible teams is always pretty good every single season.

In fact it makes me laugh many still think Quick is great (2 cups!!!) and Ullmark is terrible. People really don't look very hard into how players are in 2021.
- RogerRoeper

+1

The stink of Buffalo clouds people's judgement for sure.

Robin Lehner is a great example of a goalie who, once set free from the BUF tire fire, has been a top flight goalie.

I think Ullmark and Campbell as a tandem could work if Freddie is Robidas'd.

And Kyle's cap space increases daily... Buffalo is 31st and will stay that way. Get Hall and Ulmark.
- RogerRoeper

Im not sure why this is so hard for some to understand.
- Fakepartofme

Well, fakesies,

You are the one who can't resist making the comparisons. Two games in a row now you have had to make some crack about how our reaction would have been so much different had it been Andersen making the mistake.

Yeah, it would have. It is not tough to figure out why.

Like I keep saying, I am not convinced Campbell is a savior, but he has more than a year of poopty play before he reaches Ander5en territory.

Yup. Which is why I keep harping on bringing in grit and making this team "tougher" (read: not goonish, but 100% pressure every shift types) to play against.

Unless you're bringing in an elite guy like Taylor Hall, this team needs more Hyman-esque players: smart, truculent, and maximum effort given.
- mjones242

If Columbus hits the skids, wonder if we we can grab Nik Foligno....

I think Ekholm would be a very smart move, not sure Nashville will be selling. At least not yet
- Archaic

Someone in his range that plays the left will do just fine. 👍

With Nashville 2pts out, i dont see Ek being available.
- Fakepartofme

Nashville and their GM know that they are in a tough position. Without playoffs Nashville is in Arizona territory as a franchise and they should absolutely be in full rebuild mode now. There are four teams that could be fighting for the last playoff spot in the Central. Dallas, Hawks, CBJ and Preds. You could be right and Preds could make a push for the playoffs when there is no gate money to be had, or they could face the music now.

Well, fakesies,

You are the one who can't resist making the comparisons. Two games in a row now you have had to make some crack about how our reaction would have been so much different had it been Andersen making the mistake.

Yeah, it would have. It is not tough to figure out why.

Like I keep saying, I am not convinced Campbell is a savior, but he has more than a year of poopty play before he reaches Ander5en territory.
- Aetherial

This is the first batch of posters on here to drop words like hypocrisy as well. But when you say something like this... Bullpoop is the response. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Nashville and their GM know that they are in a tough position. Without playoffs Nashville is in Arizona territory as a franchise and they should absolutely be in full rebuild mode now. There are four teams that could be fighting for the last playoff spot in the Central. Dallas, Hawks, CBJ and Preds. You could be right and Preds could make a push for the playoffs when there is no gate money to be had, or they could face the music now.
- winsix

We'll see how the fanbase holds up, but I'm pretty damn impressed about how much hockey is talked about in Nashville. And that arena location puts them in a sweet spot compared to a lot of other teams.

Nashville and their GM know that they are in a tough position. Without playoffs Nashville is in Arizona territory as a franchise and they should absolutely be in full rebuild mode now. There are four teams that could be fighting for the last playoff spot in the Central. Dallas, Hawks, CBJ and Preds. You could be right and Preds could make a push for the playoffs when there is no gate money to be had, or they could face the music now.
- winsix

We'll see how the fanbase holds up, but I'm pretty damn impressed about how much hockey is talked about in Nashville. And that arena location puts them in a sweet spot compared to a lot of other teams.

Galchenyuk had a great game last night.

Hopefully the leafs approach with him will help him get back to early potential.

Great comeback win by the boys last night, which they deserved. Loved seeing the heart and grit to keep at it when they weren't getting results and to eventually get the win instead of getting demoralized. It's great that they've staked out some space in Edmonton's head now.

Jake Muzzin on Alex Galchenyuk:

“He’s the hardest working guy on the team right now.”