Holl or Dermott
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MakeTheIronSing
Registered User
justashadowof
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2020
- 4,025
- 4,230
Dermott will be turning 25 this year, and has already played over 200 NHL games. I think you guys are being overly optimistic when it comes to how much more he will improve
Even if he doesn't get better he can still play the 3rd pair and take some PK minutes (good there when he gets the chance).
At $1.5M and 4 years younger than Holl I would protect him.
We really need to take advantage of Muzzin being able to carry a pair though and give Liljegren a long stretch of games with him.
Sandin and Liljegren are so important to remaining competitive long term that we need guys who can support them and make the transition easier.
ULF_55
Moderator
While Holl might be better today he is 5 years older, and I don't think the right side is the same issue as it has been.
Exposing Holl doesn't mean he's taken.
Leafs might need that 500k to lock up someone else.
Eventually, Liljegren has to be given an opportunity, and I think he'll play a simpler game something the Leafs need, to balance the boneheaded play of some of their more senior defenders.
Northernguy10
Registered User
I've always been a fan of Dermott...He's faster, quicker and younger than Holl and as a small bonus is half a mil cheaper. At worst he's a good 3rd pairing defenceman with the possibility of a solid second pairing guy. We've been weak on defence for decades and it seems we're finally 'starting' to get there. Lets not move out a young defence man with still some promise til we know what he can do and what Sandin and Liljegren can do.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 82,853
- 61,574
I find the Holl vs Dermott debate to be somewhat ironic in a number of ways which ties back directly to my critique of the Leafs draft strategy.
The talking heads have talked about how Keefe loves Justin Holl. He's RHD, he's 6'4", he moves well, pairs well with Muzzin, defends well with his wing span, covers a ton of ice with his size and basically that Mike Babcock unicorn he was always looking for but didn't realize he had right under his nose. Compared to what other teams look for in building their bluelines, this guy checks off a ton of boxes and is also a rare player type we basically don't have much of in the organization.
In comparison, Travis Dermott is likely the more 'talented' player. He's younger, and farther back in his development, but his superior skating abilities and under utilized finesse skills implies quite a bit of untapped potential that you'd kind of hesitate to walk away from prematurely. The drawback is he's not quite skilled enough for top four employment and he can be replaced internally by Sandin, or Lilejgren with an adjustment on the bottom pairing.
So given how much utility a 6'4" defenseman can be even with a gap in skill ability just based on how versatile they can be, how come we don't try to draft more Justin Holl's once in a while?
The talking heads have talked about how Keefe loves Justin Holl. He's RHD, he's 6'4", he moves well, pairs well with Muzzin, defends well with his wing span, covers a ton of ice with his size and basically that Mike Babcock unicorn he was always looking for but didn't realize he had right under his nose. Compared to what other teams look for in building their bluelines, this guy checks off a ton of boxes and is also a rare player type we basically don't have much of in the organization.
In comparison, Travis Dermott is likely the more 'talented' player. He's younger, and farther back in his development, but his superior skating abilities and under utilized finesse skills implies quite a bit of untapped potential that you'd kind of hesitate to walk away from prematurely. The drawback is he's not quite skilled enough for top four employment and he can be replaced internally by Sandin, or Lilejgren with an adjustment on the bottom pairing.
So given how much utility a 6'4" defenseman can be even with a gap in skill ability just based on how versatile they can be, how come we don't try to draft more Justin Holl's once in a while?
