Brad Treliving signed all of Ryan Reaves, Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi in his first free agency period as Toronto Maple Leafs GM.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving made noise on July 1st and it definitely raised some eyebrows. A three-year contract for Ryan Reaves had a lot of people scratching their heads. Mike Johnson pointed out that he wouldn't "keep the flies off" because he wouldn't be on the ice with the stars. He is right. But, the Uncle Rons, Kens, Dougs and Johns of the Greater Toronto Area believed that the Leafs needed to add an element of toughness.
Brad Treliving answered their call. Max Domi, son of Tie, will wear the Leafs uniform. Tyler Bertuzzi, nephew of Todd, will join him. Toughness, belligerence, pugnacity and grit doesn't just run in those families...it gallops. Here's why this a good bet by Toronto's new GM.
Ryan Reaves is an upgrade on Wayne Simmonds. Max Domi is an offensive upgrade on Alex Kerfoot. Tyler Bertuzzi is an upgrade on Michael Bunting. John Klingberg is an offensive upgrade on Justin Holl. All four contracts are low risk and the Leafs should be more difficult to play against.
The team was barely able to get over the hump in the Dubas era. They struggled to score in the playoffs. Bertuzzi, Domi and Klingberg will definitely help in that area. But, will their offensive production outweigh their defensive deficiencies? Will these moves prove to be the right fit for a highly-skilled team in dire need of a Cup run?
Time will tell.