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Toronto Maple Leafs Need To Go Big or Not Bother

By James Tanner

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 21: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on February 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 21: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on February 21, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Rangers and then promptly made a trade for a new goalie.

It’s hard not to feel bad for Michael Hutchinson, but the Toronto Maple Leafs back-up has never been able to get on a solid run this season, and so the Leafs have had to replace him.

The new additions to the team are the kind of simple refinements contending teams make near the trade deadline.  The Leafs get a slight up-grade to their fourth line in Kyle Clifford, and they get a half decent netminding back-up who has some pedigree and upside.

But they can’t do the same thing with their defense.

Toronto Maple Leafs Blue-Line Additions

Everyone likes to complain about the Leafs blue-line, but in reality, it’s not bad at all.

Every single player who has played a regular shift on the Leafs blue-line this season has over a 50% Corsi. That means that no matter who is the ice, the Leafs are getting more shot-attempts than they give up.

Only one defenseman on the whole team has been on the ice for more goals against than for, and that defenseman is the #8 when the team is healthy, Martin Marincin.

Every Leafs defenseman has a positive expected-goals rating.

Every regular defenesman is at least even (50%) in high danger scoring chances allowed.  The team as a whole has gotten 53% of the high danger chances since Mike Babcock was fired, and that is good for sixth in the NHL during that time. (all  naturalstatrick.com).

The Leafs play a high-octane style of hockey that is not kind to defensive purists or their beleaguered defensemen.  That said, it works.  They not only always get more chances than the other team.

But let’s assume that they want to win the Stanley Cup and are willing to make a trade for a defenseman in order to improve their team.  Like I said last week, there is no point in bringing in a player who doesn’t represent a significant upgrade.

The Leafs have Rielly, Barrie, Muzzin, Holl, Dermott, and Sandin.  None of those are bad players, and all of them have solid stats this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Top Ten Prospects. dark. Next

In order to upgrade the blue-line, the Leafs need to get a much better player in order to make it worthwhile.  That is why I don’t think they’ll go for Alec Martinez or Brandon Dillon.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to improve their blue-line, they’ve got to go big or forget about it.

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