For the Johnsson trade, don't focus too hard on team or return. I figured Nashville will look for changes this offseason, and they have two second's so I traded for the later pick. If he goes to some other team for a 3rd, that's selling low, but it's a cap dump.
The controversial move IMO is keeping Liljegren in the NHL. I have long been a proponent of his game, because his consistent improvements into a dependable AHL #1 as a two-way defensemen has been nothing short of impressive. His NHL debut this season was seen as a flop due to the advanced stats, but he was not put in a position for success. 10 minutes a night on the 3rd pair, and rarely with top players doesn't breed success. As seen in this fantastic thread https://twitter.com/SammyT_51/status/1297871725577764865 , I believe Liljegren needs real NHL minutes to grow, and a veteran partner like Muzzin would be the ideal player to learn the two-way game from. This allows Liljegren to jump up on occasion with Muzzin back, and Muzzin can help out if Liljegren does make a misstep defensively, but will afford him the chance to face top NHL players and really learn NHL speed, because that is really what looked off in his audition. His timing was AHL timing, just go that extra split second faster for the NHL, and that's only learned by doing it.
Sandin to the AHL is controversial, but IMO he needs defensive work. I think playing #1 AHL Minutes, with PP1 and PK1, closing out games would be best for him to work out those defensive flaws, as he already has NHL timing. He could stay in the NHL as P3 and PP2, but for this, I have dermott taking his QO rather than trading him, which lets Sandin go back down. This could be changed if the Leafs think he can learn defense better in the NHL than AHL.
The Mikko Koivu signing is a wishful thinking move. Even at his current age, he's a solid defensive forward who could be used on the PK and when holding a lead to quiet down a game. This way when you need offense you have a 4th line with Spezza and Engvall, and for defense Gauthier can slide in. The other option was bring back Clifford, which I liked, but frankly not for the cost of a 2nd round pick.
I also know many Leafs fans are low on Holl, but we know factually that he an Muzzin work as a shutdown pair. Holl is at best a 4, probably a 5, but he has chemistry with Muzzin and is good to keep around as a safeguard if Liljegren doesn't get up to speed after 20 games. I also think his skating ability and gap control would pair well with Rielly, forcing the opposition to actually watch his partner on breakouts, which has never really happened for Rielly in his career.
That Right side of your Defense is terrible, Holl, Lili and Lehtonen, 2 rookie D and 1 average D.
Yup young players on the leafs are never going to get better. It just never happens, like when Matthews didn't get better, or Marner or Nylander. None of them got better so Liljegren and Dermott and Sandin and Lehtonen have no chance of getting better.
I don't disagree, but I wanted to make this work without bringing in Gudas or Brodie or Hamonic or Demelo, as those are the guys always linked in these to Toronto, and while i don't disagree with the options, they are almost always overpaid and I didn't want to get in that debate. My main reasoning was this: Rielly/Muzzin/Holl are playing. If dermott is back, he's playing. I wanted Liljegren to get NHL reps, and that left one spot left. I am fully for getting somebody to fill that spot at 2-3M, but I'd wager the Leafs expect and will give Lehtonen every chance to make the roster, and with that I kept it this way. Only other way that also keeps Sandin down and give Lehtonen a spot is moving dermott so Lehtonen plays 3LD. Which while I like dermott, Im fine with that if it has to happen .
I don't disagree, but I wanted to make this work without bringing in Gudas or Brodie or Hamonic or Demelo, as those are the guys always linked in these to Toronto, and while i don't disagree with the options, they are almost always overpaid and I didn't want to get in that debate. My main reasoning was this: Rielly/Muzzin/Holl are playing. If dermott is back, he's playing. I wanted Liljegren to get NHL reps, and that left one spot left. I am fully for getting somebody to fill that spot at 2-3M, but I'd wager the Leafs expect and will give Lehtonen every chance to make the roster, and with that I kept it this way. Only other way that also keeps Sandin down and give Lehtonen a spot is moving dermott so Lehtonen plays 3LD. Which while I like dermott, Im fine with that if it has to happen .
makes sense and i could see them doing this i just really hope they go out and get a RD
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