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5 Takeaways: TOR 3-NSH 6

 

Ondrej Kase (The Athletic)

    Just days before the NHL trade deadline, the Leafs showed their weaknesses with a tough loss at the hands of the Nashville Predators. 
    Here are my 5 takeaways as the Leafs' depth and defense cost them in a hostile Bridgestone Arena. 

1. Second Line Blues

    The first line is a dynamic group containing the Leafs' three best forwards. The second line is a stale group that can't create much at even strength. I still feel that it may be time to pair Marner with Tavares and put Nylander on the first line with Matthews and Bunting. It would be a controversial decision to break up the NHL's best line this season. However, with how poor the Leafs' second line is, it definitely warrants some thought.
    In Nashville, Michael Bunting, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner were the Leafs' three best players, as usual. William Nylander really struggled to create high danger chances and John Tavares' finishing let him down at times. 
    The Leafs can't win a series with one A++ line. The Panthers and the Lightning have major strength in depth. For instance, the Panthers might have Sam Reinhart on their third line and Claude Giroux on the second. That's insane and the Leafs need at least two A- lines to deal with that in the playoffs.
    A trade could help, but in my opinion, the Leafs don't have enough assets to pursue a top-6 option and a top-4 option on D. Defense is a bigger need, so Dubas will need to find an internal solution for the second line struggles.

2. Dermott's Last Game?

    Whether it be in a buyer trade for another defenseman or simply pawning him off for a draft pick, it seems likely that Travis Dermott just played his last game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
    I've been harsh about Dermott this season, but I must admit, he's really improved in the past few weeks. He is a great play driver and the type of player who deserves a change of scenery. I could see Dermott succeeding at the NHL level, but it is time to let him go. 
    I'd be very surprised if Dermott was still a part of the Leafs' roster on Tuesday, but I suppose crazier things have happened. It's going to be interesting.
    As usual, the microscope will be on Toronto at the trade deadline and Dermott is a likely candidate to leave. Let's see who they bring in as his replacement.

3. Kase Injury Makes Dubas' Job Difficult

    For as good as Ondrej Kase has been this year, he's had his fair share of injury issues, which I suppose is to be expected for a player of his reputation.
    Dubas must have known that Kase would go onto IR at times this season, so he knew that this wasn't the safest signing. However, the timing of this injury is particularly brutal.
    For a guy with a history of head injuries, getting Matt Duchene's elbow to the skull is not what you like to see. Toronto needed a depth forward at the deadline regardless, but Kase's injury makes it an absolute necessity. Nick Paul, Tyler Motte and Johan Larsson are all options that I would consider and if Kase's head injury is worse than expected, Dubas may even need to acquire two of those players.

4. Key Stretch Incoming

    The Leafs likely will not be winning the Atlantic Division, particularly after an already stacked Florida Panthers team added Claude Giroux, one of the best forwards of the generation. It seems like the best that Toronto can hope for is third in the division and even that goal may be in jeopardy, as Boston are just two points behind. 
    The fact is that Toronto will be the underdogs in any series that they partake in. This next stretch probably won't dictate much about how the playoffs look, but it could be key to proving the Leafs' status as contenders and sending out a warning to the rest of the league.
    In the next three weeks, the Leafs play Boston once, Tampa Bay once and Florida twice. If they can win 3 out of those 5 games, they'd be telling the league that they are no joke. 
    All three teams are elite Cup contenders, especially after Boston's acquisition of Hampus Lindholm (for an exorbitant price, may I add). Nevertheless, the Leafs have a real chance to stay in the race for third place and they need to prove that they belong in the mix.

5. Filip Forsberg is Elite

    Filip Forsberg is one of my favourite players to watch in the league. His shooting instincts are like no player I've seen. He's quite possibly the Nashville Predators' best player ever. This year has been an especially brilliant season for the Swede.
    He has a shooting talent above average of just under 10% this season. His shooting percentage of 22.3% is frankly unreal. He has 33 goals in 49 games, equal to a pace of 55 goals in 82 games. If he had stayed healthy all season, he'd probably be in the mix for the Hart Trophy this season. If he does stay with Nashville, which looks likely, he should be in the mix for the Art Ross Trophy. 
    Forsberg is a personal favourite of mine and at age 27, I don't think enough people give him credit for having over 210 goals and 440 points throughout his career. They aren't quite Hall of Fame numbers, but these are the indicators of a real superstar. 


ALL STATS COURTESY OF MOENYPUCK AND NATURAL STAT TRICK
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED

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