A lot of contracts expire in 2023-4-5.There’s no question that the Leafs’ top four forwards are among the best quartets in the league and I like what I’ve seen from Bunting, Jarnrok, Holmberg and Kempt. I think the offence is good enough to compete. They can always add more depth but the priority should be on upgrading the defence for playoff hockey.
The calibre of talent on defence is just nowhere near the offence. Rielly is the highest paid d man but he’s just average on defence and ineffective on quaterbacking the pp with the lack of a lethal point shot. The depth have improved with Liljegren and Timmins but top end talent is missing. The goaltenders will need to have tremendous performances to give them a fair chance in a series against the likes of Lightning and Bruins.