Would you be disappointed if we don't pick a up a Dmen before the trade deadline?

[ToneDog]

I would have to go with no...if we are being honest this is not the Leafs team built to go on a deep playoff run...why mortgage our future if we can put the D corp back together in the off season when a decent amount of money comes off the books...let Lilly and Sandin get their trial reps in this year, let them see significant playoff time (they were BEASTS in the AHL playoffs) and aim for next year to be a serious contender with a remade blueline...we are no longer a place NHL'ers don't want to play so we should use that to our advantage in the off season

If I had to bet, odds are we do not make a deep run. Having said that, Dubas is looking for a long term RHD that can play with Rielly. That is a hockey trade so he is not looking to mortgage the future although he might have to overpay some. Failing to acquire that dman, he might give up some futures for a rental but I would not expect him to "mortgage the future" for said rental.

 

[SprDaVE]

That depends entirely on what is actually available versus cost to acquire them.

 

[ToneDog]

As we are right now - yes. Rielly back, Soup back, and adding a d-man, even a rental.... I think we can match up against anyone

The question is, does this team have the balls to close out a playoff series. They did not last year.

 

[ShaneFalco]

The question is, does this team have the balls to close out a playoff series. They did not last year.

They also had a coach who was an embarrassment

 

[Buds17]

Not entirely sure. Although they absolutely do happen at times (and even with the Leafs), I don't know that traditional hockey trades with no clearly defined buyer and seller teams are all that commonplace around this time of the season (*depending upon which forward would be dangled here in order to acquire blueline depth).

Conversely, I wouldn't want the team to be an injury away from being in between a rock and a hard place on the blueline either though. Hoping that doesn't end up being the case.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Not entirely sure. Although they absolutely do happen at times (and even with the Leafs), I don't know that traditional hockey trades with no clearly defined buyer and seller teams are all that commonplace around this time of the season (*depending upon which forward would be dangled here in order to acquire blueline depth).

Conversely, I wouldn't want the team to be an injury away from being in between a rock and a hard place on the blueline either though. Hoping that doesn't end up being the case.

That's exactly why I think they have to do something. May not be earth-shattering.....

 

[ULF_55]

Tacos

I'd be okay with Lindholm and Ritchie for Kerfoot, Johnsson, Dermott and throw in Bracco.

 

[Walshy7]

id love an upgrade on D, a clear one. But i cant see that at the deadline so no is my answer. WE only have
2nd
2x 4th
3x 6th
3x 7th

im not giving up that 2nd for anything unless a clear upgrade on top4 (obviously a package) no hunwick level players. Look who we got last draft with out 2nd, nick robertson is tearing it up we cant afford our first pick to be a 4th

 

[sxvnert]

Not picking up a D is the equivalent of saying "We don't give a **** about competing in the playoffs".

 

[Buds17]

That's exactly why I think they have to do something. May not be earth-shattering.....

It's probably fair to say Dubas isn't big on acquiring rentals (without a longer term asset also in the trade). While I don't necessarily disagree with that, I'm somewhat thinking ahead to the potential for playoffs. I'm also thinking back to last season's version when Gardiner and Dermott likely weren't as healthy as we would have hoped for the Boston series. As always, it depends on the options that are realistically out there though.

 

[BlueForever75]

Definitely be disappointed.

They have the "KANE" loophole to play for their advantage. They understand what this team lacks and have the ability with the assets they have to acquire some re-enforcements for the playoffs.

Depending on the dman they acquire, I would like to see two deals. One long term dman (RHD, Manson type), second deal to secure a #4-#6 D type with Barrie being shipped out for assets.

Is Barrie worth more then someone like a Savard in Columbus? I would say he is. Especially if he resigns in Columbus. Is a trade of those two possible with a little more going to Columbus and more coming to Toronto in a deal. D for D, W for W. With winger coming back to Toronto better then Winger going to Columbus? Since Barrie is better then Savard!!!

That's what I would prefer. 2 Deals.

 

[CelticDruid]

Although talented our third pairing as it stands right now would get crushed in the playoffs.

Need to mix up the D as we have too much meow-meow and not enough snarl-snarl.

 

[Bluelines]

Nope, this teams a lot more than a top 4 dman to make us a legit contender. One guy is not the difference between a series win and a loss, this teams "needs" are a lot deeper than one defenceman.

We need multiple defensive specialists (forwards and defencemen) that can help our PK, we need at least 2 more quality dmen. We need a 3rd line that scores and defends much better.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I think Liljegren is a huge upgrade over both Ceci and Holl. Tomorrow Morgs gets a status report on his injury and if its late March early April estimate for return we are a team with cap space. Why would a sane team not take advantage of the fortunate return date being right at the season end time.

Player safety on postponing his return to first playoff game is a no brainer. We wouldn’t even have to move Ceci if that is the course the injury follows.

We can actually take salary and term or rentals. Rielly coming back for a couple games at seasons end would be a bad management decision that i believe they will not do.

Done deal Morgs won’t be back until playoffs.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd be disappointed, but not mad. Clearly we should be making a move, but that doesn't mean that the right move is there to be made. It takes two willing partners to make a trade, and someone willing to trade, that which we need. A defensive RHD, with some size, and term left on their contract, is a pretty rare commodity, and teams don't often give them up. It might not be possible to make a deal, but I sure hope it does happen.

 

[Randy Randerson]

I think it depends on what's out there, I don't want them making a move for the sake of it and squandering the value of an asset. If you can get a Larsson/Dumba type of player for a package that starts with Kapanen/Johnsson then sure, but I'd be more disappointed if we overpay for a Connor Murphy type that won't be the answer for us. The back end is looking pretty deep and we haven't yet seen it with a healthy Rielly, what we really need is a guy that can handle top pairing duties

 

[HeroNtF]

I voted yes. But only if it's for a defenseman for now and the future. No, if it's a rental, would be happier with more ice time / responsibilities for Sandin and liligren

 

[Tairy Greene]

Nope, this teams a lot more than a top 4 dman to make us a legit contender. One guy is not the difference between a series win and a loss, this teams "needs" are a lot deeper than one
We need multiple defensive specialists (forwards and defencemen) that can help our PK, we need at least 2 more quality dmen. We need a 3rd line that scores and defends much better.

If we had everything you listed we would almost be a perfect team. It's not likely we could ever aquire that with a salary cap. Adding one good defensive specialist could make us a contender imo, provided we are healthy and get good goaltending.

 

[ottomaddox]

As we are right now - yes. Rielly back, Soup back, and adding a d-man, even a rental.... I think we can match up against anyone

It's hard to match up against anyone when you don't qualify for the playoffs.

 

[stopclickbait]

Tacos

I'd be okay with Lindholm and Ritchie for Kerfoot, Johnsson, Dermott and throw in Bracco.

Ohhhh I like Lindholm

No way Anaheim gives up Lindholm but would be cool to see if there was a way to get him even though he is a lefty

 

[ottomaddox]

why are pe

I voted yes. But only if it's for a defenseman for now and the future. No, if it's a rental, would be happier with more ice time / responsibilities for Sandin and liligren

Why are fans so opposed to rentals?

 

[ShaneFalco]

It's hard to match up against anyone when you don't qualify for the playoffs.

That's the spirit!

 

[Kiwi]

Depends on the cost and the guys available for me

I'd rather do nothing than do something stupid, especially with the amount of picks we've already burned through

Sometimes the type of deal you want just isn't there

 

[Lauro]

No, I believe in Sandin and Liljegren.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Depends on the cost

Always. Dubas isn't going to overpay for a rental, few teams in the cap era have the room to do that.

If Leafs are serious about improvement, a trade is necessary. As with the backup goalie situation, or, as with firing the coach, you simply can't keep hoping the situation will turn around one Monday morning.

I think all of his trades have been sound, reasonable and even quite good, so I'm sure Dubas can figure this out. If I were GM my focus would be to get a solid guy who can eat minutes, and re-sign Muzzin. Those moves, to me, would suggest progress with an eye on the future. Anything more would be a welcome bonus.

Doing nothing, I think, is a roll of the dice this team shouldn't invite. You have to try your best to make the play offs and keep the momentum as a team wanting to win the Cup. Get to the dance and anything is possible.