I don't think the boat will ever sail on that, since an upgraded defense is the likely key to them winning a Cup. I don't think they will trade one of the big 4, but they can get a deal done for a top 4 D with supporting players/prospects/picks.

The D corps you mentioned will likely be in Blue and White in 2020 or 2021. I do not think they will wait for internal options as their answer for an upgrade.

Washington's D was tough, mobile and experienced.
- mikeinbuffalo

Now here's the thing. Offense is more valuable to a team than defense. The great defensive teams of the last decade (think Anaheim, Nashville, St. Loius, Minnesota and even Carolina) can't get it done because they don't have the offense. When they need a spark, all they can do is dump and chase for the 200th time that game.

One final thought. Have you ever tried to argue a player's +/- to anyone? They won't have it. Why? Because +/- is a team stat apparently.

So in my opinion, defense is the least important position on a hockey team. Now I'm not suggesting you plunk anyone in there, but if you have some middling guys that have good foot speed and intelligence (not the kind Gardiner has, i mean actual intelligence) then you're set. Much better spending the money on defensively responsible forwards.

For the record I think it's very important to have 2 or 3 good PKing defenseman on your team.

When we live in a world that considers Nate Schmidt and Colin Miller attractive dmen, we know the game has changed. This is why I think the Leafs are fine with going with what they have. Dubas is ahead of the curve (not on his own). We'll have less Middleton's, Greenway's and Mattinen's and more Sandin's, Kral's, Durzi's and Hollowell's.

Imo

They upgraded the D.
Polka is gone.

They upgraded the D.
Polka is gone.
- Dr. Leaf

The Hawks prospect?

Now here's the thing. Offense is more valuable to a team than defense. The great defensive teams of the last decade (think Anaheim, Nashville, St. Loius, Minnesota and even Carolina) can't get it done because they don't have the offense. When they need a spark, all they can do is dump and chase for the 200th time that game.

One final thought. Have you ever tried to argue a player's +/- to anyone? They won't have it. Why? Because +/- is a team stat apparently.

So in my opinion, defense is the least important position on a hockey team. Now I'm not suggesting you plunk anyone in there, but if you have some middling guys that have good foot speed and intelligence (not the kind Gardiner has, i mean actual intelligence) then you're set. Much better spending the money on defensively responsible forwards.

For the record I think it's very important to have 2 or 3 good PKing defenseman on your team.

When we live in a world that considers Nate Schmidt and Colin Miller attractive dmen, we know the game has changed. This is why I think the Leafs are fine with going with what they have. Dubas is ahead of the curve (not on his own). We'll have less Middleton's, Greenway's and Mattinen's and more Sandin's, Kral's, Durzi's and Hollowell's.

Imo
- walshyleafsfan

Nice. 80’s hockey is back?

They upgraded the D.
Polka is gone.
- Dr. Leaf

replaced by

Nice. 80’s hockey is back?
- HonkyTonkMan

Kinda.

More skill per player and better goalies, but yes,the days of cycling for cycling's sake, and needlessly dumping the puck in are long gone.

You'll see more players attempt to skate the puck into the offensive zone.

Kinda.

More skill per player and better goalies, but yes,the days of cycling for cycling's sake, and needlessly dumping the puck in are long gone.

You'll see more players attempt to skate the puck into the offensive zone.
- walshyleafsfan

80's hockey is most definitely not back.

80's hockey is most definitely not back.
- Shinobi

Nope. Most of the players in the NHL nowadays
can actually hockey.

Goalies can also touch their toes as well.

Nope. Most of the players in the NHL nowadays
can actually hockey.

Goalies can also touch their toes as well.
- walshyleafsfan

They could touch their toes in the 80s also. You just had to lay down a line of coke on said toe first.

Nope. Most of the players in the NHL nowadays
can actually hockey.

Goalies can also touch their toes as well.
- walshyleafsfan

this is the absolute worst era in hockey, ever.

this is the absolute worst era in hockey, ever.
- Shinobi

For some I'd imagine it is. For others, I'd imagine it's the best.

They could touch their toes in the 80s also. You just had to lay down a line of coke on said toe first.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Thems were proper athletes I tells ya

Fantastic goal in the Canada/US game on right now.

The US guy did the Lacrosse move.

For some I'd imagine it is. For others, I'd imagine it's the best.
- walshyleafsfan

Didn't Alexei Kovalev just say this is the worst hockey he's seen?

Didn't Alexei Kovalev just say this is the worst hockey he's seen?
- matt1337

Possibly. I think we was being ironic. Kind of like when Jeff O'Neil grumbles at current Leafs players not giving it their all, or when Phil Kessel calls the next American Supermodel plumpy.

For some I'd imagine it is. For others, I'd imagine it's the best.
- walshyleafsfan

WORST. EVER.

Possibly. I think we was being ironic. Kind of like when Jeff O'Neil grumbles at current Leafs players not giving it their all, or when Phil Kessel calls the next American Supermodel plumpy.
- walshyleafsfan

keep living in denial man. players these days don't even have to give half the effort to get more money than some of those guys got in the past. players had to take beatings almost every night and actually fight for their space on the ice to produce. now it's almost glorified shinny with kids who can't wait to get off the ice to go play fortnite or some bullpoop. and the funny part is that a lot of the over hyped underachieving high draft picks are still getting paid quite nicely to be an average or worse player in the league and are only still in the league because of their draft status and previous hype/potential.

Mike why do you live in Buffalo?

Wanna watch some hockey?

Can vs USA U18 semis

going into the third tied at 3

http://cricfree.sc/watch/...-icehockey-live-streaming

Wanna watch some hockey?

Can vs USA U18 semis

going into the third tied at 3

http://cricfree.sc/watch/...-icehockey-live-streaming
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Canada's goaltending is terrible. The US just scored 2 goals to take the lead. There's just over 6 minutes left.

Lafreniere (I think that's how it's spelled) is the best player on the ice.

Canada's goaltending is terrible. The US just scored 2 goals to take the lead. There's just over 6 minutes left.

Lafreniere (I think tat's how it's spelled) is the best player on the ice.
- GreatGigInTheSky

he's so good...

looks like seguin..

he's so good...

looks like seguin..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Whichever team wins the 2020 NHL lottery, is gonna be (frank)ing stoked.

Holy poop! Canada scored with less than a second left!

EDIT: (frank). Time expired.

WHAT!!!

STATES GOT ROBBED!!!!!

WHAT!!!

STATES GOT ROBBED!!!!!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Wait. Are they calling that a (frank)ing goal? That's a terrible (frank)ing call.