Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
What next?
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2024/02/29/with-chris-tanev-landing-in-dallas-where-does-it-leave-brad-treliving-and-the-maple-leafs/
Spoiler alert: we're boinked. You can tell we're boinked because Tyson Barrie is mentioned as an option, all of which are lousy. Of the names they list, I think I would bring back Boosh for next to nothing and hope for the best.
Not sure about boinked but
At the least, I think they need a physical RH defensive dman who can PK. PK is their biggest weakness
David Savard - decent pker and physical - not the greatest but probably the closest, doubt MTL would move him at a reasonable talent price to the Leafs
Sean Walker - good on PK - not so physical - might be able to flip a goalie to Philly to cut talent price though Philly may have a goalie deal in the works and since they're within the playoff teams, not sure why they would trade him
Matt Dumba - luke warm if that - ok PK maybe - no way I'd give a 1st rounder for him
Ilya Lyubushkin - physical but not great on PK - low pick maybe if they can't get anything else
The rest, I'm not very excited about:
Alex Carrier - too small
Andrew Peeke - not a PKer
Adam Boqvist - not physical, doesn't pk
Tyson Barrie - pass like a bunch of the NHL
Larson - apparently not available
Hanifin wants to play in US
Hopefully, some other candidates become available.
Lagesson - jury is still out for me - need to see him more but I do not mind what I've seen so far - he's somewhat physical and decent on the PK in the limited stats I recall.
We know Timmins is capable offensively. If they keep Giordano off the PK and limit ice time, he's ok.
If they do not get any good options, I think they should look at a 7 man D to address their weakest problem. They can double shift some of the top 9 to play with the two 4th liners.
I'd do that before I'd burn a 1st round pick renting any of the candidates listed above.
