Think about it. They’re in the middle of a mini-slump while Boston and Montreal are threatening to pass them in the standings. Next season has threatened to be a major cap crunch for a while now with no obvious relief in sight.
Let’s say the Leafs make some moves at this deadline and in the off-season that both frees up some necessary cap space for the signings they have to make AND helps improve the team — Hainsey and Gardiner walk as UFAs; Brown, Hyman and Zaitsev are traded for cap relief; Nylander is traded for Dougie Hamilton or Colton Parayko; Marleau develops a sudden and career ending allergy to hockey equipment.