The bigger issue here as a Leaf fan is how we got here. Tied up money in forwards, lack of depth in D now. They should also free up Holl and Muzzin contract....Muzzin shouldn't play another game in the NHL, he's a wreck.
As you said, Soup came in and gave them good minutes, his first full nhl season and still struggled since December. I'm not giving him 3 or 5 year contracts at 4.5 or 5... whatever he's looking for. He's a great backup though that will give you solid 30 or 35 starts.
Dubas should have looked at options, Husso, Fleury, maybe even Gibson....Murray has averaged less then 30 games the last 3 seasons, not the same guy from 6 years ago. Dubas got desperate and took a shortcut, a huge gamble. Just like he goes to Europe to look for cheap contracts. Maybe he can also land Samsanov? I'm not sure, but this, will be a disaster. They still need to add scoring depth.
His signings are all questionable, we were going forward and now taking steps back.
Leafs will never move forward and succeed till JT contract is gone and they have a #1 plus a few defenders and forwards.