Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (4 years, $3.5M AAV)

[ULF_55]

Good one, but you know what I meant, Brodie was a very serviceable D man until the playoffs the year before last……

Yeah, hard, fast fall.

If they can get close to good Brodie, Leafs win.

 

[rumman]

Yeah, hard, fast fall.

If they can get close to good Brodie, Leafs win.

Brodie’s a perfect example of just how fast a D man can fall off a cliff, I doubt anyone thought he would drop like a rock, I know I didn’t expect it…….

 

[Stephen]

Could be a great pickup, could be this year’s Brodie? Scratch that, I got Lilly pegged as this year’s Brodie…….

Brodie was good 2.5 out of the 4 years here so depends on which one you’re thinking about.

 

[Stephen]

Brodie’s a perfect example of just how fast a D man can fall off a cliff, I doubt anyone thought he would drop like a rock, I know I didn’t expect it…….

I don’t know how typical it is actually. A couple of years ago I noticed some funny hiccups in his defensive game and just said “we might need to monitor Brodie for some decline.” And then he went off a cliff.

But it also sounds like he’s been dealing with some serious real life issues. And honestly, when a D man falls off so dramatically, it’s more of a notable storyline than typical for most guys. Most guys gradually sink into obscurity but don’t become completely unplayable over a short period of time.

 

[Roo]

Guys usually fall off a cliff when they are older and come off major injuries. OEL playing a full season at a high level last year bodes well for us, but we will see how the next few years go. If he can stay healthy he can probably have no problem playing out his contract at a high level. Big if though…. But swapping Brodie out and bringing OEL in should have a massive impact for us. There is an element of addition by subtraction here, both with Brodie and Samsonov out. OEL and McCabe should complement each other very well.

 

[Evilhomer]

Guys usually fall off a cliff when they are older and come off major injuries. OEL playing a full season at a high level last year bodes well for us, but we will see how the next few years go. If he can stay healthy he can probably have no problem playing out his contract at a high level. Big if though…. But swapping Brodie out and bringing OEL in should have a massive impact for us. There is an element of addition by subtraction here, both with Brodie and Samsonov out. OEL and McCabe should complement each other very well.

OEL will be very, very good for the Leafs.

 

[Hellcat]

Brodie’s a perfect example of just how fast a D man can fall off a cliff, I doubt anyone thought he would drop like a rock, I know I didn’t expect it…….

Not saying this is why his play fell off but there was family stuff going on, his wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I have no idea how this guy could focus on playing a professional sport in front of 12k people every other night. I know my mind would be somewhere else.

 

[VanW27]

Guys usually fall off a cliff when they are older and come off major injuries. OEL playing a full season at a high level last year bodes well for us, but we will see how the next few years go. If he can stay healthy he can probably have no problem playing out his contract at a high level. Big if though…. But swapping Brodie out and bringing OEL in should have a massive impact for us. There is an element of addition by subtraction here, both with Brodie and Samsonov out. OEL and McCabe should complement each other very well.

Is bottom pairing "high level"?

 

[Evilhomer]

Is bottom pairing "high level"?

It's the entire reason he excelled in Florida. So long as they properly limit his minutes as the 5th defenseman (~16 minutes) and a power play specialist, he will be excellent for the Leafs. He struggled in Vancouver because they gave him 20+ minutes per game.

 

[ULF_55]

So who was he playing with in Vancouver? That is one ugly looking group.

 

[Puckstuff]

Reilly, McCabe, Tanev definitely the top 3 on the Leafs.

OEL, Liljegren #4/#5.

Benoit #6.

Need one of OEL or Liljegren to become a #4 D.

If Liljegren develops into a #4 it will take a lot of pressure off of OEL.