Getting off topic here, but this is why I could see Dubas 'settling' for a 1 year deal for a guy like Hamhuis. Can play the offside, veteran, would be a slightly better version of adding Hainsey, who for 1/2 of the year people were raving about. Gives Babs more options and is a guy who has played top pairing mins for most of his career so he could move up the lineup as needed.
Would still give us flexibility to add a RHD if the opportunity arises.
Issue is, the Leafs have like 5 potential guys for the bottom pairing. At this point, it's either top 4 guy or bust TBH
Our top 4 right now is Rielly, Gardiner, Hainsey and Zaitsev, and we know Dermott is going to be on the bottom pairing. Ideally, we acquire another top 4 D, and push Hainsey down to beside Dermott, solidfying our defense.
Now, let's say we don't. That leaves Ozhiganov, Borgman, Rosen, Carrick, Marincin, Holl all battling for the 6th, 7th and 8th spots.
So by adding Hamhuis, you are assumingly, making him the guy beside Dermott, however you are also cutting off any sort of compeition between the younger players, as they are now battling for press box spots, and not playing time. Not to mention, while Hamhuis averaged 20 minutes, and put up 24 points, both his score adjusted 5v5 Rel CF% and his 5v5 Rel xGF% were in the negatives, though his 5v5 CF% was at 50.9 and his 5v5 xGF% at 52.99.
