02 Jan 2018 05:58:22
If the Leafs want to take a serious run at the cup they will have to make a few moves before the deadline-

To Toronto: Colin Miller

To Vegas: Connor Brown, 2018 2nd

Colin Miller would be a great addition to the Leafs blue line as the current defence core has struggled this year. And as much as I like Connor Brown what good are the Leafs doing to him by playing him on the 4th line every night.

To Toronto: Max Pacioretty

To Montreal: JVR, Calle Rosen, Conditional 2019 2nd round pick (if JVR doesn't re-sign)

Montreal is in the market for a goal scorer and that is exactly what JVR is as well as they want to get rid of Pacioretty and his slump. This would be great for the Leafs because Max Pacioretty is under contract for one more year after this one at 4.5 million a season and would be a good upgrade on the left wing with Bozak and Marner.

Now some roster moves the Leafs will have to make are-

Call up: Kasperi Kapenan,

Send down: Curtis McElhinney, Connor Carrick

Lines-

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Komerov
Pacioretty-Bozak-Marner
Martin-Moore-Kapenan
Levio

Rielly Hainsey
Gardiner-Miller
Borgman-Zaitsev
Marincian-Polak

Anderson-Pickard

The reason I think the Leafs should send down McElhinny and keep Pickard is because I rather have McElhinney on waivers than Pickard. Pickard had a decent GAA and save percentage last year on the league's worst Colorado Avalanche.
The 4th line is improved with one of the fastest players in the NHL in Kasperi Kapenan.
The 3rd line is improved because no disrespect to JVR but Pacioretty can score from other places other then in front of the net.
Defence is improved because Miller is a solid steady defenceman to play with Gardiner. Zaitsev playing on the 3rd pair will be good for him as his play this season has not been great. Carrick gets sent down so he can actually play hockey and he hasn't looked good at all this year. And I trust Polak and Marincian more than Carrick in pressure situations. Though all 3 of them are inconsistent Polak can step up big in pressure situations which we saw in the playoffs last year. And Marician didn't look bad last year in the playoffs either.

I'm not saying this is go in to happen I'm saying if like to see this happen. But the most realistic thing the Leafs need to do before the playoffs is get a defensive defenceman.

1.) 02 Jan 2018
02 Jan 2018 09:49:46
I agree minus the marincin part. he's is to blame for most goals when he is on the ice. He is out of position far to much for that bad of a skater i'd trade him for a bag of pucks and a powerade.

2.) 02 Jan 2018
02 Jan 2018 12:40:52
U should also look at gardiner as he gives up the puck as much or more than anybody else. Has he hit anybody this year?

3.) 02 Jan 2018
02 Jan 2018 15:27:36
I agree that Gardiner has been brutal this year year and I'd love to see him get traded at the start of next year.

4.) 02 Jan 2018
02 Jan 2018 16:26:30
They are not making a run at the Cup this year.

5.) 03 Jan 2018
03 Jan 2018 03:49:55
Just because you don’t think they are making a run at the cup this year does not mean they shouldn’t be using each year to at least attempt to make the team better for the next. What may seem to be a deadline deal to you this year, might actually be part of a bigger plan for the next year. I think as long as the leafs can start excepting that some players on this team need to be dealt to bring in different blood then it will all workout.

6.) 03 Jan 2018
03 Jan 2018 07:30:44
Pacioretty to leafs makes no sense whatsoever, they would want young players for him plus picks.

7.) 03 Jan 2018
03 Jan 2018 12:43:38
I never said they should stand pat or not seek to improve, but the OP said if they want to make a run at the Cup they need to do X and Y by the deadline this year so I pointed out that they are not making a Cup run, In other words, they do not need to make those moves by the deadline, they can make them later and still improve for next year.

8.) 03 Jan 2018
03 Jan 2018 20:53:43
MLSE will push for a deep playoff run. Home games = $. That’s what counts to any company.

9.) 04 Jan 2018
04 Jan 2018 01:07:25
Scary D, Your right in that business decisions do dominate in sports, although I think corporations of this magnitude plan for the long term and project for having profits over a long period of time. They understand the brand they own, and they also understand what bringing a winner to Toronto would mean for them.

DBF, you have some valid points about the Leafs and their playoff chances, but when that “new” season begins, anything can happen. Many assume that Tampa are the favoured team to win the conference and reach the Finals, but what if they are upset in the first round by a wild card team that has nothing to lose? Meanwhile, say the Leafs win their playoff round? There’s always a possibility.

L4L4L, I’m in agreement with you on Pacioretty. He’s Montreal’s best trade chip should their management team decide to blow up their team and start over. They will be asking for a king’s ransom to have another team pry their captain away.

The Leaf’s management are taking the patient approach and I am glad they are sticking with it. I am sure they are tempted by potential deals that may accelerate their long term plans, but at the same time, they need to stay smart about their long term vision for success.

Marner11, I wouldn’t worry about Pickard as he is waiver exempt from what I read with his new contract. It would make more sense for him to be the starter of the Marlies where he would be playing all the time versus having the backup role with limited playing time. Pickard will have his chance when it’s time. I’m still not sure how Miller significantly improves the Leafs defence. Personally I would rather keep both Brown and the 2nd round pick and take my chances during the playoffs and at the draft. We forget that the Leafs overachieved last season and they are a year ahead of their long term plan.