The bottom pairing we have been searching for

[meefer]

To be fair, this is the first year that dubas has embraced to character/toughness, with skill that this team needs to get over the playoff hump. I think the common criticism has been that spreadsheet sweetheart type player approach he was known to have.

Dubas has consistently favored skill over character/toughness, but that does not mean that he has ignored those qualities. Rome wasn't built in a day. Nor are complete hockey teams. We're almost at a point where we can say the Leafs are a complete team and Dubas in two years has done a remarkable job, especially given the anchors (Marleau and Zaitsev) he was dealt.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

I agree. Always draft the most skilled players. That’s always been his approach. But those cheaper character adds weren’t being made until now. As easy as they are to find.

Also not being made until now because you have to fill out your roster with the salaried pieces first. If you don't know what say a Brodie will cost, you can't do like Lou and tie up your bottom positions to X dollars first. If you do, then you find yourself not having money when the key pieces you need are available.

Imagine going out and spending $4.5 first on Martin and Komarov. Then Brodie comes available at $5. Where do we end up?

For $14M they have Nelson, Clutterbuck, Martin and Komarov. We have Muzzin and Brodie for $11.6 M and for another $3.9 M added Thornton, Spezza, Bogosian and Simmonds for a total of $15.5 M.

I would estimate one roster was built ass backwards. $1.5 M difference in:

Nelson, Clutterbuck, Martin and Konarov

versus

Brodie, Muzzin, Thornton, Spezza, Bogosian and Simmonds.

Then for poops and giggles, when it comes down to game breakers this allows us to field:

Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander

versus

Barzal.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Dermott and Bogosian are the best 3rd pairing we've had on the blueline in recent memory, and it's really made a huge difference to our overall defensive play.

 

[Go4soda]

Also not being made until now because you have to fill out your roster with the salaried pieces first. If you don't know what say a Brodie will cost, you can't do like Lou and tie up your bottom positions to X dollars first. If you do, then you find yourself not having money when the key pieces you need are available.

Imagine going out and spending $4.5 first on Martin and Komarov. Then Brodie comes available at $5. Where do we end up?

For $14M they have Nelson, Clutterbuck, Martin and Komarov. We have Muzzin and Brodie for $11.6 M and for another $3.9 M added Thornton, Spezza, Bogosian and Simmonds for a total of $15.5 M.

I would estimate one roster was built ass backwards. $1.5 M difference in:

Nelson, Clutterbuck, Martin and Konarov

versus

Brodie, Muzzin, Thornton, Spezza, Bogosian and Simmonds.

Then for poops and giggles, when it comes down to game breakers this allows us to field:

Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander

versus

Barzal.

No doubt dubas’ leafs roster is built far better top to bottom than the isles. That’s very obvious. I love the job dubas has done. We finally have balance. I was suggesting that dubas’ philosophy towards team building has shifted slightly over his tenure in the nhl. That’s totally positive considering his experience level. I still believe that, rather than the idea that this was the plan from the start. It’s not an indictment on dubas.

 

[Leafs87]

Bogosian has been great. He or Schenn was exactly who I wanted the leafs to get this offseason.
On a weird note, did Bogosian really lose 27 pounds over 1 year? He was 6’2 227 and still is listed as that on elite prospect. On hockeyDB he is 6’2 200. Same with on NHL

 

[RogerR]

Cup contenders don't have guys like Dermott and Bogo on the 3rd pair. It's really, really good.

 

[RogerR]

Lou was a hinderance to the Leafs.

Contracts like Marleau, Zaitsev and Martin put us back in where we needed to be. Those funds could have been better spent.

The way he handled expansion draft with Vegas was horrible. Protecting someone like Martin instead of a player like Leipsic was just plain stupid. We could have gotten something for him but that is minor.

But the contracts he handed out really is what hamstrung the Leafs going forward. Cost us a 1st round pick, cost us improving our team efficiently through FA, and ultimately cost us having to deal with a horrible defense until this season.

Yes, those contracts to support guys are a big issue. It is NOT paying young superstars.

 

[Menzinger]

By a considerable margin, this is the best and deepest D core any Leafs team has put together in thr cap era.

Its got 4 clear cut top 4 guys, 3 of whom are top 3/2 level. And it's also got excellent depth

 

[Teeder Keon]

By a considerable margin, this is the best and deepest D core any Leafs team has put together in thr cap era.

Its got 4 clear cut top 4 guys, 3 of whom are top 3/2 level. And it's also got excellent depth

Definitely since the 93 team for sure

 

[ACC1224]

Dermott has always been a beauty. Always wondered when he started going by Der-mutt instead of Der-mott?