Carolina was equal or better than the Leafs before they added Ranta for Necas. If NJ adds Miller that is a similar bump. The Leafs are not keeping up with the arms race. If they can buckle down and play at the level they have for stretches so far it might not matter but they aren't squeezing out the tough wins like they did earlier. Maybe Tavares is a bit more important than some have suggested.
Carolina actual second is a guy who had been healthy scratch and who pratically been gifted for free
Kotkaniemi : Probably the worst second center in NHL amount team in playoff or in the mix.
They had a great 3rd line to overcome his lack on their second line.
Defensively Slavin is great
Burns slowing down and not the same player he had been and overal this D is probably the worst group they had last 7 years.
Huge issues with Goaltending, a pretty huge position come playiff timw
They had their strenght and their weakness
For JT MIller and NJ, try to name me the last time a team add a premium offensive player and this trade really made a positive impact with the team able to make a run? That will oush down player ho had been extremely important to the team down, Will remove someone of 1st pp unit from one of best pp, what would make some player unhappy
vegas-- hertl --- lost 1st
NYR - Kane-tarasenko / NJ meier
--- played esche other 1st round lost and second roumd lost ( only 5 game)
Florida --- Giroux ( lost in 1st)
just some exemple coming in mind. those kind of deal a TDL rarely working pretty well come playoff. Addimg Miller would not necessairly make NJ a better team if that split the locker room