Silver lining to up and down Leafs season

It's certainly been a rollercoaster of a season to date for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a rather pedestrian start to the year, the club has picked it up as of late and currently sit well-positioned to make the postseason.

Now, was simply making the playoffs the goal when training camp got underway last September? No. This organization has been to the playoffs seven straight years - finally winning a round this past season - so expectations are obviously high in Leafs Land. With that being said, it's fair to say this club has taken a bit of a step back this year as the stats and several key metrics would suggest. Add to that, a not so 'all in' approach at the trade deadline for depth additions indicates that management needed to see more out of this group. That's fair, considering the GM is in his first season in charge of the club.

But what doesn't get brought up enough by the plethora of talking heads/analysts/reporters who cover this team on a day-to-day basis is what appears to be the makings of a much-needed layer of support around the core. Knies, McMann, Holmberg and Robertson (yes he was sent down but he's since been called back up) are young forwards (for the most part, McMann is 27 but just signed a two-year extension at a very modest cap hit) that could very well be here for years to come and shouldn't cost the Leafs an arm and a leg to keep around.

If we're to take a quick peek at the depth chart for next season, there's reason for optimism. The Leafs will have money to spend with the likes of TJ Brodie, John Klingberg no longer on the books and the one-year deals for Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi gone as well. This has all been well documented.

But if these young forwards continue to make a name for themselves with this organization - the next couple months will really help their development - you're potentially looking at lesser holes to fill next year with more cash to spend. Now, there will be some significant holes that will need to be filled, including the centre ice position. Ideally, Tavares heads to the wing full-time next year.

Right now, here's what the lineup potentially looks like:

Knies - Matthews - Marner

Tavares - BLANK - Nylander

McMann - BLANK - Robertson (RFA, still needs to be signed)

Holmberg Kampf Jarnkrok

Dewar

Rielly BLANK

McCabe BLANK

BLANK BLANK

Woll

BLANK

So you're potentially looking at filling a second and third line centre, adding two top four defencemen plus depth adds as well as another goalie. And you've got around 20 million in cap space to do so.

In years past, there were more holes to fill. Next year, with the salary cap going up mind you, it really feels like the Leafs are well-positioned to bolster this club in a meaningful way. Less holes (yes, big holes, but more cash to spend.)

Life is good, Leafs fans. Let's just try and enjoy the rest of the season.