Who Is Our 3LHD Next Season and Beyond?

[LeafSteel]

With Sandin traded and expecting the inevitable drop in play by Gio, what do you see being done for our 3LHD moving forward?

Rielly
McCabe
???

Discuss.

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[andora]

Kral

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Gio

 

[Advanced stats]

Giordano

 

[notbias]

hoping Kral... I think he is super underrated.

 

[MarMarSab3]

If Keefe is the coach they'll play some plug vet, if it's a different coach perhaps we see Kral

 

[Buds17]

Giordano. We're going to need a 7th option though - that's not entirely a pure 7th D - to provide cover for various reasons (ex. injury, performance). Perhaps that involves re-signing Schenn? Otherwise, we might have to bring in someone via free agency.

 

[-DeMo-]

next season right now it would be Giordano and I would think they will either sign a vet #7 dmen as insurance

 

[TML Dynasty]

Gio but if play does drop off enough would absolutely love to see Kral. We need to find the right partners for our call ups tho.

 

[Duke16]

Would think Kral/Rifai are the candidates next year of the Gio fall off is a hard one.

 

[TMLAM34]

I was hoping we would see Kral get a few more games in the NHL down the stretch this year but that’s highly unlikely now with so many extra defenceman (Gustafsson, Schenn, Timmins and Benn).

I haven’t followed the Marlies this year but I’ve noticed Krals games played total being pretty low. Has he been injured?

 

[Fogelhund]

The concern isn't for next year, it's for the 2024/25 season... and really it's pretty early to call that one.

At this point, we have Hoefenmayer, Kral, Rifai, Kokkonen as "prospects".... so I would imagine that some of these guys will continue with the Marlies next year, and get the odd NHL shot when we have injuries. "If" one of these guys emerges it's them.... Each brings something different, and some need plenty of work to be NHL level. I mean Hoef has had a tremendous offensive year.. but I'm not sure he'll be good enough defensively to earn a shot... but time will tell...

If none of them work out, then we are looking at UFA's, or trading...

For next year, It's Giordano.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

The concern isn't for next year, it's for the 2024/25 season... and really it's pretty early to call that one.

At this point, we have Hoefenmayer, Kral, Rifai, Kokkonen as "prospects".... so I would imagine that some of these guys will continue with the Marlies next year, and get the odd NHL shot when we have injuries. "If" one of these guys emerges it's them.... Each brings something different, and some need plenty of work to be NHL level. I mean Hoef has had a tremendous offensive year.. but I'm not sure he'll be good enough defensively to earn a shot... but time will tell...

If none of them work out, then we are looking at UFA's, or trading...

For next year, It's Giordano.

Agreed, and imo, it's not worth any anxiety.

3rd pairing LD is one of the easiest positions to trade for.

 

[TMLAM34]

Agreed, and imo, it's not worth any anxiety.

3rd pairing LD is one of the easiest positions to trade for.

Or sign as a UFA.

 

[banks]

It's Giordano.

They'll need to give him more regular rest. But he can still do the job.

 

[cyris]

Next season Gio. Beyond next season I’m not going to worry much about 3LD. It’s an easy position to fill via free agency and there are some options for internal growth.
Brodie’s contract is up after next season and that is a much bigger hole to fill. This tread is worrying about the wrong thing.

 

[nuck]

Best available cheap UFA signing as a spare for Gio. Maybe Krall or Rifai push their way in but the club may want more sandpaper in that spot and Benn at 36 won't be considered for a top 6 spot. It will be an interesting camp.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Giordano next season.
Too early to discuss 2024-2025.

 

[horner]

Mccabe brodie play both LD and RD



RD
McCabe
Lilly
Timmins
Schenn
Niemela

LD
Rielly
Brodie
Gio
Kral

 

[aingefan]

Gotta be Gio for next year.

Kral requires waivers next year. I imagine he’d be in strong contention if he had a healthy, full year of development.

Rifai could make a push if he gets an ELC. He’s older, pretty low event kinda guy.

24-25. Who knows at this point, but I’m not opposed to seeing Koster signed so he can get a pro year in before the spot opens up.

Might make TO a nice landing spot for euro or ncaa free agents too, seeing that two jobs could be available within a year, the great facilities and pretty good track record getting guys chances or at least exposure.