No, the defense definitely sucks.
- JohnFergusonJr

It’s been pretty bad, from an outsiders perspective

Wife was at the gym.
- bixll

Playing any Git tonight?

Andersen has .958 sv% taking away 1 stinker vs TB

I think
- Garnie

Needs to get his shiit together

Needs to get his shiit together
- bixll

I understand if the guys letting in goals like Reimer and Bernier that 1-2 years.

Andy’s been pretty solid outside of TB and maybe a couple softies if you wanna call them that.

It’s been pretty bad, from an outsiders perspective
- RafiDRW

Ya, we seem to like to pinch without support this year. We’ll get er cleaned up and be whooping butt in no time.

It’s been pretty bad, from an outsiders perspective
- RafiDRW

Tied for 3rd most goals against.

But some people here will tell you the D is just fine.

Middle of the pack PK and have only beat garbage teams so far this year.

Not inspiring stuff so far.

This team can score goals but other than that, not much else there. It's deceptively problematic.

If you watch the games, that line is playing well together. It's not just a matter of adding up their respective points over seven games.
- Zezel

I would like to see Mik with Matthews for a couple games to see what could happen.

I understand if the guys letting in goals like Reimer and Bernier that 1-2 years.

Andy’s been pretty solid outside of TB and maybe a couple softies if you wanna call them that.
- Garnie

agreed. he has to pay attention when the puck first drops,

I would like to see Mik with Matthews for a couple games to see what could happen.
- aminnes

I don’t mind AJ there, his 1 touch passes can be pretty incredible at times. Too bad JT got hurt because I think it he would have stuck on that line for awhile.

agreed. he has to pay attention when the puck first drops,
- bixll

We did finally score 1st last game, didn’t help

It’s been pretty bad, from an outsiders perspective
- RafiDRW

I’m pretty interested in seeing dermott back.

Rielly struggles in translation D, and one of Ceci’s many flaws is defending the rush as well...as bad as hainsey was, he was decent at breaking up plays in the neutral zone which is why that pairing worked.

Dermott is fantastic at breaking up plays in the neutral zone as well as his own blue line. If he can play the RS Reilly’s pairing goes from abysmal to good.

It’s been bad, yes. But getting Dermott back changes a lot.

Then Holl/Ceci should form a good sheltered 3rd pair. Evaluate that and see what you need to do at the TDL.

I would like to see Mik with Matthews for a couple games to see what could happen.
- aminnes

The great thing is, the fact this idea is feasible shows what a good free pickup Mik has been, that he could conceivably fill in on the big lines. He's a good story so far.

I’m pretty interested in seeing dermott back.

Rielly struggles in translation D, and one of Ceci’s many flaws is defending the rush as well...as bad as hainsey was, he was decent at breaking up plays in the neutral zone which is why that pairing worked.

Dermott is fantastic at breaking up plays in the neutral zone as well as his own blue line. If he can play the RS Reilly’s pairing goes from abysmal to good.

It’s been bad, yes. But getting Dermott back changes a lot.

Then Holl/Ceci should form a good sheltered 3rd pair. Evaluate that and see what you need to do at the TDL.
- Santo_44

So the Leafs went out and got RHD and now they're going to have two lefties and two righties playing with each other?

You're dreaming.

Jack Hughes gets his first career point. An assist.

Tied for 3rd most goals against.

But some people here will tell you the D is just fine.

Middle of the pack PK and have only beat garbage teams so far this year.

Not inspiring stuff so far.

This team can score goals but other than that, not much else there. It's deceptively problematic.
- JohnFergusonJr

And yet you can't even acknowledge the sub .900 goaltending we're getting is the root cause.

So the Leafs went out and got RHD and now they're going to have two lefties and two righties playing with each other?

You're dreaming.
- JohnFergusonJr

I think Ceci is with Reilly for good unless they get another guy though trade. Barrie is a great skater but also awful positionally. Not much they can do about it now.

Jack Hughes gets his first career point. An assist.
- GreatGigInTheSky

God. I have him in the pool.

And yet you can't even acknowledge the sub .900 goaltending we're getting is the root cause.
- gravyface

It's not, it's the trash defense at least 50% of the time.

So the Leafs went out and got RHD and now they're going to have two lefties and two righties playing with each other?

You're dreaming.
- JohnFergusonJr

Huh?

Dubas said Ceci will be having a different role, to me it’s obvious he planned for him to be sheltered and he hasn’t been able to so far given Dermott hasn’t been able to play yet.

Ceci is a place holder, if he can’t play the LS on the bottom pairing he can ride the pine...I really don’t see it being an issue. Sheltered 3rd pairing mins aren’t exactly difficult.

Ceci struggles heavily with what Rielly struggles with. Dermott is excellent at what Rielly struggles with.

If I’m Dubas and Babcock the plan all along is to try Dermott there when he’s healthy.

It’s not rocket science.

I’m pretty interested in seeing dermott back.

Rielly struggles in translation D, and one of Ceci’s many flaws is defending the rush as well...as bad as hainsey was, he was decent at breaking up plays in the neutral zone which is why that pairing worked.

Dermott is fantastic at breaking up plays in the neutral zone as well as his own blue line. If he can play the RS Reilly’s pairing goes from abysmal to good.

It’s been bad, yes. But getting Dermott back changes a lot.

Then Holl/Ceci should form a good sheltered 3rd pair. Evaluate that and see what you need to do at the TDL.
- Santo_44

I'd like to see Muzzin paired with Ceci until Rielly gets his game going. Play him and Barrie; the latter has been fine this year in his own end.

Spread the minutes around, and this could work:

Rielly Barrie
Muzzin Ceci
Dermott Holl

I think Ceci is with Reilly for good unless they get another guy though trade. Barrie is a great skater but also awful positionally. Not much they can do about it now.
- aminnes

Want to bet?

They don’t and will never mesh well. Unless Ceci it Rielly figure out how to defend the rush overnight.

It's not, it's the trash defense at least 50% of the time.
- JohnFergusonJr

Andersen has been awful. That's the root issue. We're in the top 5 in the shot metrics, corsi, 5v5. Our play with the puck has been fine; we've had some defensive lapses, but so does every team.

Outside of that, we're missing Dermott, and Rielly has been bad too.

Huh?

Dubas said Ceci will be having a different role, to me it’s obvious he planned for him to be sheltered and he hasn’t been able to so far given Dermott hasn’t been able to play yet.

Ceci is a place holder, if he can’t play the LS on the bottom pairing he can ride the pine...I really don’t see it being an issue. Sheltered 3rd pairing mins aren’t exactly difficult.

Ceci struggles heavily with what Rielly struggles with. Dermott is excellent at what Rielly struggles with.

If I’m Dubas and Babcock the plan all along is to try Dermott there when he’s healthy.

It’s not rocket science.
- Santo_44

Maybe, but then, probably could have found a third pair guy for less than 4.5 million.

I'd like to see Muzzin paired with Ceci until Rielly gets his game going. Play him and Barrie; the latter has been fine this year in his own end.

Spread the minutes around, and this could work:

Rielly Barrie
Muzzin Ceci
Dermott Holl
- gravyface

Muzzin/Barrie is a good pairing.

Rielly needs a partner, and Dermott is a realistic option.

If not? They will look for a placeholder.

Ceci is a horrible fit unless he is getting sheltered...5v5 at least.

Andersen has been awful. That's the root issue. We're in the top 5 in the shot metrics, corsi, 5v5. Our play with the puck has been fine; we've had some defensive lapses, but so does every team.

Outside of that, we're missing Dermott, and Rielly has been bad too.
- gravyface

Andersen has sucked. Still baffled TSN blamed Kap for the winner against St. Louis when Andersen was swimming before DeePee even got the puck on a bad angle.