Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Predicting Next Season’s Defensive Pairings

By James Reeve

Mar 10, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
Feb 16, 2020; Buffalo, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin (8) takes a shot on goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Pairing

It’s difficult to tell what head coach Sheldon Keefe’s philosophy is regarding his defensive pairings, but balance seems to be the most logical approach for him moving forward.

The Leafs have one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL in Jake Muzzin, whose injury last season saw the team effectively capitulate and struggle with such little depth with him out of the line-up.

Muzzin is a clear lock for the Leafs’ second pairing, sitting firmly on the left side of the defense and providing hits and elite defensive responsibility once again.

His partner on the right side is far less secure and the options here could overlap with the team’s bottom pairing, with both Mikko Lehtonen and Justin Holl logical options for the team.

Lehtonen, a lefty, has played on the right side plenty and was named Defenseman of the Year in the KHL last season, continuing his exceptional form with six goals and 13 total points in nine regular-season games so far with Finnish club Jokerit in the 2020/21 KHL campaign. (Stats via Elite Prospects).

Lehtonen’s offensive senses and puck moving skills could be a nice compliment to Muzzin’s physical style, giving the second pairing some interesting flexibility and options across a full regular season.

The difficult thing with this would be splitting up Muzzin from Holl, which looked to be growing into an exceptional partnership before the end of the season – meaning that the 28-year-old can’t be completely ruled out at this spot.

The natural right-handed shot could solidify his position on the team if he can continue to build chemistry with Muzzin and give the Leafs a strong, shut-down style pairing.

Lehtonen’s performances overseas will undoubtedly see him in the Leafs line-up come opening day, whenever that is, but whether it’s on the second pairing or not will really depend on the team feels about Justin Holl.

Home/Editorials