A $97.6 million contract has been agreed to by the Toronto Maple Leafs and…..

With nine victories in a row, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be hitting their stride as they approach the final stretch, hoping to secure a postseason berth or possibly further success.

But even with their recent success, the Toronto Maple Leafs shouldn’t expect things to stay the same come Friday, March 8th, when the trade deadline approaches. This is typically the most crucial time of the season for any contending club to make the final one or two roster additions in order to strengthen the team for the postseason.

Given how quickly the Leafs defense has been crumbling, particularly after Ilya Lyubuskin nearly met the same end in his first game as a member of the team, it seems obvious that by Friday, they ought to at least take into consideration adding some insurance defensive depth.

While they most likely don’t have to go all out to get a top-pairing defense man, it would be great to have one or more respectable candidates who might maybe fill a bottom-four position. It seems sense that the Leafs should make sure they have a backup goalkeeper who can step in and play reliable, elite hockey after witnessing both Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov lose some major time with the rest of the group earlier in the year for various reasons.

Seeking a goaltender should also be on their list of priorities if they don’t genuinely think Martin Jones can be the one. Whether they should simply get an insurance goalie, as they did with David Rittich three years prior, who didn’t actually play in any meaningful games, is the crucial question.

If no other appealing possibilities are available, they might as well remain with Jones. Should they make the ultimate sacrifice and sign a top goalie, which will probably mean losing some key players or having a huge amount of salary retention from several teams? There is no doubt as to what the best course of action is if the Leafs genuinely believe that this is their year.

In the previous season, they attempted to push it with tough Noel Acciari, as well as with Colin Blackwell two years prior, with varying degrees of success. With his powerful hits, Acciari did inflict some much-needed pain on the opponents, but overall aggregate offensive output was far from satisfactory.

Right now, it seems like the Leafs’ four lines are clicking well together. However, if they can bring in a bruiser who can score goals as well, it should complete their bottom two combinations and provide a potent four-line offensive.

Nicholas Robertson was recently sent down to the AHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs in order to create space for Calle Jarnkrok’s comeback from long-term injury.

With the exception of first lineman Matthew Knies, Robertson is the only Toronto Maple Leaf who may be sent to the AHL without first clearing waivers, hence the relegation was not due to performance.