Toronto Maple Leafs: Things to watch and bold predictions for 2019
Will the defence get a much-needed overhaul?
Whether it happens this season or during the off-season, the Leafs blue line has to be the priority for Kyle Dubas and he knows it.
There have been far too many instances where the Leafs defenders struggle to get the puck out the zone, fail to account for a player in front of the net or allow too many shots on goal. Obviously the forwards can’t be left off the hook either but when an opposing player says the team doesn’t defend well below the hash marks, that’s on the defencemen.
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Even Dubas admits that he will look to make a move if the team continues to struggle in their own zone. Whether it’s trying to get Alex Pietrangelo or make a smaller deal, having Ron Hainsey on the top pair going into the playoffs is not an ideal situation.
Will Dubas be willing to pay the price that it will take to get a defenceman? It could cost them a top prospect and their first round pick depending on the type of player they want to get.
There was the discussion around having Timothy Liljegren come up from the Toronto Marlies but the 2017 first round pick is recovering from an ankle sprain.
He could still be an option down the road granted it would be tough to expect Mike Babcock to give him significant minutes.
Next. How Morgan Rielly can still go to the All-Star Game. dark
What do you expect the Leafs to do in 2019? What are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below.