Canucks definitely consider

IMO Mrzarek isn't worth that much, and it's ovepayment for Miller. But if those trades went through, can't the Leaf have a 7th NHL Dman?

Not an overpayment for Miller

Well it is for the Leafs. If some others wants to...go for it.

And what happens in June 2023 when Miller says he wants $7 million or more? And you have to get two goalies, at least one of whom should be actual NHL quality?

In my opinion, the last thing Toronto needs is an expensive forward rental, when you really need to spend money on the defense and goaltending. The forward group and offense from defensemen were perfectly adequate to carry this team into the playoffs easily; you don't need improvement there. And trading three valuable futures for Miller seems hideously short-sighted to me.

I just didn't bother signing one. I don't know who they will sign but I bet they will pick up someone to be the 7th d. May even be Lyubushkin. Mrazek will have some value, it will be something minor but GM's don't act like fickle fans. 300 games of above average play doesn't get washed away after 1 injury plagued season.

Miller makes TO downright terrifying. I think next season is going to be a great opportunity so long as we sort out the goaltending.

TO had one of the best expected goal differentials in the NHL this past season. If they wouldn't have had the mid season goaltending swoon, they would have finished in the top 5 defensively. Defence isn't and hasn't been a problem for quite some time. Goaltending is a problem but it's a rectifyable one. Comrie outplayed Halleybuck last season and seems like he could be a good goalie under the right defence. I would take a bet on Murray as well. He did win 2 cups a few seasons ago. He has had some bad injury issues but you can't blame him for Ottawa being a bad team, they just don't have the roster to make any goalie look very good.

Goal differential is a very misleading stat if used beyond predicting who will make the playoffs and who won't. Adding to your goal differential by adding scoring is qualitatively different from adding to your goal differential by cutting down on goals against. There is no practical distinction between winning games by 3 goals or 4 goals, but there is a huge difference between winning games 2-1 or 3-2 and losing them by that score -- THAT's where defense counts.

I am aware of this, they were however very good at limited chances and playing very good team defence. The one issue they need to get better at is giving up odd man rushes. If they become a top 10 team in limiting odd man rushes they will be a top 5 defensive team. It's not a personel issue, it's a system issue. They do want their defence to pinch a lot and sometimes they get burned but in the playoffs they did a lot better at limiting that. I believe they will take another step next season. Defence isn't the problem

Trade Kerfoot to another team for a draft pick, and then include that draft pick in that trade so everyone is happy

If Toronto trades for Miller, they have to consider putting him on the top line and putting Bunting on the second line
Miller-Matthews-Marner line would be disgusting. A power forward, sniper and playmaker 🤤. I would actually consider cheering for Toronto. That line easily puts up a combined 300+ points

Toronto was in a stratum with 4 other teams at nos. 16 through 20 in goals against last season. Of the 15 teams ahead of them, 12 were playoff teams, and the other 3 playoff teams were in that 16-19 stratum (Winnipeg was #20; Toronto was #19). It's one thing to say that they were good at limiting chances and playing good team defense; it's another thing entirely to realize that of the 16 playoff teams, they were the absolute worst at stopping goals. I'm still convinced that that's the area where the Maple Leafs have to make improvements.

Miller isn't fast enough for that line. Plus Bunting is great on that line. Getting JT and Nylander a power forward to work down low with them will be crazy good. Or JT gets two other guys

Yeah that high goals against was entirely goaltending. There was a good stretch where Campbell and Mrazek were allowing nearly 5 a game. Prior to then they were top 5. Their goaltending was 27th in the league. I think Campbell sorted himself but that has way more to do with the goals against than Defence