Who sits when Muzzin returns

[supermann_98]

Simple question. It seems to be between Holl and liljegren.
Holl has experience but lili is playing lights out right now.
For me Holl sits. Lili is a better puck mover and his defense seems to be lili by the game. Love his man steak.
Holl is very useful and his reach gives him some advantage, but Imo lili is already slightly better.
Who do you think sits and why?

Wow, you love his "man steak"? Too much info bro,lol.

In all seriousness tho it would probably be between Liljegren, Holl OR Lybushkin.

I can't see tho how you bench Liljegren when he's playing so good right now, but Keefe always defers to the vets (and Sandin) over Liljegren for whatever reason

 

[zeke]

TOI since Gio trade

Total

1. Brodie 22:20
2. Rielly 22:17
3. Holl 20:00
4. Gio 19:22
5. Boosh 16:40
6. Lilly 15:29

Even Strength

1. Brodie 19:14
2. Rielly 18:21
3. Holl 17:54
4. Gio 15:58
5. Boosh 15:11
6. Liljegren 14:53

Looks like a battle between Boosh and Lilly for that last spot.....but Lilly is outplaying him so badly that i don't think there'll be much of a question mark come playoffs.

 

[meefer]

I'm just happy we have a chance to talk about pairings that have a realistic chance of being solid 1-3. This is our best D core I've seen in years. There's some skill, some speed, some jam, some maturity, some defensive acumen, some developing quality youth...when was the last time we had this? We're 8 deep and not one scares the crap out of me.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Lots of quality defensemen to choose from.

I would sit Holl.

Bush's value will become even more apparent in the playoffs when he can start taking liberties and I think that should be available to Keefe during a game. With eight guys to choose from, it becomes more about the diversity of roles/playstyles and series-related matchups based on what the opposition is throwing out.

Regardless, it should be between Holl and Bush. No way should Lilly be sitting.

 

[Martin Skoula]

If Lily keeps stepping up the physicality I could see him fitting the Boosh role with Reilly.

Reilly-Liljegren
Gio-Brodie
Muzzin/Sandin-Boosh/Holl

 

[IPS]

The pairings are likely going to shake out being:

Rielly-Lyubushkin
Muzzin-Holl
Giordano-Brodie

or

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Giordano-Lyubushkin

 

[Buds17]

I don't anticipate a total degree of consistency in the defenceman that's made the healthy scratch. I'd likely expect Liljegren to start out as the player in question though.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Rielly Lyubushkin
Muzzin Brodie
Giordano Liljegren

 

[Petrus]

Nice to have options! Has this happened in the last decade?

 

[saltming]

Wow, you love his "man steak"? Too much info bro,lol.

In all seriousness tho it would probably be between Liljegren, Holl OR Lybushkin.

I can't see tho how you bench Liljegren when he's playing so good right now, but Keefe always defers to the vets (and Sandin) over Liljegren for whatever reason

Posting when at school is bad

 

[saltming]

Tampa did it last year with success. The 12th forward is a liability any way most nights. Heck with spezz & simmer the 11th is an anchor as well.

Fair

 

[Le Cobra]

Wow, you love his "man steak"? Too much info bro,lol.

In all seriousness tho it would probably be between Liljegren, Holl OR Lybushkin.

I can't see tho how you bench Liljegren when he's playing so good right now, but Keefe always defers to the vets (and Sandin) over Liljegren for whatever reason

mean streak or man steak? two errors in close proximity makes me question the intent

 

[Dreakmur]

I'm not sure he makes us better than Holl or especially Liljegren do though. He might make us better than Muzzin though if he plays like he's played all year though.

Oh he definitely make us better than Holl.

 

[Dreakmur]

He fits really well with rielly though. I don’t think there’s necessarily a wrong answer here, but I do like that Bush is harder to play against than liljegren.

Holl has also been great the last month and a half.

I’d roll:
Rielly Lyubushkin
Giordano Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Sandin liljegren

But flip Liljegren if someone struggles. It’s crazy how much depth Dubas has stockpiled on the back end in comparison to the ‘no defence narrative’

Half of the top-6 are recently new. Giordano was a deadline add. Lyubushkin shortly before that. Liljegren has just started to get comfprtable.

The 'no defence narrative' was pretty fair until about a month ago.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I think it'll be rotating but has to be Holl IMO. All in all it's a good problem to have tbh

 

[Mr_Fun]

The nice thing is that at the present time, nobody really deserves to sit. Knowing a bit about how SK operates, I think he'll sit Lilly until one of Holl or Bush stumbles. Personally, I'd be more inclined to sit Holl. Tough decision, for sure.

 

[Ashdown2]

muzzin lol
he was by far the worst leafs dman for half the season.

 

[francis246]

I think you give Holl and Liljegren a game each in playoffs and whoever plays better stays. Or you just rotate them in. Both bring a different type of skill set. Holl has experience playing well in the playoffs (yes he’s been a tire fire this season) but he’s looked lost and just always behind the play in the defensive zone, Liljegren can move the puck out of the zone better, nice point shot but I literally shit my pants if he’s in a board battle or a battle in front of the net bc he rarely wins them.

Idk i’d probably go with Liljegren and sit Holl but again limited minutes.

 

[crump]

There will be an injury, there always is. But we will have 2 extra now.
For me, Holl sits. If Liljegren keeps playing like he is with Giordano, you don't break the up.

 

[francis246]

TOI since Gio trade

Total

1. Brodie 22:20
2. Rielly 22:17
3. Holl 20:00
4. Gio 19:22
5. Boosh 16:40
6. Lilly 15:29

Even Strength

1. Brodie 19:14
2. Rielly 18:21
3. Holl 17:54
4. Gio 15:58
5. Boosh 15:11
6. Liljegren 14:53

Looks like a battle between Boosh and Lilly for that last spot.....but Lilly is outplaying him so badly that i don't think there'll be much of a question mark come playoffs.

I still think there will be, because Boosh clears the net. He’s physical and you need that in the playoffs, you absolutely do. It’s obviously something that can’t be measured by metrics but everyone watches playoff hockey and knows you need some physicality. Boosh is gonna play for that reason. That’s why I think it’s going to come down to Holl vs Liljegren.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Barring injuries I'm sure they'll rotate guys in. Boosh absolutely should not sit, he's the type you need for a playoff war

 

[kevsh]

For the playoffs, Holl & Lyubushikin over Liljegren.
I hate saying that but I'd trust their experience more even though Timothy has looked solid lately. He'll get his time to shine, but it's clear this organization needs results this post-season so ice the guys Keefe has the most trust in. (And if Keefe has more trust in Liljegran, then that's his call),

 

[crump]

muzzin lol
he was by far the worst leafs dman for half the season.

Your not wrong. I suppose we are assuming he's coming back rested, healed and reset.

 

[123offtheglass]

Great problem to have, an argument could be made for any of Liljegren, Sandin (inj.), Holl, & Lyubushkin to stay in the lineup.

Take out Liljegren & you lose your most well-rounded & best 5v5 defenseman, take out Sandin & you miss out on his offense, take out Holl & you lose him on the PK & have to replace his tougher minutes, take out Lyubushkin & you lose the most physical defenseman.

My preference would be to keep Liljegren & Holl:

Rielly - Holl
Giordano - Liljegren
Muzzin - Brodie

I hope they test out 11F-7D before playoffs though.

 

[riffle]

Liljegren is the guy who is out when Muzz returns:

Lily has a bright future, but I'm not sure I trust him in big moments just yet. Perhaps, more games paired with Gio will get him ready for May. I certainly don't trust Holl in big or little moments but coaching staff seems to.

As long as Rielly/Lyubushkin stays solid Lyubushkin won't be sitting. "Lube" is a short-leash candidate like Lily who if he gets a start in the playoffs will be out quickly if he makes a mistake. Perhaps, there'll be a turnstyle between the Russian Bear and Lilypad based on who isn't making the big mistake.

Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Gio are the untouchable 4. They are not coming out save for injury. Holl has to be 5th but he sat for stretches of the regular season so we know he could be sat again.

Lybushkin is staying with Rielly until he proves he shouldn't be so I see him as 6th. Given Lybushkin and Liljegren both have no playoff experience, both are prone to quick pulls if not playing well.

Sandin has 5 playoff games under his belt, but we don't know how he is physically. Hoping he can return before end of season so we can see how he might fit in some new look pairings.

The joy in typing this was immense. To not have to consider Dermott or Marincin as a 6th? Incredible.