Connor Timmins Grade: A-
This might be the most controversial grade so far because Timmins only played 25 games and was a healthy scratch for most of the season. However, I think he deserved way more playing time but was being held out of the lineup for reasons that can only be fixed get getting more playing time.
But anyway, let's start with what Timmins did well. While on the ice, Timmins averaged the most goals for and expected goals for of any Maple Leafs defensemen while also leading the defensive core in Corsi, Fenwick, shots on goal, scoring chance and high-danger chance percentage while on the ice at five-on-five.
The two areas of concern with Timmins were the amount of penalties he took, almost a full minor penalty more per 60 minutes than he drew, and his giveaways. Timmins averaged the second most giveaways per 60 minutes among Leafs defensemen who played 20 or more games, but even still, Timmins averaged fewer giveaways per 60 than Joel Edmundson and Ilya Lybushkin, who played every day since joining the Leafs.
With more consistent minutes, I think Timmins could have fixed both of these issues, handling the puck and playing defense at NHL speed are two areas that need consistent reps, to get better. But outside of that TImmins made the most of every chance he got, I loved his impact this year when he got in the lineup.
Ilya Lybushkin Grade: C+
Lybushkin was aqquired at the trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks for a third round pick. This was a horrible deal considering the Florida Panthers paid the same price for Vladimir Tarasenko, but that is here nor there when talking about his performance in the blue and white late in the season.
I will be the first to admit that the Lybushkin pick was not as bad as I thought it would be. He actually pairs fairly well with Morgan Reilly and they make a competent pairing. But, that said, it's just a bad decision to play a player like this so high in the lineup.
He did a good job limiting expected goals against and high-danger goals while he was on the ice, but he is a horrendous puck mover averaging 2.36 more giveaways than takeaways per 60 minutes.
But again, everyone knew about Lybuskin's puck moving dificencies when the trade was made, given I thought he played better than expectation, I've given him a grade slightly above average.