Things change. Last year, two years ago are no longer relevant. Brodie has lost two steps and can no longer play the way he used to. His lack of physicality is also a huge issue now that his active stick and decisions with the puck have regressed. It’s smart, tough lineup decisions that can make or break a team in the playoffs. Benoit is better than Brodie now and should be in the playoff lineup.
I would say those are Newbie fans. Most of us who’ve been watching this team the last 20-60 years definitely think otherwise.
Brodie hasn’t been a #2D for over a year. And on on better teams he would have been a middle pairing dman. Now he’s basically unplayable. His biggest weapons a quick stick and feet have left him and his complete lack of physicality is a bigger issue now
sorry brodie had been clear #2 over 80% of last 2 year. Maybe the last 15-20 games, mccabe started to take that seed but its the max... thats doesn't he was at #2 level but just how he had been used. and yes on good team he would be at best a #3 or 4th and thats exactly the problem i was talking about. Since Muzzin injury, leafs didn't had that #2 so they need to use a 3rd/4th dman in the wrong chair and ask him to play like a real #2. Ask him to play like a 4tb/5th. He will get the job done
Leafs need a clear #2 and probably a 3rd dmen too... now they are playing with a bunch of 4/5/6/7th dmen. No body individually is enough good to be a top 3 dmen ( maybe mccabe as #3). The only way leafs can overcome this is as a group.
and honestly inliked what Benoit did for the leafs with his salary but honestly i think what he did this season is worst than what Holl did last season, a guy everyone wanted to be gone. It is the novelty effect with him? i dont know... His potential is maybe higher but his actual game is not. probably next season he will get a full time spot on the line up on 3rd pair
So yes at the end at the end i think try to bring back some confidence in brodie game by reset his mind, reducing his work load and try to raise a little bit work load of everyone, mccabe, edmundson, liljegren, Lyubushkin... As a group, its the best way to overcome a huge hole in this D group ( like exemple what pittsburgh did in 2016-2017)