On defense, I don't see any problem with pairings that have one blueliner who can get the puck out to start offensive plays, and a more defensive defenseman. For offensive blueliners, they usually
incur some risk. Turnovers happen. The issue is, how many turnovers compared to their offense?
#3 Jake Gardiner...... 105 giveaways 16th in scoring. 52 points.................. -13
#14 Ron Hainsey ........85 giveaways 83rd in scoring. 23 points................... -79
#16 Morgan Rielly ......79 giveaways 15th in scoring. 52 points.................. -1
#21 Nikita Zaitsev ......76 giveaways (60 gp) 139th in scoring. 13 points.................. -118
#126 Travis Dermott ..36 giveaways (37 gp) 149th in scoring. 13 points.................... -23
I think it's clear, the offensive force should be Reilly, Gardiner, and Dermott. Hainsey and
Zaitsev are more dangerous with the puck then Polak who'd just launches it up the rink for
an icing. There's some really bad return on the Leaf's risk investment. Also to note, there could
also be an issue of how well forwards help out. If Matthews sets himself up for an outlet
pass while Plekanec doesn't, one blueliner's ability to make a safe play might be different
then another's.
On the defensive side, to me it's hard to have a defensive blueliner who throws less then one hit per game. They need a physical presence.
This has been a HUGE issue of goals being scored in front of the Leaf's net in the playoffs.
Hits per game. Blocked Shots per game. Combine?
Borgman 2.5 / 0.8 3.2
Polak 2.4 / 1.6 4.0
Zaitsev 1.9 / 2.2 4.1
Dermott 1.3 / 1.0 2.3
Hainsey 1.1 / 2.1 3.2
J. Holl 1.0 / 1.5 2.5
I think this paints the picture of Zaitsev, Polak, Haisey being the best at their role. I'm not a big fan of Hainsey, so I do have that bias.
But really a stay-at-home needs to be tough to handle guys in front, and Hainsey doesn't offer that. Borgman was the exact opposite.
I know how everyone talks about the Mike Greens of the world, but I think the Leafs need at least one blueliners who can throw close
to 2 hits a game and block 2 as well. Polak, Christian Folin, Luke Schenn... they'll get ripped apart by the fans, but they'll do a much
needed job in front of the net.