As the Maple Leafs deal with their first blue line injury this season, Justin Bourne writes that they can’t sit back and be patient after a good start, but have to look at ways to improve the defence now.

Sportsnet analyst Justin Bourne argues that the Toronto Maple Leafs urgently need to acquire an external defenseman following an injury to Chris Tanev. With internal depth options limited just seven games into the season, Bourne asserts that relying on internal replacements will jeopardize the team's playoff aspirations in a highly competitive Atlantic Division.
Bourne notes that potential trade candidates like Zach Whitecloud and Rasmus Ristolainen are being mentioned, though neither represents an elite puck-moving upgrade. The writer emphasizes that management must balance limited trade assets against the danger of falling out of postseason contention before the trade deadline.
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