We all know the Toronto Maple Leafs biggest weaknesses are defence and depth at centre.
Today we’re looking at the blue line, the left side to be specific. Unless a trade happens between now and Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs defence on the left side is not bad at all. It’s quite good.
Morgan Rielly
Rielly is having a career year and has finally blossomed into the beautiful top-pairing defence man we all hoped he’d become when he was drafted. The 23-year-old has surpassed his career high point totals with 35 points 57 games played so far and will surely finish with more than 40. While playing with Ron Hainsey.
Some of this improved production is from the power play time he’s been getting this year, but that’s only a part of it. The more skill and speed we have at forward, the more Rielly’s vision, passing and skating shine. He’s a real leader and rock on the blue line for us.
For an in-depth piece on Rielly, and how amazing he’s done this year, check this out.
Jake Gardiner
Gardiner is also on pace for a career year offensively with 38 points and counting. He’ll surely finish the year with more than 40 and has 19 games to do so. Gardiner is a great skater and puck mover, like Rielly and rightfully anchors the other power play unit.
Where Gardiner and Rielly differ is decision making. Gardiner generally tilts the ice in the Leafs favour, keeping the puck in the fun end of the ice and preventing shots against. Great. Defensemen make mistakes all the time that fly under the radar. It doesn’t make life easier when his partner Zaitsev isn’t playing well, either.
Still, having him and Rielly racking up points is awesome and the both of them can handle some tough minutes. Reilly just gives you less chances of heart attack while playing.
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Travis Dermott
The new kid from Newmarket has only impressed since his draft year and once he was called up, made it clear it was for good. Dermott is a smart defender and skates well like Rielly and Gardiner (notice the pattern here?). He consistently makes good decisions on when to pinch and when to back off. To see a rookie play as well as him while playing with Polak is something exciting.
The more he plays and ice time he gets it’s clear Dermott is here to stay and is a great help. He’s only going to improve.
Alright on the left side
These three players are all producing and playing above their pay grade. Gardiner’s excellent contract is up next summer but besides that, these guys will be playing plenty of quality minutes for years to come on the Leafs.
Next: Thoughts on Adding McDonagh
All three skate and pass the puck very well. They’re not bruisers, but in a game that gets more and more about speed and skill by the day, they’re ultra modern defensemen. They’re not a problem in need of fixing.
Now our right side defence on the other hand…