Part of the problem with the Leafs defence is that Brodie isn't hurt.
So he continues to play on the top pair. Terribly. Considering he's one of the team's best defensemen I'm amazed they're even above .500.
Brodie can be traded.
If the players don't like it too bad. This is professional sports. Hurt feelings aren't a factor.
Not for a team that is supposed to be contending for a cup.
The Leafs played a shit show last night. They got blasted 9-3. In part because the washed up carcass of TJ Brodie is their second best defenseman.
It doesn't matter how many goals the forwards score so long as the defense and goaltending remain suspect every year.
Liljegren is playing top pairing...
In his last 5 games, he's played 1st most, 2nd most x 2, 3rd most, and 4th most.
Not sure he is seen as a surefire top 2D right now by our coaching staff.
And play who exactly?
You essentially have 1 top pairing defenseman with Morgan Rielly. And then a bunch of guys that should be playing a lot less than what they are.
You also can't have Timmins, Lagesson, Benoit or Giordano playing significant minutes down the stretch. You can get away with it now when you can outscore your problems. But going into the playoffs, you're playing with fire.
It's weird that we have largely the same defensive core as last year, but are now saying they can't play D...
I think it has a lot more to do with the goaltending being atrocious (minus Woll) and we knew we were sacrificing some defensive play from the forwards by bringing in Bert/Domi, the hope is they provide more offense for us.
Unless going from Holl to Timmins is a huge upgrade and everyone wants Holl back...