As the NHL Trade Deadline draws near, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a vulnerable situation. While traditional wisdom advises them to take a seller’s mentality, it doesn’t appear likely that they will do so.
Despite obvious problems in their goaltender and defensive core, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem ready to stick with their present squad in an effort to win a Stanley Cup.
Unfortunately, this unyielding attitude might lead to an early playoff exit, clouding Brad Treliving’s first season as general manager.
Even though the Leafs assembled one of the most formidable squads in recent memory, the choice to remove Kyle Dubas from his position as general manager proved to be fatal. Instead of following suit and hiring smart, young executives, the Leafs went with Treliving, whose resume includes building mediocre squads that underachieved, as was the case even last season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs should trade these four players as soon as possible.
Dubas gave the Leafs a competitive edge every time he played, even though he may not have led the team past the Second Round.
His skillful acquisitions of players for the bottom six spots were nothing short of extraordinary, and he seemed ready, if given the chance, to completely restructure the squad come summertime. Unfortunately, the present administration has chosen to keep things as they are, which leaves supporters feeling uninspired.
The Leafs must make a swift decision in light of these obstacles. There is a clear urgency to make strategic moves, whether it be a full makeover or a significant upgrade to the current lineup. Undoubtedly at the prime of his Hall of Fame-worthy career, Auston Matthews is too good a player for the franchise to waste another season of excellence.
In light of this, the Leafs ought to think about dealing these four players in order to initiate the required adjustments.
