Tribute What a Change to our D Corps

[Craigo85]

We could be be missing 4 NHL starting defenseman now:

Sandin
Muzzin
Bush
Holl

And we'll still have Reilly, Brodie, Gio and Lilly playing for us. Not sure who will slide into 5/6 but I'm not too worried about our roster until the playoffs.

Props to Dubas for improving this part of the team. He brought in a few pieces, but he wasn't wrong a few years ago when he said we had some answers for defense coming from within.

Click to read more...

 

[Le Cobra]

it is safe to say that aspect of the team has been finally satisfied. now all we need is grit and steady solid goaltending.

 

[fancy lad]

Boosh`s arrival is like a flower growing out of pavement. Thanks for that one Dubas. Also Giordano has been such a stabilizing influence. Defence is looking so much better.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Boosh`s arrival is like a flower growing out of pavement. Thanks for that one Dubas. Also Giordano has been such a stabilizing influence. Defence is looking so much better.

Defence is looking really good. Goaltending is a massive concern. Dubas did not address this.

 

[ULF_55]

Is Hirvonen available yet?

 

[LeafChief]

Is Hirvonen available yet?

He's a forward?

 

[SprDaVE]

Is Hirvonen available yet?

He's a forward?

I think Ulf means Niemela

 

[34]

The Leafs have a very deep D core now. One of the better ones on the NHL now.

 

[crump]

If both Holl and Lyubushkin are out, I imagine they'll use Dahlstom for one. He's a lefty. They have had Rubins up but he's a lefty too. Maybe Duszak finally gets a chance, He's right shot, good player. With any luck maybe one or both of Holl, Bush will be good to go on Wednesday so they don't have to run with 2 rookies back there.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Yeah our defense is pretty great. Has been for quite a while.

 

[Le Cobra]

Yeah our defense is pretty great. Has been for quite a while.

if i woke up from a coma i would probably wonder if this is the leafs board.

 

[Buds17]

Too many defencemen? No...such...thing!

 

[ACC1224]

Giordano and Lybushkin have been a revelation plus the emergence of Lilligren and the team finally has a pretty sound looking group.
Just need Muzzin, remove Holl and they are playoff ready.

 

[blueberrie]

Dubas deserves some big praise for assembling this D core. Long gone are the days of Burke building around Phaneuf and Komisarik or Lou building around Hainsey and Zaitsev.

 

[ULF_55]

I think Ulf means Niemela

Yeah, too early this morning ... here in the west.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Marincin was spotted at Pearson today.

 

[Once]

Dubas doesn't get enough credit for how this dcorps can potentially look when everyone is healthy. Certainly better than Boston's and Florida's.

 

[Strangle]

Dubas doesn't get enough credit for how this dcorps can potentially look when everyone is healthy. Certainly better than Boston's and Florida's.

Dubas has done a fantastic job. Not everything has worked out, but I’ve been able to see the rationale of most moves and he has thrown a bunch of clever surprises in there along the way.

He’s really an A tier GM

 

[Fogelhund]

If Lyubushkin and Holl are out....

I'd go with Rubins and maybe even Duszak to be honest... give the kid a game. Rubins was very solid in his game here, and I think he could provide some of what we need. Duszak clearly has an offensive game, and playing him could raise his trade value.

 

[crump]

Marincin was spotted at Pearson today.

nooooooooooooo

 

[LeafChief]

I think I saw Dahlstrom was sent back down today. Probably good news for Holl and/or Lyubushkin.

 

[banks]

Dubas deserves some big praise for assembling this D core. Long gone are the days of Burke building around Phaneuf and Komisarik or Lou building around Hainsey and Zaitsev.

Wish I could like this twice.

Not only were those the wrong guys to build around, but those groups were suuuper weak farther down the depth chart. Franson, Robidas, Ranger, Marincin. These guys were shoved into the top 4 because there was no competition. The bottom pairing for the last decade was replacement level players most of the time.

Now there's 8 guys who are each legit. Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Giordano, Lyubushkin, Liljegren, Sandin, Holl. All of these guys can be trusted with 20 minutes in a game, IMO.

 

[Menzinger]

Probably the best D core the team has put together since the better Quin seasons.

 

[Tak7]

Dubas deserves some big praise for assembling this D core. Long gone are the days of Burke building around Phaneuf and Komisarik or Lou building around Hainsey and Zaitsev.

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

D-core Dubas Inherited​

[/TD]

[TD]

D-core now​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

1. Rielly
2. Gardiner
3. Zaitsev
4. Dermott
5. Hainsey
6. Polak
7. Carrick
8. Borgman

[/TD]

[TD]

1. Rielly
2. Brodie
3. Giordano
4. Holl
5. Sandin
6. Liljegren
7. Lyubushkin
8. Muzzin

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

There's also some serviceable depth guys too - Kral, Hollowell, Dahlstrom, Duszak.

He doesn't get nearly enough credit for the job he's done completely revamping that blueline.

 

[CincoHolio]

Probably the best D core the team has put together since the better Quin seasons.

You can probably remove probably from this sentence and I don't think anyone would (should) argue.