Maple Leafs Looking For 2 Upgrades

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of heat on them as they are second-last in the NHL and are below .500. Injuries and poor play haven't helped them, but this is a team that is expected to, at the very least, make the playoffs and have a chance of going on a run. They have the stars to do so and have made the playoffs for many years in a row at this point.

David Pagnotta reported, "They've been looking for a puck mover on the back-end, that seems to be amplified a little bit more...and a top-6 guy."

Right now, Toronto has injuries to Auston Matthews, Nic Roy, Scott Laughton, Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, and Anthony Stolarz. The only thing the team has done in the short-term to address any of this is pick up Troy Stecher from waivers. He's not considered a puck-moving defenseman.

Stecher and Dakota Mermis are slotted in on the third pairing. That needs to get better as it will also cause the Maple Leafs to play the top-4 far more and tire them out.

Up front, Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan are up with the team, while Steven Lorenz and Calle Jarnkrok are in the lineup regularly. There isn't much compete and there is a lack of skill to hold their own. This team has allowed close to the most goals against in the league, even if they are sixth in goals for.

The Maple Leafs have some cap space to add, but it should also come with potentially moving on from a player or two at the same time. Toronto needs to beef up their lineup if they want to get back in the mix. It is early enough and some teams have already fallen out of the race and might be willing to make some changes.

Photo credit: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images