Realistic? definitely.

Elevated a team desperate to FINALLY make a splash in the playoffs? Not really

Who ever wins between Tampa and Boston in round 2 will probably win the cup. I'm going with Tampa this year

Lafferty is worth more than a 5th round pick, at least to Chicago he is.

I don't even want Lafferty, I just think the Leafs trade deadline will be small

Well that's good. You won't be disappointed then cus there's zero chance the hawks give him up for a 5th

Lol, maybe they’re not getting Timo Meier, but they are AT LEAST spending a second round pick on someone. My bet is they spend a first.

I dont think Dubas has a long lease on life after so many 1st round exits, and having 2 of their top 4 forwards hitting UFA in 2 yrs, and half the defense hitting mid 30s or leaving (Muzzin, Giordano, Holl, Benn, Brodie-only 31), I think hes almost got to make a medium-big move. They do have to advance at least one round this year to save dubas and keefes jobs, as its almost a sin to think that you'll have to debate moving one of the expiring big 3 at the 23-24 TDL without any of them ever having a real playoff run.

He will get a top 2 line LW or a above average 3rd liner to improve the depth, and due to the plethora of defensive injuries, it would be prudent to probably add an above average 3rd pair/7th who is more of a stay at home/crease clearer.

And due to this short leash, and the limited value amongst the Leaf depth players to the market, (Is Holl/kerfoot's value in trade greater than their value to the Leafs in the cup run? No. Do Gaudette, Engvall, Simmonds, mete, benn, ZAR, etc... have much value in trade? No) I think any of the Leafs picks and every prospect might be up for conversation

I do think mikkola gets slightly more like a 4th (maybe a 3rd?) but it’s nit picking

Good analysis of where they're at. I agree generally with what you said. Aside from what will probably happen, my thought on what Dubas SHOULD do is either roll the dice with the current group and know that his job likely rides or dies with playoff succes this year. Or trade the farm and go after the biggest fish you can this year. The team will never be as good for reasons you pointed out in your discussion. As a lifetime Leafs fan, I really don't care about the next few years if they could actually go deep and win a cup ONCE!

Both teams tell you they're not Aldi.




It's not.

Yah, I agree. We say it every year, but this year is truly the year to go all in. I’ll echo that Dubas’ isn’t secure unless they at least win one playoff round, which is why he’ll be tempted to go all in all the more. Now, Dubas has usually not liked rentals, except for 2021 and that was not normal circumstances (Covid, Seattle expansion draft). You can bet he’s primarily looking at guys with term/RFA. That’s why guys like Meier and McCabe are rumoured to go to the leafs. I think we’ll se one rental, one guy with term.