Reader Question: Given their defensive numbers and the team’s superstar forwards, shouldn’t the Leafs be looking to improve the defense as the team’s #1 priority?
Tulloch: Mattias Ekholm immediately comes to mind because he is the best defenseman available, he has two years of control, and he is on an incredible cap hit — $3.75 million for a legitimate top-pairing defenseman. He is left handed. He mostly plays the left, although it is said he can play the right.
Petrielli: His puck-handling is a little lacklustre. He is not smooth with the puck.