The Leafs will have a new-look top pairing on defense, and it could include Jake Gardiner. With Carl Gunnarsson now gone, there is an opening on the first defensive pair with Dion Phaneuf. Gardiner is likely to get the first crack at that job. Morgan Rielly is also set for an expanded role next season as well. "Those guys are going to have to take steps forward," general manager Dave Nonis said. "It might be a lot to ask for Morgan a little bit in his second year, but he made some pretty big strides last year and we would expect that he'll take some more next [year]. And I think Jake is a good possibility [of doing the same] as well."