3 trades the Toronto Maple Leafs need to make this offseason
By Mike Zawisza
Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade for Colin Miller
The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t exactly what one would call a “good” team defensively. It’s tough to say if they’re even “capable.”
They allow the 13th most shots per game (31.9), the sixth most goals per game (3.17) and sport the 11th worst penalty kill (77.7). It’s been an issue with the team for a few years now and it’s not getting a whole lot better.
That being said, the team has a couple legitimate top-pair defensemen in Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin who seem capable of leading a defensive renaissance in Toronto. The team also lays claim to young up-and-comers like Calle Rosen, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren that should man the blueline in Toronto for years to come.
However, while the top pair is covered and the youth is growing, the Leafs are missing stability in the middle of their defense. Cody Ceci was never going to be a legitimate answer, and the Tyson Barrie experiment has all but been a disaster.
In order to rectify this glaring need, Kyle Dubas should make a call within the division to the Buffalo Sabres for Colin Miller.
In some ways, Miller represents what the Leafs thought they were getting in Barrie. He’s a mobile, right-shot defenseman who can quarterback a power play and hold his own at even-strength. The issue is that Barrie didn’t really provide any of that for the Leafs this season.
This isn’t to say that Barrie was bad for the Leafs or even that he’s worse than Miller. In 70 games with the Toronto, Barrie recorded a respectable 39 points, but just a single power play goal and 11 power play assists. To be fair, Barrie spent a quarter of the season in Mike Babcock’s doghouse and wasn’t fully given a chance on the man advantage.
When Sheldon Keefe took over, Barrie immediately answered with a power play goal, but didn’t provide much else through the rest of the season. Despite the Leafs power play efficiency improving from 17.6 percent under Babcock to 26.5 percent under Keefe, Barrie had just one goal to show for.
Barrie still managed a 54.2 Corsi for percentage, but was non-existent in the area that suits him best during the season. Sometimes, the fit just isn’t right. With Barrie’s contract expiring at the end of the season, it wouldn’t be shocking for both parties to walk away.
Miller presents an opportunity for a do-over. Prior to joining the Sabres this season, Miller proved himself to be capable at both even-strength and on the power play. He registered seven power play goals and 24 power play assists while with the Golden Knights and rocked two seasons of 56 percent Corsi for. Despite a dip in usage and production in Buffalo, he still managed to hold his own at even strength.
With the Sabres going through a purge akin to a Blumhouse film, the time is right for Dubas to pluck the speedy defenseman from the city of snow and sure up his team’s defense.