Leafs fan coming in peace (Smashville has been my bandwagon go to the past several years)....
Goaltending is arguably our biggest organizational strength (Bernier is a solid starting goalie, Reimer is a serviceable starter albeit needs a change of scenery, Bibeau is quickly becoming a legitimately exciting prospect to replace Reimer.
Forwards isn't a flaring weakness..... centermen are (a case could be made for Kadri and Holland be converted into wingers, Nylander too) but we are looking pretty decent on the wings.
Defence is our major Achilles heel, some decent #4-5 guys in the pipeline but Reilly is the only guy with legitimate top pairing potential (Gardiner I don't see ever turning the corner into becoming that guy). I'm sure Jones is the make our break target if Kessel is being discussed. Would make for a potentially great deal for both teams IF Nashville go's all in for a cup run this season and the next 2 (imo they should go for it with Weber and Rinne in their prime's and the team firing on all cylinders, Kessel is also locked up to a reasonable contract and will balance the team out.If the deal is made bigger Franson could be a current replacement for Jones. Jones is a stud but gotta give to get and elite goalscorer (who would thrive in a team like Nashville where the biggest spotlight won't be solely on him) IMO a late 1st/Smith/Watson, stuff like that wouldn't cut it. Jones looks capable of taking the torch from Weber when he begins to decline, but trading him now for a guy like Kessel very well could be the final piece to land a Stanley cup in the near future instead.
This heavy smoke COULD just be Santa/Winnik/Franson but I really hope its a blockbuster for both teams.... just feels like the right time and place for these 2 teams to make franchise defining moves....I can't see the leafs pro scout so hard right now if it was just for those secondary pieces (who should be individually dealt for draft picks).
Maybe I should have said in the pipeline you have no goalie depth, my bad.
I hope if Poile is going for it he GOES FOR IT. Hopefully we go for a big fish Does not matter if it is Kessel or not but I want a top line RW or second line one to move Neal back up.