Just think about it and hear me out

Don't know how this helps the Leafs defence. Faulk is soft, or certainly strong defensively. Bean has potential. McKoewn if an iffy NHLer.

I see it as a huge step up from what they had. Dermott can take that 3rd/4th spot from Bean and put up 30-40 points. Faulk is a better top paring option then Hainsey. And Bean and McKoewn have huge potential.

I understand where you are coming from but this is way off base.

Faulk is essentially the same thing as Gardiner but likely even worse defensively. Bean isn't needed, the Leafs have several young prospects coming up that can fill holes so there is no need to jump the gun and overpay for Bean or Faulk.

The Leafs defence isn't a problem, its just not nearly as good as their offence and that to some means its a big issue. It just isn't nearly as big as people think it is.

With the offense this team will run with, what they need are fast and mobile players on the back end who make smart decisions and can go retrieve the puck in their end before forecheckers get there. I see a lineup something like this in 3 years for TO.

Rielly with Liljegren
Dermott/Rosen with Zaitsev
Sandin with Ozhiganov

Maybe Ozhiganov plays with Rielly, I don't know or care. This isn't going to be nearly as much of a problem as others think it will be.

I see rolling out with Hainsey in the top four a huge issue. I want him out there, bottom pairing, sure, but he can not keep up with Reilly. Give Reilly someone who can actually elevate his talent, not hinder it.

Ozhiganov, I believe could see himself move up to the top pair this season. I am not sure if that's the best idea yet but its certainly better than Hainsey. I guess if we have to have Hainsey in the lineup, playing sheltered minutes with Dermott or Rosen on the bottom pair will certainly be better than nothing.