With all the rumours going around, it seems like the Toronto Maple Leafs are absolutely desperate for a defenseman. This is not the case.

The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t need to make a blockbuster trade. In fact, they are perfectly fine without making a blockbuster trade. You can say that the Leafs need a right-handed defensemen to step up their defense depth, and this is true. You can say that the Leafs are not balanced between depth with forwards and depth with defenseman, and this is also true. But what isn’t true is being so desperate that the Leafs are willing to give up everything for a defenseman.

The Maple Leafs don’t need to sacrifice core pieces for a defenseman, and here’s why.

Cost.

There aren’t exactly options for great right-handed defensemen out there for pennies. Other general managers won’t give you a steal of a trade that easily. To get talent, you need to give talent. Recent history tells us that you have to trade a way better winger for a lesser defenseman.

Little need.

The media portrays the Leafs as having no quality defensemen. This is simply not the case. We have Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly, and Nikita Zaitsev. These are all above average defensemen. Maybe they’re no Erik Karlsson, but they are managable, and they provide great and reliable defense. Better yet, the Toronto Maple Leafs have some strong defense prospects lined up such as Timothy Liljegren. The Leafs’ defense isn’t the team’s strength, but it’s not terrible.

We’re doing great!

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t struggling at all! The Leafs aren’t finding themselves last in the standings, and they made the playoffs. Although we did have a first round exit, you have to remember that it was the President’s Trophy winners who beat us. Furthermore, we have a team of young players who experienced the playoffs for the first time. Barely any Toronto Maple Leafs are in their prime yet, and they’ll keep on developing. If we enter next year with the same roster, it will be the same Leafs, but with one more year of experience.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to improve their defense if they want to be a cup contender. But they aren’t desperate to do so. The other day, I even saw a post recommending that we trade William Nylander for a defenseman, which is absolutely ridiculous.

So the next time you’re reading about the Leafs needing a defenseman, take it with a grain of salt.