Good move not rushing him into the nhl.

Sorry to be disagreeable but why do so many Leaf fans think TommyL is so NHL ready. He was drafted 17th which suggests t he isn't NHL ready. Gee even Reilly and Marner who where drafted 5th overall spent another year in junior. IMO he might not even be AHL ready, but that is why they have training camp.
I guess TommyL is like the new girl in school, she seems so perfect because you haven't had a chance to to see the imperfections. Same with Rosen and Aaltonen, no proof they are NHL good. They weren't stars in Europe. I'd rather keep Marincin and Fehr until we know those guys are ready....if at all.

Pal, Happy Simcoe Day!!!!! My post suggests Liljegren isn't ready, so on this we don't disagree! As for Aaltonen, we totally disagree, and I even have him as the alternate forward for 2017/18! Aaltonen centered the top scoring line in all of the KHL last year and his speed and skill should play well in NHL, able to move up and down in the lineup on wing or center, thus making him a solid 23rd man! You wouldn't have predicted Zaitsev ready for the NHL last year, and I believe Aaltonen can in effect be Zaitsev 2018!!! A good Simcoe day banter!!

Also Hal, who would you prefer playing 5/6 minutes: Hainsey, Franson, Carrick, or Marincin?

Thanks Doug. I'm retired, Every day is a stat holiday. I watch some of AMCs "Torn" about the American Revolution. Our Lord Simcoe was made out to be a sadistic, brutal British officer. Hardly worth of a holiday and lake being named after him
Weather wise it has been awful this year for cottagers, boaters, campers in central, southern Ontario. Yesterday I went to the cottage to visit friends, and bailed my boat. The tornado that came down was just 15km from the my cottage. No damage on our lake though, though a few trees came down on some properties.
This is how I see the Leafs defence right now. Left side. 22 minutes for Reilly, Gardiner and 16 minutes for Marincin. Right Side 22 Zaitsev, 20 minutes Hainsey 18 minutes Carrick. If Franson is signed, Hainey goes to left side
Hope you're right about Aaltonen (and Rosen, and Borgstrom). Maybe they will be NHL good at some time.
Getting back to the defence. I think there is a deal to be made, maybe Vegas. The Leafs trade some of their excess bottom end NHLers, or upper end AHLers such as Leivo, Soshnikov and Rychel for maybe Miller or someone. As long as they are better than Marincin and/or Marchenko, it would be a win for both teams.
Actually I am one of few Leafs fans who isn't THAT down on Marincin. If he can play at least some regular minutes he will be OK. Looking forward hoping Dermot and Borgman maybe Neilsen show they are NHL ready at some time in the season. And maybe Lilgrenn too, but I think it too soon for him.

Yeah Pal, all I have done above is try and provide upgrades to Marincin and/or Marchenko at little to not cost on one year deals! I am still hopeful that Leafs find a way to put together a package for a top 4 RD! I'm not picky but I would hope that Dman is still in his ELC and if in his final year, can hopefully be resigned long term for a package similar to Reilly! If so I can see a way for the Leafs to move forward with a top 4 at least until 2019 when it may have to move Gardiner, and replace him with the stream of solid LD's that are coming through the season at less cap!

Pal, should also acknowledge, that I totally agree with you, if Leafs can't bring in a Franson, or alternate low cost RD, then I also see Hainsey moving over to the top 4 RD! I just don't see Babcock believing in Carrick enough to increase his minutes beyond bottom pairing!

I like the trades. Might be tough prying Colin Miller away from Vegas but worth a try,

"Thanks for the comment and I fully admit it might be tough! That's why I offer a young serviceable top 9 forward, a "B" prospect that might be a year or two out but is controllable, and likely a high third round pick! Wouldn't want to sweeten that pot any further, and hope Vegas would see value!

Doug and friends; Folks talk about bottom pairing etc, and I really don't believe much in them. Your "top" Dmen often have more minutes because they more on the PP. There is no way to protect your 5/6 Dmen, all the time.They play 14 to 18 minutes a game. They HAVE to be NHL good.
The NHL seems to going the way of paying (over paying?) their stars. So the only way to succeed is have your stars play very well and hope your guys are ELCs are NHL good.
2019/2020. Leafs defence. Reilly and Zaitsev. Then the rather inexpensive. Dermott, Borgman, TimmyL, Carrick, Nielsen....something like that. Might not have $$$$ for Gardiner , if Marner, Matthews and Nylander take about 24m or about 30% of the cap.
Then if Dermott Borgman TimmyL eventually get too expensive or maybe UFA Reilly, then the Lindgren, Greenway, the. 2nd rounder Finn, and others, can they make the lineup....and so it goes.