Random thoughts on Leafs winning ways; Blue Jays spring training notes

I haven't had time to blog over the past little while, largely because of life getting in the way, but I had a bit of time this Monday afternoon, so here goes...

-I think two things can be true when describing the Leafs current winning streak. Yes, the team looks galvanized after Morgan Rielly's headshot heard round the world that resulted in a five game suspension earlier this month. But also the team has clearly gelled after head coach Sheldon Keefe's recent tinkering to the lineup that has John Tavares and Max Domi switching spots, among a few other lineup adjustments. Tavares has really bought into the role and it really feels like this team is three lines deep with the potential of a really solid fourth line when Jarnkrok returns from injury. Kampf has also look noticeably better recently.

-Yep, the Leafs need a right shot defenceman. It's abundantly clear now after this recent stretch. Let Brodie continue to play on his strong side and get Rielly a half decent partner for the stretch run and postseason. I still don't believe they should be mortgaging their first rounder again in a deal as they've done in years past. The only way I'd pull something like that off is unless the package coming back had some term and was here for a few years. I predicted a while ago they acquire a familiar face. Maybe they go that route again...

-This may be some form of recency bias but I'm having a hard time getting amped up for Blue Jays baseball this year. Could it be the incredibly underwhelming offseason? I mean, I don't know about you, but I'm not kicking the door down to watch 39-year-old Justin Turner attempt to bring 'intangibles' to a club, while the GM chats about 'internal growth' as the two significant offseason additions. The one saving grace: Alek Manoah. If he returns to form from two years ago, then we're talking. But who the heck knows at this point.