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Toronto Maple Leafs: Igor Ozhiganov Shouldn’t be Odd Man Out

By James Tanner

LUCAN, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Igor Ozhiganov #92 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes his way to the ice prior to a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators during Kraft Hockeyville Canada at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre on September 18, 2018 in Lucan, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
LUCAN, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Igor Ozhiganov #92 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes his way to the ice prior to a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators during Kraft Hockeyville Canada at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre on September 18, 2018 in Lucan, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night.

Jake Muzzin will pair with Morgain Rielly and give the Toronto Maple Leafs the best top pairing in the NHL.

But that means that one of Ron Hainsey, Igor Ozhiganov or Nikita Zaitsev will have to come out of the lineup.

Predominating wisdom is that it is Igor Ozhiganov who will come out to make room for Muzzin, and that Hainsey will be paired with Travis Dermott on the third pairing.

This will prove to be a mistake.

Hainsey Should Sit

The Toronto Maple Leafs should sit Ron Hainsey, not Igor Ozhiganov.

Travis Dermott is having an amazing season. He is a 55% CF player, which is elite territory, if you’re doing it on the top pairing.  Dermott is playing relatively easy competition and dominating it.

Together, Dermott and partner Igor Ozhiganov have combined for a 55% possession rating, and both players are worse when apart.

This might surprise you, but literally every single player who has at least 100 minutes with Ozhiganov has a higher CF rating with him than without him.

Together, he and Travis Dermott have been one of, if not the best, third pairing(s) in the NHL.

So why break it up?

Conversely, every player except for Patrick Marleau who has played with Ron Hainsey has worse stats with Hainsey than without him.

Igor Ozhiganov also happens to be right-handed, so if he comes out of the lineup, then it’s five left handers and Nikita Zaitsev.  Zaitsev, if you’re wondering, is also significantly better than Ron Hainsey.

The 6’2 210 Ozhiganov may not be the most physically imposing player in the NHL, but prior to the addition of Muzzin he was the most physically imposing Maple Leaf.

So, to sum up:

The Toronto Maple Leafs already have a dominant third pairing.

Igor Ozhiganov makes everyone he plays with better.

Ron Hainsey makes everyone he plays with worse.

Ozhiganov is right handed and Hainsey is not.

Ozhiganov brings a physical element Hainsey does not.

So why on earth would the Leafs take Ozhiganov’s spot and give it to Hainsey? It makes absolutely no sense.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Next. What Did the Leafs Lose in Carl Grundstrom?. dark

Igor Ozhiganov has had an excellent under the radar rookie season. There is absolutely no upside to removing him from the lineup.

On the other hand, there is no upside to keeping Ron Hainsey in the NHL.

All stats from naturalstattrick.com

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