Toronto Maple Leafs 2021 Defenseman, Goalie, Management Grades

T.J Brodie

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas sure takes a lot of heat (mostly out of ignorance) about his salary cap strategy, but how bad could it really be a problem when he was able to sign the second best defenseman on the market last summer?

Brodie’s 1 goal and 14 points in 56 games probably doesn’t sound that great, but consider this: With Brodie on the ice, the Toronto Maple Leafs outscored the opposition 55-29 which is 65% and absolutely insane.  His expected goals was “only'” 55% (still great) but the actual results were off-the-charts.

Brodie’s 94th percentile ranking in even-strength defense is just shy of being the best in the NHL. He is an elite defender with decent 5v5 offense.  Paired with Rielly, they were among the best top pairings in the NHL and should continue to be a force going forward.

He doesn’t play on the power-play and he isn’t much of a penalty killer, but few players are as effective at even-strength. It was a brilliant signing, and a feather in Kyle Dubas’ cap.

Brodie was just a little offense shy of being one of the best 5v5 players in the NHL, and as it stands, he was, overall, better than 92% of NHL defenseman last year.  A great player, he is 31 and has three more years at a very reasonable $5 million cap hit.

It’s funny, when people complain about the Marner contract, they never consider that the Leafs have two players (Muzzin and Brodie) who get paid about half of what they’re worth.