Holl is a bottom pair d-man, just like Marincin.
Holl is not a huge upgrade over Marincin - the only reason why he's given more opportunities, is because he's a RHD.
Marincin is better on the PK.
To be a big fan of Holl and say Marincin is NHL's worst defender is just a strange position.
(I don't mind either as a 6/7 option).

Stay away from Ghost and Klingberg - both can't defend.
And Rielly is much better than Klingberg.
- MaximusAurelius

Holl is a huge upgrade over Marincin. At least he can make a breakout pass and defend competently. The issue with Holl like someone said earlier is that he is overplayed.

Now, I think Holl needs to be traded because coaches are generally stubborn and don't change their pairings. He should be playing on the 3rd pair. No one expected Keefe to keep Ceci with Rielly but he did, and even when Ceci got injured and came back, he was paired with Rielly again. Only way to make sure he doesn't get overplayed again is by moving him.

Leafs should be looking at signing 2-3 RD. If only 2, I would move Dermott to the right side to play with Muzzin, allowing Sandin to play bottom pairing with someone they sign.

Rielly-sign/trade
Muzzin-Dermott
Sandin-sign/trade

Options for signing: Tanev, Brodie, DeMelo, Hamonic or Gudas
Options for trading: Parayko, Severson, Savard or Ekblad

He's been fantastic.

It's too bad that there's no fans allowed and they're not playing at the Dome, because he'd for sure be drawing out the Korean crowd big time for the games.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Agreed.
I think this team would draw 35 000 plus each game as well.
The team has no quit it seems.

Because he wasn't?
- GreatGigInTheSky

lol.
People arent use to seeing quality D.

He was ok, but nothing special

Does anyone know if teams get time to talk to free agents before free agency opens this year?
- matt1337

i think they removed that.

Holl is a huge upgrade over Marincin. At least he can make a breakout pass and defend competently. The issue with Holl like someone said earlier is that he is overplayed.

Now, I think Holl needs to be traded because coaches are generally stubborn and don't change their pairings. He should be playing on the 3rd pair. No one expected Keefe to keep Ceci with Rielly but he did, and even when Ceci got injured and came back, he was paired with Rielly again. Only way to make sure he doesn't get overplayed again is by moving him.

Leafs should be looking at signing 2-3 RD. If only 2, I would move Dermott to the right side to play with Muzzin, allowing Sandin to play bottom pairing with someone they sign.

Rielly-sign/trade
Muzzin-Dermott
Sandin-sign/trade

Options for signing: Tanev, Brodie, DeMelo, Hamonic or Gudas
Options for trading: Parayko, Severson, Savard or Ekblad
- matt1337

Gudas is one D I hope the Leafs sign.
could use his toughness

i think they removed that.
- Fakepartofme

I figured they would it else teams would know pre-draft if they can just sign a guy instead of trading a pick to get someone. Would've been nice for the leafs that way they can guarantee to keep the pick they have.

Well, he was and played well there with Muzzin. I can't believe we're complaining about Holl now. Classic Leafs fans.
- gravyface

Muzzin carried him
Without muzz it wasnt great.
Jesus people are so sensitive
He can fill top 4 for a short while, but hes not a top 4 D. Yet. Maybe soon.
For now, hes better suited 5-6.
Which is fine

Gudas is one D I hope the Leafs sign.
could use his toughness
- dmnted

I want to see what type of deals these guys actually get. This might be the best time to sign free agents with teams losing money. Usually teams overpay in free agency but I think there's actually a chance to under pay on a few guys.

Muzzin carried him
Without muzz it wasnt great.
Jesus people are so sensitive
He can fill top 4 for a short while, but hes not a top 4 D. Yet. Maybe soon.
For now, hes better suited 5-6.
Which is fine
- Fakepartofme

But that's my point: there is a guy being "carried" on almost every pairing in the NHL.

Because cap and reality of the situation that every team is in.

But that's my point: there is a guy being "carried" on almost every pairing in the NHL.

Because cap and reality of the situation that every team is in.
- gravyface

Thats fine.
But hes not a top 4 D like some like to think (not right now) or that it was such a shame he wasnt played more 2 years ago when he wasnt ready.

I want to see what type of deals these guys actually get. This might be the best time to sign free agents with teams losing money. Usually teams overpay in free agency but I think there's actually a chance to under pay on a few guys.
- matt1337

im hoping so.
But i could easily see some gms still overpaying for fa's.
They cant help themselves

Muzzin carried him
Without muzz it wasnt great.
Jesus people are so sensitive
He can fill top 4 for a short while, but hes not a top 4 D. Yet. Maybe soon.
For now, hes better suited 5-6.
Which is fine
- Fakepartofme

Maybe the common denominator is YOU...

Maybe the common denominator is YOU...
- bixll

Thats fine.
But hes not a top 4 D like some like to think (not right now) or that it was such a shame he wasnt played more 2 years ago when he wasnt ready.
- Fakepartofme

This I agree with.

I hope Sandin gets a chance next year; the sky isn't falling if we don't win the cup next year either.

- AdamFrench

This I agree with.

I hope Sandin gets a chance next year; the sky isn't falling if we don't win the cup next year either.
- gravyface

It will in here.. If there is a sky on HB

Maybe the common denominator is YOU...
- bixll

meh.
Its not
The same people whine anytine a someone is not rah rah about a player.

But good try.

It will in here.. If there is a sky on HB
- bixll

The last time there was a sky on HB it was raining bagels.

This I agree with.

I hope Sandin gets a chance next year; the sky isn't falling if we don't win the cup next year either.
- gravyface

Dubas should be gone though if not in conference finals next year.
Then again, there might not be a 2020/2021 season at all, depending on Sept-Nov health developments.

This I agree with.

I hope Sandin gets a chance next year; the sky isn't falling if we don't win the cup next year either.
- gravyface

i definitely want to see sandin more if they feel he is ready.
Im not anticipating a cup, but a step forward is needed. Imo.

meh.
Its not
The same whine anytine a someone is not rah rah about a player.

But good try.
- Fakepartofme

No,, it's YOU.

No,, it's YOU.
- bixll

whatever floats your boat bud.
Go back on troll patrol

The last time there was a sky on HB it was raining bagels.
- AdamFrench

Cinnamon raisin I would hope. With some cream cheese.

whatever floats your boat bud.
Go back on troll patrol
- Fakepartofme

Talking to one now.

Everything you type is negative.

an interesting study came out on the psychological effect of acetaminophen on risk-taking.
https://academic.oup.com/...1093/scan/nsaa108/5897711


this is relevant to the NHL, since lots of players (including enforcers, e.g. Boogard (RIP)) are on these painkillers.
being on prescription drugs that would increase (or induce?) risk-taking behaviour seems like a bad idea, in particular for the enforcers..