I'd say a team with Holl in their top 4 isn't a contender. The guy should be playing 16 minutes a night. We need to find 2 capable RD this offseason. No reclamation projects. 2 legitimately capable RD.
- matt1337

Meh, There's a a couple teams left that are playing dmen that aren't any better than holl significant mins. The biggest issues with the d Corp is the boat anchors like ceci who drag their partners down. Getting better partner for rielly will do two things, improve the right side but also take pressure off Reilly which will make him better.

Holl played against top comp all year and performed well, there is no issue with him. If you get dmen that push him down all the better, but having him still there isn't the end of the world. He wasn't a problem last year.

Sorry Zez ...looks like you'll be getting friendly with the Sashimi ...
- The Law

It's okay, I consoled her and it's all good. I told her as a Leafs fan I know the best way to deal with a loss is to do bum stuff.

It's okay, I consoled her and it's all good. I told her as a Leafs fan I know the best way to deal with a loss is to do bum stuff.
- Zezel

So she stuck a carrot up your ass? Bold.

Meh, There's a a couple teams left that are playing dmen that aren't any better than holl significant mins. The biggest issues with the d Corp is the boat anchors like ceci who drag their partners down. Getting better partner for rielly will do two things, improve the right side but also take pressure off Reilly which will make him better.

Holl played against top comp all year and performed well, there is no issue with him. If you get dmen that push him down all the better, but having him still there isn't the end of the world. He wasn't a problem last year.
- burn

Yep. I have no idea why Holl is viewed as an issue with the fact Hainsey and Ceci have played with Rielly the past 3 years. They need a 1st pair RH D that's very good.

There are some really crappy 3rd pair Ds remaining in the playoffs.

I'd say a team with Holl in their top 4 isn't a contender. The guy should be playing 16 minutes a night. We need to find 2 capable RD this offseason. No reclamation projects. 2 legitimately capable RD.
- matt1337

Don't you think having Ceci on 1st pair is the big issue? Holl was really good in the playoffs.

No one seems aware of the really mediocre D that are still in the playoffs. Jamie Oleksiak avg almost 22 minutes a night for Dallas. Oh my!

Don't you think having Ceci on 1st pair is the big issue? Holl was really good in the playoffs.
- RogerRoeper

Of course Ceci on the 1st pair was a big issue. But I also think Holl on the 2nd is a bit of an issue as well. Nothing wrong with Holl, but I think he would look even better playing 3rd pair.

Of course Ceci on the 1st pair was a big issue. But I also think Holl on the 2nd is a bit of an issue as well. Nothing wrong with Holl, but I think he would look even better playing 3rd pair.
- matt1337

Holl being a healthy scratch last year for virtually the entire season was a much bigger issue last year than his usage this year.

Holl being a healthy scratch last year for virtually the entire season was a much bigger issue last year than his usage this year.
- RogerRoeper

So happy medium is Holl playing 3rd pair, right where he should be. I just think the leafs have the opportunity to upgrade over Holl this year and they should take.

It all comes down to injuries. If Rielly's partner goes down with an injury, Holl is our best RD. That should never be the case. If Holl plays 3rd pairing, we have 2 capable RD in front of him, and if there is an injury, he is more than capable of filling in until they come back.

Of course Ceci on the 1st pair was a big issue. But I also think Holl on the 2nd is a bit of an issue as well. Nothing wrong with Holl, but I think he would look even better playing 3rd pair.
- matt1337

I think right now Holl and Lehtonen are competing for 2nd pairing. If they go Lehtonen, he pairs up strong net presence guy/skater and outlet pass guy. If they go Holl it’s more two shutdown guys.

Rielly/New Guy
Muzzin/Lehtonen
Dermott or Sandin/Holl

I think they trade Dermott and go with cheaper/younger Sandin

It's okay, I consoled her and it's all good. I told her as a Leafs fan I know the best way to deal with a loss is to do bum stuff.
- Zezel

You're a Jedi.

I think right now Holl and Lehtonen are competing for 2nd pairing. If they go Lehtonen, he pairs up strong net presence guy/skater and outlet pass guy. If they go Holl it’s more two shutdown guys.

Rielly/New Guy
Muzzin/Lehtonen
Dermott or Sandin/Holl

I think they trade Dermott and go with cheaper/younger Sandin
- Canada Cup

That's how I see it playing out.

Also, factor in the unknowns of Covid and I don't see teams going all in (loading up and investing $$ and futures) with trades/signings in the next 2-3 months. If things get going and the season looks good into next spring then they can always grab a vet Dman at the deadline to beef up for the playoffs.

Grab Rielly's partner and make a few tweaks up front.

I think right now Holl and Lehtonen are competing for 2nd pairing. If they go Lehtonen, he pairs up strong net presence guy/skater and outlet pass guy. If they go Holl it’s more two shutdown guys.

Rielly/New Guy
Muzzin/Lehtonen
Dermott or Sandin/Holl

I think they trade Dermott and go with cheaper/younger Sandin
- Canada Cup

There's too much stock being out into Lehtonen when he hasn't played an NHL game yet. I think it's unwise to not acquire 2 RD, and if Lehtonen is good, it makes Holl expendable.

I also hope they keep Dermott, especially over Holl. I think leafs would be selling low on Dermott. He still has potential to be a top 4 guy.

That's how I see it playing out.

Also, factor in the unknowns of Covid and I don't see teams going all in (loading up and investing $$ and futures) with trades/signings in the next 2-3 months. If things get going and the season looks good into next spring then they can always grab a vet Dman at the deadline to beef up for the playoffs.

Grab Rielly's partner and make a few tweaks up front.
- The Law

If anything, I think this is the time leafs should take advantage. They can put in signing bonuses and get guys under value. Generally in free agency, you're overpaying. I think they can get them either fair or below value.

3:27 Hold my beer.
-Prince

There's too much stock being out into Lehtonen when he hasn't played an NHL game yet. I think it's unwise to not acquire 2 RD, and if Lehtonen is good, it makes Holl expendable.

I also hope they keep Dermott, especially over Holl. I think leafs would be selling low on Dermott. He still has potential to be a top 4 guy.
- matt1337

Obviously it’s just a guess but it comes down to how they evaluate Lehtonen compared to what’s available either in trade of through FA. But they’ve got him now on a cheap, one year contract and they don’t have to give anything up to get him.

It’s the same thing with Dermott. What’s it going to cost to re-sign him? It already looks like they trust Holl more than him. The question is going to be cost of Dermott versus Sandin and their view of Sandin’s future. If Dermott is cheap enough, I guess it’s not an issue and it all kind of becomes 6th versus 7th guy in the rotation. But if he’s going too be much, I think he becomes more valuable as a trade chip

3:27 Hold my beer.
-Prince
- Aetherial

6:10: where the (frank) did that guitar go?!

Honestly though, Prince blows everyone off the stage in that performance. He was such an incredible artist. RIP.

There's too much stock being out into Lehtonen when he hasn't played an NHL game yet. I think it's unwise to not acquire 2 RD, and if Lehtonen is good, it makes Holl expendable.

I also hope they keep Dermott, especially over Holl. I think leafs would be selling low on Dermott. He still has potential to be a top 4 guy.
- matt1337

I think Holl will be just fine playing with Muzzin. If Lehtonen plays even better, that's an awesome problem to have!

Personally, I think the Leafs need to bring in a legit top pairing RHD to play next to Rielly. Maybe you can bring in Gudas to play 3rd pairing with Sandin?

Rielly-Petro/Parayko
Muzzin-Holl/Lehtonen*
Sandin-Gudas
Lilybust

Dermott can go pack his (frank)ing bags.

* One of these guys can slide to 3rd pair if we don't land a Gudas type. If we do land Gudas, one of these guys can bump Lilybust from the 7th D perch.

No one seems aware of the really mediocre D that are still in the playoffs. Jamie Oleksiak avg almost 22 minutes a night for Dallas. Oh my!
- RogerRoeper

Oleksiak is better than Muzzin.

Oleksiak is better than Muzzin.
- MaximusAurelius

Ordered a giant pile of sashimi instead.

Come on Raptors. My special lady friend is a huge Raptors fan. My quality of life this weekend hinges greatly on the result of this basketball game.
- Zezel

My condolences

It's okay, I consoled her and it's all good. I told her as a Leafs fan I know the best way to deal with a loss is to do bum stuff.
- Zezel

- Steven_Seagull

You can laugh all you want, but Muzzin is quite overrated and really slow. Oleksiak skates well for a big guy and is a good 2way guy , and -more importantly - a perfect complementing player to Heiskanen.
Rielly would benefit from being paired with Oleksiak - it's been clear Rielly isn't helped by putting Muzzin on his side.

You can laugh all you want, but Muzzin is quite overrated and really slow. Oleksiak skates well for a big guy and is a good 2way guy , and -more importantly - a perfect complementing player to Heiskanen.
Rielly would benefit from being paired with Oleksiak - it's been clear Rielly isn't helped by putting Muzzin on his side.
- MaximusAurelius

- Steven_Seagull

Agreed..