The Leafs defence remains a big question mark. Rielly and Muzzin are fine. I think Tyson Barrie is an upgrade on Jake Gardiner. Cody Ceci is a big uncertainty. Beneath them you've got lots of young guys fighting for a couple of spots (really for one spot once Dermott is healthy.)
Backup goalie remains an issue. They have to have someone who can give Freddie a break. Is Hutchinson the answer? We'll find out. Obviously Sparks wasn't. I'm a bit disappointed that Neuvirth couldn't do it. I liked his experience.
A big question is whether they can get offence from the bottom six forwards. The Matthews line and the Tavares line should be fine, but past that ... I can't say that Kerfoot has stood out for me as a strong replacement for Kadri. Spezza/Gauthier might share 4th line centre duties. I like Gauthier. Always thought the Leafs fourth line had a lot of energy when they let him centre it - but the guy just can't score to save his life.
The division is improved. I actually don't think the Leafs are a sure bet to make the playoffs, but I think they will. Getting out of the first round, though, will be tough.
Of course the Leafs D is a question mark. That's a given. Does that even need to be stated? News for you Leafs are paying 3 forwards average over 11 million each in a salary cap era. How much money does that leave the D?
Of course Kadri is better than Kerfoot. How else to get Barrie.
Matthews and Tavaras line should be fine? They better be more than fine. They better dominate cause that's where they put their money. To compensate for D. Have you seen the Blues top 6 D this year? They very well may repeat. If Matthews plays 80 games I can see him scoring 50 goals. Perhaps even winning the Rocket. Tavaras line will play against other teams first line.
Gauthier has come a long way. His first year he panicked every time he touched the puck. With experience he's gotten a lot better. His skating looks a lot better, faster. But natural talent is what it is so he is limited there.
Of course nothing is a sure bet to make the playoffs. 16 teams make it and 15 don't. But Leafs not making the playoffs would be a huge disappointment. I don't see them not making the playoffs unless injuries to key players. Although they didn't really lose a step when Matthews was injured or when Nylander held out. They did suffer though with injuries to D. They had forward depth to compensate. They don't have that depth in D and if Andersen ever gets hurt forget it.
They got rid of Kadri (back to back suspensions) and Gardiner (back to back game 7 chokes) so that alone should make the Leafs better in round 1.
