Since taking over for Kyle Dubas as Leafs GM, Brad Treliving has added an offensive defenseman and a lot of sandpaper, grit, physicality and "snot" to the forward group. He has signed John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, with Reaves being the only player getting more than a 1-year deal.
Many Leaf fans have been pleased with what Treliving has done so far, particularly up front. The Leafs' forward group, and top six specifically, are much better and deeper than they were under the Dubas regime. Bertuzzi is an upgrade over Michael Bunting almost any way you slice it, while Domi is almost certainly an upgrade over the departing Alex Kerfoot, at least from an offense perspective. Klingberg and Justin Holl are probably a wash defensively, but Klingberg's offensive potential far exceeds that of Holl. Meanwhile, Reaves steps in to replace Wayne Simmonds as a "glue guy" for the Buds. It's tough to hate any of these moves, really.
There is one Leafs reporter, however, who thinks that Treliving has lit the cap space he had on fire and wasted it on lower caliber players instead of going hunting for a "big fish". Editor In Leaf, as he is known on Twitter, is not overly thrilled with how Treliving has spent $11M on Domi, Reaves, Klingberg and David Kampf, calling them expensive, low-impact and low-ceiling players, instead of giving a prospect on an entry-level contract the opportunity to become a "star".
The issue with Editor In Leaf's take is that the Leafs don't have many, if any, "star" prospects outside of Matthew Knies, who is essentially no longer a prospect. Nicholas Robertson has battled injuries and has struggled to stay healthy since turning pro, but both he and Knies should have roster spots for the upcoming season. In addition to Knies and Robertson, there is also Pontus Holmberg, who had a very good showing in 37 games for the Leafs last season, as did Bobby McMann before he was injured.
We know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but with the Leafs clearly targeting a certain style of player via free agency, perhaps we should wait and see how this new crop of UFA additions and the next generation of young players accents the core before we go ahead and declare this offseason as an abject failure. Nobody has a crystal ball. We can't be sure that any of the moves made were the wrong ones until at least some games have been played. It's fine to have an opinion, but to declare that the sky is falling even before training camp comes across as dramatic, for a lack of a better word.
