One thing I'll agree with Simmons is a very immobile defense just got less mobile. Regardless of what Shanahan says about his skating ability, I don't buy it. Carlyle is STILL the damn GM of this team... Awful. One step forward and two steps back always with this franchise. I hope this means Gleason will be bought out. I do not care how many shots he blocks. Moving the puck out of your zone and keeping it out is more important. Not a fan of this move especially what we gave up. I hope Gardiner plays 25 a night now. He better.
You're fully entitled to disagree with Shanahan and the Blues fans on this site in terms of Polak's skating ability if you wish, but let's not pretend like Gunnarsson was blazing fast either. He is a good skater, not great.
I like Gunnar a lot, but the only advantage he has over Polak in terms of mobility is his passing.
Also, I'm not sure how the Leafs are "very immobile" on defense with Gardiner and Rielly back there. That's a lot of mobility. The only slow guy they have is Franson, and we've yet to see if he will be back.
Despite what Simmons says, the Leafs problem on defense is not mobility - it's the ability to strip the puck from the opposition and to clear the crease. Defensive awareness is not a selling point with the blueline group.