Find Some Defensive Reinforcements Somewhere……Anywhere
The Toronto Maple Leafs started the season with a depleted blue line corps.
Many fans complained last season that the defence wasn’t good enough, but perhaps they didn’t know how good they had it.
Luke Schenn’s booming body checks and calming presence are sorely missed. Justin Holl (when he was on his game) was better than many gave him credit for. Rasmin Sandin had a lot of positives. Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie were a year younger than they are today.
Now the Leafs have Morgan Rielly, and a whole lot of questions marks. John Klingberg is struggling mightily. Mark Giordano is no longer able to handle significant minutes. TJ Brodie is in a gradual age-related decline. Jake McCabe is injured. Timothy Liljegren is injured. Connor Timmins is injured.
Starting now for your Toronto Maple Leafs is William Lagesson, who last appeared in the NHL in 2012-2022 with the Montreal Canadiens. Next up is Simon Benoit, a bottom pairing D who wasn’t good enough to stay after playing the full season last year with the not-so-mighty Anaheim Ducks. After that, the Toronto Marlies depth chart is made up of youngsters who either aren’t ready for prime time or are never destined to join the big club.
It’s time for Brad Treliving to scour the waiver wire, make a trade, or maybe sign some diamond in the rough from senior hockey.
I don’t have the answer. I don’t get paid to have the answer. But Brad does. So please, do something quickly.