Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] T.J. Brodie signs with the Maple Leafs (4 years, $5M AAV)

[The List Of Jericho]

A team goes from having the 5th worst goals against to best defense in the league from 1 signing?

Interesting

He was being sarcastic...he isn't a Leafs fan

 

[viper0220]

I have watched Brodie many times over the years. He is hugely reliant on his d partner.
If he plays with Morgan Reilly , it could work but it would depend on Morgan.

He can hold his own, he will be fine the quick paced Eastern conference.

 

[Volica]

He'll probably be PK 1 for us regardless then. He can't possibly turn it over more then our D

Yeah.
My fear for TJ in Toronto is he’s kind of more of the same as what’s already around.

Like, you guys get the guy from last year; or the guy from pre-Hamilton era Calgary; you have yourselves a great player. There were 2 years there where mostly Flames fans wanted this guy shot out of a cannon too. I think he’ll be a good pairing with MR. He can elevate playing with a great player, and he elevate a barely-NHLer; where he struggles is playing with mid-tier talent. Him and Muzzin, would likely struggle.

 

[NoName]

After the way Barrie played for us, I hope it was never in the plans to even think about resigning him.

He had one COVID shortened season with a new team, adjusting takes time and he was getting better towards the end of the regular season. I don't think it is fair to write him off. We just can't afford him. Teams will be looking at a 29 year old offensively gifted, puckmoving blue liner who looks good for about 50 points per season and offer him a fat contract. I imagine it will be well above what Brodie signed.

 

[NoName]

Yeah.
My fear for TJ in Toronto is he’s kind of more of the same as what’s already around.

Like, you guys get the guy from last year; or the guy from pre-Hamilton era Calgary; you have yourselves a great player. There were 2 years there where mostly Flames fans wanted this guy shot out of a cannon too. I think he’ll be a good pairing with MR. He can elevate playing with a great player, and he elevate a barely-NHLer; where he struggles is playing with mid-tier talent. Him and Muzzin, would likely struggle.

What about with Reilly on the first pairing? Does he have the mindset to play the role of the defensively responsible guy in the pairing?

 

[Zybalto]

If Rielly and Brodie show some solid chemistry, we are looking at an amazing top 4.

Muzzin/Holl pairing numbers since Keefe was hired and they were assigned the shutdown role:

5v5
TOI/GP: 14:46
QoC: Shudown pairing
Offensive Zone Start%: 35.46%
CF%: 55.01
xGF%: 58.42

Those numbers are simply incredible.

Stop saying Holl is a bad player.

 

[TheScandal89]

Yeah.
My fear for TJ in Toronto is he’s kind of more of the same as what’s already around.

Like, you guys get the guy from last year; or the guy from pre-Hamilton era Calgary; you have yourselves a great player. There were 2 years there where mostly Flames fans wanted this guy shot out of a cannon too. I think he’ll be a good pairing with MR. He can elevate playing with a great player, and he elevate a barely-NHLer; where he struggles is playing with mid-tier talent. Him and Muzzin, would likely struggle.

Hm interesting, now I'm really hoping him and Rielly mesh well . A lot of our fan base think he would do well with Muzzin as a back up plan but most havent watched him closely

 

[kabidjan18]

I get a little satisfaction seeing the AAV and knowing that, if you don't develop your own defensive defensemen, you'll just pay up the rear end of them later. Teams that undervalue defensive defensemen, that sneer at them, end up circling around and paying a king's ransom for them. It's always funny seeing fans say "well can't we just sign a defensive defenseman for 2 million who will do the same job as the 5 million one?" 4x5M may be standard for a defensive defenseman, because of the value of the role. But a lot of stat watchers, people who strongly devalue defense for offense, would balk at the idea of spending 5 million for 4 years on a 30 year old who had 19 points the season before.

Leafs will now probably have to move another skater to make room for Brodie. The carnage to end an era of scorning the notion that a defensive defenseman had any serious value.

 

[SnizzNasty88]

I do not care for Dubas. It’s insane to think you can win while paying 4 forwards half of the cap.
However, do you not believe that we now have 3 legitimate top four dmen, one of whom actually plays on the right side? I’m hoping we can land one more top four dman (maybe Savard?). Also hoping we would trade Nylander for help on d and the bottom six.

Yes we have 3 legitimate top 4 defensemen, but unfortunately to win in this league you need an elite defense core and ours doesn’t even come close even with the addition of Brodie.

 

[Merrrlin]

If Rielly and Brodie show some solid chemistry, we are looking at an amazing top 4.

Muzzin/Holl pairing numbers since Keefe was hired and they were assigned the shutdown role:

TOI/GP: 14:46
QoC: Shudown pairing
Offensive Zone Start%: 35.46%
CF%: 55.01
xGF%: 58.42

Those numbers are simply incredible.

Stop saying Holl is a bad player.

i wouldn’t call it amazing, buts it’s at least serviceable.

 

[Subbanned]

Smart signing by the Leafs. Signed to age 33/34 expiring right when Matthews and Nylander up for new contracts. Solid top four d-man that needs a good mobile puck mover beside him (which the Leafs have). He's one of the better transition D in the league and plays good D which the Leafs sorely needed on a pair with Rielly. They will still roll out Muzzin-Holl on shutdown duties but now have a legit pair Rielly-Brodie for all-situations and second-up defensively. Rielly-Ceci or whatever was gross. I dont know how many people seriously thought they would erase all of their depth with another huge contract for a top-flight d man even if Pietrangelo wanted to go there in the first place (looks like he prefers elsewhere)

 

[Captain Crunch]

He had one COVID shortened season with a new team, adjusting takes time and he was getting better towards the end of the regular season. I don't think it is fair to write him off. We just can't afford him. Teams will be looking at a 29 year old offensively gifted, puckmoving blue liner who looks good for about 50 points per game and offer him a fat contract. I imagine it will be well above what Brodie signed.

That’s fair, what you’re saying. But I’m still glad we didn’t resign him. We desperately need dmen who can defend, more so than score or quarterback a PP.

 

[LeafsNation75]

 

[Subbanned]

i wouldn’t call it amazing, buts it’s at least serviceable.

You're probably unaware of what those last two numbers mean. They are very good in general but they are definitely amazing for 35% OZS against top competition.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Yes we have 3 legitimate top 4 defensemen, but unfortunately to win in this league you need an elite defense core and ours doesn’t even come close even with the addition of Brodie.

Even though it’s been a few years ago, Pittsburgh says hi.

 

[glucker]

Serious, this was really a need for Toronto?

A defensively responsible top-4 right D?


...yes. Have you not been paying attention?

 

[BHD]

Let's refrain from alienating individuals or fanbases for holding certain opinions.

 

[The Assclown]

Lost in this is the competition for the third pairing if everyone is healthy.

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Dermott/Sandin - Lehtonen

 

[Man Bear Pig]

If Rielly and Brodie show some solid chemistry, we are looking at an amazing top 4.

Muzzin/Holl pairing numbers since Keefe was hired and they were assigned the shutdown role:

TOI/GP: 14:46
QoC: Shudown pairing
Offensive Zone Start%: 35.46%
CF%: 55.01
xGF%: 58.42

Those numbers are simply incredible.

Stop saying Holl is a bad player.

I think people are just remembering Holl post-contract extension where he was f***ing awful for a dozen games or so.

 

[MessierII]

A defensively responsible top-4 right D?

Lol this what you think your getting?

 

[Captain Crunch]

Smart signing by the Leafs. Signed to age 33/34 expiring right when Matthews and Nylander up for new contracts. Solid top four d-man that needs a good mobile puck mover beside him (which the Leafs have). He's one of the better transition D in the league and plays good D which the Leafs sorely needed on a pair with Rielly. They will still roll out Muzzin-Holl on shutdown duties but now have a legit pair Rielly-Brodie for all-situations and second-up defensively. Rielly-Ceci or whatever was gross. I dont know how many people seriously thought they would erase all of their depth with another huge contract for a top-flight d man even if Pietrangelo wanted to go there in the first place (looks like he prefers elsewhere)

Great post! And I agree regarding Pietrangelo. I’ve said all along we would be much better off with at least one top four dman who plays on the right side, while still being able to upgrade our bottom six.

 

[Edgelord]

Lost in this is the competition for the third pairing if everyone is healthy.

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Dermott/Sandin - Lehtonen

I can't see Dermott back, we need space to sign Mikheyev and we may need Dermott as the sweetener to take Johnsson

 

[Tkachuky]

Brodie a good number 3. But hes a partner for muzzin. Rielly still needs someone to play with

number 3? Brodie is and has been a good #2 for years.

 

[Subbanned]

Lol this what you think your getting?

That is definitely what they are getting. Hello...lol

 

[glucker]

Lol this what you think your getting?

Let me guess, you think he’s Gardiner?