Leafs’ Stumbles Expose Roster Needs Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs probably aren’t feeling good about themselves right now. They’ve lost five of their past seven games, and currently have dropped three in a row, including a 5-2 defeat Monday at the hands of the lowly Montreal Canadiens. Leafs fans are likely grinding their teeth and chewing their fingernails in worry over what may lie ahead for them. They’re still almost certainly going to be a playoff team, but to have a shot at the Atlantic Division title, or home ice advantage, the Buds are going to have to turn things around soon.

Nobody said it was going to be easy for them, given the strength of the Atlantic’s two Florida teams, and the consistently persistent Boston Bruins. But the Leafs are still in third in the division because they played so well for long stretches of the season. can’t take their foot off the pedal, though, because their recent two losses have underscored their structural and deployment deficiencies.

To wit: Toronto’s goaltending has not been at the level it was earlier this season. No. 1 netminder Jack Campbell’s individual numbers have risen in a negative way, and backup Petr Mrazek has not made a great case to challenge Campbell for games played. Certainly, the Leafs’ defense hasn’t been much help – the first pairing of Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie has been solid, but after that, veteran Jake Muzzin has struggled notably and been hampered by injuries, and presumptive No. 4 D-man Justin Holl has struggled notably and been completely healthy. Youngster Rasmus Sandin has played well, but third pair-partner Timothy Lilegren has been spotty.

All-in-all, something has to change on Toronto’s back end, and there are some above-average defenders on the trade block who can help – for instance, Seattle’s Mark Giordano should be an attainable target for Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, even if that means involving a third team in a deal for the veteran defenseman and his pro-rated $6.75-million salary. Giordano is a pure rental – he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer – but his calmness and know-how would easily shore up the Buds’ second pairing and ease the pressure on Muzzin.

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The Leafs also are known to be seeking help on the wings, both in terms of depth moves, and, perhaps, in a higher-end rental such as Anaheim’s Rickard Rackell. Dubas may need help from the Ducks holding on to salary to make a fit under the cap for Rackell, but Anaheim may choose to hold on to him as they chase for a playoff berth in the Pacific Division. It’s a fluid situation for the moment, but before you know it, the NHL’s March 21 trade deadline will be here, and it will be time for Dubas to make his best offers.

Regardless, in the near future, the schedule-maker is being kind to Toronto. Starting Tuesday night in Columbus, and stretching to a March 13 tilt in Buffalo, the Leafs play twice against the Blue Jackets and Sabres, and have one-off games against Detroit, Vancouver, Seattle and Arizona. Not guaranteed wins, but games Toronto has the talent to win.

But first thing’s first – correcting their current slide is the job of head coach Sheldon Keefe and his players. They showed their ability to adapt and push through a losing streak earlier this season, and there’s no reason they can’t do that again.

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