Defense:
Justin Holl: A- (47 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 PTS)
From professional healthy scratch to arguably the team’s best defenseman this year, Holl is the feel-good story of the season for the Leafs. Holl’s speed, vision and defensive stability have resulted in his ice time climbing to over 20 minutes/game recently.
Morgan Rielly: B (46 GP, 3 G, 24 A, 27 PTS)
Rielly’s ‘B’ rating is the equivalent of a free pass. Rielly has clearly been hurt since the start of the season, but continued to soldier on at a 50-point pace for his team. Leafs fans should appreciate the effort and leadership even though McDavid put him on a poster.
Travis Dermott: B- (36 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS)
Dermott hasn’t quite been able to take the next step this season. With beautiful skating, he is already a tremendous escape artist on defense, but there is room for growth in his patience and plan with the puck moving up ice.
Jake Muzzin: B- (38 GP, 3 G, 10 A, 13 PTS)
Muzzin brings a physical element that the Leafs lack without him, but he hasn’t produced well this season. Many have suspected that Muzzin was nursing an ailment even before taking a shot that broke his foot at the end of December.