Is our defence now dare I say it good?

[Cecithepylon]

Ok this is a bit of a hot take I know that. But finally we seen to have a good d core

Click to read more...

 

[CapspaceKiller]

I don't know about that, but TJ Brodie was a great pickup. He's been the best d-man on the team and makes me angry they didn't have him last year

 

[Critical13]

Brodie, Holl, Muzzin and also the back checking from guys like Engvall, Kerfoot, Tavares are all contributing big time. Tougher to play against.

We actually lost our better defensive effort. Last night we were giving up chances galore.

 

[Mickey Marner]

We have a team defense issue, our personnel on the backend is decent.

 

[Bomber0104]

No, it isn't.

Collectively need a better effort from everyone.

There seems to be guys that "get it" on this team and then guys that either don't get it or worse, take nights off depending on the opponent and don't even pretend to care.

 

[Cor]

Brodie has contributed a ton. Muzzin-Holl are their usual selves. Dermott-Bogosian have been a solid third pairing so far. The defensive effort this year, even from the forwards, has been much better as a whole. Rielly hasn't looked like Rielly offensively, so we need him to get going, but otherwise, good start.

 

[ACC1224]

It definitely looks better when the goalie plays well.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

It definitely looks better when the goalie plays well.

A defence can look good without the goalie having to make saves. Those two things are independent.

 

[AdamParrot]

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Rielly hasn't been good. Holl, Muzz and Brodie have. The defensive structure looks good.

 

[Leafsfan74]

In a word. Yes. The deepest I have seen in a long time.

Two very good pick ups by Dubas, who showed that he was paying attention by not only picking up Brodie, but assessing where Bogosian was at during the playoffs and in my opinion getting a steal for him on a one year deal. I've always respected his commitment to the crease.

Not only do they immediately come in and solidify the back end, but they add some veteran leadership that other D Men can watch and learn from. As a group they are far more physical than groups in the last four years have been while Holl and Dermott are making solid strides in the process.

If the team from front to back focuses on defensive details, it will help the Leafs goalies and their success in the playoffs.

 

[TMLAM34]

Players are going to have some bad games. Did we forget that disaster of a game Brodie had against Ottawa?

That isn’t me talking shit about Brodie either. He’s been such a bright spot and upgrade on our backend. Rielly will be fine and has looked good overall.

 

[ACC1224]

A defence can look good without the goalie having to make saves. Those two things are independent.

For sure in some cases.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

As someone who has never liked Justin Holl, he's been incredible to start this season. If he keeps it up for 50 more games then he's an absolute gem.
Brodie been really good too.

I wish Sandin would get a chance to play, I guess I must be more bullish on him than most but I think he's our only prospect with star potential and think it's silly he hasn't even got a game yet while Lehtonen's gotten 2.

But yes, this is our best D corps in a while. Bogosian has settled in nicely too.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Yes, our defense is pretty good. The best it's been in ages.

It started last year; people just didn't believe it because our goaltending was so bad, and we kept getting injured. Brodie has been a big add though.

 

[Budz]

As someone who has never liked Justin Holl, he's been incredible to start this season. If he keeps it up for 50 more games then he's an absolute gem.
Brodie been really good too.

I wish Sandin would get a chance to play, I guess I must be more bullish on him than most but I think he's our only prospect with star potential and think it's silly he hasn't even got a game yet while Lehtonen's gotten 2.

But yes, this is our best D corps in a while. Bogosian has settled in nicely too.

How long has Holl left in his contract?

 

[67Cup]

I think one of the main problems is not entirely or even mainly a problem with the blueline personnel. I have never seen stats on this, but it seems to me a lot of Goals against and even more threatening chances come after a giveaway while clearing the defensive zone. The Leafs have chances to clear but fail to do so, often just inside their own blueline, and sometimes repeatedly on the same sequence. The giveaways are at least as likely to be the fault of the forwards, however.

Maybe I just notice. It more when the Leafs do it, but I think it is a real problem going forward.

 

[Dekes For Days]

How long has Holl left in his contract?

3 years including this year at a great price.

 

[SprDaVE]

I never understood the huge negativity around Holl, even last year. Either way, Im glad people are finally starting to like him.

We finally don't have massive anchors on the defense. No Zaitsevs or Cecis playing way too much with zero impact at either end of the ice.

 

[PromisedLand]

breathe..... only 6 games played; wait at least 20 odds games to make any statements. also note that north division doesnt really have a lot of fire power compared to the usual Atlantic division and eastern conference with whom we play more often under normal circumstances.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Better rounded d-core with some legit top 4 options coupled with a better defensive structure and forwards that fit it within it are notable.

Brodie has been a great pickup to stabilize the blue line.

 

[Budz]

3 years including this year at a great price.

I might be in the minority - but I’m totally ok shopping Reilly.

You play Muzz/Holl as your top pair.
Dermott with Brodie.
Then some combo of Bogo/Sandin/Lehronen/Lilly

I would be all for a solid 2C. Move Johnny to wing.

Hyman. Matthews Nylanger
Johnny New 2C Marner

That is sick.

 

[Captain14]

No, it isn't.

Collectively need a better effort from everyone.

There seems to be guys that "get it" on this team and then guys that either don't get it or worse, take nights off depending on the opponent and don't even pretend to care.

Agree 100%. These guys are professional athletes getting paid a lot of money. All they need to do is put in 5-24 minutes of hard work on game nights!
I will never understand how there can be players taking nights off! All you need to to do is go all out on your 30 second shift!!
Who amongst us wouldn’t like a 4 day work week and 20 minute work day?
It blows my mind.

 

[Notsince67]

Brodie, Holl, Muzzin and also the back checking from guys like Engvall, Kerfoot, Tavares are all contributing big time. Tougher to play against.

We actually lost our better defensive effort. Last night we were giving up chances galore.

The defense stepped up to greatly assist the nylander line. They were part of the play the whole time. The defensive efforts were lapses that can be shared by forwards as well. I no longer see a clear boat anchor delineation on this team which is huge. The only thing left is to further develop chemistry on all lines and defensive pairing assignments.

 

[saltming]

Ok this is a bit of a hot take I know that. But finally we seen to have a good d core

We have a good D core yes but the team is playing good defense.
Stick placement, positioning and reads are all looking better, forwards and defense.
Defense is a 5 man thing. The team defense is what we have not had. There is cohesion out there now. Looks good. Let's hope they get better at it and keep it together.