According to ChatGPT, three main issues stand out as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ biggest needs. I recently called in the AI-powered engine again to ask them what areas the Toronto Maple Leafs need to improve on.

Here’s the only question I asked: What do the Toronto Maple Leafs need to add before the start of the 2024-25 season?

The answer, while short, speaks volumes about what AI thinks about the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most pressing needs.

So let’s take a closer look at the details of ChatGPT’s responses:

Defensive depth

This is no surprise. While AI is not an omniscient oracle, it is actually quite insightful and has a command of the obvious. The first thing ChatGPT underlined was the need for defensive depth. In particular, the AI-based response highlighted: “The third pair of defenses is still a problem.”

Third defensive pair? According to the Daily Faceoff, the third defensive pair is Jake McCabe and Simon Benoit. Does ChatGPT know something we don’t? I mean, the McCabe-Benoit pair is solid. That’s certainly great for a bottom pair, but is there something ChatGPT thinks is off here?

Daily Faceoff also predicts that newcomers Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Timothy Liljegren will form the second pair. Personally, I would make this duo the third pair. On the other hand, Daily Faceoff seems to assume that the Ekman-Larsson-Liljegren duo is much better positioned offensively than Benoit and McCabe.

Well, here is an interesting piece of information:

“Signing a reliable right-back would be ideal as the current line-up lacks depth and consistency in this area.”

Shouldn’t Chris Tanev be that right-handed defenseman?

If we assume he is, then Liljegren and McCabe don’t inspire much confidence in that regard. So that thought got me thinking about how the Leafs might keep an eye on their right-backs as the season progresses. A deal could be made if the club feels McCabe isn’t worth re-signing.

Overall, I have to agree with ChatGPT on this point. The Leafs are pretty thin beyond the top 6. If the Leafs want to seriously compete for a top spot in the Eastern Conference and then translate that performance into a deep postseason, more depth is needed.