While some of those estimates made sense, there were questions about the Maple Leafs' strength on the blue line this season, and those questions have grown in importance as the season has progressed. The Maple Leafs are in 4th place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, and their defense crew has been vulnerable to this point in the year. When the Calgary Flames traded left-shot defenseman Nikita Zadorov last week to the Vancouver Canucks, many wondered why the Maple Leafs weren't at the top of the list. The Maple Leafs have even greater needs after goaltender Joseph Woll went down Thursday night in Toronto's 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. As a result of that injury, the Maple Leafs are likely to need help in goal in addition to the blue line.

Source: Forbes December 08, 2023 23:54 UTC