My ideal offseason in 3 moves

Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 5, 2019

Published: Apr. 24, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Pretty simple in my future leafland thinking.

1. After completing a full performance review its decided that it's time to move on from Babcock. For what its worth, I think the game is passing him by and the team is tuning him out. Keefe is brought in as his replacement.

2. Time has caught up with Marleau, and its not a reflection on him at all. He chooses the graceful exit after collecting his bonuses vs continued decline, and 4th line minutes in the final season of his storied career.

3. Brown is traded for a pick. Nothing personal, cap causality and asset management.

This leaves the offence more or less as is, with the exception of moving Kadri to 2LW and Nylander to 3C, a move that I think benefits both players. Bracco gets his shot next to AM. If he flunks out, Willy goes back to AM's wing and Moore jumps to their left. Kadri moves back to 3 C. Bracco heads to the 4th with Ennis.

My future leafland requires patience with the development of the d so that they can grow as a group and be prepared for a push in 20/21. It also likely means a step back next year before the cap opens up again.. but when it does, it opens the door for a RHD UFA stud. This approach also leaves the door open for a top RHD at the trade deadline next season if this group stays in the playoff mix, and I think they do.

The D line up as such

1st pairing - shut down pair, play against top opposition. Muzz and Z did well in this role in the playoffs - there's no need to assume that they can't do it throughout the regular season, too.

2nd paring - Mo and Dert. More o-zone time and play against secondary competition. I think its worthwhile to see if Dert can become Mo's right side partner before dismantling the offence for that help.

3rd pairing - Sandin and Lily make the jump early and get serious sheltering. If Babs is out and Keefe is in I think this could be a viable option given his history with them.

Rosen as the 7th D, with Marlie call ups as depth options.

When I lower my expectations on next season I find myself quite optimistic about what this group can do 2 years from now, and moving forward from there.. the sky isn't falling at all.

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