Anaheim is dogshit and Minnesota is very meh, so yes, probably. Toronto’s biggest defensive problem in the playoffs was the D’s inability to move the puck up the ice when Rielly wasn’t out there.
Reggae4Triceratops
I hope they staple Brodie to him. It makes too much sense. I’ve seen some slot McCabe in as his partner, but personally I’d rather see Liljegren in the top 4 and paired with Rielly.
B0_SSMAN
Call me crazy, but I think pairing him with someone better than depth defenceman Simon Benoit would do wonders for his numbers.
I think the biggest issue that needed addressing on the Leafs was defenders who could defend the cycle, but not having defencemen that could move the puck was the second biggest.
Current-Own
Well he has probably made a good move career wise, stepping right into the Lion’s Den. It’s either improve his game or spend the rest of his career signing one year deals with bottom feeders who need to fill out their rosters. It’s probably a long shot but I’d love to see him do it.
AnySail
Hope so. The team defense of this forward lineup has likely declined this year though. Something to keep in mind.
MAKE-YOU-HUMBLE
Yes, absolutely.
Reppotimus
I hope so. He used to be a beast. Even if he can’t get to that level again, we need him to improve if we have any shot at going all the way
Double_Diamond_Hands
Reilly – Brodie
McCabe – Liljgren
Play both these pairings interchangeably, with more or less equal time. Rielly gets PP2 time, Brodie gets PK2 time and make McCabe – Liljgren the PK1 D-pair. Need to see if Liljgren can be a legit top 4 guy or if he is a passable 4-5 guy.
​
Gio – Klingberg
Play this as a sheltered 3rd pair. Give Klingberg PP1 time, to rest Reilly a bit. Most nights don’t give Gio any special teams time (or at most 4th D on PK0, let him rest and stay healthy. Last year by game 75 he look washed.
JamesCurtis24
Here’s something to keep in mind. Klingberg’s defense is going to improve off the bat because he’s playing for a team that spends significantly more time with the puck than without.
Go look at Klingberg’s team history. I think even during his best years with Dallas, they were a team that peaked around 18th in league scoring. Typically in the 22nd+ ranked range in terms of goal scoring. That obviously didn’t change much with the Ducks or Wild.
Klingberg is coming to a team that should be better suited for him to succeed, because the Leafs are an elite scoring and possession team. Of course, he’s going to make mistakes. There will be some frustrating plays. That said, he’s probably going to be a + player this year.
While you can maybe argue the Leafs are a worse defensive team from where they left in the playoffs, I think you can argue they’re a better defensive group compared to the pre trade deadline Leafs. I think that’s what people forget. 1) This roster is arguably better than our opening night lineup last year. 2)The Leafs will make moves at the deadline, then you can compare them to the end of last season’s roster.
We’ve replaced Bunting, Engvall, Kerfoot, ZAR with Bertuzzi, Domi, Knies, Reaves. That’s a significant upgrade if you ask me.
The only real loss on the back-end is Schenn. And again, you can get a Schenn at the trade deadline. On top of that, I feel MUCH more confident about our goaltending situation.
On top of that, if Matthews returns to 60 goal form… man, this team could take a HUGE step forward.
Ravage1496
It will absolutely improve in the leafs system, with the leafs superstars, remember, he was playing for the ducks last year.
Nick_199144
No, he sucks
Dat1Guy03
I mean you’d hope it’d improve but at 31 he is what he is mostly likely in his own end. What we need to do is just staple him to someone like Brodie for most situations and have that hopefully balance out. The leafs have enough D-men that are good in their own end to more then cover up for Kilngbergs deficiencies
12 Comments
Anaheim is dogshit and Minnesota is very meh, so yes, probably. Toronto’s biggest defensive problem in the playoffs was the D’s inability to move the puck up the ice when Rielly wasn’t out there.
I hope they staple Brodie to him. It makes too much sense. I’ve seen some slot McCabe in as his partner, but personally I’d rather see Liljegren in the top 4 and paired with Rielly.
Call me crazy, but I think pairing him with someone better than depth defenceman Simon Benoit would do wonders for his numbers.
I think the biggest issue that needed addressing on the Leafs was defenders who could defend the cycle, but not having defencemen that could move the puck was the second biggest.
Well he has probably made a good move career wise, stepping right into the Lion’s Den. It’s either improve his game or spend the rest of his career signing one year deals with bottom feeders who need to fill out their rosters. It’s probably a long shot but I’d love to see him do it.
Hope so. The team defense of this forward lineup has likely declined this year though. Something to keep in mind.
Yes, absolutely.
I hope so. He used to be a beast. Even if he can’t get to that level again, we need him to improve if we have any shot at going all the way
Reilly – Brodie
McCabe – Liljgren
Play both these pairings interchangeably, with more or less equal time. Rielly gets PP2 time, Brodie gets PK2 time and make McCabe – Liljgren the PK1 D-pair. Need to see if Liljgren can be a legit top 4 guy or if he is a passable 4-5 guy.
​
Gio – Klingberg
Play this as a sheltered 3rd pair. Give Klingberg PP1 time, to rest Reilly a bit. Most nights don’t give Gio any special teams time (or at most 4th D on PK0, let him rest and stay healthy. Last year by game 75 he look washed.
Here’s something to keep in mind. Klingberg’s defense is going to improve off the bat because he’s playing for a team that spends significantly more time with the puck than without.
Go look at Klingberg’s team history. I think even during his best years with Dallas, they were a team that peaked around 18th in league scoring. Typically in the 22nd+ ranked range in terms of goal scoring. That obviously didn’t change much with the Ducks or Wild.
Klingberg is coming to a team that should be better suited for him to succeed, because the Leafs are an elite scoring and possession team. Of course, he’s going to make mistakes. There will be some frustrating plays. That said, he’s probably going to be a + player this year.
While you can maybe argue the Leafs are a worse defensive team from where they left in the playoffs, I think you can argue they’re a better defensive group compared to the pre trade deadline Leafs. I think that’s what people forget. 1) This roster is arguably better than our opening night lineup last year. 2)The Leafs will make moves at the deadline, then you can compare them to the end of last season’s roster.
We’ve replaced Bunting, Engvall, Kerfoot, ZAR with Bertuzzi, Domi, Knies, Reaves. That’s a significant upgrade if you ask me.
The only real loss on the back-end is Schenn. And again, you can get a Schenn at the trade deadline. On top of that, I feel MUCH more confident about our goaltending situation.
On top of that, if Matthews returns to 60 goal form… man, this team could take a HUGE step forward.
It will absolutely improve in the leafs system, with the leafs superstars, remember, he was playing for the ducks last year.
No, he sucks
I mean you’d hope it’d improve but at 31 he is what he is mostly likely in his own end. What we need to do is just staple him to someone like Brodie for most situations and have that hopefully balance out. The leafs have enough D-men that are good in their own end to more then cover up for Kilngbergs deficiencies