Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] T.J. Brodie signs with the Maple Leafs (4 years, $5M AAV)
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Eggtimer
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I think you'll find most Leaf fans are happy with the way the D is shaping up.
As it stands Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie, Holl are most likely their top 4 with hopefully someone coming in to push Holl down to the third pair. None of those players suck defensively. Add in Lehtonen, Sandin, Dermott, maybe Holl for the bottom pair and it's a good looking D unit.
I'm probably less of a fan of Weegar than you. But the Panthers use him as a top pairing defensemen, and the Leafs fans claim they would use him as a top pairing defensemen. So if he is that for the place he is coming from and the place he is potentially going to, then for the purposes of this discussion, that's what he is.
Would I want him anywhere near Dallas' top pair? No...
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44 is Rielly good
As it stands, Sandin might not be one of our starting 6 this year at the beginning of the year. He will be competing with Lehtonen for a spot and as of now its believed Lehtonen will have the advantage as he is older and already playing. Everything will get sorted out at training camp, but we finally have a lot more legit competition for those bottom 3 spots.
Pecking order is the following (position-wise, not left/right handed)
LD:
Rielly
Muzzin
Lehtonen
Sandin
RD:
Brodie
Holl
Dermott
Liljegren
Marincin
Since the LD is much stronger than the RD it appears Dermott will be tried at RD. He would be placed below or above Holl, but I put him below since he would be switching sides to play his off side.
Sandin/Liljegren will be brought up first injury unless they overtake somebody at training camp. Expected ome or both of them could be up full time by mid year and then we would have to make a trade or two.
Unlikely, unless the injury results in the player being put on LTIR. Otherwise the team will not have the cap space to bring up anyone except through emergency recall - of which neither will qualify.
He isn't as fast as he used to be and his refusal to shoot the puck might annoy you at times, but he's a good defenseman who will help the Leafs.
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44 is Rielly good
While possible, you dont know that yet.
A. The season hasnt started and there have been plenty of rumors that Johnsson will be traded which could easily clear capspace for a 21st player.
B. Most likely scenario of calling up a player like Liljegren/Sandin would be putting somebody on LTIR anyways.
Either way, I think it is clear Liljegren/Sandin are most likely to make an appearance (and possibly stick) next year. They are not both going to sit in the AHL all year when they didnt this year while our cap situation was even worse.
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44 is Rielly good
Kaberle was one of my favourite Dmen and the majority of Leaf fans liked him too so I don't think we sre too worries about lack of shooting haha.
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44 is Rielly good
Would definitely be nice, but Muzzin-Holl did fine last year and we are hoping the next 2 guys surpass him before the end of his contract anyways.
Holl is likely a good #5 that has had success playing with Muzzin as our #4. Best defense we have had in a while, but it is obviously not this team's strength.
Drew311
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I think Lehtonen is in front of him considering age and experience. Not a lock of course since things will be sorted out in training camp. If he can learn to play the right side then I have him ahead of Dermott and Holl.
Dubas talked up getting a big tough Dman and went for an analytically tough guy
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44 is Rielly good
Did he actually say this? All I remember him actually saying was he wanted to make us harder to play against hence why he got a physical/tough bottom 6 player and a defensively sound dman.
The rest was analysts/fans reading into what he meant. I havent watched all of his pressers though so I might have missed something.
Either way there is still plenty of time left and not a ton of great options in FA. There will be more available via trade which I am sure he is exploring.
Captain Crunch
Registered User
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He would be coming over as the 4th best dman on the Leafs, potentially the 5th best depending on exactly how good Lehtonen is. They would most likely use him on their second pair with Muzzin.
If you look at the mock lines that people were drawing up...doesn't look like a lot of people agree with you.
And even if we were to go with your more generous interpretation and say 4th defensemen, the top 4 is invaluable, anyone who say this year's Stanley Cup playoffs and questions that needs a reality check. That's why all these defensemen like Dillon, DeMelo, etc are getting big contracts.
Class from CGY fans in this thread. Another great acquisition by Dubas, but hopefully his impact is more Muzzin esque than Barrie. Stylistically, it should be.
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Lehtonen - Dermott
[Sandin - Liljegren]
With Dubas’ comments about becoming more tough to play against, hard to believe Simmonds is the only move he makes to address that. Could see him packaging Holl + Johnsson for an upgrade on the 2nd pair RHD (e.g. Weegar/Savard package, etc.).
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Lehtonen - Dermott
[Sandin - Liljegren]
With Dubas’ comments about becoming more tough to play against, hard to believe Simmonds is the only move he makes to address that. Could see him packaging Holl + Johnsson for an upgrade on the 2nd pair RHD (e.g. Weegar/Savard package, etc.).
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