The dilemna for Lou.

After the way he fleeced Ottawa, plucked Andersen and found Boyle the expectations for Lou to
" pull one off " will be high. Not just from many fans and the media but Babcock himself. Toronto now faces the likes of Tampa Bay, Boston, Pitts. and Washington in the playoffs and that is just to get into the cup finals. Rumours are Josh Leivo has now requested a trade as well. Mike Babcock has given Lou a list of demands since losing any year isn't in his DNA/ belief system. So, who is this player who can magically lift Toronto past the big 4 into Stanley Cup contention ? Karlsson maybe. Babcock has said he would love a defenseman perhaps a Jossi or a Subban or a Doughty or... opps  let's stay real here! The cost for Karlsson will be high in trade, as will re - signing him. He has said " Show me the money this time...no discounts! " The fact he will want $12M per year and has had some injury issues will lessen his value right now. The demand for Karlsson will be Reilly or Gardiner plus Liljegren and a first rounder, potentially disrupting the team. The Leafs would have to send either Reilly or  at least Gardiner just to afford Karlsson's stated future demands. So, where does that leave Lou who already fleeced Ottawa once dumping  Phaneuf they surely don't want  now, into their laps? It leaves him looking for the exact same thing all the other GM's want too. A cheap, potential top 4 defenseman rental type guy. Lou has some pieces he may recognize don't have a future in Toronto. Leivo being one, he also has 2 -2nd round picks this year. Karlsson seems a big summer trade and Ottawa will want full value for their franchise guy. So, somehow Lou has to turn Leivo a second round pick and another prospect into what everyone wants, including his excited coach? The fans will want a miracle and so will the media. I don't think it is time for Toronto to throw a first rounder this year into that mix.


I don't envy Lou's job right now, the team has played well lately, as asked for. Many fans want cup now ! Myself, I see it in the next 4 to 5 years but doubt a late season trade will have the impact many want.Well Lou, here is your rabbit, put in the magic hat and turn it into gold somehow or at least a big silver cup with all those names on it. Do you make the safer play or go for it now?