Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs Defense Is Not in Need of Much Upgrading

By James Tanner

Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs defense gets a bad rap.

Ideally, it would be better, but it’s not half bad.  This past season the Toronto Maple Leafs used Roman Polak and Matt Hunwick as regulars, and that has to stop.

But otherwise? It’s alright.

The Leafs defense is anchored by Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly and Nikita Zaitsev.  While none of them are top-ten NHL defensemen, they are each well above average.

Let’s get that out of the way first:  The Leafs don’t need to try and acquire a top-ten, all-star, elite defenseman.  Yes, having one would be nice. But they are cost prohibitive.  So the best thing to do is acquire easier-to-get mid-range players and compete by always having a good defenseman on the ice, rather than building around one or two high-end skaters.

Gardiner, Rielly, and Zaitsev are all excellent puck moving defenseman who are either in their prime or approaching it.  If half your D is made up of these three players, you’re doing alright.

Next up, Carrick and Zaitsev.  These are guys who are solid, and in Carricks case, may have another level of development to hit.  Affordable, competent and versatile.

Either player can be plugged into the lineup and give you effective minutes, and if the Leafs to get better players – whether through trade or internally – they will provide excellent depth.

Leafs D So Much Better than Credited:

When on the ice together, Zaitsev and Marincin were a 56% possession pairing.

When on the ice together, Gardiner and Carrick were 54%.

That is two out of three pairings that are extremely effective.   If those two pairings can maintain their performance,  then all the Toronto Maple Leafs really need is a partner for Rielly and then to sit back and patiently try to develop their own Weber, Subban or Keith (all second-round picks who turned into elite players).

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That player is Chris Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks.  The Leafs 17th overall pick and a prospect might get it done.  The Canucks are rebuilding and the Leafs are ready to compete.

Rielly – Tanev

Gardiner – Carrick

Marincin – Zaitsev

That is a way above average defense core, and the Leafs have players like Travis Dermot who may soon force their way into the lineup.  As you can see, there is no need to make a big move on the back-end.  Even if the Leafs can’t swing Tanev, there are plenty of lesser options (Cody Franson) that won’t break the bank or cost one of the team’s big-name young prospects.

Even if they stay relatively the same as they are now, the Toronto Maple Leafs defense is much better than the common narrative would seem to suggest.

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