Is the D Line Good enough to go all the way?
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The problem isn’t depth, it’s the lack of a true number 1.
Still, I think the blue line is as good as it’s been as long as I’ve been a leafs fan.
Still, I think the blue line is as good as it’s been as long as I’ve been a leafs fan.
ACC1224
Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
- Aug 19, 2002
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Without a bonafide #1 G and without a bonafide #1D, I don't think anyone thinks it's good enough to 'go all the way'.
At a minimum, you need one or the other.
At a minimum, you need one or the other.
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
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The depth might overshadow the overall quality. I actually think the offence and goaltending stand the better chance to either propel the team forward or ultimately let it down. Nevertheless, I'm still expecting the team to come closer to winning a round more than I am a Cup.
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Face Of Bear
Registered User
- Jul 30, 2012
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It is good enough to go all the way... as long as the big 4 do their part and stop taking nights off (especially in game 7's)
Rielly - Liljegren
McCabe - Brodie
Giordano - Holl
Schenn
Even if we don’t have a true #1 defenceman, we have a pretty darn good blueline from top to bottom.
The only weakness I see on our team is a true middle 6 forward. But this team will go as far as the core 4 bring them. They have a little more help this year with the O’Reilly addition so there’s no more excuses.
McCabe - Brodie
Giordano - Holl
Schenn
Even if we don’t have a true #1 defenceman, we have a pretty darn good blueline from top to bottom.
The only weakness I see on our team is a true middle 6 forward. But this team will go as far as the core 4 bring them. They have a little more help this year with the O’Reilly addition so there’s no more excuses.
NJG
Registered User
- Jun 27, 2015
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I see the defence as the biggest weakness... you cant move Giordano up because he's old so he won't be able to keep up come playoff time. So he has to stay on your third pairing when... at least on this team, he's a second pairing guy but his age and managing him makes him a third pairing guy. Playoffs are a different beast and it's a grind and a battle and the physicality ramps up. You're out of your mind if you think Schenn is not in this lineup.
banks
Only got 3 of 16.
- Aug 29, 2019
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Yes, this defense group is good enough to win a Cup. I seem to be one of the few fans left that likes Rielly, and the depth is the best we've ever had. I'm betting they're about to prove it, too. I'm predicting a long playoff run this year.
Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
Martin Skoula
Registered User
- Oct 18, 2017
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The deeper we go the more I like it, it’s not the ideal group for round one but we can outlast a battle of attrition with D injuries better than everyone except Boston.
leafsfan5
Registered User
- Jun 14, 2014
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The defensive core is deep and we have excellent defensive forwards. The defense by committee is enough to go all the way
The main concerns are the goaltending + the team’s complacency imo
The main concerns are the goaltending + the team’s complacency imo
Seath The Scaleless
Paledrake
Defensively, I think it's a pretty solid group.
However, I don't see much offensive upside, and this could be an issue in the playoffs. Rielly needs to find his game for sure and the coaching staff needs to trust Lily.
However, I don't see much offensive upside, and this could be an issue in the playoffs. Rielly needs to find his game for sure and the coaching staff needs to trust Lily.
stickty111
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- Jan 23, 2017
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Notsince67
Papi and the Lamplighters
- Apr 27, 2018
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Yes if they bury Rielly on the bottom pairing + PP1.
McCabe Brodie
Gio Lili
Rielly Holl/Schenn
PP1: Matthews Marner Tavares Nylander Rielly
McCabe Brodie
Gio Lili
Rielly Holl/Schenn
PP1: Matthews Marner Tavares Nylander Rielly
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Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
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Is Liljegren scratched or playing on the 3rd line?
Dreakmur
Registered User
editedDrop Rielly from the PP as well. Completely useless.
No team would ever win anything meaningful w Rielly playing 20 plus minutes a night, especially against the tough matchups. Defensively he must be one of the worst in the NHL.
613Leafer
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- May 26, 2008
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It's certainly uncommon to win without a true #1 dman.
The teams in the Cap era to win without what I would consider to be a true all-around #1 dman are:
1) 2018 Washington (Carlson);
2) 2016-2017 Pittsburgh (Letang one year, Dumoulin the other with Letang injured); and
3) 2006 Carolina (Hedican)
And even on that list, Carlson/Letang are essentially better versions of Rielly. Otherwise, every other team has had at least one of Pronger, Niedermayer, Lidstrom, Gonchar, Keith, Doughty, Hedman, Pietrangelo, or Makar.
Will be tough, especially if our goaltending isn't rock solid.
The teams in the Cap era to win without what I would consider to be a true all-around #1 dman are:
1) 2018 Washington (Carlson);
2) 2016-2017 Pittsburgh (Letang one year, Dumoulin the other with Letang injured); and
3) 2006 Carolina (Hedican)
And even on that list, Carlson/Letang are essentially better versions of Rielly. Otherwise, every other team has had at least one of Pronger, Niedermayer, Lidstrom, Gonchar, Keith, Doughty, Hedman, Pietrangelo, or Makar.
Will be tough, especially if our goaltending isn't rock solid.
Forwards, even great ones, don't win Cups .. Cups are won by D and G .. our only chance to WIN it all is for Murray to go into same zone he was in when he carried Pittsburgh on his back to 2 Cups almost by himself .. that D was weak too .. so it is possible
Isaac Nootin
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HolyCrap
Team before player
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Why would we drop Rielly from one of the top powerplays in the entire league. Especially so when it’s been noticeably worse every time he’s missed time.
Murray was good, but he carried nothing. Pittsburgh played strong offensive and defensive hockey throughout their whole lineup, much like we do
