Leafs keep moving on

Apparently, the Leafs have to pick some up after their BAD game in Boston.  But there are some positives, so let's concentrate on those.

1. Nazem Kadri

Kadri has picked up his game and is beginning to put the puck in the net. Kadri is stepping it up because he has to. Like it or not, he is second line centre.  He must continue to be the pest; other than him, there is no muscle in the Leafs line-up.

2. John Tavares

John is the leader at this time and is beginning to show his worth as he has upped his game with Marner.  It couldn't have come at a better time. The Leafs need John to be the guy who delivers the mail. So far, John has been the mailman. Scoring his tenth just recently, he is averaging more than a point a game. John is also improving in the defensive zone. He might very well be the most complete player in his career.

3. Morgan Rielly

Morgan is the best defencemen on the Leafs. He has refined his offensive game. With his seven goals and fourteen assists, he is working on a career year.  He has figured out one key ingredient: knowing when to pinch in. He is a great asset to the Leafs. He and Gardener have really improved on getting the puck up to the forwards.

4. Nylander Update

Unfortunately, there is no update on Nylander and they are running out of time to get the team together. There is no shortage of teams interested: Stars, Canes, Flyers, and especially keep an eye on the Kings. The Leafs want a young number two dman, and that limits the number of teams they can deal with. That leads me to think the Canes lead the way.  I have been told that the Leafs really want Jaccob Slavin. He is an excellent young dman who can be there for a long time. The only other team who might have a dman who interests the Leafs is the Flyers, who have quite a list of young dmen to entice the Leafs.

5. Auston Matthews

Matthews was apparently on the ice in LA. He might be back in six weeks. The Leafs have hung in there. It is vital that they get the second seed so they host the first round. I have pretty much conceded the division to the Bolts. The Leafs have to make sure they get the number two spot so they have a chance to win the first round and earn the right to go to Tampa Bay.