The Leafs worst mistake would be to chase "help me now" players and give up potential to get it.  Simply, they are not yet at that stage.  This is the year to see how far they can go with the current players.  Besides being a learning experience (make the playoffs or not), the experience will be a true gauge of what they need and where they need it.  Defence is an obvious example but it is not the only one.

Use this opportunity to accurately assess the next stage of their development rather than think that this core group of players with strategic additions can make a deep run.  They need to keep the long range mission front and centre (competitive team every year knowing in October that they will make the playoffs).

Giving up potential at this stage will be a signal that Shanahan has lost his influence (in my view).