2. The thing Babcock most liked about the blip that was the Jake Muzzin–Morgan Rielly top pairing was having Ron Hainsey on Travis Dermott’s right shoulder and in the rookie’s ear. A minus player at the time of the Muzzin deal, Dermott went plus-7 in those games predominantly paired with Hainsey.
“The biggest difference you see is suddenly Dermy is even,” Babcock said. “So, that’s getting to hang out with Ron and him telling you what to do. It’s probably a pretty good deal.”
Hainsey says there is “lots to like” about Dermott — all but guaranteed to take over Jake Gardiner’s puck-moving role in Toronto’s top four starting 2019-20.
“A real brave player going back for pucks. He’s elusive back there when he gets it. He can avoid the forecheck and get it out fast. The communication has been really good and continues to improve,” said Hainsey, reminding that Demott has only been a full-time NHLer for 13 months.
“He continues to get better and better, and he’s got a great future if he continues doing that.”
Muzzin gives Babcock more pairing options, and the six-man puzzle remains a project in progress with five of them being lefties.
But the way Babcock speaks so vaguely about his D corps convinces us Toronto is still hunting for another blue-liner: a right shot who can kill penalties.
“I would say there’s different options. We’ve talked a lot about them,” Babcock said. “We just try to be as patient as we can right now, and we’re going to continue to do that. You know, you always have different scenarios in your mind you can get to.”
Hmmm…
