Assuming we land Shultz which is a big if anyways, that would have to be the youngest D-core in the league. Good luck trying to make the playoffs with that.

Liles brought the type of veteran prescence that the D-core was very very sorely lacking. Pre concussion Liles was a huge part of the Leafs first half success. Likely the best overall defenseman up till his injury.

However if the Leafs land Shultz and run with your hypothetical than that D is too offensively orientated. Only Schenn and Phaneuf could push a guy out of the crease.

I think you hold on to Franson unless a good deal comes along, and let Holzner start in the AHL and use him as call up until someone gets injured, which usually doesnt take long.

Parise – ??? – Kessel
??? – Grabovski – Lupul

I would love that. lol.

I think that is one of the big things for Schultz, to be guaranteed a roster spot. To be guaranteed ice time and opportunity.

I think ideally, Toronto opens up enough spots on D to bring him in….but, to fight with Holzer for the 6th defenceman role.

I have to think if there is amnesty, that’s how Komisarek goes. Otherwise, hopefully they could convince say the Islanders to take him?

Franson? good as gone. even Carlyle benched him for some games. He’d be best served elsewhere. He brings more offence than Schenn, but they are similar. big guys, who dont really move that well.

So that would leave

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Schenn
Liles-Schultz
Holzer

Honestly i think we fans are going to be hating the Liles signing moreso than Grabovski, where there is a ton of people who dislike that signing already.

I know, obviously at the time, Burke couldn’t predict that Schultz would be possibly available, but he had to have known then that the draft was fairly defence heavy, with the possibility that player could challenge for a job next year. Murray, Reinhart, Dumba, Reilly etc. There are guys here who can provide offence.

He had to have known Percy and Blacker are going to be at camp challenging for NHL work soon.

And he had to have seen how well Gardiner played, meaning there was a chance the team already had offence from the defence from him, who comes younger, cheaper and with more potential than Liles.

So why really did he sign Liles? And Terry Koshan was saying in his Toronto Sun article that Liles is one of the guys who can rest easy knowing they wont be traded.

Again, not to be a dick and nitpick again on Burke, but again, where’s the planning here? Its too many of the same types of guys again.

I think Gardiner showed a lot, more than enough to not really need Liles. And I rather keep Franson than Liles. Its not like the PP was all that great to begin with.

Parise should be Burke’s #1 target, as a center is our #1 need. Thomas would be a better fit than Lou for sure, short term gain, but low risk!! Gives our other goalies a year to develop without the insane pressure. If we made both those moves, I’d be a very happy boy.