Given both positions, it appears that the Leafs believe some of their prospects are behind where they should be and fresh voices and perspectives are needed. Additionally, this could also mark a change in drafting philosophy for the Leafs. In the past under Dubas, the Leafs have opted for smaller, faster skilled players over larger players and have missed out on some draft picks in the later rounds that are already in the NHL and steps ahead of their current prospects. One of these is
Mason Marchment, who was a Leaf prospect but was seen as more of an AHLer or bubble player when they shipped him off to Florida for Denis Malgin, who now plays in Europe. Marchment is the type of player the Leafs could've used against Tampa and Dubas is still probably kicking himself for making that trade.