I really hope you are right about winning a Cup with that D core. But I have zero confidence in any of them in their own end when under pressure. That is why we give up so many shots. Yes team defence will improve with forward guys who left for sure. but you still need a d core who can do the dirty work. What i saw last year was Matty and Kadri as main guys getting puck outta our end. That takes a big toll on them over time. Lets hope for the best i just don;y like to rely on hope. I prefer a sure thing d core.
Confirmed with Link: GM Dubas -- Part 2: What will he do next!?
- Thread starter uncleben
- Start date
Notsince67
Papi and the Lamplighters
- Apr 27, 2018
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If you look at shot quality (high danger zone), you will see that the leafs are quite low. That is why save percentage is a bit overblown
White Shadow
Registered User
- Jan 7, 2016
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Jmo89
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2010
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With the forward core the Leafs have defence will take a bit of a back seat. No team can afford both a top tier offence or defence (I guess maybe Tampa can if they land Karlsson.)
IMO the defence does need to improve but not as much as some say. Some of the talking heads and HFers have made up their minds that Toronto needs a #1 or #2. I disagree. I think Rielly is a decent #1. A #2 would be nice, but a middle pair RHD 3-4 guys is what they *need* IMO and would work with their salary going forward. Easier said than done to acquire obviously.
Zaitsev looking like a middle pair guy this year would help alot too. I think he can bounce back. He had alot going on last year.
IMO the defence does need to improve but not as much as some say. Some of the talking heads and HFers have made up their minds that Toronto needs a #1 or #2. I disagree. I think Rielly is a decent #1. A #2 would be nice, but a middle pair RHD 3-4 guys is what they *need* IMO and would work with their salary going forward. Easier said than done to acquire obviously.
Zaitsev looking like a middle pair guy this year would help alot too. I think he can bounce back. He had alot going on last year.
robertmac43
Forever 43!
- Mar 31, 2015
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Jmo89
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2010
- 4,342
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I disagree. They have a good defence, better than the Leafs, but not top tier IMO. Overall though I think TBay is the best team in the east.
robertmac43
Forever 43!
- Mar 31, 2015
- 23,355
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Really eh? Not convinced with Hedman, Sergachev, Stralman, McDonagh, etc. It does not shape up the likes up the Preds but it is definitely up there
People are way overblowing the Leafs defensive issues. Not having to shelter a line for ~15 minutes a night is going to be a huge boost to the Leafs defensive performance. Adding one more solid defender to lessen Hainsey’s load - preferably one of Pysyk or Tanev - and they’re golden.
Nithoniniel
Registered User
I disagree. Their defense would be arrayed something like this, marked by approximately how good they are:
#1 - RL*
1P - 2P
RL - 2P
*RL = Replacement Level
That's still quite good, but it's not one of the better groups out there. Strålman isn't what he once was anymore, and their depth beyond the four top names isn't good. Having a Girardi on your top pairing is problematic. Worse than us having Hainsey there. Here's ours for comparison:
1P - 3P
1P - 3P
2P - RL
The differences aren't that big.
Leafsguard
Registered User
- Feb 1, 2018
- 53
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No one should but I think the issue is where he is playing smaller ice or the larger european ice. Think he can have the little brain farts on the larger ice because he has space to make up for it onthe smaller ice one little mistake its in the back of your net.
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
- 35,591
- 16,773
So I decided to spend some time mapping out the Leafs Amateur/European Scouting vacancies since those are the only ones remaining from last season:
North America
Director of Amateur Scouting: John Lilley
Director of Eastern Scouting: Lindsay Hofford*
Director of Western Scouting: Tim Speltz
Director of US Scouting: Vacant
BC/Alberta Scouting: Garth Malarchuk
Manitoba/Saskatchewan Scouting: Dale Derkatch
Western US Scouting (Washington, Oregon): Tim Speltz
Midwest US + USHL Scouting (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois): Tony Martino*
Northeast US Scouting (New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachussets, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire): Jim Vesey Sr. + John Lilley
Michigan/Ohio/Indiana/Southern Ontario (USDP, Flint, Saginaw, Erie, Windsor, London, Sarnia, Muskegon, Youngstown): John Kisil
Northern Ontario/Western Quebec (SSM, Sudbury, North Bay, Kingston, Ottawa, Rouyn Noranda, Val D'Or, Gatineau, Blainville-Boisbriand): Real Paiement
GTA/Central Ontario: Lindsay Hofford*
Central/Eastern Quebec: Patrick Charbonneau + Stephane Robidas (unofficially)
Maritimes: Vacant (and did not officially exist last year, but would be worthwhile for the Leafs)
European
Director of European Scouting: Ari Vuori
Scandinavian Scout: Thommie Bergman
Scandinavian Scout: Robert Nordmark
Russian Scout: Vacant
Russian Scout: Vacant
Germany/Switzerland/Czechnia/Slovakia Scout: Radim Jelenik
North America
Director of Amateur Scouting: John Lilley
Director of Eastern Scouting: Lindsay Hofford*
Director of Western Scouting: Tim Speltz
Director of US Scouting: Vacant
BC/Alberta Scouting: Garth Malarchuk
Manitoba/Saskatchewan Scouting: Dale Derkatch
Western US Scouting (Washington, Oregon): Tim Speltz
Midwest US + USHL Scouting (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois): Tony Martino*
Northeast US Scouting (New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachussets, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire): Jim Vesey Sr. + John Lilley
Michigan/Ohio/Indiana/Southern Ontario (USDP, Flint, Saginaw, Erie, Windsor, London, Sarnia, Muskegon, Youngstown): John Kisil
Northern Ontario/Western Quebec (SSM, Sudbury, North Bay, Kingston, Ottawa, Rouyn Noranda, Val D'Or, Gatineau, Blainville-Boisbriand): Real Paiement
GTA/Central Ontario: Lindsay Hofford*
Central/Eastern Quebec: Patrick Charbonneau + Stephane Robidas (unofficially)
Maritimes: Vacant (and did not officially exist last year, but would be worthwhile for the Leafs)
European
Director of European Scouting: Ari Vuori
Scandinavian Scout: Thommie Bergman
Scandinavian Scout: Robert Nordmark
Russian Scout: Vacant
Russian Scout: Vacant
Germany/Switzerland/Czechnia/Slovakia Scout: Radim Jelenik
FlareKnight
Registered User
Well he's certainly not going to get anywhere acting like he's in a panic about blueline help. And honestly I'd be surprised if he didn't have confidence in guys on the Marlies considering his role with that team the past few years.
If there's a move then great. But may also just have to trust the guys there to compete for jobs and assemble the best group out of that.
If there's a move then great. But may also just have to trust the guys there to compete for jobs and assemble the best group out of that.
ToneBone03
Trust the Shanaplan
I 100% agree. Zaitsev having a bounce back season would greatly diminish our need to acquire a top-4 RHD. Of course, I wouldn't complain if we ended up acquiring one (depending on price), but a lot of people are kind of forgetting about Zaitsev due to the season he just had. He was phenomenal in his rookie season. Maybe the issue should be acquiring someone more steady for him to play with.
DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
- Jan 17, 2017
- 31,877
- 48,880
1). No matter what a GM or coach really thinks, every year they like our defence. Standard answer, then when they make a trade "well, we felt we needed to shore up our backend", lol.
2). It's okay to admit you high fived the air and danced in your office when you landed the biggest free agent in years.
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
This is the thing people aren’t considering, upgrading the defense doesn’t just involve upgrading the actual D. Tavares is an elite defensive player, by most metrics comparable to a ROR/Couturier level center man. Bozak by most metrics is a horrible defensive player, same for JVR. By upgrading to JT/Johnsson leafs will give up fewer shots and possess the puck more. We don’t need to completely shelter the third line anymore.
Also getting rid of polak and a right handed bottom pairing guy who can move the puck whether that be Holl or Carrick is a huge upgrade.
Rielly-Gardiner
Dermott-Hainsey
Marincin-Zaitsev
That is probably a dcore that ranks around 12-16 by most metrics.
Yeah, a lot of people fall into the trap of believing defence falls solely on the D-men. With further growth in the kids, the swap of JVR/Bozak to JT/AJ, as well as even changing Komarov to Kapanen ... it's all going to lead to less time on ice where we get caved in on Shot Share.
I honestly think that the future of "defending" is something we already know, having the puck is the best defence. If we can become a stronger breakout team (with the changes already made, we already have), that's going to lead to more possession time, and less time in our own zone. Having mobile guys who can move the puck (Dubas' stated MO) is the best way to accomplish that. Defensive d-men that are only good at defending are dinosaurs, who only really "shine" on the PK when they don't have to move around too much and can just ice the puck - but even then, having a guy who can skate it out of danger and possibly create a chance the other way is so much more valuable.
I'm really excited to see where the team goes, and have full faith that Dubas will get it to where it needs to be.
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
I love this post, especially the bolded. All we need is guys to move the puck. We will have the puck all the time in the ozone so we won't really need to defend all that much anyways. Puck possession is the best form of defense.
I wouldn't go that far. Slightly above average defensive player. I agree with everything else though
ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
I wouldn't go that far. Slightly above average defensive player. I agree with everything else though
Defensive goals above replacement put him as a top 5 defensive forward over the past 3 seasons.
I think that Dubas will address the defensive situation... but he's not in any sort of rush.
I think he wants to wait until the season starts and see what we have before making any big moves. If the right deal is there, I think he'll make it... but he's not going to panic into making a bad move at this point.
Zaitsev is a big question mark. Will he be top 4 guy... bottom pairing... or in need of replacement? Gotta see how Igor Ozhiganov looks. See how Rosen, Borgman, and Liljegren are doing.
Gardiner is another big question mark. If he looks good, are we re-signing him... are we looking to trade him?
The good thing is that we can go into this season with our current defensive group and we are still a lock for the playoffs. I think by trade deadline time, we will have a better idea of our needs and I expect us to try to improve our defense around that time. We might be looking at more of a short term rental... or maybe we find a good long term piece.
At this point, the following players are locks: Gardiner, Rielly, Dermott, Hainsey, Zaitsev. There will be a lot of guys competing for that last spot. If those 5 are all playing well, and we get one of Ozhiganov, Carrick, Rosen, Borgman, etc. to play well ... then we may not even need someone. I think there's a good chance that we have 6 defenders who are all pretty good... meaning we would need a high quality piece for there to be an upgrade.
edit: forgot Marincin a possibility too.
I think he wants to wait until the season starts and see what we have before making any big moves. If the right deal is there, I think he'll make it... but he's not going to panic into making a bad move at this point.
Zaitsev is a big question mark. Will he be top 4 guy... bottom pairing... or in need of replacement? Gotta see how Igor Ozhiganov looks. See how Rosen, Borgman, and Liljegren are doing.
Gardiner is another big question mark. If he looks good, are we re-signing him... are we looking to trade him?
The good thing is that we can go into this season with our current defensive group and we are still a lock for the playoffs. I think by trade deadline time, we will have a better idea of our needs and I expect us to try to improve our defense around that time. We might be looking at more of a short term rental... or maybe we find a good long term piece.
At this point, the following players are locks: Gardiner, Rielly, Dermott, Hainsey, Zaitsev. There will be a lot of guys competing for that last spot. If those 5 are all playing well, and we get one of Ozhiganov, Carrick, Rosen, Borgman, etc. to play well ... then we may not even need someone. I think there's a good chance that we have 6 defenders who are all pretty good... meaning we would need a high quality piece for there to be an upgrade.
edit: forgot Marincin a possibility too.
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A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
- Oct 17, 2010
- 27,332
- 17,259
How come you have Zaitsev as 3p and hainsey as 3p, but coburn as 2p?
Also MCD looks like a 2p now
Nithoniniel
Registered User
That's Sergachev. Coburn is replacement level.
I'm willing to give McDonagh some more time before that.
