This is toronto where all of our D are constantly trash and our goalies are gods gift to hockey... remember when toskala was considered a top 10 goalie
Our defence isnt trash though ... but what is wrong by calling them out?
As I mentioned earlier ..... reilly hasnt been very good this season compared to his last 2 seasons.
Is it injury or is it personnel (defensive partners), I dont know.
But just because I said he has been shit, doesnt mean I dont think he is a great dman.
I have always been, and likely, always be a big big reilly fan ..... but his recent play defensively is not good.
Same for barrie ..... he came as advertised, puck moving machine that is weak in his own zone. Very prone to big defensive errors.
Muzzin is good but I dont think I would pay what he will probably want in his next contract. Actually, I know I wouldnt.
Holl has had some hiccups, but this guy is like finding money when you werent expecting it. I believe this guy still has more in him.... and I think dubas deserves alot of credit for seeing something there when many of us had written him off.
Ceci has neither grown as a player or was anything less than he was in ottawa .... I really believe that this guy, out of the other UFAs the leafs have on defence, might be the one that takes a discount to stay. (Unfortunate, I know lol, and dubas is too smart to want to keep him for another round).
Dermott is the apples eye for many here.
He can skate, he can usually complete a tape to tape pass ..... he can show some real nice hockey sense and patience, and then turn around and chuck the puck like a grenade. Wtf?
Sometimes he looks lost out there. Is it a result of his partner (ceci) or is it just the process of his maturity as a player?
I am not advocating the leafs dumping this guy, not at all, but he is showing some worrying trends. He has been injured and is still young..... but dermott doesnt look easy to play with either.
Maybe the pressure the defence incurs is the result of the leaf forwards blowing the zone before the defence even has control of the puck. (Kapanan is culprit number 1 many many times).
I think keefe is a smart man who is much more aware of these things than I am and will make the changes necessary, to strengthen this team.
I also believe that Anderson's play could be improved by obtaining another stable backup, to give anderson a break.
Every season the leafs mention that anderson is being over worked .... for me that is alarming. Is he out of shape? Is the problem mental?
Anyways, the leafs defence is not shit ... they are learning a new system .... they are young, and have amazing speed from their backend.
Btw .... how bad byfuglien's injury?
My dream addition would be nurse on defence ..... does anyone think dermott will be better than nurse and all he brings?
The leafs will make the playoffs, and you never which player will become the made for t.v. star.
Maybe the leafs take a page from the bruins and bring up the two kids and they become krugish in their performances.
Question ... how has sandin performed for Sweden in this years junior tournamant?
Is he dominating?
And why hasnt lilly been called up yet? I dont understand it .... why isnt he on the team already?
Have a great new years all ... bring on any team from our conference this season in the playoffs.... guaranteed win.
I believe the leafs go to the finals this season if Anderson can play his best, reilly finds his groove, and the injuries stop manipulating this lineup.
Leafs over tampa in 6
Leafs over Bruins in 5
Leafs over Washington in 6
Leafs and the avs for the finals ..... and then the alcohol lost its grip over my reality lolol.