So far this 2024-25 NHL season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Craig Berube has done a fine job in implementing a solid, effective style of play for their defensemen.
In doing so, the Toronto Maple Leafs have given up the third fewest goals in the league with 60. In addition, in 5-on-5 situations, they rank third in the league in the fewest defensive zone giveaways with 126 and second in the NHL for fewest high danger shots against with just 33.
Anchored by stalwarts Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev, along with the decent play of the rest of the defensive corps, the Maple Leafs defense has had great success at shutting down many of the league’s top offensive teams as a result.
But as good as they have been, there’s one aspect that the Leafs defensemen need to still significantly improve on if they want sustained long term success. That aspect is their offensive production.
The Toronto Maple Leafs still need more scoring from their blue-line
Entering the past weekend, the Maple Leafs back end actually ranked 23rd in the NHL in total points with 36, with the Colorado Avalanche defense corps leading the way with a whopping 67 points. In addition, the Leafs are tied for 19th for goals by a defenseman with just 6, with the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers tied for the league lead with 15.
In fact, ever since Oliver Ekman-Larsson dropped off from his torrid start, practically only Morgan Rielly has been providing any type of offensive output from the back end in recent weeks. But even as their defensive leader in offense with 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 23 games played this season, Rielly finds himself ranked 26th in the NHL in total points by a defenseman.
As for the rest of the Leafs defensive corps, they have combined for just 2 goals and 20 assists collectively. With that worrisome stat, it makes it very easy for opposing teams to concentrate all of their defensive efforts on shutting down the Maple Leafs forwards, knowing that their defense wouldn’t be a factor on offense on most nights.
Which makes the outburst from this past Saturday that much more important for the Leafs in the long run. Unexpected sources such as Tanev and Simon Benoit got onto the scoreboard, with Tanev recording his first goal of the season along with an assist for a two-point night and Benoit with also an assist. In doing so, the surprise output from the back end helped fuelled Toronto to their 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. (All stats from NHL.com and moneypuck.com)
By adding some potential threat from the back end not named Rielly, the Leafs would be that much more dangerous on the attack. In doing so, by being that much harder to defend against, it should lead to greater success for Toronto in the long run.
As a result, it is time for the rest of the defense corps to step up and make the Maple Leafs team a truly unstoppable force both in the offensive zone and defensive zone going forward.