TSN: Martin Biron on what the Toronto Maple Leafs need to keep doing and what they could be thinking heading into the trade deadline, and what their priority should be.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Gino Reda: “Joined by Marty Biron. Leaf fans were so disheartened Marty at the end of 2023. Losses to the Islanders, Sens, Sabres and then two losses to the Jackets. Then they open the new year with a pair of wins. What would you say to leaf fans right now? Your team has proven its back or pump your brakes, one of those wins came against the 30th place Ducks.”
Biron: “Now, I think your team has proven its back and it’s because of the bad goaltending that they got in the month of December, that is resolved a little bit now. Obviously, Martin Jones is playing well and they’re waiting to see what happens with Joeseph Woll. But they were able as a coaching staff and the team to say we got to play better defensively.
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Sheldon Keefe wasn’t messing around at the end of December when he said this is it now, we have to play better defensively. So they go into two tough California teams and they played extremely well defensively. Giving up only one goal in two games. And yes Martin Jones was good, but for me, it’s about how do you defend how you play as a team.
They still manage to keep their identity of getting 50-plus shots against Anaheim and still Auston Matthews who’s getting the goals and the offense is still rolling somewhat. But it has to be a team decision to play better defensively and for that reason, I think the Leafs are back on track now because of their defensive play.”
Reda: “All right, if you like the way they played recently, the Leafs certainly though still do have some flaws. Trade deadline now a couple of months away. What should Brad Treliving’s number one priority be between now and then?”
Biron: “Well everybody would be thinking goaltending but I’m fine with the goaltenders. Joseph Woll’s gonna come back. You can test about Martin Jones doing the job now and who knows if Ilya Samsonov is going to play games or not and if he’s going to be in the right place.
So I’m gonna put goalies aside right now because again, it’s about the defense. If you can find yourself another top-four defenseman, somebody that will help the 21st penalty-killing unit and play better defensively long-term, it’s good to do it now. You know in a couple of games they want defensively but how do you respond defensively down the stretch and into the playoffs?
So a Chris Tanev would look really good on the blue line. David Savard and both of them, I should say a healthy Chris Tanev and a healthy David Savard would look really good on the blue line for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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So one of them would definitely help. So I think if I was Brad Treliving, I’d be starting to inquire and make those phone calls, see what the cost would be. And then if you have to move on to somebody else you can. But at least I’d start right now in January. In preparation for the trade deadline.