The Toronto Maple Leafs Blue-Line takes a lot of heat.
Some of the criticism of the Toronto Maple Leafs blue-line is fair, and much of it is not.
Despite the team having (at best) a so-so season (so far) the Leafs blue line isn’t as bad as people say.
Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl have been outstanding. Despite playing the “shut-down role” and taking the lowest percentage of offensive draws on the team, Muzzin and Holl as a pairing have gotten 56% of the total shots, 54% of the total goals, and 56% expected goals. (All stats naturalstattrick.com).
Those are elite numbers.
Rielly played most of the season injured, Barrie is one of the best offensive defenseman in the NHL, Sandin is a rookie, but has looked good.
If you compare Travis Dermott to either players his age who’ve played about the same amount of games (130), or if you compare him to other 3rd pairing defenseman, he’s got stats near the top of either group.
The Leafs blue-line is better than people say it is, owing mostly to a) An F- season from Freddie Andersen, and b) the style of play the team plays will always lead to some iffy goals.
But what about the future?
Toronto Maple Leafs Blue Line of the Future
Jake Muzzin recently signed a new contract, and so did Justin Holl. They should provide the Toronto Maple Leafs with an excellent second pairing for the next several years.
Morgan Rielly is an elite top pairing defenseman, and while we don’t know who will settle into the role of being his partner, there are some good candidates.
Even if the Leafs don’t add anyone, they are on a path to having an elite blue-line.
Rasmus Sandin appears to be headed for stardom. He’ll either switch to the right side and play with Rielly, or the Leafs will have the best left-side in the NHL.
Travis Dermott, only 23, is going to be a very good player. It’s often said defenseman take a while to develop, and Dermott has done most of his developing at the highest possible level.
As mentioned, he’s got some of the best stats among defenseman for the last three years. Sure, a lot of those are sheltered minutes, but as he matures and perhaps plays with better players, he should easily make the transition to a top four player.
Finally, Timothy Liljegren is going to be an excellent NHL player. His 11 games and 43% Corsi not-withstanding, he’s a right handed player who will for sure be a great 3rd pairing player, and who stands a good chance of being much better than that.
Whatever way in which you pair them up, Rielly, Muzzin, Holl, Sandin, Dermott and Liljegren is a blue line that is going to be among the league’s best, eventually.
Maybe the Leafs will sign someone, maybe they’ll make a trade. But if this is the blue-line that they ice next season, it’s going to be among the league’s best. The potential is what makes this so exciting.
Rielly, Holl and Muzzin are already good, but Dermot, Sandin and Liljegren all have the chance to grow into elite players. The Leafs blue line may look rough now, but it’s on track to be one of the team’s strengths in the immediate future.