The defense is better today than it was yesterday.

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Swapping out Holl for Klingberg is like Homer choosing Nike's over Reebok.

There's bigger problems.

It's not hard to see what those problems are either. The Leafs defensemen are too soft and easy to push off the puck. They don't clear the crease.

The focus on transition has left them always looking to blow the zone before eliminating the threat first.

Changing Holl for Klingberg doesn't fix all that. Holl was one problem. But not whole problem.

It's all the rest of the defensive turds this team employs.

It's the same defense as last year. Now one year older. Is Giordano gonna be getting any better this year?

Ab-so-lu-te-ly not.

What you see is what you get. Old man Giordano definitely isn't getting any better. None of them are.

And if they're not getting any better, then the defense that wasn't good enough last year, won't be good enough again this year either.

 

[Blowfish]

John Klingberg is having an awful year in Anaheim.
He remains very skilled offensively. His controlled zone entry and OZ shot assists metrics rank high on an awful team, but his defensive impact is abysmal. Sure, he could improve on a better team, but his defence was rapidly declining in Dallas for several years.

 

[Nineteen67]

If Brodie wasn’t injured during the playoffs, then they’re in trouble back there. Last year some of us said he should have been rested down the stretch, and if he was fatigued he’ll need most of March off if he wants to play in April.

The bigger problem, he wasn’t alone. We saw a lack of quickness throughout the lineup.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I'm quite happy with Klingberg over Holl even if the upgrade is pure offense because at least Klingberg can do that.
Holl can't play defense or provide offense

Contrary to the beliefs of some, Holl can play defense. He ate up minutes against tough competition, and did pretty well on average, while bringing good PK impacts.
He's not the primary driver of a defensive pairing, he can have noticeable brain farts, and he had some rough stretches at times, but there's a lot of positive (but less in your face) stuff that fans miss out on that they probably won't realize until it's gone.

Klingberg is good offensively, but has been one of the worst defensemen in the league defensively over the past few years, and he will be used in a completely different role. I guess one could argue that if (and that's a big if) Klingberg recaptures some of his game, we have the potential to get more overall impact from our defenseman group than last year's post-Muzzin, pre-deadline group, but given the additions to the team over this offseason, we're playing a dangerous game defensively.

 

[ACC1224]

I'm quite happy with Klingberg over Holl even if the upgrade is pure offense because at least Klingberg can do that.

Holl can't play defense or provide offense

Safe to say he won't be missed.
Good riddance

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Contrary to the beliefs of some, Holl can play defense. He ate up minutes against tough competition, and did pretty well on average, while bringing good PK impacts.
He's not the primary driver of a defensive pairing, he can have noticeable brain farts, and he had some rough stretches at times, but there's a lot of positive (but less in your face) stuff that fans miss out on that they probably won't realize until it's gone.

Klingberg is good offensively, but has been one of the worst defensemen in the league defensively over the past few years, and he will be used in a completely different role. I guess one could argue that if (and that's a big if) Klingberg recaptures some of his game, we have the potential to get more overall impact from our defenseman group than last year's post-Muzzin, pre-deadline group, but given the additions to the team over this offseason, we're playing a dangerous game defensively.

Trust me when I tell you I won't miss a damn thing Holl brings you can take that to the bank.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Trust me when I tell you I won't miss a damn thing Holl brings you can take that to the bank.

I'm sure that right now, you feel like you won't, but if no other changes are made to our defense to address what we lost, you will, even if you don't miss Holl specifically.

 

[Recipe Unlimited]

I think the defence is more well-rounded this season. Having 5 defensive dmen didn't work in the playoffs (even against Tampa they were struggling).

 

[Nineteen67]

I think the defence is more well-rounded this season. Having 5 defensive dmen didn't work in the playoffs (even against Tampa they were struggling).

Five defensive D men would have been great if they could actually defend, but they didn’t have the foot speed.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

There is no point in having such a talented offence if your dmen (Holl, Brodie, Schenn, Gio) struggle to make even a basic breakout pass.

It will be a breath of fresh air to have Klingberg and Liljegren playing more minutes. This builds on a strength. Better skating, better playmaking, makes us a better team overall.

 

[Notsince67]

I'm quite happy with Klingberg over Holl even if the upgrade is pure offense because at least Klingberg can do that.

Holl can't play defense or provide offense

I have a mixed view. Happy Holl is gone but worried about a tyson barrie version 2 is back. Hope the coaching staff can simplify his game

 

[Notsince67]

There is no point in having such a talented offence if your dmen (Holl, Brodie, Schenn, Gio) struggle to make even a basic breakout pass.

It will be a breath of fresh air to have Klingberg and Liljegren playing more minutes. This builds on a strength. Better skating, better playmaking, makes us a better team overall.

More giveaways. Klingberg is no savior.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'm quite happy with Klingberg over Holl even if the upgrade is pure offense because at least Klingberg can do that.

Holl can't play defense or provide offense

Sure.

We clearly needed to move on past Holl, and upgrade, but this kind of take that he was (always) terrible at D is just false. Defensively overall, he was above average.

 

[IPS]

Swapping out Holl for Klingberg is like Homer choosing Nike's over Reebok.

There's bigger problems.

It's not hard to see what those problems are either. The Leafs defensemen are too soft and easy to push off the puck. They don't clear the crease.

The focus on transition has left them always looking to blow the zone before eliminating the threat first.

Changing Holl for Klingberg doesn't fix all that. Holl was one problem. But not whole problem.

It's all the rest of the defensive turds this team employs.

It's the same defense as last year. Now one year older. Is Giordano gonna be getting any better this year?

Ab-so-lu-te-ly not.

What you see is what you get. Old man Giordano definitely isn't getting any better. None of them are.

And if they're not getting any better, then the defense that wasn't good enough last year, won't be good enough again this year either.

I don't think the plan is to use old man Gio as a regular. If it is then Treliving doesn't know D any better than Dubas.

They need atleast 1 more really quality guy on the back end, it's no secret.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I know the vast majority will disagree with me but I think we have a better defense today than we did yesterday.

Replacing Justin Holl with John Klingberg to me is a pretty big upgrade.

While neither is great defensively, Klingberg can make up for that with his ability to generated offense Holl can't do that.

Rielly Brodie

McCabe Klingberg

Lilly Giordano

Timmins.

I might be in the minority but I think that's a stronger group than last year.

It would have been nice to keep Screen but there is no way in hell I'd pay him what Nashville did.

McCabe is our only defender who makes forwards worried about taking our net .. with McCabe and Schenner it was ok .. but reality is in playoff hockey you need 3 guys like that to succeed .. still lots of changes incoming with our D next year

 

[horner]

McCabe is our only defender who makes forwards worried about taking our net .. with McCabe and Schenner it was ok .. but reality is in playoff hockey you need 3 guys like that to succeed .. still lots of changes incoming with our D next year

It may have to be worked over 2 yrs to get what treliving wants our d to be.

 

[67leafs]

The D core is still way way too soft!

 

[NJG]

Hanifin + Tanev

Get it done brad.

 

[BallardEra]

I don't think the plan is to use old man Gio as a regular. If it is then Treliving doesn't know D any better than Dubas.

They need atleast 1 more really quality guy on the back end, it's no secret.

I'd say 2 and maybe the second arrives during the TDL.

 

[Notsince67]

I don't think the plan is to use old man Gio as a regular. If it is then Treliving doesn't know D any better than Dubas.

They need atleast 1 more really quality guy on the back end, it's no secret.

Preferably kinetic

 

[Peace Frog]

Still hearing lots of talk about BT looking to bring Karlsson to Toronto. I don’t understand the purpose of that, since we now have Klingberg. It’s not like Karlsson is going to bring solid defence to the equation.

 

[crump]

As of now, a great move of last deadline was getting McCabe with term left.

I wonder if Gio ends up as a 7th. I mean age has to catch up to him right? They’ll have to rest him at times in during the regular season. It’s a long season for a 40 year old, especially how he plays.

I think Nylander gets traded, hopefully for a prime top 4 physical defensemen and some high picks.

Klingberg used to be an all star Norris candidate. Just 30. Maybe a better team can bring that player back. Maybe

Glad Holl is gone. His PK was his best attrubute, I think Lilly can grow into that roll. I want to see Lilly get lots of TOI, being on the PK would help that. With the new agitators in forward we will need a great Pk with more players in that role.

Schenn was very good. We need that element, as stated maybe Nylander trade brings that back with some bonus offense? Who though?

 

[Nineteen67]

Still hearing lots of talk about BT looking to bring Karlsson to Toronto. I don’t understand the purpose of that, since we now have Klingberg. It’s not like Karlsson is going to bring solid defence to the equation.

And he’s too old