To begin this article on lack of defensive play id like to mention that a recent M.R.I showed Bryan McCabe has a slightly torn Groin which could keep him out of Turin not to mention a long absence from the Leafs. Not Good.

Leafs went into Colorado to play a squad that has won seven straight. Its now 8 .

Although a bit weaker than the old offensive Juggernaut the Avs are still a Force in the west. Sure they lost Forsberg and Foote but Youngster's like Svatos and Liles have stepped up to fill the void (and thats a huge void).
Key to beating the Avs is stopping the big three. (Sakic, Hejduk, Svatos)

Hejduk had a pair while Svatos scored his 27th goal of the year. He is a Rookie.

Hejduk dominated the front of the net. Sakic owned the offence zone and skated circles around the Maple Leaf defence.

Kinda dishearting was the fact that there was no improvement even after Quinn ranted on the D on every media source possible.

Since the D wont improve it leads to a trade or blow the season kinda mentality. So what's Fergy to do? Trade one of the Young Guns. Wellwood and Steen should be out of the Question because they are the future of the Leafs and more than a few people would be in raged if we saw Stajan leave after what he did in the playoffs last (played) season. John Pohl is a talented young playmaker much like Wellwood and he just arrived in Toronto Via St.Louis. We want to win now but dont want to give up the future so what are we to do?
Allison is on the block and I feel he has been solid latley and he is not the problem.

O Niell is in a slump but is on the way out or atleast is showing signs of this. (Allison and O'Niell both scored last night)
If Sundin were to be traded it would not be because of his play which has been right on average this season. Plus to give up sundin you expect a top star and even then it might not be worth it unless you were able to pick up players like maybe Jokien and Boumesster.
To add more complication to the equation, The salary cap wont help. Keep in mind that a Goaltender will be in need soon.

In other words it's either Win now or Win later and Its time for some rebuilding as much as I hate to say it.

The boys take on the Best defensive team in the league in the Wild . A good home team this year but are 1-4 on their current seven game homestand.

Leafs might not need the Offence but The wild will ware you down and thats when they score.

Should be a good gage on were the Leafs are as far as Defensive Improvement.

Don't look now but here come the Senators for two Straight in the Capitol.

And you thought Hejduk, Svatos and Sakic were a problem wait till Alfredson, Heatley, Redden, and Chara get them. (Chara and Redden are D-man) Rumors have Spezza coming back soon . Talk about a HUGE PAIR OF GAME'S