I'll say it again, in hopes the Leafs Brass listen once in awhile, we need sandpaper on the backend

[Leafsfan74]

I know some in Leafs management figure, "We can just emulate what the Pens did when they won their Cups". It's not easy and they do have LeTang who at times was dynamic on both ends of the ice, killing 25+ minutes a game plus a goalie who was on top of his game, on top of the league in their first go round.

We don't need a LeTang, but we need someone who can fill in key minutes who is hard on the puck, making it difficult for teams. I am telling you, come playoff time, we are going to face the same problems and it simply hasn't been addressed. This was a quick Habs team, but they play with some tenacity. We need to match that tenacity in the back end when we face the Bruins or Capitals in the playoffs. They will be much tougher to handle when they drive to the net.

I am not worried about our forwards, I think they not only have skill but the hunger needed to fight through come playoff time, and they are of course a big part of the concept of team defense, but I still see this D and say "they can't outmuscle players".

I know there isn't a magic wand, but there has to be a player or two Leafs have their eye on and can try and pick up at some point during the season. Even if just for depth and to challenge and weave in and out of the lineup to the six we have. I know it might be beating a dead horse to some, but it's a glaring weakness and every forward on every team must relish playing against us.

Thank you for your time.

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[93WrapAround]

we don't need sandpaper we need competent fluid D-men. 4 of the 6 looked solid tonight, Hainsey and Gardiner are not both fluid and competent. Our forwards were losing a lot of battles in our own end tonight too, it's not just on the D-men.

 

[Menzinger]

They need a guy on the right side who can actually exit the zone either with a short pass or carry out. Doesn’t even need to be a top pairing guy either, just a guy who could eat up decent amount of minutes could be stable.

 

[LeafSteel]

Combine Hainsey’s experience, Holl’s size, Carricks heart and Polak’s nastiness into one player, and we’ll be just fine........ <heavy sigh>

 

[Tak7]

I tend to agree.

Im all for having puck movers who can make a pass, but the second they are put under pressure, they were guilty of treating the puck like a live grenade.

The Leafs might be a big team, size wise, but make no mistake about it - they are a very soft team.

Soft teams dont win in the playoffs

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

Competent Dmen is the most important item. Gee, the Leafs had sandpaper Polak last year, and he was OK at best.

So getting sandpaper won't smooth out all the problems on the Leafs defence (that's suppose to be funny).

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

If you want sandpaper on the backend, just wait for Borgman to develop.



Though really, any stable top four defenseman would do, "tough guy" or otherwise. Wish Borgman was a righty.

 

[A1LeafNation]

It’s not sandpaper, it’s called zone exits. Get the puck, have a plan, and get it out.

It seems like there is no plan. That’s on Babcock.

We will have five top 4 dmen in the line up in a couple years, but Babcock needs to get his defensive zone structure in order.

Rielly Zaitsev
Dermott _____
Sandin Liljegren

Borgman Rosen Ozhiganov Holl will fill out the rest of the defence card.

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

There are some trades that make sense for the Leafs with Nylander for a dman, but Leafs will have to acquire 2 dmen who play with an edge if they’re serious about contending. One to be a top 4 guy and another 6/7. Nylander targets:

Darnell Nurse ( I don’t like him but he’s a fit plus SSM connection)
Vince Dunn
Shea Weber (MTL retains salary)
Josh Manson

It has to happen

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

It’s not sandpaper, it’s called zone exits. Get the puck, have a plan, and get it out.

It seems like there is no plan. That’s on Babcock.

We will have five top 4 dmen in the line up in a couple years, but Babcock needs to get his defensive zone structure in order.

Rielly Zaitsev
Dermott _____
Sandin Liljegren

Borgman Rosen Ozhiganov Holl will fill out the rest of the defence card.

Lol assembling that group is blue print on how to lose in the first round.

 

[indigobuffalo]

It’s not sandpaper, it’s called zone exits. Get the puck, have a plan, and get it out.

It seems like there is no plan. That’s on Babcock.

We will have six top 4 dmen in the line up in a couple years, but Babcock needs to get his defensive zone structure in order.

Rielly Zaitsev
Dermott Ozhiganov
Sandin Liljegren

Borgman Rosen Holl will fill out the rest of the defence card.

Fixed

 

[Leafslet]

I tend to agree.

Im all for having puck movers who can make a pass, but the second they are put under pressure, they were guilty of treating the puck like a live grenade.

The Leafs might be a big team, size wise, but make no mistake about it - they are a very soft team.

Soft teams dont win in the playoffs

that's why what we really need is a great first passer who isn't afraid to take a hit. a rare commodity in the nhl today.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Lol assembling that group is blue print on how to lose in the first round.

It’s thinking like that which is why Poulin doesn’t have an NHL job anymore. No one wants archaic thinking anymore.

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

Adam Mcquaid, Erik Gudbranson, Marc Staal, Polak. All guys you want come playoff time. I would like any of these guys in addition to adding one of the guys in the above post via Nylander trade.

Leafs need 2 guys no doubt about it. Leafs D is complete and utter trash and Nylander is a luxury player.

 

[White Shadow]

It’s not sandpaper, it’s called zone exits. Get the puck, have a plan, and get it out.

It seems like there is no plan. That’s on Babcock.

We will have five top 4 dmen in the line up in a couple years, but Babcock needs to get his defensive zone structure in order.

Rielly Zaitsev
Dermott _____
Sandin Liljegren

Borgman Rosen Ozhiganov Holl will fill out the rest of the defence card.

There is clear structure. Even the players talk about the breakout structure.

It is not being execute properly.

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

It’s thinking like that which is why Poulin doesn’t have an NHL job anymore. No one wants archaic thinking anymore.

You need still need toughness and grit.. especially later in the season. Leafs will get bullied the way they are assembled lol they’re a regular season team. It’s not hard to acquire multiple dmen who will help this club.

Don’t kid yourself this group is soft and one of the worst units in the league.

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

Competent Dmen is the most important item. Gee, the Leafs had sandpaper Polak last year, and he was OK at best.

So getting sandpaper won't smooth out all the problems on the Leafs defence (that's suppose to be funny).

Polak was good in the playoffs and down the stretch like he always is. He played much better than Gardiner but no one would ever admit that. Leafs did get a lot softer this off season and that’s a fact. They’ll get pushed around by teams come playoff time if they stay this course. They have a legit shot at winning the cup now BUT they need to get tougher and improve the back end.

There is no doubt about it. It’s incredibly obvious what they need to do. They have a big opportunity to do something special if they make a couple of moves...

 

[InSuL1nImP]

Toronto Raptors 2.0. When we play LeBron (Capitals, Bruins, Flyers) We're going to get not only beat but embarrassed too.

 

[Cleatus]

I am highly in favour of adding sandpaper that can actually play. Absolute no to crappily skilled tough guys like Polak, Komarov, etc... Someone like Josh Manson would be a dream addition.

 

[TMLS]

call up anyone from the marlies and they be way better than hainsey. we need a andrew nielson type of player on d. should have taken bode wilde instead of sandin this year imo

 

[The Legend]

Polak was good in the playoffs and down the stretch like he always is. He played much better than Gardiner but no one would ever admit that. Leafs did get a lot softer this off season and that’s a fact. They’ll get pushed around by teams come playoff time if they stay this course. They have a legit shot at winning the cup now BUT they need to get tougher and improve the back end.

There is no doubt about it. It’s incredibly obvious what they need to do. They have a big opportunity to do something special if they make a couple of moves...

Assuming you’re not a parody account, the team needs more puck movers. This isn’t a novel take by any stretch, but the game has clearly changed and having D who can carry the puck is critical.

 

[HC7]

If all the D look bad it's a system issue. Players like Rielly and Gardiner who are some of the best puck movers in the league shouldn't be struggling to make a breakout pass.

This falls squarely on Babcock and DJ Smith. Embarrassing our coaches are so f***ing daft that they cannot implement a better breakout with all the skilled forwards.

 

[Cleatus]

Polak was good in the playoffs and down the stretch like he always is. He played much better than Gardiner but no one would ever admit that. Leafs did get a lot softer this off season and that’s a fact. They’ll get pushed around by teams come playoff time if they stay this course. They have a legit shot at winning the cup now BUT they need to get tougher and improve the back end.

There is no doubt about it. It’s incredibly obvious what they need to do. They have a big opportunity to do something special if they make a couple of moves...

As true as what you said about Polak is (he's tough as nails, and was really good late-season and in the playoffs for the Leafs), you can't excuse how bad at hockey he was for most of the time he played, and that he's very likely going to decline sharply very soon due to the style of game he plays... A declining Polak simply isn't worth a roster spot.

 

[A1LeafNation]

There is clear structure. Even the players talk about the breakout structure.

It is not being execute properly.

Well then I guess Babcock needs to do a better job of getting these guys to execute it.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Adam MacQuaid should be available at the trade deadline from the Rangers, pending UFA RHD, would be a fantastic addition for the 3rd pairing, likely with an inflated price tag he'll cost us a 3rd rounder I would bet.

Doesn't help the top 4....

Rielly-Dermott
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Hainsey-MacQuaid

Still not quite where I would like it. I think we're going to need to wait until at least American Thanksgiving to hear about a top 4D being available, maybe longer.