Game five between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets was a sight all too familiar for the Toronto hopeful—a devastating defeat during an elimination playoff game.
After completing a miraculous comeback in game four, the buds sealed their own fate by getting blanked during the most important game they will play in 2020. They certainly had their fair share of chances and bad luck, but the fact remains – they haven’t won a playoff series in 16 years and counting.
-
Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 6:26 am
In this episode, Jim and Chris discuss the latest with the Canucks, […]
Some would argue that this season shouldn’t be taken too seriously. The world is in the midst of a pandemic and many things remain far from ordinary. But this team has also failed in four straight postseasons and some kind of change seems imminent.
Latest NHL News
- NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils Trade Targets
- NHL Rumors: New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets
- NHL Rumors: St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks
- NHL Trade Deadline Rumors: Is Boston Going Big At Deadline? Leafs, Lightning Looking For Depth, Kings Interest In Talbot?
- Sabres Notes: Dahlin Replaces Injured Thompson At All-Star Game, Luukkonen Named Rookie Of The Month
The question is, where do Kyle Dubas and co. begin? Is anyone’s jobs safe at this point and do fans still believe?
@kyledubas I believe in you
— gibby (@mrcNary) August 14, 2020
In short, yes. Hitting the panic button during an irregular season would appear to be a rash move, but what if? Dubas has a reputation for being innovative. Despite the divided opinions on the results he’s produced, his brain is most definitely spinning with ideas.
Trading one of their top forwards for a steady defenseman seems to be the glaringly obvious solution. The cap looks to remain flat for at least the next couple of seasons so moving any of the ‘core four’ (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander) isn’t likely unless a player with a similar salary were to come the other way.
With that being said, trading a forward for some kind of defensive help could certainly be in the cards. A player like Andreas Johnsson comes to mind, although his trade value isn’t at its peak following knee surgery.
The left side of the Leafs’ forward corps will be pretty crowded headed into next season with Zach Hyman, Ilya Mikheyev (pending a new contract), Pierre Engvall (provided he doesn’t play fourth-line center), and potentially Nick Robertson. What is saving Johnsson is his reasonable cap hit of $3.4M, but he’s also far from irreplaceable.
Kasperi Kapanen is a popular name often tossed around. Beyond Marner and Nylander, the Leafs are a bit thin on the right side. If Kapanen were to move on, the buds would definitely miss the speed and depth he brings to both the third line and the penalty kill.
The signing of Alexander Barabanov and the potential re-signing of Jason Spezza could help to ease the pain of losing Kapanen. Other fringe roster options like Nic Petan and Denis Malgin will also keep things interesting.
I look forward to seeing what Mikko Lehtonen and Alexander Barabanov can add to the Maple Leafs next season.
— Sergei (@berezin_goal) July 29, 2020
The defense is a different story entirely. To the delight of many fans, both Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie are more than likely moving on. Perhaps a full, healthy season from Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, and Travis Dermott (who will be an RFA this offseason) will help to naturally improve things.
Rasmus Sandin also projects to be a regular and Justin Holl will be back as well. The make-up of the pairings seems adequate enough on paper, but improvement is absolutely necessary.
KHL-standout Mikko Lehtonen adds some intrigue as a slightly-older prospect (26 years old) coming in at entry-level money. Fans can only hope he’ll have more of a lasting impact than Nikita Zaitsev or Igor Ozhiganov ever did.
Whether they add a top-pairing defenseman or just a depth piece remains to be seen. Rumors have been tied to everyone from Alex Pietrangelo to Dylan DeMelo, but both of those players are free agents.
Given Dubas’ history and the Leafs’ salary cap situation, he is far more likely to orchestrate a trade and that’s if he decides to do anything at all.
This will forever be Kyle Dubas peak. pic.twitter.com/8f52fbKCAD
— Mitch McFerguson (@Fergtronic) August 10, 2020
-
Ep 42: Going Streaking, 84 Game Schedule, Ovechkin Watch, Holiday Funby Full Press Coverage on December 22, 2022 at 5:50 pm
In this episode, Jim and Chris talk notable point streaks in the NHL, the […]
-
Ep 41: Alex Ovechkin, Playoff Expansion, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on December 15, 2022 at 2:27 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss Alex Ovechkin's 800th goal, potential […]
-
Ep 40: Borje Salming Passing; Kris Letang, Roope Hintz, Top 5 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2022 at 12:45 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel are back for another edition of Full Press […]
-
Ep 39: The NHL Has A Problemby Full Press Coverage on November 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Mike and Jim are back to discuss all the latest from around the NHL.
-
NHL All Star Game Thoughts and Possible Changesby Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 5:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down NHL […]
-
FPH Weekly - Bo Horvat Trade Reaction and Where Teams Stand at the All-Star Breakby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down Bo Horvat […]
-
Ep 79: Bruins Are A Wagon, Pastrnak Contract, Krejci, Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on January 18, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Ian and Chris evaluate the red-hot Bruins halfway through the season. In […]
-
Ep 78: Mitchell Miller Fiasco Reaction; What Do The Bruins Do Next?by Full Press Coverage on November 7, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Mitchell Miller signing fiasco and discuss what […]
-
S4Ep18 - The Mess That Is The Vancouver Canucks and What Is Nextby Jim Biringer on January 30, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey as he brings […]
-
S4Ep17 - Road Warriors - Devils, Kraken, Bruins, and Golden Knightsby Jim Biringer on January 24, 2023 at 7:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
Episode #127: Mann Downby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 3:35 pm
On this pre-AHL All-Star Classic edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and […]
-
Episode #126: Re-Ranking the Reign Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 8:28 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah have another trade […]